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Monday 22 July 2024
Four People Sentenced to Serve 25 Years in Federal Prison Collectively after More Than 120 Pounds of Methamphetamine is Recovered from VehicleRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – CHRISTOPHER WARREN DAVIS, 45, of Springfield, Illinois, has been sentenced to serve 180 months in federal prison for his part in trafficking more than one hundred pounds of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On February 21, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Indictment against Davis and three other co-defendants, charging them with a drug conspiracy and with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. According to public record, on February 5, 2023, members of the Oklahoma City Police Department’s Criminal Oklahoma Interdiction of Central Oklahoma (CITCO) unit stopped two vehicles, both registered out of state and traveling together in a suspicious manner, and located approximately 123 pounds of methamphetamine in one of the vehicles.
On August 9, 2023, Davis pleaded guilty to Count 2 of the Indictment and admitted to possessing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
At the sentencing hearing on July 18, 2024, Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Davis to serve 180 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
The three other defendants charged in this case also pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and have been sentenced as follows:
- Kanesha L. Gladney, 28, was sentenced to serve 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
- Tatyanna Marie Johnson, 26, was sentenced to serve 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
- Anthony Allison, 42, was sentenced to serve 72 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, the Oklahoma City Police Department, and the Oklahoma City Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danielle M. Connolly and Travis Leverett prosecuted the case.Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Former Teacher Admits Producing Child Pornography with Hidden CamerasRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former St. Louis County, Missouri teacher on Monday admitted possessing child pornography and producing child pornography with hidden cameras.
Joseph R. Gutowski, 42, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of producing of child pornography and one count of receiving child pornography.
Gutowski admitted hiding cameras in his office at Lafayette High School in Wildwood and in his home. He secretly filmed minors and traded some of those images with others online, his plea agreement says. He was also a member of an underground child pornography group on Mega, a cloud storage service, and traded videos he’d secretly recorded of an adult in the “Club Creep” group on Mega.
Gutowski tried to delete child sexual abuse material from nearly all of his electronic devices before they were seized by law enforcement, his plea says. He deleted 25,377 files from his Dropbox account alone.
Gutowski is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23, 2024. The production charge carries a potential penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison and the receiving charge carries a potential penalty of five to 20 years in prison.
The FBI and the St. Louis County Police Department Special Investigations Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Former Employee Sentenced for Robbing Danville Food LionRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A former Danville Food Lion employee, who pulled a gun on a Food Lion cashier and robbed the store of more than $1,200 in cash, was sentenced this week to 79 months in federal prison.
Christopher Rashard Harris, 31, previously pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery.
According to court documents, on June 28, 2023, Harris entered the Food Lion grocery store where he used to be employed, placed two bags of Cheetos on the counter, and gave the cashier a $1 bill and some change. When the cashier opened the register, Harris pulled out a firearm, pointed it at the cashier, and twice told the cashier to “back the fu*k up.” The cashier put his hands up and backed away from the register while Harris grabbed the entire cash drawer and ran out with the contents, approximately $1,217.
On July 6, 2023, law enforcement arrested Harris who confessed to robbing the store and described where he had abandoned the cash drawer, which was later recovered.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Scheff prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Former CEO of Startup Software Company Pleads Guilty to Payroll Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty today to not paying more than $14 million in employment taxes and not filing personal tax returns.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Andrew Park, 49, of Bedford, was the co-founder and CEO of a startup technology company. Park was responsible for all financial matters related to the company, including for filing the company’s quarterly employment tax returns and collecting and paying over Social Security, Medicare and income taxes withheld from the employees’ wages to the IRS, as well as the Social Security and Medicare taxes the company owed.
He was also responsible for collecting and paying over state and local employment taxes to those respective governments. From the company’s founding in 2014 through the third quarter of 2021, Park withheld these federal, state and local taxes from the employees’ wages but did not pay them over as required by law. He also did not pay over the portion of the employment taxes that the company owed. Park did so even though a payroll service company that he hired to process the employees’ payroll regularly notified him that the taxes were due and in more than one instance was notified by an employee that the amount paid to Social Security listed on her W-2 did not match what was reported by the Social Security Administration.
From 2013 through 2020, Park also did not file individual tax returns as required by law, despite the fact that he paid himself a salary of approximately $250,000 each year.
In total, Park caused a tax loss to the IRS exceeding $14 million, as well as additional losses to state and local taxing authorities.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the charge of willful failure to account for and pay over payroll taxes, and one year in prison for the charge of willful failure to file a tax return. Park also faces additional penalties including supervised release and fines, as well as the payment of restitution to the IRS and other taxing entities. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young for the District of New Hampshire made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Eric Powers of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter for the District of New Hampshire are prosecuting the case.
Fentanyl Trafficker Who Smuggled Fake Oxycodone from LAX to Dulles in Laundry Product Bottles Sentenced to 10+ YearsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Andre Malik Edmond, 23, of Temple Hills, Maryland, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for participating in a massive fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that shipped hundreds of thousands of fake oxycodone pills from Southern California to destinations throughout the United States, including the District. Edmond, aka “Draco,” was one of 24 co-defendants arrested over the course of 2023 in D.C., Virginia, Maryland, San Diego, and Los Angeles and charged in the conspiracy.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the DEA Washington Division, Inspector in Charge Damon Wood of the US Postal Inspection Service Washington Division (USPIS), Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Edmond pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on February 28 to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kollar-Kotelly ordered Edmond to serve five years of supervised release.
The DEA launched the investigation after a young woman in Washington, D.C., Diamond Lynch, took one pill and died as a result of acute fentanyl intoxication. In addition to investigating and prosecuting the death resulting case,[1] law enforcement followed the evidence and uncovered a vast network of traffickers who transported fentanyl from Mexico to Los Angeles to the District of Columbia. Since then, investigators have seized more than 450,000 fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms.
According to court documents, Edmond and his co-conspirators smuggled the pills on flights to the DMV in luggage and personal carry-on items, or by shipping them through the mail using the U.S. mail or commercial carriers.
In one instance, Edmond informed his Los Angeles-based supplier he wanted to purchase 75,000 fentanyl pills at 39 cents per pill. Edmonds flew to Southern California to complete the deal in January 2023. On January 30, 2023, DEA agents conducted an interdiction of a checked bag at Dulles International Airport that had just arrived on a flight from LAX. Edmond and his traveling companion, a minor, were both passengers on the flight. The bag was checked in the traveling companion’s name and was searched upon arriving at the baggage carousel. Packed in the bag were six Downy Unstopables containers—all of which were filled with fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, totaling more than 70,000 pills and weighing about 8.2 kilograms. As agents searched the bag, Edmond attempted to flee before law enforcement apprehended him in a parking lot.
Then, before being charged in this case, while Edmond was on pretrial release for state charges in Maryland, he continued to traffic drugs. On June 1, 2023, federal law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Edmond’s home and recovered about 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills. The majority of the pills were found inside a Downy Unstopables container, with the remainder packaged in several baggies.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (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.
Today’s sentencing comes after the following resolutions by other co-defendants in this case.
DEFENDANT
AGE
LOCATION
CHARGES/SENTENCE
Raymond Nava, Jr.
20
Bell Gardens,
California
Pleaded guilty 5-9-24, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Ulises Aldaz
28
Bell Gardens,
California
Sentenced 6-28-24, to 95 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Marvin Anthony Bussie,
aka “Money Marr”
21
Washington, D.C.
Sentenced 6-28-24 to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Marcus Orlando Brown
28
Washington, D.C.
Pleaded guilty 3-11-24 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Columbian Thomas, aka
"Cruddy Murda”
26
Washington, D.C.
Pleaded guilty 6-4-24 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Wayne Rodell Carr-Maiden
29
Washington, D.C.
Sentenced 4-29-24 to 45 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Andre Malik Edmond,
aka “Draco”
23
Temple Hills, Maryland
Sentenced 7-22-24, to 130 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Treyveon James Johnson,
aka “Treyski”
20
Alexandria, Virginia
Pleaded guilty 4-19-24 to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Paul Alejandro Felix
25
Glendale,
California
Pleaded guilty 7-1-24 to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Raul Pacheco Ramirez
30
Long Beach,
California
Pleaded guilty 7-19-24 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the DEA Washington Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional support from the DEA Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Field Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the Charles County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Central and Southern Districts of California, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the District of Maryland.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey, Solomon S. Eppel, and Iris McCranie, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section.
23cr73
[1] https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/brother-and-sister-sentenced-drug-conspiracy-involving-fentanyl-sales
Felon Sentenced to 95 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack Cocaine, the Illegal Possession of Four Firearms, Ammunition, a Machine Gun Conversion Device, and Violating Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court in connection to his distribution of crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition, and a machine gun conversion device (otherwise known as a “Switch”), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Joseph Taylor, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 95 months in federal prison. Taylor was sentenced to a total of 77 months on one count of drug distribution, one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm – the Switch. Taylor was also sentenced to a consecutive sentence of 18 months for violating the conditions of his supervised release in committing these crimes.
“The defendant, a serial felon, was undeterred by his previous federal convictions and supervised release,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Taylor’s drug sales coupled with his illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and a Switch has resulted in his incarceration in federal prison for more than 7 years, thus protecting the community from his unrelenting criminal conduct.”
"Possession of firearms by convicted felons is inherently dangerous for society," said Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson, ATF Boston Field Division. "But that danger increases exponentially when prohibited individuals possess firearms containing switches that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns. Within a matter of a few seconds, such firearms can fire multiple rounds with a single squeeze of the trigger. Today’s sentence should send a clear message that anyone who possesses a machine gun conversion device will be prosecuted federally and face serious consequences."
On three occasions in November 2023 and January 2024, Taylor sold crack cocaine to an individual who was cooperating with the Manchester Police Department. When law enforcement searched Taylor’s residence, they found money that had been used in the controlled buys, four firearms, ammunition, magazines and other firearm accessories, and a 3D-printed Switch. One of the firearms had previously been reported to the Manchester Police Department as stolen. Taylor did not register the machine gun conversion device (Switch) on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) as required by the National Firearms Act. Taylor had previously been convicted of four felonies and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. At the time he committed these crimes, Taylor was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and John Kennedy prosecuted the case.
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Fake Concert Promoter Sentenced to 57 months in Prison for Nearly $3 million Fraud Scheme Involving Identity Theft and Bogus Music ConcertsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On July 17, Terronce Morris, 42, the leader of a two-man fraud scheme, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison on conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft charges.
Morris, of Missouri City, Tex., pled guilty on Feb. 13 to conspiring with Blake Kelly, 37, of Los Angeles, Calif., in a fraud scheme involving bogus music concerts with famous artists, including J.B., B.E., and P.M. Kelly had previously pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy, on Jan. 9. Morris and Kelly also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft for forging the signature and using the identity of music artist J.B. on false and fraudulent concert contracts.
According to the factual proffer and other court documents, between December 2019 and March 2020, Morris and Kelly fraudulently obtained approximately $1,350,000 from victim J.R. Morris and Kelly persuaded the victim to give them the money for the purportedly production of a music festival, featuring J.B., P.M., B.E., and other music recording artists. Morris and Kelly created several false and fraudulent concert performance contracts forging the signatures of the music recording artists. Morris also created false and fraudulent email accounts that he used to pose as if the music recording artists themselves had sent the signed contracts to Kelly and himself. Additionally, during a video call with the victim, Morris and Kelly had an accomplice pose as J.B. to trick the victim into believing that J.B. had agreed to perform at the concert series.
Morris continued his fraud scheme after receiving several cease and desist letters from the recording artists' attorneys. Just a few months after stealing victim J.R.’s $1,350,000, in October 2020, Morris used more fake and forged J.B. contracts that he created to trick another victim, A.M., out of $500,000. On Nov. 19, 2020, Morris sent victim A.M. a false, fake, and fraudulent B.E. contract from his email account. Relying on these bogus contracts, victim A.M. sent Morris a $250,000 check for the anticipated performance, and Morris quickly deposited those funds and as in the case of victim J.R., Morris used those funds on himself and not for a concert featuring musical artists.
After stealing victim A.M.'s money, in May 2021, to as late as December 2023 (post-arrest), Morris stole an additional $850,000 from two more victims, W.P. and S.H. On July 27, 2021, Morris sent victim W.P. an email with another forged and bogus J.B. contract, this time claiming that Morris secured the musical artist's signature in person. Morris wrote in the email, "I told you I was going to get it done!!!!" And just like victim J.R., victim W.P., drawing upon his and victim S.H.'s money, sent Morris a check made payable to "J.B.," in the amount of $250,000. Morris, without any authority, signed the back of the check, deposited it in his own checking account, and spent it on himself.
Morris, free on bond, met with victim W.P. in December 2023 (post-arrest) and promised him that the J.B. concert would go on someday in the near future. In yet another separate, yet related instance, in November 2021, Morris met with victim M.P and received a $350,000 cashier’s check in the name of J.B on behalf of victims N.V. and J. F. Morris again claimed that he represented artist J.B. and that the $350,000 was to procure his performance on a live streaming event during the Covid-19 pandemic. Morris then committed the aggravated identity theft of a second J.B., in that in December 2021, he opened a bank account in Texas, using the personal identifying information of a victim named J.B., who shares the same name as the musical artist, J.B.
The total fraud loss from Morris’ musical artist fraud scheme is close to $3,000,000. Morris and Kelly used the fraudulently obtained money to enrich themselves and finance a lavish lifestyle for themselves and their accomplices, which included traveling, purchasing luxury goods, paying for luxurious services, and dining at high-priced restaurants.
On March 13, Kelly was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roger Cruz and Joan Silverstein prosecuted it.
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 https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/ or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-60118.
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Dade City Babysitter Gets Maximum Sentence for Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Olejuwan Lamar Steele (30, Zephyrhills) to 30 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for production of child sex abuse material. The court also ordered Steele to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victim and register as a sex offender. Steele entered a guilty plea on April 17, 2024.
According to court documents, Steele was a babysitter in the Dade City community in Pasco County. On one occasion in 2022, while babysitting a two-year-old child, Steele created videos of child sexual abuse material of the victim and shared them on the internet via live-video.
“This babysitter exploited the innocence of a child in his care, betrayed the trust placed in him, and violated the sanctity of childhood itself,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Micah McCombs. “Through HSI’s law enforcement partnership with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, this predator will now be held accountable for his vile actions against a child.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations—Tampa with substantial assistance from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Claire Favorit.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to over 17 Years for Firearm and Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal judge recently sentenced Desmond Woods, 43, of Memphis to over 17 years in federal prison for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to court documents, in October 2020, Woods was stopped by security guards at a local apartment complex for loitering. Upon detaining Woods and searching his belongings, the guards found a Glock 22 caliber pistol, approximately 17 grams of cocaine, and a digital scale. Woods was arrested by the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
In a second incident, in July 2021, security guards at a different apartment complex attempted to contact Woods, again, for loitering. After a brief chase, the guards detained Woods, searched him, and found an API .45 caliber pistol, a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol, approximately 61 grams of cocaine, and a digital scale.
In a third incident, Memphis Police officers responded in June 2022 to an emergency call involving Woods and found him in possession of a Del-ton 5.56 caliber rifle loaded with 50 rounds. Woods was a convicted felon at the time of the incident.
Woods pled guilty in March 2024 to three counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of cocaine possession with intent to distribute, and two counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a dangerous felony.
United States Chief District Court Judge John T. Fowlkes sentenced Woods on July 18, 2024, to a total of 207 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated for federal prosecution by the PSN Gun Task Force and the Memphis Police Department.
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz thanked Assistant United States Attorney Jermal Blanchard, who prosecuted this case, as well as law enforcement partners who investigated the case.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Convicted Felon Sentenced for Dealing Crack Cocaine While Armed Inside a Northwest Dollar StoreRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Tavon Lyles, 34, a convicted felon from Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 90 months in prison, to run consecutive to any other sentence, in connection with dealing crack cocaine inside a variety store to undercover police officers while he was armed with a Glock 22 semi-automatic handgun, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Lyles pleaded guilty on October 11, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and another count of unlawful possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered Lyles to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on December 14, 2020, about 6:40 p.m., members of MPD Narcotics and Special Investigations Division (NSID) were conducting a buy-bust operation in the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, NW. Undercover officers (UC) approached Lyles inside a Dollar Plus store and asked Lyles if he had change for a $100 dollar bill. Lyles pulled out money to make change and simultaneously pulled out a plastic bag containing several smaller zips containing a white rock-like substance.
The undercover officers left the store, discussed what they saw, went back, and approached Lyles again. Lyles asked how much cash they had, and the UCs replied that they had $40. Lyles reached into his pants and pulled out two blue zips containing a white rock-like substance and handed them to one of the UCs. The UC handed Lyles two $20 bills of prerecorded currency. The UCs left the store and signaled that the buy was good.
The arrest team moved in. Lyles struggled briefly with officers as they placed him under arrest. As they attempted to handcuff him, an officer felt a hard object in Lyle’s front waistband which felt like a firearm. The officer asked Lyles if the firearm was loaded, and Lyles confirmed it was. The officers handcuffed Lyles and removed a Glock 22 semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine from his waistband.
From Lyle’s pockets, officers recovered cocaine base (crack) weighing a total of 32.73 grams. In addition, officers recovered $1,071 in cash which included the two $20 bills of MPD pre-recorded currency. Lyles admitted that he knew that he possessed the firearm and ammunition, that the firearm was loaded, and that he knew he had prior felony convictions for which the potential penalty was more than one year of incarceration.
This case was investigated by the MPD’s Narcotics and Special Investigations Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.
21cr0010
Columbus, Ohio man pleads guilty to exploiting minor via videos of rapeRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Arturo Navarrete-Juarez, 29, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to sexually exploiting a minor.
Navarrete-Juarez faces a potential sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison.
According to court documents, between October 2021 and December 2022, Navarrete-Juarez sexually abused at least one minor and created child pornography of the abuse. Specifically, the defendant raped a 6-year-old girl.
In March of 2023, the FBI investigated child sexual abuse material on a Tor network that featured Navarrete-Juarez. The defendant’s face was visible in the videos. Investigators also linked Navarrete-Juarez’s identity to the videos by distinctive tattoos on his hands, arms and chest and by the apartment depicted in the background of the videos.
Navarrete-Juarez was charged federally by a criminal complaint in March 2023. He will be sentenced at a future hearing. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Rausch and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.
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Chinese national indicted for importation of enough chemicals to make millions upon millions of fatal doses of fentanylRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 48-year-old Chinese national has been indicted for his part in a conspiracy involving the importation of what is believed to be the largest amount of fentanyl precursors found in the Southern District of Texas and one of the largest in the country, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Minsu Fang aka Fernando is expected to make an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo July 23 at 11 a.m. Authorities originally arrested Fang in New York City, New York, June 19 on an arrest warrant based out of Laredo.
“We charged this defendant for importing enough fentanyl precursor chemicals from China to kill millions of Americans,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, and the Justice Department is committed to breaking apart every link in the global fentanyl supply chain.”
“My office is focused on disrupting and dismantling the transnational criminal organizations flooding the United States with fentanyl, a drug that is killing our children,” said Hamdani. “Fang allegedly imported over 2,000 kilograms of raw materials from China destined for various places in Mexico used in the manufacture of fentanyl. This historic seizure represents a multi-agency collaboration that prevented the production of millions upon millions of deadly doses of fentanyl-laced pills.”
“To end the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) starts where the harm begins – with the Chinese chemical companies and the individuals that are selling chemicals to those who make and sell the fentanyl that is killing Americans. This work led DEA to Minsu Fang, who is charged with selling more than 2,000 kilograms of fentanyl precursors. This marks one of DEA’s largest seizures of fentanyl chemicals to date in the United States,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The DEA is laser-focused on saving American lives by disrupting the entire global fentanyl supply chain that is responsible for flooding our communities with fentanyl. By disrupting Fang’s operations, DEA and our partners saved countless lives in the United States.
A federal grand jury charged Minsu Fang aka Fernando July 17 in a four-count indictment under seal with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance for purpose of unlawful importation, conspiracy to import a controlled substance and conspiracy to export a controlled substance.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) plays a pivotal role in disrupting the supply of illicit opioids at every point in the drug supply chain: internationally, at our nation’s borders, and in communities throughout the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, HSI San Antonio. “The partnerships in this investigation were key to securing this indictment. The threat imposed by fentanyl dictates that agencies not only deconflict and coordinate, but to also collaborate. This investigation and prosecution are the perfect example of collaboration across agencies and throughout the country.”
The now unsealed charges allege Fang and his associates shipped over 2,000 kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China into the United States and on to Mexico in approximately 100 separate shipments between August and October 2023. Fang and his co-conspirators were able to avoid law enforcement interdiction of the shipments by declaring them to have a de minimis value, less than $800, and commingling the boxes containing the precursor chemicals with similarly low valued import items, according to the charges.
As a result, each of the shipments were allegedly admitted into the United States without a detailed inspection of the individual contents. Once in the United States, Fang, through co-conspirators, shipped the chemicals into Mexico, according to the charges.
If convicted, Fang faces up to life on each count of conviction as well as a $10 million fine.
The DEA and HSI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard D. Hanes and Heather Rae Winter are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
#OnePillCanKill
Chinese National Indicted for Importation of Enough Chemicals to Make Millions of Fatal Doses of FentanylRead the Press Release
A Chinese national was indicted for his part in a conspiracy involving the importation of what is believed to be the largest amount of fentanyl precursors found in the Southern District of Texas and one of the largest in the country.
Minsu Fang, 48, also known as Fernando, was charged in a four-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance for purpose of unlawful importation, conspiracy to import a controlled substance, and conspiracy to export a controlled substance.
“We charged this defendant for importing enough fentanyl precursor chemicals from China to kill millions of Americans,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, and the Justice Department is committed to breaking apart every link in the global fentanyl supply chain.”
“To end the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) starts where the harm begins – with the Chinese chemical companies and the individuals that are selling chemicals to those who make and sell the fentanyl that is killing Americans. This work led DEA to Minsu Fang, who is charged with selling more than 2,000 kilograms of fentanyl precursors. This marks one of DEA’s largest seizures of fentanyl chemicals to date in the United States,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The DEA is laser-focused on saving American lives by disrupting the entire global fentanyl supply chain that is responsible for flooding our communities with fentanyl. By disrupting Fang’s operations, DEA and our partners saved countless lives in the United States.”
“My office is focused on disrupting and dismantling the transnational criminal organizations flooding the United States with fentanyl, a drug that is killing our children,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “Fang allegedly imported over 2,000 kilograms of raw materials from China destined for various places in Mexico used in the manufacture of fentanyl. This historic seizure represents a multi-agency collaboration that prevented the production of millions upon millions of deadly doses of fentanyl-laced pills.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) plays a pivotal role in disrupting the supply of illicit opioids at every point in the drug supply chain: internationally, at our nation’s borders, and in communities throughout the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee of HSI San Antonio. “The partnerships in this investigation were key to securing this indictment. The threat imposed by fentanyl dictates that agencies not only deconflict and coordinate, but to also collaborate. This investigation and prosecution are the perfect example of collaboration across agencies and throughout the country.”
The now unsealed charges allege Fang and his associates shipped over 2,000 kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China into the United States and on to Mexico in approximately 100 separate shipments between August and October 2023. Fang and his co-conspirators were able to avoid law enforcement interdiction of the shipments by declaring them to have a de minimis value, less than $800, and commingling the boxes containing the precursor chemicals with similarly low valued import items, according to the charges.
As a result, each of the shipments were allegedly admitted into the United States without a detailed inspection of the individual contents. Once in the United States, Fang, through co-conspirators, shipped the chemicals into Mexico, according to the charges.
If convicted, Fang faces a maximum penalty of life in prison on each count, as well as a $10 million fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The DEA and HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard D. Hanes and Heather Rae Winter for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Child Predator Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – Jordan Alan Neves Brewer, 37, of Ogden, Utah, was sentenced today to 10 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime of supervised release, and ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution after he admitted to possessing child pornography in 2023.
The sentence was imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups after Brewer admitted in February 2024 that he possessed child pornography while on supervised release for a prior 2012 federal conviction of the same conduct. Brewer also has a state conviction for possession of child pornography. He was released from his state sentence in 2019 and completed sex offender treatment in 2021.
According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, on March 30, 2023, a United States Probation Officer conducted a home inspection at Brewer’s residence and found unapproved electronic devices. A forensic search of Brewer’s laptop revealed child pornography involving prepubescent children.
The case was investigated jointly by the United States Probation Office and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Chicago-Area Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Illegally Exporting Thermal Riflescopes and Other Military Items to RussiaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Illinois woman was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for conspiring to unlawfully export to Russia defense articles – including thermal imaging riflescopes and night-vision goggles – without a license in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Elena Shifrin, 62, of Mundelein, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr.
Shifrin pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act.
According to court documents, from 2017 to 2020, Shifrin participated in the export of more than 60 defense articles from the United States to Russia without obtaining from the State Department a valid license or other approval for such exports.
As Shifrin admitted at her change of plea hearing, Shifrin’s co-conspirators purchased the defense articles – including thermal riflescopes, weapons sights, monoculars and night-vision googles – from online sellers in the United States and directed the sellers to mail those items to Shifrin or other co-conspirators in Illinois and California. After receiving the items, Shifrin mailed them to co-conspirators in Russia without obtaining the required licenses.
To conceal her unlawful activities, when Shifrin exported the defense articles to Russia, she listed fictitious sender names and addresses on the packages containing the defense articles, falsely identified the items in the packages as non-export-controlled items such as clothing, and concealed the defense articles in other items such as toolkits and kitchen appliances.
One of Shifrin’s co-conspirators, Igor Panchernikov, 43, a former Corona resident who once served in the United States Air Force Reserves, pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act and was sentenced in June 2023 to 27 months in federal prison.
Two other defendants charged in this case – Boris Polosin, of Russia, and Vladimir Gohman, of Israel – are fugitives. Charges against another defendant – Vladimir Pridacha, 59, of Volo, Illinois, were dismissed on January 19 at the request of prosecutors.
The FBI’s Los Angeles and Chicago field offices investigated this matter, with substantial assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys David T. Ryan of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, and Wilson Park of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case. The Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division is providing substantial assistance.
Capitol Heights Man Sentenced to 53 Months in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud and Illegal Possession of A FirearmRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – On July 18, 2024, U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Stephawn Watson, also known as “O Dawg,” age 28, of Capitol Heights, Maryland to 53 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for charges related to a Maryland and California unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme totaling more than $1.5 million, as well as Illegal Possession of a Firearm. Judge Hurson also ordered Wason to forfeit over $90,000 and to pay restitution of $2,094,319.
The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Ajay Lall of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer of the National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”); Chief Amal E. Awad of the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (MSP); Chief Charles H. Hinnant of the Cumberland Police Department, and Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
Financial assistance offered through the CARES Act included expanded eligibility for Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) benefits and increased UI benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (“PUA”), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”), and the Lost Wages Assistance Program (“LWAP”).
According to his plea agreement, from March 2020 to October 2021, Watson and his co-conspirators impersonated victims to submit fraudulent claims for pandemic-related UI benefits in Maryland and in California. As part of the scheme, Watson and his co-conspirators obtained the birthdates, social security numbers, and other personal identifying information (“PII”) of numerous victims which they used to prepare and submit fraudulent applications for UI benefits. The applications contained false information, including the victims’ contact information, states of residence, and availability for work. These fraudulent applications caused financial institutions to load UI benefits onto debit cards and mail the cars to physical addresses provided and monitored by co-conspirators. Once Watson and his co-conspirators received fraudulently obtained benefits on the debit cards, they used them for cash withdrawals and other transactions for their own benefits.
A search of Watson’s residence in February, 2021, recovered 11 UI debit cards in the names of 9 victims as well as a fraudulent account created in Watson’s name. The investigation also revealed numerous text messages between Watson and his co-conspirators exchanging PII of victims and discussing the execution of the UI fraud scheme. In all, Watson and his co-conspirators submitted more than 200 fraudulent UI claims using the names and PII of victims, resulting in more than $1.6 million in losses.
Watson was also sentenced for his Illegal Possession of a Firearm based on his arrest in January 2022 by the Cumberland Police Department. At the time of his arrest, Watson was wanted for three different warrants in three different jurisdictions for firearms related offenses. The firearm was later determined to be stolen.
The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the USPIS, HSI, DOL-OIG, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, MSP, the Cumberland Police Department, and the ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn who prosecuted 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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Burlington Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
Davenport, Iowa – A Burlington man was sentenced on Thursday, July 11, 2024, to 120 months in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Corey Lee Ritz, 48, engaged in a Facebook conversation with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old female. Ritz proceeded to graphically describe the kinds of sex acts he would like to perform on the 15-year-old if they met in person. Ritz made plans to meet with the 15-year-old. Ritz then suggested that the 15-year-old bring another underage female to their planned meeting. Ritz then began communicating with a second undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old female. Ritz arranged to meet with the two minor females in person in Burlington, Iowa.
Ritz arrived at the pre-planned in-person meeting and was arrested by the Des Moines County Sherriff’s Department. He had a Samsung cell phone and three condoms in his possession. Ritz admitted to law enforcement that he was meeting a 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl for the purpose of sex.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Ritz will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Des Moines County Sheriff Department.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.
Bradenton Felon Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Andre Adams, Jr. (43, Bradenton) guilty of possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Adams faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years, up to forty years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2024. Adams was indicted on January 23, 2023.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) began investigating an unknown individual in Bradenton for selling fentanyl and using Cash App for payment after a complaint from a concerned citizen. Investigators were able to determine the identity of the individual as Andre Adams. Jr. Over the next several months, investigators surveilled Adams’ residence and observed frequent visitors to the residence briefly meeting with Adams and appearing to make exchanges with him. Adams’s Cash App records showed that tens of thousands of dollars had been paid to him over a short period of time. Many of the senders had known drug addiction issues and used coded drug language such as “Scooby snacks,” a street term for heroin or fentanyl.
On August 4, 2022, detectives with MCSO executed a search warrant at Adams’ residence. They discovered a loaded handgun, scales, drug cutting agents, a money counter, Kilo press, $22,000 in cash, 55 grams of methamphetamine, 400 grams of cocaine, and 80 grams of fentanyl. Later that same day, investigators executed a search warrant at Adams’ storage unit. There they discovered two kilograms of cocaine, more than 350 grams of methamphetamine, drug cutting agents, and a digital scale. They also discovered three additional firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, and several dozen rounds of ammunition.
Prior to Adams’ conduct on August 4, 2022, he had been convicted of trafficking in cocaine and spent 15 years in Florida state prison. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
Adams agreed to forfeit all firearms and ammunition found in this case.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale.
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.
Bastrop Man to Spend 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – A Bastrop man was sentenced in federal court to 300 months in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to court documents, Stuart Mitchell Pieper, 41, was a member of a private chat group on a social networking application. In July and August 2023, Pieper used the account to post multiple images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Pieper also discussed, in the group chat and in direct messages, how he was “grooming” female children for sexual activity.
A search warrant executed on Aug. 12, 2023 resulted in the seizure of phones and laptops. A preliminary search of Pieper’s cell phone revealed images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. Pieper was arrested that day by state authorities in Bastrop County and was transferred into federal custody on Nov. 13, 2023. He was indicted for one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and pleaded guilty to the charge on April 18, 2024.
The FBI and Bastrop County Sheriff's Office investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Franklin County District Attorney's Office and the New Albany Police Department in Ohio.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Cohen prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Baltimore Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for His Role in Murder for Hire ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin today sentenced Tyrik Braxton, a/k/a “Son-Son,” age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 25 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for the use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death, in connection with a murder-for-hire conspiracy. A co-defendant solicited Braxton and others to murder victim Juan Ross in exchange for money and in the course of the murder-for-hire Braxton aided and abetted his co-conspirators who discharged firearms, resulting in the death of Ross.
The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Chief Gregory Der of the Howard County Police Department; and Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson.
According to the plea agreement, on October 4, 2020, Howard County Police responded to a shooting in the area of Basket Ring Road in Columbia. Victim Juan Ross was found shot and killed at the scene, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Braxton admitted that he accepted money and assisted the co-conspirators who shot the victim, knowing that the victim was going to be killed. A co-conspirator accused the victim Juan Rossof cooperating with law enforcement, including on a live social media conversation on September 9, 2020, and in text messages. The victim was arrested on drug and weapon charges on September 5, 2020, but was released on bail after being interviewed by police.
Braxton admitted that a co-conspirator solicited him to kill the victim and that he accepted payment from the co-conspirator to commit the murder. As detailed in the plea agreement, the defendant used interstate commerce facilities, specifically cellular telephones and a vehicle, in the commission of the murder-for-hire.
On November 20, 2020, HCPD executed a series of search warrants, including at Braxton’s residence. Braxton was in his bedroom when law enforcement arrived to execute the warrant and he was placed under arrest. Law enforcement recovered a .45-caliber handgun with magazine and ammunition under the mattress in Braxton’s bedroom; a blue backpack containing $2,134 in cash, located under the bed and Braxton’s iPhone, located next to the bed. The phone contained photos of Braxton and his co-conspirators and Braxton admitted that they were his co-conspirators in the murder-for-hire of the victim.
On January 11, 2023, Judge Rubin sentenced co-defendant Daquante Thomas, age 22, of Baltimore, to 35 years in federal prison for discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death. Thomas admitted that he was one of the shooters. On February 27, 2024, Judge Rubin sentenced co-defendant Jourdain Larose, a/k/a “JBlacc,” age 29, of Ellicott City to 40 years in federal prison his role in the murder for hire conspiracy. Larose admitted that he solicited others to kill the victim in exchange for payment.
This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the ATF, the Howard County Police Department, and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution and thanked the FBI, the Maryland State Police, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Y. Hagan, who is prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Baltimore Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of A Firearm and Ammunition and Is Sentenced to Four Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Jermaine Washington, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty on July 19, 2024 to a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to serve a term of four years of incarceration.
The guilty plea was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.
Washington has previously been convicted of armed robbery in Maryland state court in 2006 and again in 2013. According to his guilty plea, on May 6, 2022, Baltimore Police Department officers performed a traffic stop near the 1700 block of Ramsay Street after noticing that a vehicle – later found to be driven by Washington – had an inoperable brake light and tag light, and expired registration. After stopping the car and identifying Washington, officers determined Washington had an outstanding state arrest warrant for domestic assault. Officers also examined the interior of Washington’s vehicle using a flashlight and observed a handgun in plain view on the driver’s-side floorboard. The officers then entered the vehicle and recovered a Sig-Sauer .40 caliber handgun loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. As a part of his plea agreement, Washington admitted that he knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition as a result of the two previous armed robbery convictions.
As a part of his plea agreement, Washington and the government agreed that Washington would be sentenced to a term of 48 months (four years) in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson accepted this plea agreement today and, upon Washington’s request, held a contemporaneous sentencing hearing, imposing the agreed-upon term of 48 months incarceration, and sentencing Washington to a subsequent term of three years supervised release.
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.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven T. Brantley, who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Indian Country leads to 40-Month Sentence in Federal Prison for Stephens County ManRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – KADEN SANNER RODEN, 25, of Duncan, has been sentenced to serve 40 months in federal prison for an assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian country, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On November 7, 2023, a federal grand jury charged Roden with assault with a dangerous weapon. According to public record, in March 2023, Roden was involved in an argument with another individual over an alleged debt that was owed. When the victim attempted to drive away, Roden shot at the victim’s vehicle several times, striking the driver’s side of the car once. The victim was not injured.
This case is in federal court because Roden is a member of the Choctaw Nation and the crime took place within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation.
On January 8, 2024, Roden pleaded guilty, and admitted to firing multiple shots at a vehicle being driven by the victim.
At the sentencing hearing on July 12, 2024, U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Roden to serve 40 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Friot noted that the circumstances in this case were particularly dangerous and could have resulted in significantly increased harm.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department, in collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation Office of Tribal Justice Administration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Armed Robbery of Mail Carrier Lands Two Men in Federal Prison for More Than 12 Years CombinedRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY –TARYAN NABOND PRINCE-SADLER, 20, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of a U.S. mail carrier and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On May 16, 2023, Prince-Sadler was charged by Indictment with two counts of armed robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, two counts of unauthorized possession of a postal key, one count of possession of stolen mail, and one count of theft of mail. Prince-Sadler’s co-defendant, Rijae Varnell Luster, 23, was charged with aiding and abetting armed robbery of property of the United States.
According to public record, between August 2022 and March 2023, four separate United States postal carriers reported being robbed while delivering mail. On two of the occasions, once in Edmond (February 1, 2023) and once in Stillwater (March 4, 2023), the suspect pointed a firearm at the carrier, and then forcefully took the carrier’s “Arrow Key,” which opens postal boxes. During the Stillwater robbery, surveillance cameras spotted a white vehicle following the mail carrier before and after the robbery. An investigation of this vehicle led authorities to Luster, who has admitted to the court he drove Prince-Sadler to the Stillwater location to carry out the robbery.
In the early hours of April 17, 2023, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Inspectors tracked Prince-Sadler to a post office in Edmond and observed him unlocking mailboxes, removing U.S. mail, and placing the mail in a trash bag before attempting to get away. USPIS Inspectors immediately arrested Prince-Sadler and discovered a firearm, binoculars, stolen mail, and the Arrow Key from the February 1, 2023, armed postal robbery inside his vehicle.
USPIS has identified at least 505 victims of Prince-Sadler and Luster’s mail theft, and over $500,000 in actual losses associated with the stolen mail.
On October 16, 2023, Prince-Sadler pleaded guilty to a two-count Superseding Information. As part of his plea, Prince-Sadler admitted to forcefully taking a United States Arrow Key from a U.S. mail carrier, putting the carrier’s life in jeopardy by using a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
At the sentencing hearing on July 17, 2024, U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Prince-Sadler to serve 120 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge DeGiusti noted the serious nature of the crime. On June 25, 2024, Luster was sentenced to serve 30 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for aiding and abetting armed robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States.
This case is the result of an investigation by the USPIS. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wilson D. McGarry and Danielle London prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Arizona Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution in New HampshireRead the Press Release
CONCORD – An Arizona man distributing methamphetamine shipped through the United State Postal Service (USPS) into New Hampshire was sentenced today in federal court in Concord to 90 months’ imprisonment, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Michael Bowling, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 90 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On April 11, 2024, Bowling pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal investigative partners have dedicated significant resources to stopping the flow of drugs into to New Hampshire through the mail,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The lengthy prison sentence imposed today by the Court reflects the seriousness of using federal assets to aid in illegal drug distribution. Anyone transporting poisonous drugs using USPS should think again. Law enforcement is watching and poised to take action.”
“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of New Hampshire,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge, Stephen P. Belleau, DEA New England Field Division. “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Bowling accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those who attempt to bring this poison to the Granite State. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“Today’s sentencing should send a clear message that using the U.S. Mail to facilitate drug trafficking activities will not be tolerated,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “This successful investigation is a result of strong partnerships both within the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and with our local and federal law enforcement partners.”
In 2021, the defendant mailed packages of methamphetamine from Arizona into New Hampshire, using fictitious return addresses to thwart law enforcement from identifying him as the supplier. Despite his efforts, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized three packages of methamphetamine sent by the defendant to his Lakes Region co-conspirators, containing over 600 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement arrested the defendant in his Arizona home, where he admitted to mailing the methamphetamine to New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire USPIS and DEA Manchester District Office led the drug investigation, in partnership with the USPIS Phoenix Division and DEA Phoenix Field Division I. The Meredith Police Department, Belknap County Drug Task Force, New Hampshire State Police, and the USPIS Denver, Washington, and Fort Worth Divisions provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Cherniske prosecuted the case.
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Anchorage doctor and her husband charged with health care fraud and tax evasionRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment last week charging an Anchorage doctor and her husband with health care fraud and tax evasion.
According to court documents, from 2010 to 2023, Claribel Tan, 60, a practicing rheumatologist, and her husband, Daniel Tan, 69, operated Claribel K. Tan MD LLC (CKTMD), a medical clinic in Anchorage. The indictment alleges that the couple defrauded health care benefit programs by causing the submission of false claims that misrepresented the type and dosage of medication, and the scope of medical services provided to patients. Further, the indictment alleges that both defendants deceived patients regarding the necessity of receiving medication at the clinic and created false medical records. The indictment also alleges that Claribel Tan deceived patients regarding what substances she injected into their bodies. In total, the Tans received over $10 million in fraudulently obtained funds. In a separate civil action, the Justice Department seized roughly $8.5 million of those funds from the defendant’s accounts.
The indictment also alleges that the Tans evaded income taxes for 2014, 2015 and 2017 by providing false information to their return preparer that overstated CKTMD’s expenses and filing false tax returns that understated their income. The indictment further alleges that Daniel Tan evaded income taxes for 2016 when he provided the Tans’ accountant with false information for that return. The accountant allegedly ceased preparing tax returns for them, and the Tans did not file tax returns for 2016.
The indictment further alleges that the Tans did not file tax returns for 2018 through 2021, despite being required to by law.
The defendants are each charged with one count of health care fraud and four counts of willful failure to file a tax return. Daniel Tan is charged with four counts and Claribel Tan is charged with three counts of attempting to evade and defeat tax. The defendants will make their initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott A. Oravec of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.
If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for health care fraud, five years for each count of tax evasion and one year for each count of failing to file a tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska made the announcement.
The IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Criminal Investigations Division, Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and State of Alaska Division of Insurance Investigation Unit are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Dominick Giovanniello of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Morgan Walker and Seth Beausang for the District of Alaska are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Alaska Doctor and Her Husband Charged with Health Care Fraud and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment last week charging an Anchorage doctor and her husband with health care fraud and tax evasion.
According to court documents, from 2010 to 2023, Claribel Tan, 60, a practicing rheumatologist, and her husband, Daniel Tan, 69, operated Claribel K. Tan MD LLC (CKTMD), a medical clinic in Anchorage. The indictment alleges that the couple defrauded health care benefit programs by causing the submission of false claims that misrepresented the type and dosage of medication, and the scope of medical services provided to patients. Further, the indictment alleges that both defendants deceived patients regarding the necessity of receiving medication at the clinic and created false medical records. The indictment also alleges that Claribel Tan deceived patients regarding what substances she injected into their bodies. In total, the Tans received over $10 million in fraudulently obtained funds. In a separate civil action, the Justice Department seized roughly $8.5 million of those funds from the defendant’s accounts.
The indictment also alleges that the Tans evaded income taxes for 2014, 2015 and 2017 by providing false information to their return preparer that overstated CKTMD’s expenses and filing false tax returns that understated their income. The indictment further alleges that Daniel Tan evaded income taxes for 2016 when he provided the Tans’ accountant with false information for that return. The accountant allegedly ceased preparing tax returns for them, and the Tans did not file tax returns for 2016.
The indictment further alleges that the Tans did not file tax returns for 2018 through 2021, despite being required to by law.
The defendants are each charged with one count of health care fraud and four counts of willful failure to file a tax return. Daniel Tan is charged with four counts and Claribel Tan is charged with three counts of attempting to evade and defeat tax. The defendants will make their initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott A. Oravec of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.
If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for health care fraud, five years for each count of tax evasion and one year for each count of failing to file a tax return. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska made the announcement.
The IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Criminal Investigations Division, Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and State of Alaska Division of Insurance Investigation Unit are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Dominick Giovanniello of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Morgan Walker and Seth Beausang for the District of Alaska are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sunday 21 July 2024
Statement from Attorney General Merrick B. GarlandRead the Press Release
The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland:
“From the beginning of his tenure, President Biden has made clear in both word and deed that he stands for the rule of law and for the Justice Department’s critical mission to protect the safety and the civil rights of everyone in our country. I am grateful for his leadership and for the enormous respect he has shown for the 115,000 public servants of the Justice Department over the past three and a half years. As President Biden has noted, there is critical governing work to be done in the months ahead, and the Justice Department will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights on behalf of the American people.”
Puyallup man caught with nearly 100,000 fentanyl pills and five firearms sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prisonRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 25-year-old Puyallup man, who also maintained an apartment in Seattle, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 78 months in prison for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Emmanuel Xaiver Hunter was identified as a drug trafficker in October 2022 and was arrested in November 2022. He pleaded guilty in April 2024. At the sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “These were very serious crimes and very serious firearms that you had,” and commented that the firearm Hunter was carrying in his waistband when he was arrested “could cause a lot of harm and damage.”
According to records filed in the case, the Drug Enforcement Administration, working with the Auburn Police Department, used a confidential source to purchase fentanyl pills from Hunter on two occasions. In early November 2022, after obtaining a court-authorized search warrant for Hunter’s homes, car and person, law enforcement arrested him and searched both his Puyallup home and downtown Seattle apartment.
Through the searches law enforcement seized 98,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills stamped with “M” and “30” and containing fentanyl, approximately 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, and five handguns. The handgun that Hunter carried when he was arrested was a Glock pistol equipped with an auto-sear so that it acted as an automatic weapon.
In his plea agreement, Hunter admitted that he carried the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. That crime calls for a mandatory minimum of five years to run consecutive to any sentence imposed in the case.
Hunter will be on five years of supervised release following prison.
The case was investigated by the DEA and Auburn Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Shiner.
Friday 19 July 2024
West Mifflin Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – On July 18, 2024, a resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 27 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release, on his convictions for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Marcus Valenzi, 35.
According to information presented to the court, between August 2022 and November 2023, federal and state law enforcement conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating within the Western District of Pennsylvania. The investigation identified Valenzi as a member of the conspiracy, and federal search warrants executed upon residences used by the conspirators in McKees Rocks, PA, resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, firearms, and cellular phones. A subsequent federal search warrant executed upon Valenzi’s residence resulted in the seizure of over $16,000, multiple cellular phones, and xylazine, a dangerous substance used as a cutting agent for fentanyl. A search of Valenzi’s phones revealed communications with a drug customer, who requested the return of his firearm. Valenzi responded that he threw the gun in the river after the “fed raided that house in rocks.” At the time Valenzi possessed his drug customer’s firearm, he had been convicted in Florida of robbery, a felony. Under federal law, felons are prohibited from the possession of firearms and ammunition.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Valenzi.
Washington County Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Washington County man was sentenced on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, to 240 months in federal prison for producing child pornography.
According to public court documents, witnesses notified the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that Trevor Devon Miller, 23, produced a video of himself with a minor female engaged in sexual activity. That video was sent by Miller via Snapchat to other minors. Investigators recovered a copy of the video and confronted Miller who admitted he produced and distributed the video. Investigators also discovered that Miller had produced a similar video with another minor female.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Miller will be required to serve 10 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Miller will be required to register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.
USMS, ICE, and Interpol Washington Collaboration Leads to Apprehension of Fugitive and Rescue of Three Minors in TennesseeRead the Press Release
U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and INTERPOL Washington collaboration led to the arrest of a Bahamian man, Angelo McQueen, wanted in Nassau for sexual offenses against a minor, and the rescue of three children at his Pigeon Forge, Tennessee residence. McQueen was also employed at a Pigeon Forge amusement park at the time of his arrest.
“This joint operation underscores the vital importance of international cooperation and swift action to find dangerous fugitives and protect our most vulnerable,” said INTERPOL Washington Acting Director Jeffrey Grimming. “We thank our great USMS and ICE partners for their immediate response and will continue to offer our tools, resources, and global network in the fight for justice.”
McQueen, a native and citizen of the Bahamas, entered the U.S. on March 1, 2024, in Florida, as a B2 non-immigrant visitor. INTERPOL Washington learned that McQueen was suspected of having committed sexual offenses against a minor in his native Bahamas. Authorities also suspected that McQueen had abducted his biological daughter and brought her to the United States.
INTERPOL Washington was able to determine that McQueen was likely residing in Pigeon Forge. Upon relaying the leads to partners, the USMS Smoky Mountain Fugitive Task Force Eastern District of Tennessee, USMS Missing Child Unit, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested McQueen at his residence on July 5. During the arrest, three minors were encountered at McQueen’s residence, all of whom were turned over to the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.
He is now in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Guilty Plea in Gallup Armed Robbery CaseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Gamerco woman pleaded guilty in federal court to robbery and federal firearms charges arising from her role in the armed robbery of a Gallup insurance company in 2021.
According to publicly available court documents, on December 4, 2021, Amber Yazzie, 29, entered an insurance company in Gallup, New Mexico, with two of her co-defendants, while a fourth co-defendant, waited outside in a vehicle. Yazzie brandished a firearm, yelled at the employees to turn over money, and threatened them before firing the gun into the ceiling.
Following the robbery, Yazzie and her co-defendants traveled to Albuquerque, where they used some of the stolen funds for a shopping spree at a local mall. Law enforcement later recovered receipts and surveillance footage documenting these purchases.
At sentencing, Yazzie faces not less than ten years and up to life in prison. Upon her release from prison, Yazzie will be subject to up to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety, the Navajo Nation Police Department, the Gallup Police Department and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney Secures 19 Year Sentence for Attempted Murder of Border Patrol AgentRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An El Paso man was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for attempting to murder a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a routine immigration stop in New Mexico.
According to court documents, on January 5, 2023, Roberto Esquivel, 25, was pulled over by a Border Patrol agent on a rural section of New Mexico Highway 146 for a routine immigration inspection. When the agent approached the vehicle, he observed individuals inside whom he suspected of being undocumented immigrants. The agent asked Esquivel to exit the vehicle. Instead, Esquivel produced a firearm and shot the agent, striking him twice in the torso area.
After shooting the agent, Esquivel fled the scene but lost control of the vehicle and rolled it multiple times. He ran from the crash site and threw the gun into the desert. Law enforcement officers subsequently apprehended Esquivel and recovered the discarded firearm.
The Border Patrol agent survived the shooting, largely due to his ballistic vest. One of the passengers required airlift to a hospital but has since recovered from injuries sustained during the incident.
Upon his release from prison, Esquivel will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. McNair is prosecuting the case.
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Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Detonate Explosive Device in Downtown ChicagoRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man was sentenced today to 27 years in federal prison for attempting to detonate an explosive device at a bar in downtown Chicago.
ADEL DAOUD, 30, of Hillside, Ill., attempted to detonate what he thought was a 1,000-pound car bomb at a bar in the downtown Loop neighborhood of Chicago on Sept. 14, 2012. Prior to the attack, Daoud advocated for violent jihad and expressed an interest in working with operational terrorists. He researched and created a list of potential Chicago-area targets, which included movie theaters, bars, a suburban Chicago mall, and military recruiting centers. Unbeknownst to Daoud, the explosive device at the Loop bar was inert and had been constructed by the FBI, which was investigating Daoud in an undercover capacity. Daoud was arrested outside the bar after twice attempting to detonate the purported bomb.
Daoud was originally sentenced in 2019 to 16 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully appealed the original sentence to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which ordered the new sentencing hearing. Today, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly sentenced Daoud to 27 years in prison and ordered that it be followed by a lifetime of court-supervised release.
The new sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Justice Department, and Lucas Rothaar, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barry Jonas and Tiffany Ardam of the Northern District of Illinois, and Trial Attorneys Bridget Behling and Kevin Nunnally of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The attempted bombing was one of three cases against Daoud to be resolved today as part of the new sentencing order. While he was jailed for attempting to detonate the bomb, Daoud solicited his cellmate to arrange for a violent gang member to murder the FBI agent who had worked undercover to investigate Daoud. The murder-for-hire plot was not carried out, and the FBI agent was not injured. The third case against Daoud involved a violent assault on a fellow jail inmate in 2015. While incarcerated at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago, Daoud attacked an inmate who had drawn what Daoud felt was an insulting picture of the prophet Mohammad. The inmate suffered lacerations on his head and a bite mark on an arm.
Stockton Woman Indicted for PIBCOA Franchise Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Stockton woman has been indicted for mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering after defrauding business owners of nearly $1 million through a multi-year sophisticated fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Tammy Schultz Wadsworth, 62, is the founder and owner of the Pain, Injury and Brain Centers of America (“PIBCOA”), a national franchise organization headquartered at Wadsworth’s residence, that purports to provide a microcurrent therapy called A.I. Myoneurvascular Therapy, to treat virtually any disease or condition, including Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, Depression, Infertility, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Autism. Wadsworth trained franchise participants on use of PIBCOA’s equipment and treatment and claimed that the devices could treat the specific diseases themselves, and not merely the underlying conditions. Wadsworth also promised the franchise owners a “great source of revenue” in return for their franchise investments. In reliance on Wadsworth’s representations, the franchise owners paid Wadsworth approximately $60,000 to $250,000 each to open PIBCOA franchises.
As alleged, from May 2017 through January 2024, Wadsworth trained franchise participants on the use of the Myoneurvascular Therapy equipment and treatment, while claiming the devices treated the specific diseases themselves. On the contrary, the treatment was not only unsuccessful in treating the diseases as promised by Wadsworth, it caused additional injuries such as burns, scars, and severe nausea to the patients and franchise owners.
In total, Wadsworth knowingly and willfully obtained $950,579.88 from PIBCOA franchise owners, and then attempted to conceal her scheme by laundering significant portions of the money she fraudulently obtained.
The indictment charges Wadsworth with one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. She made her initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Criminal Investigations with assistance from the Winona County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea A. Walcker is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Singer Sean Kingston and his Mother Charged with Wire FraudRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Kisean Anderson a/k/a “Sean Kingston,” 34, and Janice Turner, 61, both from Southwest Ranches, FL, made their first appearance in federal court to face conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud charges stemming from their involvement in a scheme to defraud victim sellers of high-end specialty vehicles, jewelry, and other goods purchased by the defendants through the use of fraudulent documents.
A grand jury sitting in Miami, Florida charged Anderson and Turner each with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, and five counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.
According to allegations in the indictment, the defendants unjustly enriched themselves by falsely representing that they had executed bank wire or other monetary payment transfers as payment for vehicles, jewelry, and other goods purchased by the defendants, when in fact no such bank wire or other monetary payment transfers had been executed by the purported banks, and thereafter the defendants retained or attempted to retain the vehicles, jewelry and other goods despite non-payment. Through the execution of this scheme, the defendants obtained in excess of $1 million in property.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Rafael Barros, United States Secret Service, Miami Field Office; and Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), made the announcement.
The United States Secret Service and the Broward Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton and Trevor Jones.
An indictment and criminal complaint contain mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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 https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/ or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-60126.
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Sells Man Sentenced to 235 Months in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a MinorRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Roy Samuel Paredes, 64, of Tucson, was sentenced by United States District Judge James A. Soto on June 24, 2024, to 235 months in prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Paredes pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor on November 8, 2023.
In the summer of 2021, Paredes, an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, molested a young girl on the Tohono O’odham Nation in Sells, Arizona.
The Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. Cassell, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-1914-TUC-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-098_Paredes# # #
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.Sapulpa Man Sentenced for Stabbing Man to DeathRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Arnold Dean Howell, Jr., 31, of Sapulpa, to 360 months imprisonment for Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. Howell is ordered to serve five years of supervised release following release from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
“Howell will serve 30 years in prison for the harm he has caused,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “My office remains steadfast in its commitment to seek justice for victims affected by criminal violence.”
According to court documents, in April 2015, Howell was at the home of Michael Mondier, Sr. In a fit of rage, Howell stabbed Michael more than 90 times using two separate knives. After brutally killing Michael, Howell took Michael’s vehicle and several valuable possessions.
Howell is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. He will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and Creek County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Jolly and Timothy L. Faerber prosecuted the case.
San Francisco Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Shooting at U.S. Postal WorkerRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Vo Nguyen was sentenced yesterday to 132 months in prison for assault on a federal employee with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in the course of the assault, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and United States Postal Inspection Service, San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen Sherwood. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge William H. Orrick.
Nguyen, 38, a resident of San Francisco, pleaded guilty on May 2, 2024. According to his plea agreement, a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee, engaged in mail delivery and dressed in a postal uniform, was delivering mail to Nguyen’s residence on April 1, 2023. Nguyen came out of the house and yelled at the USPS employee, who Nguyen did not know. Nguyen admitted he aggressively approached the USPS employee and acted like he wanted to fight. The USPS employee backed up, then turned and ran. The USPS employee fled a couple of houses away but Nguyen followed, and the USPS employee pepper sprayed Nguyen. Nguyen admitted he then went home, grabbed a 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, got into his car, and went looking for the USPS employee. Nguyen admitted that he shortly found the USPS employee and fired approximately five to six shots at him. Nguyen stated he paused briefly, then fired approximately five more shots at the USPS employee who was then running away. The USPS employee ran in the opposite direction that Nguyen was driving, so Nguyen made a U-turn and again drove towards the USPS employee. Nguyen stopped in front of a parked SUV that the USPS employee had crouched behind to hide. Nguyen saw the USPS employee and fired three more shots at the USPS employee. Nguyen drove away briefly before returning and chasing the USPS employee on foot until the USPS employee pepper sprayed him again.
A federal grand jury indicted Nguyen on May 2, 2023. He was charged with, among other charges, assault upon a federal employee with a deadly or dangerous weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a) and (b), and discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). He pleaded guilty to both of these charges.
Nguyen has remained in custody since his arrest on April 1, 2023.
In addition to the 132 month term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Orrick further sentenced the defendant to a three year period of supervision following his release from prison and scheduled a hearing on October 10, 2024, to determine the amount of restitution to be paid by the defendant.
Kelsey Davidson is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Veronica Hernandez, Marina Ponomarchuk, and Victim Specialist Janice Pagsanjan. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the San Francisco Police Department.
Rutland Man Charged with Unlawful Firearm Possession and Maintaining a Drug PremisesRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that on July 18, 2024 the federal Grand Jury in Burlington returned an indictment charging Daniel McSwiggan, 51, of Rutland, Vermont, with drug and gun offenses. The two-count indictment alleges that, between late June and early July 2024, McSwiggan possessed two firearms as an unlawful drug user and made his residence available for drug use and distribution. McSwiggan will be arraigned in the coming days.
According to court records, in late June and early July of this year, McSwiggan possessed two firearms, knowing that he was an unlawful user of cocaine base, and made his residence in Rutland available for use and distribution of cocaine base. Court records also allege that, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2024, McSwiggan shot a rifle at a suspected drug distributor outside of his residence. On July 2, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McSwiggan’s residence and recovered a Savage Model 10 .308 caliber rifle, a Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber rifle, 282 rounds of ammunition, cocaine base, and drug paraphernalia.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are accusations only and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, McSwiggan faces maximum penalties of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the unlawful firearm possession, and 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for making his residence available for drug use and distribution. Any sentence will be determined by the U.S. District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory and collaborative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Rutland City Police Department, the Rutland Town Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont State Police.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Smith. McSwiggan is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels.
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.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced for Sextorting Numerous MinorsRead the Press Release
A Nevada man was sentenced today to 65 years in prison, to be followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexually exploiting multiple minors and advertising and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that he coerced these minors into producing.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2018 and 2021, James Patrick Burns, 55, of Sparks, “sextorted” multiple minors online, via Omegle, Snapchat, Tiktok, and Mega, by threatening these minors into producing CSAM and then posting the CSAM on dark web forums. During this period, Burns was the most prolific creator of illegal content on these forums. He victimized over 100 children, many of whom have yet to be identified. Burns’s offenses came to the attention of law enforcement when the mother of one of his victims saw threats on the victim’s phone and reported what she saw to the police.
Burns was also ordered to pay $82,655.92 in restitution and $21,000 in assessments under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.
On March 5, a federal jury convicted Burns of eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, eight counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count each of advertising, receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography. At the time of these offenses, Burns was already a registered sex offender, and the jury also convicted Burns of committing certain specified felony offenses while required to register as a sex offender.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Miller of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Las Vegas made the announcement.
The FBI-led Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is comprised of detectives and investigators from the Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and HSI, investigated the case. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Chicago Field Office, and local law enforcement around the country provided substantial assistance.
Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn R. Johnson for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced for Sextorting Numerous MinorsRead the Press Release
RENO - A Nevada man was sentenced today to 65 years in prison, to be followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexually exploiting multiple minors and advertising and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that he coerced these minors into producing.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2018 and 2021, James Patrick Burns, 55, of Sparks, “sextorted” multiple minors online, via Omegle, Snapchat, Tiktok, and Mega, by threatening these minors into producing CSAM and then posting the CSAM on dark web forums. During this period, Burns was the most prolific creator of illegal content on these forums. He victimized over 100 children, many of whom have yet to be identified. Burns’s offenses came to the attention of law enforcement when the mother of one of his victims saw threats on the victim’s phone and reported what she saw to the police.
Burns was also ordered to pay $82,655.92 in restitution and $21,000 in assessments under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.
On March 5, a federal jury convicted Burns of eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, eight counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count each of advertising, receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography. At the time of these offenses, Burns was already a registered sex offender, and the jury also convicted Burns of committing certain specified felony offenses while required to register as a sex offender.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Miller of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Las Vegas made the announcement.
The FBI-led Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is comprised of detectives and investigators from the Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and HSI, investigated the case. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, HSI Chicago Field Office, and local law enforcement around the country provided substantial assistance.
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Randolph postal employee charged with stealing gift cards from the mailRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Melissa Olson, 45, of Randolph, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with theft of mail by officer or employee, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated Olson was hired by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 2020 as a rural carrier associate assigned to the Randolph Post Office. According to the complaint, in May 2023, the USPS Office of Inspector General received information that a $200.00 Visa gift card was stolen from the mail. At the time, USPS management believed Olson could be involved in the theft of the card, which was used at retail locations in the Randolph area. Subsequent investigation determined that Olson did in fact use the gift card to make purchases at the retail locations. The complaint further states that in June 2023, Olson stole Walmart and Target gift cards included in a greeting card sent through the mail.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge Northeast Field Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Queens, New York Man Appears on Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Jamonty Brister, 29, of Queens, New York, appeared yesterday in United States District Court in Burlington on a complaint charging him with a federal drug offense. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered that Brister be detained without bail pending trial, which has not been scheduled at this time.
According to the criminal complaint filed on July 18, 2024, in June 2024, Burlington Police Department drug investigators and DEA Task Force officers made three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Brister utilizing a confidential source. Earlier this week, officers obtained a state court warrant to search the Burlington residence where Brister had been living. They executed the warrant on the morning of July 17 and arrested Brister, who was alone in a locked bedroom. During the search of Brister’s bedroom, officers recovered about 900 grams of cocaine base, about 130 grams of fentanyl, about $10,000 in cash, and a handgun. The complaint charges Brister with possessing the seized narcotics with intent to distribute.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the complaint are accusations only and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
If convicted, Brister faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The actual sentence will be determined by the U.S. District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.
This case was investigated by the Burlington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Brister is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.
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.
Previously Convicted Man Sentenced to 40 Month Prison Term for Strangulation and Attempted KidnappingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jamari Jackson, 19, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 40 months in prison for felony strangulation and the attempted kidnapping of a victim in the Washington, D.C. area, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Jackson pleaded guilty on April 10, 2024, to one count of attempted kidnapping, one count of strangulation and one count of simple assault. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz ordered Jackson to serve three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence regarding the attempted kidnapping and strangulation charges, on July 24, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Jackson approached the victim as she was walking down the street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Northwest Washington D.C. Jackson grabbed the victim by the throat, indicated he had a gun, ordered the victim to “shut up” and follow him, and forced her to walk in the direction of the 3300 block of Holmead Place, NW. Jackson then held the victim against a car. Fearing for her life, the victim struck the defendant in the face and tried to fight him off while shouting repeatedly for help. Jackson assaulted the victim on her torso and ribs and grabbed her by her throat again, choking her. After throwing the victim on the ground and continuing to choke her, the defendant attempted to pull off the victim’s pants in an attempt to sexually assault her. As the victim began to lose consciousness, nearby homeowners came out, and Jackson walked away from the scene.
According to the government’s evidence regarding the simple assault, on June 20, 2023, while at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., Jackson threatened to throw a cup of urine on hospital staff. Jackson was then placed in a wheelchair and staff took Jackson over to a different room to be placed in seclusion. When a staff nurse asked Jackson to return the wheelchair, Jackson, without provocation, punched the victim in face causing him to bleed.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department and commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Roessler and LaVater Massie-Banks, of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Unit, who investigated and prosecuted the strangulation and attempt kidnapping case; and the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Rana Wahdan, of the General Crimes Section, who investigated and prosecuted the simple assault case.
Pain Management Physician and Former Member of Kentucky’s Medical Board Convicted of Unlawfully Prescribing OpioidsRead the Press Release
A federal judge convicted a medical doctor and former member of the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (KBML) today for unlawfully distributing opioids.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Michael Fletcher, 61, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a physician at Interventional Pain Specialists (IPS) in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, and a board member of the KBML. In his role at the KBML, Fletcher oversaw disciplinary proceedings against physicians, including those who improperly prescribed controlled substances. However, Fletcher was also illegally prescribing opioids to IPS patients, including some who had tested positive for hard street drugs like cocaine and heroin, in part so he could perform and bill for lucrative and often medically unnecessary procedures on the same patients. Trial evidence showed that seven IPS patients died of drug-related complications shortly after being prescribed opioids by Fletcher.
Fletcher was convicted of three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 17 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each 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; Executive Assistant Director Michael A. Nordwall of the FBI Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch; Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Division; Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Tamala Miles of the Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Regional Director Joseph Rivers of the Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (DOL-EBSA); and Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman made the announcement.
The DEA, FBI, HHS-OIG, DOL-EBSA, and Kentucky Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Dermot Lynch and Natalie Kanerva of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Owner of Blue Ridge Bookkeeping Sentenced for Wire and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – The owner of Blue Ridge Bookkeeping, a Roanoke-based payroll processing and tax preparation business, was sentenced today in federal court to 36 months in prison for wire fraud and filing a false tax return.
Brian Hoeppner, 66, of Roanoke, Virginia, previously pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of willfully making and subscribing a false tax return.
According to court documents, Hoeppner owned and operated Blue Ridge Bookkeeping and had several clients for whom he was hired to do various financial-related work. One client hired Hoeppner to handle her company’s payroll, file the company’s employment tax returns, and submit all related paperwork and payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that her company owed.
From at least September 2012 through December 2019, Hoeppner billed this client for her company’s employment taxes, however, rather than pay these taxes to the IRS, he spent the money on personal expenses. As a result, her company’s employment taxes went unpaid.
When the IRS sent notices to this client about her company’s failure to pay its employment taxes, Hoeppner falsely assured this client that “he had a guy at the IRS” who was sorting things out.
After several years of IRS notices, this client demanded that she accompany Hoeppner to a meeting he had set up with the IRS, and just before the time of the scheduled meeting, Hoeppner admitted to her that he had been stealing her company’s payments. In all, Hoeppner stole over $125,000 from this client’s company.
As of December 2019, this client was still responsible for paying over $240,500 in taxes, penalties, interest, and costs, and nearly had to shutter her business in order to be able to come into compliance with the IRS.
In addition to his prison sentence, Hoeppner was ordered to pay $58,361 in restitution to this client and $218,445.32 in restitution to the IRS.
This investigation also uncovered that, from 2009 through 2013, Hoeppner stole employment taxes from at least one other client. In addition to accruing a debt to the IRS of over $10,000, the owners also discovered that Hoeppner stole a $14,112 tax refund check the IRS had issued to the company.
Hoeppner filed his own false personal income tax returns by failing to report his embezzlement income on his tax returns and by falsely overreporting the amount of tax withholdings that he had paid over to the IRS.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, and Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office Kareem Carter made the announcement.
The Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Scheff prosecuted the case.
Ossining Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill USPS Employees and Burn Down U.S. Post OfficesRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Daniel B. Brubaker, the Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced today that ANTHONY ALFANO was arrested after he made a series of graphic and violent threats to kill U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) employees and burn down U.S. post offices in Ossining, New York. ALFANO was arrested in Yorktown Heights, New York, this morning and is expected to appear this afternoon in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The charges against the defendant underscore this Office’s unwavering commitment to swiftly collaborate with our law enforcement partners to neutralize threats against the U.S. mail system. Any individual who dares to cross the line and threaten our postal employees and facilities with violence and destruction will be stopped in their tracks, and we will ensure they are held accountable for their actions.”
USPIS Inspector in Charge Daniel B. Brubaker said: “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service does not take lightly any threats of violence against USPS employees. This behavior will never be tolerated, and we will work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to maintain a safe working environment for the postal employees we protect. That is our mission, and that is our unwavering commitment to the people we serve.”
As alleged in the Complaint:[1]
On Saturday, June 22, 2024, ANTHONY ALFANO was awaiting the delivery of a parcel that had been mailed out via USPS from Florida the evening before. According to ALFANO, the parcel contained cremated remains. In a series of phone calls with USPS call center representatives before the package was scheduled to arrive, ALFANO threatened to kill USPS employees and burn down U.S. post offices because he apparently believed the parcel was not going to arrive when he wanted it to. ALFANO’s threats included the following:
- ALFANO threatened, “I am gonna start killing you guys one by one.” He also said, “people are going to die,” and that there would be “a lot of dead bodies,” “hurt people,” and people who would “not be returning home.” ALFANO also swore to kill his local mail carrier, stating that he would “walk up to him” and “blow his brains out.” Referencing a notorious “massacre,” ALFANO warned that it would not “have shit on what I’m about to do” and that his actions would go down “in history.”
- ALFANO also made threats to kill members of the postal police by using incendiary ammunition, as well as threats to burn down U.S. post offices. For example, he welcomed the arrival of the postal police and said, “as soon as they show up at my door they’re gonna catch a hot one,” referring to shooting them with a “napalm round” from his 12-gauge shotgun. “I’m going to kill every one of those motherfuckers,” he said. He further threatened, “I’m gonna burn all the post offices down to the ground” and said he would go to his local post office and “burn it down to the fucking ground.”
Underscoring his commitment to carry out his threats, ALFANO said several times, “I don’t make threats, I make promises.” He also expressly swore to carry out his threats and said, “I really don’t care if I go to jail or not.”
On Monday, June 24, 2024, ALFANO received his parcel on the next business day after it had been mailed out on the Friday before.
ALFANO has a history of encounters with law enforcement because of prior threats he has made against others, including local police officers, delivery persons, and customer service representatives.
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ANTHONY ALFANO, 46, of Ossining, New York, is charged with threatening interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and willfully making a threat involving fire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the USPIS in investigating the threats charged in the Complaint and undertaking security measures to protect USPS employees and facilities. Mr. Williams also thanked the Village of Ossining Police Department and City of Peekskill Police Department for their assistance in this case.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reyhan Watson is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Orangeburg Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Chad Lavell Williams, Jr., 30, of Orangeburg, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and dipentylone.
On Feb. 25, 2023, officers with the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle with a defective taillight. Williams provided a fake name when asked for identification. Officers subsequently deployed a drug detection dog in the vicinity of the car and after a positive K9 alert, searched the vehicle. The search resulted in the recovery of a Glock 22 pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device, and an extended magazine. Machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “Glock Switches,” allow Glock pistols to function as fully automatic machineguns.
The Glock was found in a bookbag along with Williams’ South Carolina ID, ammunition, brass knuckles, and plastic bags of methamphetamine and dipentylone intended for distribution. Post-Miranda, Williams admitted the gun and drugs belonged to him.
Federal law prohibits Williams from possessing firearms and ammunition based on his prior convictions for strong arm robbery, grand larceny, burglary 3rd degree, and burglary 2nd degree. he also has a pending charge for burglary 1st degree.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Williams to 84 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana N. Gore is prosecuting the case.
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Omaha Woman Sentenced for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Shelby English, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced July 17, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for distributing methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced English to 130 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After English’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On May 24, 2023, a confidential source coordinated a controlled purchase of 111 grams of meth from English. To make the purchase, the confidential source drove to the residence at 45th block of N. 41st Street, Omaha, and entered the residence with English. Inside the residence, the confidential source and English encountered a Hispanic female later identified as codefendant, Alondra Rebolledo, who is alleged to have provided the meth to English, who then gave it to the confidential source. Forensic laboratory testing confirmed the substance as meth with a purity level of 94.2%.
Rebelledo is presumed innocent and is scheduled for trial on August 20, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.