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Thursday 18 July 2024
Wilson man pleads guilty to drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Kevin S. Wise, Jr., 34, of Wilson, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, being a user of a controlled substance in possession of firearms, and being a felon in possession of firearms, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that on September 6, 2020, Wise was arrested following a traffic stop on a domestic complaint for two counts of Aggravated Harassment. Subsequently, a search warrant was executed at his two residences on Youngstown Road in Wilson, including vehicles located on the properties. During the searches, investigators recovered 23 firearms, 18,446 rounds of ammunition, ammunition, firearms parts, approximately 374 grams of marijuana, a quantity of MDA, psilocybin mushrooms, two digital scales, and $2,717.00 in U.S. currency. Law enforcement also located 11 marijuana plants and observed multiple trail cameras positioned throughout the back yard, woods, and location of the marijuana plants. Wise admits that, at the time of his possession of the firearms, he was an unlawful user of marijuana and methamphetamine.
On August 1, 2022, investigators executed another search warrant at one of Wise’s Youngstown Road residences in Wilson. Wise was on federal pre-trial release at the time of the search. During the search, law enforcement recovered seven additional firearms, approximately 3,692 rounds of ammunition, numerous firearms parts and accessories, drug paraphernalia and suspected marijuana and THC products. Wise was convicted of a felony in Niagara County in October 2014 and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division; and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
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Whitefish doctor admits defrauding Medicare and other federal health programsRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Whitefish physician accused in connection with alleged schemes to defraud government health programs admitted on Wednesday to falsely billing Medicare and other health programs in a telemedicine scheme that resulted in more than $39 million in false billing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said today.
The defendant, Ronald David Dean, 64, had an initial appearance and pleaded guilty to an information filed on June 24 charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charges are part of the Justice Department’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. Dean faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Dec. 4. Dean’s release was continued pending further proceedings.
A plea agreement filed in the case calls for Dean to pay at least $780,509 restitution.
The government alleged in court documents that Dean, a licensed physician, was paid by a telemedicine company to sign orders for durable medical equipment that patients did not need. Dean then fraudulently charged Medicare, CHAMPVA and the Railroad Retirement Board programs for telemedicine office visits that did not occur. The telemedicine company also used Dean’s information to prescribe unneeded and unnecessary covid tests to patients. The conspiracy ran from about January 2022 until July 2023. In total, Dean’s orders resulted in false billing to government health care programs of more than $39 million.
The case was part of a strategically coordinated, two-week nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 193 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets, and the Government, in connection with the enforcement action, seized over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana worked with the Department’s Criminal Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the enforcement period: the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General and FBI.
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Virginia Man Sentenced for Selling Ghost Guns in West VirginiaRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandon Michael Reckert, 30, of Purcellville, Virginia, was sentenced to 70 months for possessing and selling privately manufactured and unregistered firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Reckert was advertising and selling privately manufactured firearms, also known as ghost guns, on social media. Reckert’s home and vehicle were searched, where officers found multiple firearms, firearms parts, ammunition., and tools believed to be used in the manufacturing of the ghost guns.
Reckert was ordered to forfeit dozens of firearms, firearms parts, rounds of ammunition, and tools.
Reckert will serve three years of supervised release once released from prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia State Police; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; and the Loudon County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office investigated.
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.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Vallejo Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Agents with a Firearm and VehicleRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sean Thomas Delapp, 37, of Vallejo, pleaded guilty today to assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Delapp assaulted two FBI special agents by pursuing them with his car, pulling up alongside them, and aiming a firearm at them through the window, making a recoil motion with the firearm. A subsequent search warrant at his residence resulted in the discovery of a Glock 29 firearm, ammunition, and various firearm parts. Delapp is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was previously convicted of a felony evasion offense.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.
Delapp is scheduled to be sentenced on October 31, 2024. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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 U.S. Department of Justice 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’s Office Concludes Investigation into Fatal Police Shooting of Clifford BrooksRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or District of Columbia charges against a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer for his role in a January 24, 2024, fatal shooting of 41-year-old Clifford Brooks, of Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the MPD Internal Affairs Division conducted a comprehensive review of the incident. This included a review of physical evidence, surveillance video footage, body-worn camera footage, audio and visual recordings from an ambulance, witness accounts, autopsy records, and MPD reports.
The evidence shows that early on the morning of January 24, 2024, an on-duty MPD officer encountered Mr. Brooks outside of a 7-Eleven on Benning Road, Northeast. The officer requested that an MPD Crisis Intervention Officer (CIO) be sent to the scene. MPD Officer Claude Jackson, a trained CIO, arrived at around 6:45 a.m., and observed indicators that Mr. Brooks was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officer Jackson stayed on the scene with Mr. Brooks for roughly an hour before Mr. Brooks ran out of the back of the 7-Eleven. Officers found Mr. Brooks hiding in a shed behind a nearby home. Officer Jackson requested assistance and assembled officers to extricate Mr. Brooks. A group of MPD officers removed Mr. Brooks from the shed with minimal force at roughly 8:30 a.m. Mr. Brooks, who remained conscious but largely non-responsive and in an altered mental state, was placed next to a police car. Firefighters with the District’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department arrived in an ambulance to transport Mr. Brooks for medical attention.
The ambulance drove towards the District’s Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Northwest. MPD officers, including Officer Jackson, followed behind the ambulance. While the ambulance was driving on North Capitol Street, NW, Mr. Brooks, who was not handcuffed, began attacking the firefighter seated in the back of the ambulance with him. When the ambulance stopped, Mr. Brooks pushed the firefighter out of the ambulance. The trailing MPD officers got out of their cruisers and approached Mr. Brooks. Mr. Brooks tried to grab the first responding officer’s upper body. Officer Jackson then approached Mr. Brooks and deployed his Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray. The spray struck Mr. Brooks but did not debilitate him. Mr. Brooks then fled into oncoming traffic on North Capitol Street.
As he fled, Mr. Brooks pulled at the doors of some of the cars that were slowly driving by. Officer Jackson and two other officers pursued him on foot. Mr. Brooks hid under a box truck that was idling in the traffic. The officers surrounded the truck and ordered the driver not to move and to turn the vehicle off. After a few moments, Mr. Brooks picked up a metal object that was on the ground next to the truck. The officers told Mr. Brooks to “drop it.” Mr. Brooks charged at Officer Jackson with the metal object in his right hand. Officer Jackson said that Mr. Brooks had a knife and ordered him to “drop it” two more times. Officer Jackson backtracked with his firearm out. As Mr. Brooks continued to lunge towards Officer Jackson with the metal object in his hand, Officer Jackson fired his service weapon at Mr. Brooks. Officer Jackson shot at Mr. Brooks six times. Mr. Brooks was declared dead on the scene. An autopsy found that Mr. Brooks had been struck by four bullets, including a fatal shot to the chest.
After a careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors have found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Jackson is criminally liable for Mr. Brooks’ death.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources necessary to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are investigated fully and completely. MPD’s Internal Affairs Division investigates all police-involved fatalities in the District of Columbia.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces “Operation Flip the Switch” Aimed at Machinegun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Today, U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson announced “Operation Flip the Switch,” an initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices, colloquially known as “switches.”
“The violence that we are seeing in our communities is flagrant and unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona. “Machinegun conversion devices have no place in our community. Though small in size, a switch is deadly, and a lot of innocent people can be injured with one pull of the trigger. People should feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and public spaces. That is why we will use every tool in our toolbox to aggressively prosecute those who possess such deadly devices.”
“The proliferation of machinegun conversion devices adds another, even more deadly, layer to the firearms violence in our community” said Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. “These devices, in the wrong hands, can have catastrophic consequences. They easily convert handguns into fully automatic weapons that can fire a remarkable number of shots in a split second. They are an acute danger to our communities, illegal under federal law and a critical priority in our efforts to combat violent crime. Keeping these illegal firearms off the streets of Alabama and the citizens free from the fear of their usage is one of our highest priorities. ATF will continue to aggressively work with our partners to take these devices off the streets.”
About an inch long, auto sears, most commonly known as a Glock switch, may be made of metal or plastic and can be printed on commercially available 3D printers. The device fits onto the back of a Glock and allows the user to switch between semi-automatic and fully automatic. When engaged, the switch overrides the trigger mechanism to function as a machine gun.
The National Firearms Act classifies the switch itself as a machinegun.
At Thursday’s press conference, the U.S. Attorney announced that as part of Operation Flip the Switch, they are partnering with Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama to combat the proliferation of these illegal devices.
Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama will offer cash rewards for information resulting in a warrant being issued or an arrest being made of someone who possesses Glock Switches or 3D printers being used to manufacture them. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama. Tipsters can call 205-254-7777. Alternatively, Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama encourages you to go to their website to submit a tip or click to download their P3 app. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, and all tipsters are anonymous.
Operation Flip the Switch falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
U.S. Attorney Secures 26 Year Prison Sentence for Gambling-Fueled Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison for orchestrating a violent home invasion against his father-in-law and robbing a bank in order to fuel a severe gambling addiction.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on September 14, 2021, Marc Candelaria, 36, staged a home invasion targeting his own father-in-law, John Doe, and was assisted by an unknown co-conspirator who acted as the actual intruder. The intruder entered the home undetected late at night and attempted to force John Doe to open a safe at gunpoint. When John Doe was unable to open the safe, the intruder made Doe write a $23,000 check.
After writing the check, John Doe was brutally beaten, sustaining serious head injuries that caused him to lose consciousness. John Doe was found the next day by his daughter and transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Just hours after the home invasion, Candelaria attempted to deposit the stolen check into his personal bank account, however the bank placed a hold on the check due to what appeared to be two separate handwritings and alerted the victim’s wife to a possibly fraudulent check.
On October 30, 2021, Candelaria robbed a Bank of America branch using a typewritten demand note that threatened cartel violence. The bank teller, fearing for his life, gave Candelaria the cash from his register.
The investigation revealed Candelaria committed both crimes to fund a severe gambling addiction. Between September 2020 and May 2022, he visited a local casino approximately 169 times, losing large sums of money.
On March 27, 2024, Candelaria was convicted by a federal jury of bank fraud. On April 10, 2024, Candelaria entered into a plea agreement on the bank robbery charge.
Upon his release from prison, Candelaria will be subject to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel A. Hurtado and Natasha Moghadam are prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and HUD Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis Host Safe Housing SummitRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis hosted a summit today focused on promoting the health, safety, and civil rights of tenants living in HUD-assisted housing. The program focused on combatting sexual misconduct and eliminating environmental hazards in HUD-assisted housing.
The summit, which took place at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, was part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s and Inspector General’s complementary initiatives to promote safe housing strategies related to environmental justice, and how to recognize and report sexual harassment and misconduct in housing.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, free from exposure to environmental hazards, and without being subjected to sexual harassment and assault by those with control over their housing. We convened this summit today to raise awareness that all New Jerseyans have protections under federal law and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our partners at HUD OIG, will continue to work every day to eradicate sexual harassment and environmental injustices in housing throughout the state.”
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger
“Through summits like the one we cohosted today with U.S. Attorney Sellinger, HUD OIG remains focused on raising awareness that HUD tenants and applicants seeking housing have a right to housing that is environmentally safe and and free from sexual misconduct,” Inspector General Oliver Davis said. “We remain committed to working closely with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively investigate violations of federal law in these areas and pursue bad actors who victimize vulnerable people receiving HUD assistance.”
Attendees included representatives from organizations who routinely work with vulnerable populations most likely to be impacted by environmental injustices, such as lead-based paint in their homes, or subjected to sexual harassment in housing by their landlords, property managers, or others with control over housing. The organizations represented included legal services offices, fair housing organizations, civil rights groups, shelters, and social service organizations.
If you or someone you know has information about environmental hazards and unsafe conditions in HUD-assisted housing or has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation – even if the events occurred years ago – report it to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit the website at www.hudoig.gov/hotline. You may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint.
Individuals who believe they have been victims of environmental injustices, sexual harassment in housing, or discrimination may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 1-855-281-3339 or visit the website at www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement.
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Two Paterson Residents Admit Conspiring with Physician to Distribute OpioidsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Two Paterson, New Jersey, residents today admitted conspiring with a doctor to distribute opioids without a legitimate medical reason, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jasmine McGregor, 32, and Jhenelle Lewis, 35, both of Paterson, each pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court to one count of knowingly and intentionally conspiring and agreeing with others, including Dr. Lisa Ferraro, of Hillsdale, New Jersey, to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
McGregor and Lewis each participated in a conspiracy with Ferraro to prescribe oxycodone, an opioid pain medication, to individuals who were not actually Ferraro’s patients and whom Ferraro never physically examined or questioned about symptoms to determine whether there was a legitimate medical need for oxycodone. McGregor conspired with Ferraro from July 2022 to Oct. 3, 2023, and Lewis conspired with Ferraro from January 2019 to September 2023.
Over the course of the conspiracy with McGregor, Ferraro wrote prescriptions for approximately 630 20mg oxycodone pills and approximately 11,410 30mg oxycodone pills. Over the course of the conspiracy with Lewis, Ferraro wrote prescriptions for approximately 9,450 30mg oxycodone pills.
Ferraro has also been charged with the same offense. The charges and allegations with regard to Ferraro are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances to which McGregor and Lewis pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for McGregor on Nov. 20, 2024, and Lewis on Dec. 9, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray A. Mateo and Aaron L. Webman of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.
mcgregor.information.pdf lewis.information.pdfTwo Lansing Men Sentenced on Gun Charges After Threatening Episode with an Assault Rifle at A Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that two Lansing-area men, Quentin Earl Booth, 39, and Derrick Smith Jr., 30, were sentenced to prison for possessing an assault rifle and pistol in a convenience store. Booth was sentenced today to 71 months and three years’ supervised release. Smith pleaded guilty in March and was sentenced to 57 months on July 2.
“Booth and Smith inflicted sheer terror on people just carrying out their daily lives,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “There is no acceptable level of violence. Those driving violence will face swift justice. My team and I will not rest until every person, in every neighborhood, in every community enjoys the safety they deserve.”
Booth and Smith were arrested in September 2023 when law enforcement responded to a 911 call that Smith walked into a Lansing convenience store carrying an assault rifle. He made threats before entering the store. A witness reported hearing one of the defendants say, "Everybody is going to die."
Upon arrival, officers saw Booth place the rifle in a nearby SUV. Booth also had a pistol holstered in his pocket.
Law enforcement later obtained surveillance footage that showed Smith walk into the store with the loaded rifle. The video showed Smith pointing and aiming the rifle several times, including pointing the rifle at the store clerk while inside of the store and aiming at a passing vehicle in a residential neighborhood once outside of the store.
Booth is a three-time convicted felon who previously served significant time in prison in 2018 for attempted armed robbery. In 2022, he was convicted of another felony in a domestic violence incident.
Smith previously served significant prison time for conspiracy to commit robbery in Florida. He was also convicted in 2021 for carrying a concealed weapon.
“Quentin Booth and Derrick Smith Jr. are career offenders with repeat felony convictions prohibiting them from possessing a firearm,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “During this incident, both men exercised extremely poor judgment, especially Smith aiming and pointing an assault rifle inside and outside of a convenience store in Lansing. In the end, poor choices have consequences. If you use an illegal firearm to threaten and intimidate people in our community – pack a bag. You’re going to go to prison. Our community deserves better from its members, and it will be safer with both men off the streets.”
These cases were investigated by the Michigan State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob S. Metoxen, Austin J. Hakes, and Constance R. Turnbull handled the prosecutions.
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Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Participation in LockBit Ransomware GroupRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. –Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty today in Newark federal court to participating in the LockBit ransomware group – at various times the most prolific ransomware variant in the world – and to deploying LockBit attacks against victims in the United States and worldwide.
According to court documents:
Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov (АСТАМИРОВ, Руслан Магомедовичь), 21, a Russian national of Chechen Republic, Russia, and Mikhail Vasiliev, 34, a dual Canadian and Russian national of Bradford, Ontario, were members of LockBit. The LockBit ransomware variant first appeared in January 2020. Between that time and February 2024, LockBit grew into what was at times the most active and destructive ransomware group in the world. The LockBit group attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States. Those victims ranged from individuals and small businesses to multinational corporations, and they included hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. LockBit’s members extracted at least approximately $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in broader losses, including costs like lost revenue and incident response and recovery.
LockBit’s “affiliate” members, including Vasiliev and Astamirov, would first identity and unlawfully access vulnerable computer systems. They would then deploy LockBit ransomware on victim computer systems and both steal and encrypt stored data. After a successful LockBit attack, LockBit’s affiliate members would then demand a ransom from their victims in exchange for decrypting the victims’ data and deleting stolen data. When victims did not pay the demanded ransoms, LockBit’s affiliates would then leave the victim’s data permanently encrypted and publish the stolen data, including highly sensitive information, on a publicly accessible Internet site under LockBit’s control.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“Astamirov and Vasiliev thought that they could deploy LockBit from the shadows, wreaking havoc and pocketing massive ransom payments from their victims, without consequence. They were wrong. We, in New Jersey, along with our domestic and international law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to hold LockBit’s members and other cybercriminals accountable, disrupt and dismantle their operations, and put a spotlight on them as wanted criminals – no matter where they hide.
“Today’s convictions reflect the latest returns on the Department’s investment in disrupting ransomware threats, prioritizing victims, and holding cybercriminals accountable,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “In executing our all-tools cyber enforcement strategy, we’ve dealt significant blows to destructive ransomware groups like LockBit, as we did earlier this year, seizing control of LockBit infrastructure and distributing decryption keys to their victims. Today’s actions serve as a warning to ransomware actors who would attack Americans: we will find you and hold you accountable.”
“The defendants committed ransomware attacks against victims in the United States and around the world through LockBit, which was one of the most destructive ransomware groups in the world,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “But thanks to the work of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, along with its domestic and international partners, LockBit no longer claims that title. Today’s convictions represent another important milestone in the Criminal Division’s ongoing effort to disrupt and dismantle ransomware groups, protect victims, and bring cybercriminals to justice.”
“It's a common misconception that cyber hackers won't get caught by law enforcement because they're smarter and savvier than we are,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Two members of the LockBit affiliate pleading guilty to their crimes in U.S. federal court illustrate we can stop them and bring them to justice. These malicious actors believe they can operate with impunity – and don’t fear getting caught because they sit in a country where they feel safe and protected. FBI Newark and our law enforcement partners around the globe have the technology and intelligence to go after these criminals – regardless of where they hide.”
Between 2020 and 2023, Astamirov deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in Virginia, Japan, France, Scotland, and Kenya. Operating under the online aliases “BETTERPAY,” “offtitan,” and “Eastfarmer,” he derived at least $1.9 million in ransom payments from those victims. As part of his plea agreement, Astamirov agreed to forfeit, among other assets, $350,000 in seized cryptocurrency that he extorted from one of his LockBit victims. Astamirov was first charged and arrested in this matter in June 2023.
Between 2021 and 2023, Vasiliev, operating under the online aliases “Ghostrider,” “Free,” “Digitalocean90,” “Digitalocean99,” “Digitalwaters99,” and “Newwave110,” deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in New Jersey, Michigan, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. He also deployed LockBit against an educational facility in England and a school in Switzerland. Through these attacks, Vasiliev caused at least $500,000 in damage and losses to his victims. Vasiliev was first charged in this matter and arrested in Canada by Canadian authorities in November 2022, and extradited to the United States in June.
Astamirov pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Vasiliev pleaded guilty to a four-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, intentional damage to a protected computer, transmission of a threat in relation to damaging a protected computer, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The LockBit Investigation
Today’s guilty pleas follow a recent a disruption of LockBit ransomware in February by the U.K. National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Cyber Division, which worked in cooperation with the Justice Department, FBI, and other international law enforcement partners. As previously announced by the Department, authorities disrupted LockBit by seizing numerous public-facing websites used by LockBit to connect to the organization’s infrastructure and by seizing control of servers used by LockBit administrators, thereby disrupting the ability of LockBit actors to attack and encrypt networks and extort victims by threatening to publish stolen data. This disruption succeeded in greatly diminishing LockBit’s reputation and its ability to attack further victims, as alleged by documents filed in this case.
Today’s guilty pleas also follow charges brought in the District of New Jersey against other LockBit members, including its alleged creator, developer, and administrator, Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev. An indictment against Khoroshev unsealed in May alleges that Khoroshev began developing LockBit as early as September 2019, continued acting as the group’s administrator through 2024, a role in which Khoroshev recruited new affiliate members, spoke for the group publicly under the alias “LockBitSupp,” and developed and maintained the infrastructure used by affiliates to deploy LockBit attacks. Khoroshev also took 20 percent of each ransom paid by LockBit victims, allowing him to personally derive at least $100 million over that period. Khoroshev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov.
Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 8, 2025.
A total of six LockBit members, including Khoroshev, the alleged developer, and Astamirov and Vasiliev, both affiliates, have now been charged in the District of New Jersey. Other LockBit charges include:
- In February, in parallel with the disruption operation, an indictment was unsealed in the District of New Jersey charging Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims throughout the United States, including businesses nationwide in the manufacturing and other industries, as well as victims around the world in the semiconductor and other industries.
- In May 2023, two indictments were unsealed in Washington, D.C., and the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Matveev, also known as Wazawaka, m1x, Boriselcin, and Uhodiransomwar, with using different ransomware variants, including LockBit, to attack numerous victims throughout the United States, including the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Matveev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov/.
The U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program is offering rewards of:
- Up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of Khoroshev;
- Up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Matveev;
- Up to $10 million for information leading to the identification and location of any individuals who hold a key leadership position in LockBit; and
- Up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of any individual participating or attempting to participate in LockBit.
Information is accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov/.
Khoroshev, Matveev, Sungatov, and Kondratyev have also been designated for sanctions by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for their roles in launching cyberattacks.
Victim Assistance
LockBit victims are encouraged to contact the FBI and submit information at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov/. As announced by the Department in February, law enforcement, through its disruption efforts, has developed decryption capabilities that may enable hundreds of victims around the world to restore systems encrypted using the LockBit ransomware variant. Submitting information at the ICE site will enable law enforcement to determine whether affected systems can be successfully decrypted.
LockBit victims are also encouraged to visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/lockbit for case updates and information regarding their rights under U.S. law, including the right to submit victim impact statements and request restitution, in the litigation against Astamirov and Vasiliev.
The FBI Newark Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, is investigating the LockBit ransomware variant. The FBI Atlanta Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia; Ontario Provincial Police in Ontario, Canada; and Crown Attorney’s Office in Toronto, Canada, provided significant assistance in the Vasiliev matter. The United Kingdom’s NCA; France’s Gendarmerie Nationale Cyberspace Command; Germany’s Landeskriminalamt Schleswig-Holstein and the Bundeskriminalamt; Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police, Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Zurich, and Zurich Cantonal Police; Japan’s National Policy Agency; Australian Federal Police; Sweden’s Polismyndighetens; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Politie Dienst Regionale Recherche Oost-Brabant of the Netherlands; Finland’s Poliisi; Europol; and Eurojust have provided significant assistance and coordination in both matters and in the LockBit investigation generally.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, David E. Malagold, and Vinay Limbachia for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorneys Jessica C. Peck, Debra Ireland, and Jorge Gonzalez of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and are prosecuting the charges against Astamirov and Vasiliev.
The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust, Office of International Affairs, and National Security Division also provided significant assistance.
Additional details on protecting networks against LockBit ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov. These include Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisories AA23-325A, AA23-165A, and AA23-075A.
vasiliev.information.pdf
astamirov.information.pdfTwo Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Participating in LockBit Ransomware GroupRead the Press Release
Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty today to participating in the LockBit ransomware group—at various times the most prolific ransomware variant in the world—and to deploying LockBit attacks against victims in the United States and worldwide.
“Today’s convictions reflect the latest returns on the Department’s investment in disrupting ransomware threats, prioritizing victims, and holding cybercriminals accountable,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “In executing our all-tools cyber enforcement strategy, we’ve dealt significant blows to destructive ransomware groups like LockBit, as we did earlier this year, seizing control of LockBit infrastructure and distributing decryption keys to their victims. Today’s actions serve as a warning to ransomware actors who would attack Americans: we will find you and hold you accountable.”
“The defendants committed ransomware attacks against victims in the United States and around the world through LockBit, which was one of the most destructive ransomware groups in the world,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “But thanks to the work of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, along with its domestic and international partners, LockBit no longer claims that title. Today’s convictions represent another important milestone in the Criminal Division’s ongoing effort to disrupt and dismantle ransomware groups, protect victims, and bring cybercriminals to justice.”
According to court documents, Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov (АСТАМИРОВ, Руслан Магомедовичь), 21, a Russian national of the Chechen Republic, Russia, and Mikhail Vasiliev, 34, a dual Canadian and Russian national of Bradford, Ontario, were members of LockBit. In the period between January 2020 and February 2024, LockBit grew into what was, at times, the most active and destructive ransomware group in the world. LockBit attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries, including 1,800 victims in the United States. Those victims included individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. LockBit’s members extorted at least approximately $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in additional losses to victims, including costs like lost revenue and for incident response and recovery.
LockBit’s “affiliate” members, including Vasiliev and Astamirov, first identified and unlawfully accessed vulnerable computer systems, and then deployed LockBit ransomware on those systems to both steal and encrypt stored data. When LockBit attacks were successful, LockBit’s affiliate members then demanded ransoms from their victims in exchange for decrypting the victims’ data and then claiming to delete the affiliates’ copies of the data. When victims did not pay the demanded ransoms, LockBit’s affiliates often left the victim’s data permanently encrypted and publish the stolen data, including highly sensitive information, on a publicly accessible internet site under LockBit’s control.
“Astamirov and Vasiliev thought that they could deploy LockBit from the shadows, wreaking havoc and pocketing massive ransom payments from their victims, without consequence,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “They were wrong. We, in New Jersey, along with our domestic and international law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to hold LockBit’s members and other cybercriminals accountable, disrupt and dismantle their operations, and put a spotlight on them as wanted criminals—no matter where they hide.”
“Astamirov and Vasiliev were members of the LockBit ransomware group, which has caused severe harm around the globe by attacking computer systems in over a hundred countries damaging organizations ranging from government and law-enforcement agencies to hospitals and schools,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “Today’s plea shows our relentless and unwavering commitment to ensuring that cyber criminals are brought to justice for their actions. The FBI is proud of the international collaboration that led to these individuals being held accountable under the law for the damage their actions have caused.”
Between 2020 and 2023, Astamirov deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in Virginia, Japan, France, Scotland, and Kenya. Operating under the online aliases “BETTERPAY,” “offtitan,” and “Eastfarmer,” he extorted $1.9 million from those victims. As part of his plea agreement, Astamirov agreed to forfeit, among other assets, $350,000 in seized cryptocurrency that he extorted from one of his LockBit victims. Astamirov was first charged and arrested in this matter in June 2023.
Between 2021 and 2023, Vasiliev, operating under the online aliases “Ghostrider,” “Free,” “Digitalocean90,” “Digitalocean99,” “Digitalwaters99,” and “Newwave110,” deployed LockBit against at least 12 victims, including businesses in New Jersey, Michigan, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. He also deployed LockBit against an educational facility in England and a school in Switzerland. Through these attacks, Vasiliev caused at least $500,000 in damage and losses to his victims. Vasiliev was first charged in this matter and arrested in Canada by Canadian authorities in November 2022, and extradited to the United States in June.
Astamirov pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Vasiliev pleaded guilty to a four-count information charging him with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, intentional damage to a protected computer, transmission of a threat in relation to damaging a protected computer, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The LockBit Investigation
Today’s guilty pleas follow a recent disruption of LockBit ransomware in February by the U.K. National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Cyber Division, which worked in cooperation with the Justice Department, FBI, and other international law enforcement partners. As previously announced by the Department, authorities disrupted LockBit by seizing numerous public-facing websites used by LockBit to connect to the organization’s infrastructure and by seizing control of servers used by LockBit administrators, thereby disrupting the ability of LockBit actors to attack and encrypt networks and extort victims by threatening to publish stolen data. This disruption succeeded in greatly diminishing LockBit’s reputation and its ability to attack further victims, as alleged by documents filed in this case.
Today’s guilty pleas also follow prior announcements of charges brought in the District of New Jersey against four other LockBit members, including its alleged creator, developer, and administrator, Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev. According to an indictment unsealed in May, Khoroshev allegedly acted as the group’s administrator from as early as September 2019 through 2024. In that role, Khoroshev recruited new affiliate members, spoke for the group publicly under the alias “LockBitSupp,” and developed and maintained the infrastructure used by affiliates to deploy LockBit attacks. Khoroshev also took 20% of each ransom paid by LockBit victims, allowing him to personally derive at least $100 million over that period. Khoroshev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at https://tips.fbi.gov/home.
Other charges against LockBit members include the following:
- In February 2024, in parallel with the disruption operation, an indictment was unsealed in the District of New Jersey charging Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims throughout the United States, including businesses in the manufacturing and other industries, as well as victims around the world in the semiconductor and other industries.
- In May 2023, two indictments were unsealed in Washington, D.C., and the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Matveev, also known as Wazawaka, m1x, Boriselcin, and Uhodiransomwar, with using different ransomware variants, including LockBit, to attack numerous victims throughout the United States, including the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Matveev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at tips.fbi.gov/.
The U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program is also offering rewards of:
- Up to $10 million for information leading to the identification and location of any individuals who hold a key leadership position in LockBit; and
- Up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of any individual participating or attempting to participate in LockBit.
Information is accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov/.
Khoroshev, Matveev, Sungatov, and Kondratyev have also been designated for sanctions by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for their roles in launching cyberattacks.
Victim Assistance
LockBit victims are encouraged to contact the FBI and submit information at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov/. As announced by the Department in February, law enforcement, through its disruption efforts, has developed decryption capabilities that may enable hundreds of victims around the world to restore systems encrypted using the LockBit ransomware variant. Submitting information at the IC3 site will enable law enforcement to determine whether affected systems can be successfully decrypted.
LockBit victims are also encouraged to visit www.justice.gov/usao-nj/lockbit for case updates and information regarding their rights under U.S. law, including the right to submit victim impact statements and request restitution, in the litigation against Astamirov and Vasiliev.
The FBI Newark Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, is investigating the LockBit ransomware variant. The FBI Atlanta Field Office, under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia; Ontario Provincial Police in Ontario, Canada; and Crown Attorney’s Office in Toronto, Canada, provided significant assistance in the Vasiliev matter. The United Kingdom’s NCA; France’s Gendarmerie Nationale Cyberspace Command and Cyber Division of the Paris Prosecution Office; Germany’s Landeskriminalamt Schleswig-Holstein and the Bundeskriminalamt; Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice and Police, Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Canton of Zurich, and Zurich Cantonal Police; Japan’s National Policy Agency; Australian Federal Police; Sweden’s Polismyndighetens; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Politie Dienst Regionale Recherche Oost-Brabant of the Netherlands; Finland’s Poliisi; Europol; and Eurojust have provided significant assistance and coordination in both matters and in the LockBit investigation generally.
Trial Attorneys Jessica C. Peck, Debra Ireland, and Jorge Gonzalez of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, David E. Malagold, and Vinay Limbachia for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the charges against Astamirov and Vasiliev.
The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust, Office of International Affairs, and National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section also provided significant assistance.
Additional details on protecting networks against LockBit ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov. These include Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisories AA23-325A, AA23-165A, and AA23-075A.
Two Charged with Distribution of Protonitazene, A Novel Synthetic Opioid More Potent Than FentanylRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino III, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging MIGUEL DE JESUS REYES MEDINA a/k/a “Azua,” and ERIK ALBERTO LOPEZ VALDEZ with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of protonitazene, a novel synthetic opioid that is up to three times more potent than fentanyl. REYES MEDINA and LOPEZ VALDEZ were arrested today. LOPEZ VALDEZ will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger, and REYES MEDINA will be presented before Judge Lehrburger tomorrow, July 19, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Miguel de Jesus Reyes Medina and Erik Alberto Lopez Valdez engaged in a scheme to sell dangerous narcotics to New Yorkers, including a novel, and potentially lethal, synthetic opioid. As part of that scheme, the defendants sold protonitazene, which, as alleged, is as much as three times more deadly than fentanyl. This prosecution underscores my Office’s unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the deadly opioid crisis, including from emergent synthetic opioids that pose even greater threats than fentanyl. We will not allow drug dealers to hide behind novel changes to the chemical structure of drugs to avoid prosecution.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said: “Today’s arrests show the commitment the DEA and our law enforcement partners have in targeting those poisoning our communities. As alleged, these individuals are not only responsible for the distribution of the lethal drug fentanyl, but the distribution of protonitazene, a novel synthetic opioid that is up to three times more potent than fentanyl. It is safe to say that the removal of these individuals, and the distribution of these illicit drugs from our streets, saved another family from having to bury their loved one. The DEA and members of our NYDETF remain committed to doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”
As alleged in the Complaint:[1]
In or about April 2024, REYES MEDINA agreed to sell fentanyl to a confidential source (the “Source”) working with law enforcement. REYES MEDINA negotiated the price and quantity of fentanyl to be provided, requesting $2,000 for 74 grams of fentanyl. On or about April 10, 2024, REYES MEDINA met with the Source and provided a 74-gram package of narcotics. During the meeting, REYES MEDINA emphasized that the narcotics were high quality and strong. Then, on or about April 16, 2024, REYES MEDINA arranged to have LOPEZ VALDEZ deliver a further 420-gram package of narcotics to the Source for the price of $12,250, which LOPEZ VALDEZ did. Following the arrest of REYES MEDINA and LOPEZ VALDEZ, laboratory testing determined that the packages of narcotics provided to the Source by REYES MEDINA and LOPEZ VALDEZ consisted of nearly 500 grams of protonitazene, a synthetic opioid that is up to three times more potent than fentanyl.
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REYES MEDINA, 49, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and two counts of distribution of protonitazene, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
LOPEZ VALDEZ, 38, of Camden, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and one count of distribution of protonitazene, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the DEA, the New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police in connection with this investigation.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Kinder is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are 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.
Spencerport man pleads guilty to his role in fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Grimm 44, of Spencerport, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that Grimm, and at least one other person, engaged in an extensive pattern of conduct involving document fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, retail theft, and identity theft. Part of the scheme involved Grimm and others obtaining merchandise by theft or fraud from local retailers, which was then returned in exchange for gift cards and store credit or sold to third parties. In furtherance of the scheme, Grimm presented forged and/or stolen passports and other stolen identification information to merchants. Grimm also admitted his role in the theft of personal identifying information and credit information belonging to multiple individuals, which he and others used to make fraudulent purchases, including car and hotel rentals. The stolen identity information was also used in attempts to open credit cards and obtain loans. To date, at least 10 identity theft victims have been identified resulting in thousands of dollars in losses.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Wood, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 11, 2024, at 9:30 am before Judge Siragusa.
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Southern Arizona Man Indicted for Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, a federal grand jury indicted Santiago Luis Valencia, Jr., 34, of Tucson, on one count of Second Degree Murder. Valencia is an enrolled member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
It is alleged that on June 15, 2024, the victim and Valencia engaged in a verbal altercation that later turned physical. According to witnesses, Valencia was the initial aggressor and assaulted the victim by striking the back of the victim’s head against a windowsill on the exterior of the residence where the incident occurred. The victim died the following day as a result of the injuries sustained during the fight.
Second Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and five years of supervised release.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathaniel J. Walters and Caroline Allen, District of Arizona, Tucson, are handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-24-04265-TUC-JGZ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-096_Valencia# # #
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.Sequoyah County Resident Sentenced for Receiving and Possessing Child Sexual Exploitation MaterialsRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Shawn Chandler, age 51, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 210 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for one count of Receipt of Certain Material Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and one count of Possession of Certain Material involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, the Muldrow Police Department, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Chandler was indicted August 9, 2023, and pleaded guilty to the charges on December 21, 2023. According to investigators, in Spring of 2023, Chandler was arrested on a warrant issued by the Cherokee Nation Tribal Court. At the time of the arrest, Chandler was in possession of multiple cell phones. A subsequent search of the phones revealed that Chandler knowingly received and stored over 40 videos and images of child sexual abuse from the internet.
The Honorable William P. Johnson, Chief U.S. District Judge of the United States District Court for New Mexico, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Chandler will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah McAmis and Jessie Pippin represented the United States.
“This case is an excellent example of the interagency cooperation taking place in the Eastern District of Oklahoma,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Thanks to the collaborative work of local, Tribal, and federal law enforcement agents and prosecutors, Chandler was identified and successfully prosecuted for his role in perpetuating the victimization of children subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources”.
We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement. You can file a report on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)'s website at www.cybertipline.com, call 1-800-843-5678, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or call 877-4-HSI TIP.
Roswell Man Indicted for Threatening FBI Director Christopher WrayRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – John Woodbury has been indicted on federal charges of transmitting interstate threats to injure FBI Director Christopher Wray and others.
“Sending threats to physically harm a public official in an attempt to thwart the administration of justice is a criminal offense,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Director Wray and other law enforcement officials work tirelessly to safeguard our freedoms and to protect our citizens from harm. Threats against such public servants, who have dedicated themselves to enforcing our criminal laws, is especially heinous. Our office will remain steadfast in helping to ensure that public officials are able to carry out their duties free from fear or intimidation.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictment, and other information presented in court: On June 7, 2023, Woodbury allegedly posted a message on 4chan.org that threatened violence against FBI Director Wray and others. In his message, Woodbury made statements that included the following: “Let’s show them what a [expletive] ‘Nazi’ […] looks like […]. It’s time to burn these [expletive] down and hang them from trees. Hit them where it [expletive] hurts. Hit Chris at his home. Make his family fear stepping one foot outside their [expletive] door.”
John Woodbury, 34, of Roswell, Georgia was arrested and arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Catherine M. Salinas. Woodbury was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9, 2024. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Carrico and Jennifer Keen are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Rochester man going to prison on gun chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Edward A. Pearce, 30, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who handled the case, stated that on August 12, 2023, Pearce was arrested by the United States Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force following a traffic stop in the area of 1071 Dewey Avenue in Rochester. Law enforcement located a loaded 40 caliber pistol in his waistband. In June 2018, Pearce was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in Ulster County Court, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Marshal’s Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division.
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Rochester man already serving 30 year sentence, sentenced to an additional 20 years in prisonRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Deadrick D. Fulwiley a/k/a Deucy, 31, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of a machine gun, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The sentence will be served concurrent to a 30-year sentence Fulwiley received in New York State Court for committing two homicides in July 2022 with Kelvin Vickers and Raheem Robinson. Vickers was also convicted of murdering Rochester Police Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz and wounding Officer Sino Seng.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, who is handling the case, stated that between April and July 21, 2022, Fulwiley conspired with others to sell marijuana, utilizing drug houses on Sixth and St. Paul Streets in Rochester. In addition, marijuana was stored at Fulwiley’s Laser Street residence. On July 16 and July 21, 2022, search warrants were executed at the Sixth Street residence, during which more than 24 pounds of marijuana, drug ledgers, approximately $13,390 in cash, and several firearms and ammunition were seized, including a machine gun.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division.
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Riverview Man Arrested for COVID-19 FraudRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of David Antonetti (28, Riverview) on an indictment charging him with two counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Antonetti faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count.
According to court records, between March 2021 and October 2021, Antonetti devised a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration by submitting two false and fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. PPP loans were one of the sources of economic relief provided for by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Antonetti made false representations in both of his PPP applications to secure the loans. The loan proceeds were later electronically transferred into his bank account.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts.
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Making Fake Bomb Threat on AirplaneRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger has sentenced Evan Sims (41, Rhode Island) to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for false information and threats regarding an explosive on an airplane. Sims has been in custody since his arrest on December 6, 2023. The court also ordered Sims to pay $25,478 in restitution to Breeze Airways. Sims pled guilty on March 5, 2024.
According to court documents, Sims was traveling on a flight from Orlando, Florida to Providence, Rhode Island on December 5, 2023. While seated on the plane, prior to takeoff, Sims began arguing with his travel companion. Sims told his travel companion that he had never heard of the airline for the flight and that he hoped the airplane did not “go down.” Sims stated that they would be “gone with the wind.”
During boarding and the airline safety briefing, Sims made comments to his travel companion about needing to use the emergency doors and that the windows looked like they had not been used. Sims also told his travel companion that he hoped they did not have to use the windows. Further, Sims questioned the flight crew regarding the emergency life raft that was in the overhead storage compartment. Sims’s travel companion and the surrounding passengers were uncomfortable with Sims’s statements and Sims’s travel companion asked Sims to stop making his comments.
As the flight began the initial ascent into the air, Sims partially stood up in his seat and exclaimed that he wanted to get off the plane. While the flight was airborne, Sims stated approximately two times that his travel companion had a bomb on the plane. Thereafter, due to Sims’s repeated disturbances and escalating behavior, the flight was diverted to the Jacksonville International Airport. Bomb detection dogs were deployed and searched the plane but did not locate a bomb.
This case was investigated by the Transportation Security Administration, Jacksonville Aviation Authority Airport Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.
Readout of Justice Department Officials Participation in UN High Level Political Forum to Highlight UN Sustainable Development Goal 16Read the Press Release
This past week, Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer and Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice participated in the United Nations (UN) High Level Political Forum in New York as part of the official U.S. delegation to the Forum. The UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is a platform for the review of progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Goals of the Agenda at a global level. This year, the Forum focused on UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), among other goals. The Office for Access to Justice is mandated to assist the United States with the implementation of SDG 16, which focuses on establishing peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
On July 11, Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer delivered the United States National Statement on UN SDG 16, where he highlighted the efforts of the United States to advance equal access to justice. During his time at the Forum, Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer met with a range of stakeholders to discuss cooperation on access to justice, including foreign officials and civil society organizations working to advance equality for all.
On July 16, Director Rossi engaged in an informal listening session, convened by the Robert and Helen Bernstein Institute for Human Rights at New York University School of Law. The listening session provided a unique opportunity for Director Rossi to connect with community leaders in New York and hear their reflections on how the goals of SDG 16 relate to their vision of peace and justice. Organizations participating in the listening session were the Bernstein Institute for Human Rights at NYU Law, Jailhouse Lawyer Initiative, Common Justice organization, Hour Children, Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice, Cardozo Law School, Women Who NEVER Give Up, Center for Institutional and Social Change, Columbia Law School, Defying Legal Gravity, Paralegal Pathways Initiative, Columbia Law School, Bronx Defenders, and the Columbia Center for Justice CUNY Law, Formerly Incarcerated Law Student Association.
Following the listening session, Director Rossi gave welcoming remarks for the official United States side event “Turning the Tide: Scaling SDG for the Future, Reinforcing Access to Justice, and Advancing Democracy.” This side event elevated the sustainable, resilient, innovative, and people-centered approaches that governments and stakeholders are employing to advance implementation of SDG 16.
The Office for Access to Justice also hosted a convening to initiate discussions on how the office can best serve as a connector of cross-sector stakeholders to better advance access to justice through the implementation of SDG 16. Convening attendees, including cities, counties, systems impacted individuals, civil society organizations, and federal government partners, discussed how regular engagement going forward can assist to generate knowledge, ensure visibility across efforts, inspire action, and connect data to policy to advance equal access to justice for all. Director Rossi provided remarks for the session which shaped the role of the Office for Access to Justice and the intention of the office in support of SDG 16.3, to promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure access to justice for all.
Director Rossi also met with the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers to discuss SDG 16 and legal empowerment in advancing human rights at the international level.
Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer delivered the United States National Statement on UN SDG 16. Director Rossi giving welcoming remarks for the official United States side event Turning the Tide: Scaling SDG for the Future, Reinforcing Access to Justice, and Advancing Democracy.
Director Rossi and participants of the informal listening session convened by the Robert and Helen Bernstein Institute for Human Rights at New York University School of Law. Director Rossi engaging participants in discussion at the Access to Justice and SDG 16: Building Together Towards the 2030 Agenda in the United States.Purported Psychic Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Outrageous $4 Million Extortion SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Gina Rita Russell, 35, formerly of New York, N.Y., and Los Angeles, California, was sentenced today to 125 months in prison for masterminding an elaborate fraud, extortion, and money laundering scheme, which resulted in a Maryland man embezzling more than $4 million from his Washington, D.C., employer. Russell is the sixth defendant to be sentenced in the case.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division.
In April 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Russell, her ex-common-law husband Robert Evans, his brothers Tony John Evans and Corry Blue Evans, and the brothers’ parents, Archie Kaslov and Candy Evans, all of New York, on various charges related to the scheme. At one point, one of Russell’s coconspirators threatened to harm the Maryland man’s young children.
According to the government’s evidence, Russell met a New York woman in October 2009 in Manhattan and performed a psychic reading on her. Though Russell had no psychic powers, she convinced the New York woman that she did and told the woman that bad things would happen unless the woman raised large sums of money for Russell and her family. The woman started giving Russell money from her lawful jobs, but then Russell convinced her to lie to her father by claiming she needed money for therapy, extensive sleep studies, and university classes. After giving his daughter enormous sums of money, the New York woman’s father eventually stopped providing her with financial assistance.
Russell then convinced the woman to earn more money through sex work. The woman advertised sensual massage services online, including Backpage.com. Through one of her ads, she met a Maryland man, who eventually fell in love with and proposed to her, even though he was married and had children. Preying on his affection, Russell and the New York woman conspired with Robert Evans, Tony John Evans, Corry Blue Evans, and Archie Kaslov to extort money and gold bars from the victim. The New York woman told the Maryland man that she owed money to bad people from prior debts and that her life was in danger. As a result, the Maryland man embezzled more than $4 million from his employer between January and March of 2017. As part of the scheme, Russell had Tony John Evans impersonate a mobster during calls with the Maryland man. During one of those calls, Tony John Evans asked if he needed to remind the Maryland man where his children went to school. Russell also dictated threatening texts and provided the New York woman with instructions on what to tell the Maryland man.
The Maryland man converted embezzled funds to cash and gold bars which he delivered to New York drop-off locations, including a hotel room, believing the funds were going to mobsters. In reality, all of the funds the man embezzled and delivered to New York went to members of the Russell-Evans-Kaslov family.
In July 2019, Russell pleaded guilty to interference with interstate commerce by extortion. She was originally scheduled to be sentenced in May 2024, after her five co-defendants were sentenced. However, prior to her sentencing, the government learned that Russell engaged in similar criminal conduct in Los Angeles, convincing a woman there that she had psychic powers, working with the woman to defraud the woman’s father out of money, and persuading the woman to raise funds through sex work. The government brought Russell’s conduct to the attention of U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, who promptly issued a warrant for her arrest. Russell was arrested on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, and has been in custody ever since.
In addition to the prison sentence of 10 years and five months, Judge Chutkan ordered Russell to pay $4,217,542.86 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.
Tony John Evans, 35, and Robert Evans, 37, both pleaded guilty to interference with interstate commerce by extortion and were each sentenced to five years in prison. Corry Blue Evans, 31, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and was sentenced to 41-months in prison. Archie Kaslov, 57, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 30-months in prison. Candy Evans, 55, pleaded guilty to tampering with a witness by corrupt persuasion or misleading conduct and was sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Kent, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diane Lucas, Rick Blaylock, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Arvind Lal and Paralegal Specialist Angela De Falco, who assisted with forfeiture issues, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Oliver McDaniel and Melissa Goforth Koenig, who assisted with restraining funds.
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Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Major Drug Distribution CaseRead the Press Release
Rutland, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on July 17, 2024, Ronald Harris, 32, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey Crawford to a term of 100 months of imprisonment to be followed by a four-year term of supervised release. Harris previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, fentanyl and heroin.
According to court records, Harris played a trusted role within the drug trafficking conspiracy, traveling regularly between Philadelphia and Chittenden County, Vermont between October 2021 and January 2023 to transport drugs and money. At the time of his arrest in January 2023, law enforcement seized approximately $98,000.00 from Harris, over one kilogram of crack cocaine and over half a kilogram of heroin from an apartment in Essex Junction from which the conspiracy was operating.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaboration and investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Burlington Police Department during the course of the lengthy investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Cowles. Harris was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.
Office Manager for Suburban Chicago Medical Equipment Boutique Indicted on Federal Health Care Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — The office manager for a suburban Chicago medical equipment boutique has been indicted on federal health care fraud charges for allegedly billing private insurers for products that were never provided, including breast prostheses, compression garments, and wigs for cancer survivors.
JUDY STRZELECKI served as the office manager for A Woman’s Place LLC, a durable medical equipment provider and retail shop in Downers Grove, Ill. A Woman’s Place provided breast prostheses, compression garments, wigs, mastectomy bras, and other items to cancer survivors and women with chronic health conditions. From 2015 to 2020, Strzelecki and others submitted fraudulent claims to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and other health care benefit programs for equipment that was either not provided or was not medically necessary, according to an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Strzelecki and others also fraudulently billed the programs for more expensive products than were provided in order to seek higher reimbursement rates, the indictment states.
As a result of the scheme, Strzelecki and others fraudulently obtained at least $1.8 million in payments from health care programs for equipment that was not provided as billed, the indictment states.
Strzelecki, 73, of Downers Grove, Ill., is charged with seven counts of health care fraud. Each count is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison, and restitution is mandatory. Arraignment is set for July 23, 2024, at 10:45 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Lucas Rothaar, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Rubén R. Chapa, Regional Director of the Chicago Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Misty N. Wright.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Strzelecki indictmentNorthern California Man Charged in a Complaint for Allegedly Trying to Have Sex with Multiple Minors at a Fictitious Hotel PartyRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Placer County resident made his initial appearance today after he allegedly arranged to have sex with minors at a fictitious hotel party.
Michael Batchelor, 30, of Placer County is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of attempted production of child pornography, one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal criminal sexual activity, and one count of distribution and possession of child pornography.
Batchelor made his initial appearance today in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles and his detention hearing has been scheduled for July 22.
According to the complaint, prior to the encounter, Batchelor allegedly planned for what kind of children he would have sex with and what he would do to them. Batchelor was allegedly looking for minors who were in the age range of “6 to 14” and had “blonde” hair. Batchelor allegedly expressed interest in producing child pornography of the encounter. Batchelor also allegedly provided pictures and videos of child pornography, including children appearing to be younger than 10 years old being molested by adult men.
On July 17, Batchelor allegedly traveled to Los Angeles intending to have sex and produce child pornography with three minor girls, two of whom were under the age of 10, while he was visiting family. Batchelor had allegedly brought $200 to pay for the hotel room where the sexual activity was supposed to occur, along with a recent STD test. Shortly after arriving at a prearranged location near the site of the fictitious hotel party, Batchelor was arrested and is currently being detained by law enforcement.
“It is essential that we protect our children from predators who perpetrate the sorts of despicable crimes alleged in this complaint,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We will continue to leverage our resources to ferret out efforts to sexually exploit children and hold those bad actors accountable.”
“Yesterday’s arrest once again sends a clear message to child predators that they are now the prey and that this abhorrent criminal activity will not be tolerated,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners will do everything in our power to protect the children of our communities.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted of all charges, Batchelor faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Homeland Security Investigations and New Jersey State Police investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Chris M. Brunwin of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this matter.
New Orleans Man with Felony Convictions Sentenced for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TEDDY NATHAN (“NATHAN”), age 25, and a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on July 16, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court records, NATHAN, armed with an AR-15 rifle loaded with over 25 rounds, entered a Central City daycare, where several small children lay sleeping. The staff managed to get him out of the building and called the police. NATHAN fled as the police approached but was quickly apprehended. The police found the AR-15 on the front seat of a vehicle by which NATHAN had been standing before he ran. Records checks revealed that NATHAN had an extensive criminal history, with felony convictions for aggravated assault with a firearm, purse snatching, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm.
Judge Morgan sentenced NATHAN to 71 months imprisonment, and three years of supervised release after his term of imprisonment. Judge Morgan also ordered NATHAN to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 80 Months for Drug and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on July 17, 2024, GREGORY WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 31, a resident of Orleans Parish, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk to 80 months of imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to four counts of a seven-count superseding indictment.
In Count 4 of the superseding indictment, WILLIAMS was charged with possession, with the intent to distribute, a controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D). In Count 5, WILLIAMS was charged with possessing a firearm, during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). In Count 6, WILLIAMS was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Finally, in Count 7, WILLIAMS was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
According to court records, on February 10, 2022, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (“JPSO”) conducted a narcotics investigation at an apartment complex in Metairie, LA. Based on their observations, officers stopped a vehicle in the parking lot. During that stop, several individuals present in the lot, one of whom was WILLIAMS, fled from law enforcement. After identifying WILLIAMS as the front-seat passenger of a Dodge Charger that was also present in the lot, JPSO officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. During the search, officers located a firearm and narcotics in the front passenger seat, as well as documentation linked to WILLIAMS. Later, on October 1, 2022, officers saw WILLIAMS with two firearms outside of a residence on Clio Street in New Orleans.
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 Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control ActsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WADE BATISTE (“BATISTE”), age 43, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on July 16, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Specifically, BATISTE was sentenced for possessing, with the intent to distribute, a quantity of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(D) and being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). According to court records, BATISTE was arrested at a second line parade in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans for possessing several bags of marijuana packaged for distribution, a handgun equipped with a 50 round drum magazine, another smaller backup handgun, a large knife, and another smaller knife. At the time of his arrest, BATISTE had an extensive criminal history with numerous felony convictions, that prohibited him from possessing guns.
Judge Papillion sentenced BATISTE to 120 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and payment of a $200 mandatory special assessment fee.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator.
Neshoba County Man Pleads Guilty to Shooting a Tribal Member on the Choctaw Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Neshoba County man pled guilty to assault with intent to do bodily harm and use of a firearm during a crime of violence on the Choctaw Indian Reservation.
According to court documents, in September 2022, Jessie James Clay, Jr., 42, shot a tribal member at a residence in the Pearl River Community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Clay was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023.
Clay is scheduled to be sentenced on October 18, 2024, and faces not less than ten years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
The Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne and Brian K. Burns prosecuted the case.
Moses Lake Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Arson over a Drug DebtRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that David Alexander Maybee, age 25, of Moses Lake, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Malicious Destruction of Property by Fire. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 60 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on January 21, 2022, Maybee and 3 others drove to the Motel 6 in Moses Lake. The driver of the vehicle parked nearby. Maybee and another man got out of the vehicle and walked to an Audi parked in the motel parking lot. Using a water bottle filled with gasoline they had obtained from a gas station earlier that night, the man poured gasoline over the Audi while Maybee acted as a lookout. The man lit the gasoline on fire and the pair ran back to their vehicle and left the scene. Moses Lake Fire Department and Moses Lake Police Department (MLPD) responded quickly and were able to extinguish the fire. While the vehicle was a total loss, no one was injured. The incident was captured on the Motel 6 surveillance cameras.
Follow-up investigation showed that the three individuals, to include Maybee, acted on the behalf of a local drug dealer, and the vehicle was torched over an outstanding drug debt. The three were expecting a cash reward from the drug dealer for their actions.
As discussed at the sentencing hearing, just a month after the arson, Maybee and an accomplice robbed a local Carl’s Jr. to get money to pay a drug debt that they owed to their drug dealer. Maybee was sentenced in Grant County Superior Court to 171 months of custody (22-1-0045-13). That same month, February 2022, Maybee and an accomplice kicked in the back door of a home in Moses Lake and stole multiple firearms and ammunition.
In imposing sentencing, Judge Rice noted Maybee’s criminal history was “atrocious” and warned that after serving his sentences, if he returns to the community and commits additional crimes, he will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
“This case starkly demonstrates the dangerous nexus between illicit drugs and violence. Mr. Maybee participated in an arson to settle a drug debt that placed our first responders and entire community at risk,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I am grateful for our strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement who protect our neighborhoods and work so effectively with our office to hold accountable individuals who are the largest drivers of violent crime.”
“While Mr. Maybee didn’t actually light the fire his part in this crime was still extremely troubling,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Taken as a whole, the dangers posed by his and his accomplice’s actions clearly warrant this sentence.”
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Moses Lake Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard.
Milton Man Charged with Stolen Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that John Turner, 53, of Milton, Vermont, was indicted on federal charges alleging that Turner conspired with others in July 2019 to possess stolen firearms. He was arrested on those charges and arraigned on the indictment on July 17, 2024. He was released on conditions. If convicted, Turner faces a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.
According to court records, Tuner conspired with others to steal several firearms from a residence in Colchester, Vermont. Those firearms included four handguns. The indictment alleges that one of the handguns was used to murder a man on July 11, 2019. Kory George and Angela Auclair have been charged in Vermont state court with conspiring to murder David Auclair on July 11, 2019. George has pleaded guilty to those charges and been sentenced. Auclair is still facing a state murder conspiracy charge.
The indictment is an accusation only and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, 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.
The investigation resulting in these charges was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Vermont State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Paul Van de Graaf is handling the prosecution for the government. Turner is represented by Karen Shingler, Esq.
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.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced to 78 MonthsRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE –Gustavo Adolfo Calderon Martinez, 28, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to distribution of heroin, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Calderon Martinez was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, Calderon Martinez was distributing heroin, cocaine, and other drugs supplied directly from Mexico. On several occasions in April and May 2022, he sold cocaine and heroin to law enforcement, offering kilogram quantities for sale. He obtained drug loads from Mexico, and utilized another individual’s Fort Wayne residence as a stash house to store and package drugs for sale. A search resulted in the seizure of about 60 pounds of marijuana, over 670 grams of heroin, and almost 3.75 kilograms of cocaine at the stash house, and about three ounces of cocaine and $10,000 cash at his residence.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
This case was 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.
Marshall County Man Sentenced for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine OffensesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Daniel R. Grossi, 70, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced to 77 months in prison for fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Grossi was selling fentanyl and methamphetamine in Marshall County. The investigation revealed that Grossi obtained large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine through the mail.
Grossi will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The case was investigated by the Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Marion County Man Indicted for Attempting to Entice A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Joseph Raymond Morin (51, Ocala) with attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Morin faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Morin was arrested on July 15, 2024. He is currently detained pending the resolution of the criminal case.
According to the indictment, between May 3, 2024, and June 26, 2024, Morin knowingly attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual whom he believed had not yet attained 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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.
Man Sentenced for Selling $3.5M in Counterfeit and Substandard Electronics for Use in Military SystemsRead the Press Release
A California man was sentenced yesterday to three years and six months in prison for a scheme to defraud the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) by selling over $3.5 million worth of fan assemblies to the DLA that were either counterfeit or that he misrepresented were new when in fact they were used or surplus.
According to court documents, Steve H.S. Kim, 63, of Alameda County, controlled Company A, which sold fan assemblies to the DLA that were either counterfeit or were used or surplus fan assemblies that Kim claimed were new. To trick the DLA into accepting the fan assemblies, Kim created counterfeit labels—some of which used Company B’s registered trademarks—that he attached to the fan assemblies he sold to the DLA. When the DLA questioned Kim about the origin of the fan assemblies, Kim concealed his scheme by giving the DLA fake tracing documents that he created and often signed using a false identity. Some of these counterfeit fans were installed or intended to be installed with electrical components on a nuclear submarine, a laser system on an aircraft, and a surface-to-air missile system.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California; Special Agent in Charge Bryan D. Denny of the DoD Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Tatum King of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s (Army CID) Fraud Field Office made the announcement.
DCIS, NCIS, HSI, and Army CID investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Kyle C. Hankey, Trial Attorney David D. Hamstra, and former Trial Attorney Louis Manzo of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Lloyd-Lovett for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case. Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne Rose and Senior Counsels Jason Gull and Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section provided substantial assistance with the investigation.
Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl PowderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jason Viera Penalbert, 37, of Madison, Nebraska, was sentenced July 17, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Penalbert to 57 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Penalbert’s release from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.
On May 18, 2023, DEA agents doing surveillance at a UPS facility noticed a suspicious package. After a positive canine sniff, agents obtained a search warrant to search the package. Inside the package were two bricks wrapped in silver duct tape totaling approximately 2,428 grams of powder fentanyl.
Agents replaced the fentanyl with fake narcotics and conducted a controlled delivery to a residence in Norfolk, Nebraska. After the package was delivered, Penalbert arrived at the house to pick it up. After being arrested, Penalbert told agents he lived in Madison and came to Norfolk to pick up the package to deliver it to Minnesota. A search of Penalbert's cell phone revealed messages coordinating the delivery of the package.
Penalbert also admitted there would be drugs at his home. A later search of Penalbert’s house uncovered approximately 195 grams of cocaine. As part of a plea agreement, the prosecution dismissed a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in exchange for a guilty plea to the fentanyl charge.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Nebraska State Patrol assisted with forensic testing of the drugs seized.
Los Angeles Duo Found Guilty for 10-Day Liquor Store Robbery Spree Ending in Police Chase, Car Crash and Foot PursuitRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Two Los Angeles men have been found guilty today for committing a string of robberies in a 10-day span that ended in the duo leading law enforcement in a chase in Los Angeles County before crashing a stolen car into a tree then running across six lanes of highway traffic during rush hour.
At the conclusion of a three-day trial, a jury convicted the two defendants with Hobbs Act robbery. They will be sentenced by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera on October 24:
Anthony Flores, a.k.a. “BabyGfar”, 28, of Los Angeles; and
Ivin Kitu Sanford, 32, of Los Angeles.
According to court documents, beginning in May 2023, the defendants conspired to rob and robbed two BevMo stores, stealing high-end liquor stored behind security glass and, in some instances, threatened employees with violence. Flores and Sanford would then sell the liquor to individuals on Instagram. The incidents involved the following locations:
- Long Beach: Flores stole approximately $2,604 worth of liquor.
- Lakewood: Flores stole approximately $800 worth of liquor. Additionally, Hardgraves allegedly threatened to shoot a store employee if he attempted to interfere with the robbery.
Furthermore, Flores and Sanford conspired to rob two additional BevMo stores located in Pasadena and West Covina.
After the robberies, Flores was surveilled and seen selling the bottles. Flores was arrested and released. On June 5, 2023, the two defendants again attempted to rob the Canyon Country BevMo store. Flores and Sanford physically subdued a store victim-employee and attempted to steal high-end bottles of liquor. The defendants fled in a stolen silver Dodge Charger with a stolen license plate and attempted to evade officers during a traffic stop. Flores and Sanford led law enforcement on a chase through Los Angeles County before crashing into a tree. After the crash, defendants ran on foot across the California State Route 14, a 65-mile-per-hour highway, during rush hour traffic. Flores and Sanford were later found in bushes in a desolate area.
“Callous disregard for the law undermines our community’s sense of safety,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “These defendants’ violent robberies and attempts to evade officers put lives at risk. Our Operation Safe Cities initiative aims to ensure that violent crimes are met with serious consequences, and today’s convictions demonstrate our steadfast commitment to that goal.”
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
The case against the third defendant, Jabco Hardgraves, a.k.a. “Jacob Hardgraves,” Baby Monster,” “Lil Turtle”, 27, of Los Angeles is still pending and is not currently set for trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Covina Police Department, and Long Beach Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.
Lame Deer felon sentenced to 21 years in prison for assaults on women and illegal possession of firearmRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Lame Deer man who admitted to assaulting women on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations and to illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun in two separate cases was sentenced on Wednesday to 21 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said today.
Theo Summers Buffalo Bulltail, 41, pleaded guilty in February to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a weapon and assault resulting in substantial injury in one case. Buffalo Bulltail also pleaded guilty in August 2023 to prohibited person in possession of a firearm in a separate case.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
“Buffalo Bulltail terrorized women on both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations through brutal assaults and torture. The injuries and trauma Buffalo Bulltail inflicted will likely follow the victims for the rest of their lives, but I hope that they can begin some measure of healing knowing that Buffalo Bulltail will be incarcerated for a long time. Additionally, Buffalo Bulltail, a felon with multiple convictions, was a danger to the public by illegally possessing guns. With today’s sentence, women and communities will be safe from Buffalo Bulltail,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged in court documents that in the assaults case, Buffalo Bulltail assaulted four women by abusing and torturing them in separate incidents on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations. In an assault in April 2022 involving a victim identified as Jane Doe 1, Buffalo Bulltail struck Doe 1 with various objects including an axe and his hands, breaking her nose and foot, and tortured her for days in a residence in Lame Deer, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Doe 1 eventually escaped and flagged down a truck driver. In another assault in July 2022 involving a victim identified as Jane Doe 3, Buffalo Bulltail struck her in the arm with a large knife, causing swelling and bleeding, near Pryor, on the Crow Indian Reservation. Additionally, in March 2022, Buffalo Bulltail punched another victim, identified as Jane Doe 2, in the face twice, breaking her nose, for not giving him keys to a vehicle. Buffalo Bulltail previously drove Jane Doe 2 to a remote area on the Crow Reservation, strangled and threatened to kill her, and in another instance, threatened her with a gun. Finally, in July 2022, Buffalo Bulltail drove another victim, identified as Jane Doe 4, to Lodge Grass, on the Crow Reservation, and said he was going to rape her. He forced her to remove her clothes, pushed her out of the vehicle then yanked her back in by the hair. Doe 4 got dressed and got away when the vehicle got stuck in the mud. Buffalo Bulltail found her the next day and took her to a residence where he repeatedly assaulted her. Doe 4 escaped by running from the residence.
In the firearms case, law enforcement pulled over a vehicle Buffalo Bulltail was driving near Billings on Jan. 18, 2022. Buffalo Bulltail fled from the car but was caught and arrested. Officers found Buffalo Bulltail in possession of a sawed-off shotgun, .40-caliber ammunition, drug baggies and methamphetamine. Buffalo Bulltail had five previous felony convictions at the time and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Montana Highway Patrol and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office conducted the firearms investigation. The FBI conducted the assaults investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Kindred and Related Entities Agree to Pay $19.428M to Settle Federal and State False Claims Act Lawsuits Alleging Ineligible Claims for Hospice PatientsRead the Press Release
Gentiva, successor to Kindred at Home, has agreed to pay $19.428 million to resolve allegations that Kindred at Home and related entities (Kindred) knowingly submitted false claims and knowingly retained overpayments for hospice services provided to patients who were ineligible to receive hospice benefits under various federal health care programs. Gentiva’s hospice operations, headquartered in Atlanta, include entities that previously operated Kindred at Home hospice locations under the names Avalon, Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon.
“The hospice benefit under Medicare and other federal health care programs provides critical services to some of the most vulnerable patients,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department will ensure that this important benefit is used to assist those who need it, and not as an opportunity to line the pockets of those who seek to abuse it.”
The settlement resolves allegations made by the United States and the State of Tennessee in a consolidated complaint filed in 2021 against certain Kindred related entities alleging that, from 2010 until February 2020, the defendants knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims for hospice services provided to Avalon hospice patients in Tennessee who were ineligible for the Medicare or Medicaid hospice benefit because they were not terminally ill. The settlement also resolves the complaint’s allegations that the defendants improperly concealed or avoided Avalon’s obligation to repay those hospice claims.
In addition, the settlement resolves allegations that certain Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon hospice locations knowingly submitted, or caused to be submitted, false claims for hospice services provided to patients who were ineligible for hospice benefits under Medicare and other federal health care programs because the patients were not terminally ill. Those hospice locations were Kindred’s locations in Warwick, Rhode Island; Beaumont, Texas; and Independence, Missouri; SouthernCare New Beacon’s location in Demopolis, Alabama; and SouthernCare’s locations in Daphne, Alabama; Mobile, Alabama; South Bend, Indiana; and Youngstown, Ohio. The settlement also resolves allegations that those Kindred, SouthernCare and SouthernCare New Beacon locations knowingly and improperly concealed or avoided obligations to repay the foregoing hospice claims.
Further, the settlement resolves allegations that SouthernCare New Beacon allegedly violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by willfully paying renumeration to a consulting physician, between Oct. 1, 2016, and Oct. 1, 2022, to induce hospice referrals of Medicare beneficiaries to its Gadsden, Alabama, location. The settlement of those allegations stems from a voluntary self-disclosure made by New Beacon Healthcare Group LLC doing business as SouthernCare New Beacon Hospice. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs. It is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.
“Hospice provides vital care and support for terminally ill patients and their families. Medicare’s and TennCare’s eligibility requirements ensure that federal and state health care money is properly used to support hospice programs,” said U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis for the Middle District of Tennessee. “We are committed to holding accountable health care companies and providers who prioritize profits over patient care by ignoring these requirements.”
“This office remains committed to safeguarding public monies,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “I commend the work of all those in the department who have made this successful settlement possible and truly appreciate the strong working relationships that exist between the United States Attorneys’ Offices, the Civil Division’s Fraud Section and our law enforcement partners.”
“My office remains determined to ensure that federal funding for essential health care, like the hospice care at issue in this investigation, goes to the patients who need it, rather than to health care companies who seek to exploit those patients for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha for the District of Rhode Island. “Today’s result reflects a concerted effort by this office and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country, working alongside the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and our law enforcement partners, to help to guarantee that Medicare funds are directed where they belong and that high-quality hospice care is available for patients and their families in the future.”
“Hospice care is special end-of-life care intended to provide comfort for terminally ill patients. The decision to provide hospice services should be prompted by a patient’s terminally ill medical diagnosis, not a hospice provider’s desire to increase profits,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “The continued work of the department and our law enforcement partners is critical to the integrity of these important programs. I appreciate the work of all involved in this significant case.”
“Our office is committed to protecting federal healthcare programs like the Medicare hospice benefit from false claims” said U.S. Attorney Sean Costello for the Southern District of Alabama. “We will hold accountable any providers that abuse taxpayer dollars.”
“The integrity of hospice care is critical to the millions of patients receiving these services,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “We, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure that providers who focus on personal financial gain rather than providing medically necessary, high-quality hospice care will be held accountable.”
The Medicaid program is funded jointly by the state and federal governments. As a result of the settlement announced today, the federal government will receive $18,956,151.32, the State of Tennessee will receive $448,800 and the State of Ohio will receive $23,618.68.
The settlement includes the resolution of claims in nine lawsuits brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by various current and former Kindred employees. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam cases are captioned: United States ex rel. Pence, et al. v. Curo Health Services Holdings, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 3:13-00672 (M.D. Tenn.); United States,, et al. ex rel. Anderson et al. v. Curo Health Services, LLC d/b/a Avalon Hospice, Civil Action No. 3:20-cv-00168 (M.D. Tenn.); United States ex rel. Riar v. Kindred Healthcare, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 3:18-CV-52 (W.D. Ky.); United States ex rel. Didde, et al. v. Kindred Healthcare Inc. et al., Civil Action No. 19-2321-JWB-JPO (D. Kan.); United States ex rel. Mut v. Gentiva Certified Healthcare Corp. D/B/A Kindred at Home, Civil Action No. 1:21-cv-00425-JJM-PAS (D.R.I.); United States ex rel. Harris v. SouthernCare, Inc., Civil Action No. 3:18-cv-643-HTW-LGI (S.D. Miss.); United States,, et al. ex rel. Roy v. Curo Health Services, LLC, et al., Civil Action No. 3:18-cv-643-HTA-LRA (S.D. Miss.); U.S. ex rel. Petrey v. Curo HealthCare Services, LLC, et al., Civil Action No. 1:19-CV-00617 (S.D. Ala.), and United States ex rel. Medved, et al. v. SouthernCare, Inc. D/B/A SouthernCare, et al., Civil Action No. 2:23-cv-3345 (S.D. Ohio). The share of the settlement to be received by the whistleblowers has not yet been determined.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Kentucky, District of Kansas, District of Rhode Island, Southern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Alabama and Southern District of Ohio, with assistance from HHS-OIG, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General and the Office of the Ohio Attorney General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Trial Attorney William E. Olson of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wynn M. Shuford for the Middle District of Tennessee, Jessica R.C. Malloy and William F. Campbell for the Western District of Kentucky, Jon P. Fleenor for the District of Kansas, Kevin Love Hubbard for the District of Rhode Island, Deidre Lamppin Colson for the Southern District of Mississippi, Nina T. Herring for the Southern District of Alabama and W. Hunter West and Michael J. T. Downey for the Southern District of Ohio handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
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Kansas man admits defrauding Montana rancher in hay scam during droughtRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Kansas man accused of devising a scheme to steal from Montana and Wyoming ranchers who were trying to find hay to feed their livestock during a drought admitted to a fraud charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Jory D. Parks, 43, of Logan, Kansas, was arraigned on and pleaded guilty to an information charging him with wire fraud. Parks faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Parks was released pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that a drought in the summer of 2021 created a hay shortage for ranchers in Montana and Wyoming, and ranchers were struggling to find enough hay to feed their livestock. During this time, Parks intentionally devised a scheme to defraud these ranchers. Parks advertised on Facebook, claiming that he was selling large amounts of hay and was willing to deliver to Montana and Wyoming from out of state. Parks, operating as Heart Cross Ranch, LLC, received money from customers in exchange for promises to deliver hay. Instead, Parks used the money for unrelated business and personal expenses and made false promises about what he would deliver and the scale and success of his business.
In September 2021, when Parks was trying to convince a prospective customer that he had a successful business selling high-quality hay, he told the victim that he had sold all his hay the previous year to a known horse racing facility in Nebraska to feed racehorses. After interviewing the CEO of the facility and analyzing Parks’ financials, the FBI determined that Parks’ statements were false.
In Montana, a ranching business owned by a couple in Ingomar responded to one of Parks’ Facebook ads in which he claimed to be selling hay cheaper than they had been able to find. The couple signed a contact with Parks to buy 190 tons of hay from Parks for $43,300 and mailed half of the amount, $21,650, as a down payment to Heart Cross Ranch. Parks deposited the check into his business account in a bank in Colorado. Three weeks later, Parks delivered the couple’s first shipment of 23 tons of the 190 tons they had purchased but never delivered the additional hay or repaid the remainder of the downpayment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.
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Justice Department sues Southwest Key for sexual abuse and harassment of children in sheltersRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key Programs Inc., a Texas-based nonprofit that provides housing to unaccompanied children who are encountered at the southern land border of the United States.
The lawsuit alleges Southwest Key, through its employees, has engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied children in Southwest Key shelters in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
“In search of the American Dream, children often endure perilous journeys on their migration north to the southern border. The sexual harassment alleged in the complaint would destroy any child’s sense of safety turning what was an American Dream into a nightmare,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani of the SDTX. “We look forward to working together with the Civil Rights Division (CRD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas (WDTX) to provide justice for the victims who allegedly suffered harm in Southwest Key’s shelters.”
“Sexual harassment of children in residential shelters, where a child should be safe and secure, is abusive, dehumanizing and unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s CRD. “Sexual abuse of children is a crisis that we can’t ignore or turn a blind eye to. This lawsuit seeks relief for children who have been abused and harmed, and meaningful reforms to ensure no child in these shelters is ever subjected to sexual abuse again.”
“Every child has the right to feel safe and secure in their dwelling, including in shelter care,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the WDTX. “This lawsuit seeks to provide a pathway for justice and healing for these children, who are among the most vulnerable in our society.”
“Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, inappropriate sexual behavior and discrimination,” said DHHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) complaint against Southwest Key raises serious pattern or practice concerns. DHHS will continue to work with DOJ and oversight agencies to hold its care-giving programs like Southwest Key accountable. And we will continue to closely evaluate our assignment of children into care-giving programs to ensure the safety and well-being of every child in DHHS custody.”
Southwest Key operates 29 shelters that provide temporary housing for unaccompanied children in Texas, Arizona and California, and is the largest housing provider for unaccompanied children in the United States. Southwest Key receives grants from the DHHS Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide housing and other care for unaccompanied children at these shelters. Unaccompanied children are minors who enter the United States without parents or other legal guardians and without lawful immigration status in the United States. The shelters are the children’s homes until they are reunited with their immediate families or placed with a relative or other vetted sponsor while their immigration cases proceed.
The lawsuit, filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the WDTX, alleges that, from 2015 through at least 2023, multiple Southwest Key employees subjected children in their care to severe or pervasive sexual harassment that has included, among other things, sexual contact and inappropriate touching, solicitation of sex acts, solicitation of nude photos, entreaties for inappropriate relationships and sexual comments. The complaint further alleges that Southwest Key took insufficient action to prevent sexual harassment of the children in its care, failed to consistently follow federal requirements for preventing, detecting and reporting abuse including sexual harassment, failed to take appropriate or sufficient action to protect the children in its care and discouraged children from disclosing sexual harassment in violation of federal requirements, despite ORR having issued multiple corrective actions to Southwest Key.
The department’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate children the alleged harassment children harmed, a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination and requiring Southwest Key to take appropriate steps to prevent such harassment in the future.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or abuse at Southwest Key shelters or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department’s housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291. For Spanish dial “2,” then dial “2” for sexual harassment cases and dial “3” for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. For English dial “1,” then dial “2” for sexual harassment cases and dial “9” for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. Individuals can also email the Justice Department.
The CRD leads the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 43 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $17 million for victims of such harassment.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available here.
Justice Department Sues Southwest Key for Sexual Abuse and Harassment of Children in SheltersRead the Press Release
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key Programs Inc. (Southwest Key), a Texas-based nonprofit that provides housing to unaccompanied children who are encountered at the southern land border of the United States. The lawsuit alleges that Southwest Key, through its employees, has engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied children in Southwest Key shelters in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
“Sexual harassment of children in residential shelters, where a child should be safe and secure, is abusive, dehumanizing and unlawful,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Sexual abuse of children is a crisis that we can’t ignore or turn a blind eye to. This lawsuit seeks relief for children who have been abused and harmed, and meaningful reforms to ensure no child in these shelters is ever subjected to sexual abuse again.”
“HHS has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, inappropriate sexual behavior, and discrimination,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The U.S. Department of Justice’s complaint against Southwest Key raises serious pattern or practice concerns. HHS will continue to work with the Justice Department and oversight agencies to hold its care-giving programs like Southwest Key accountable. And we will continue to closely evaluate our assignment of children into care-giving programs to ensure the safety and well-being of every child in HHS custody.”
“Every child has the right to feel safe and secure in their dwelling, including in shelter care,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “This lawsuit seeks to provide a pathway for justice and healing for these children, who are among the most vulnerable in our society.”
“In search of the American Dream, children often endure perilous journeys on their migration north to the southern border,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “The sexual harassment alleged in the complaint would destroy any child’s sense of safety, turning what was an American Dream into a nightmare. We look forward to working together with the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas to provide justice for the victims who allegedly suffered harm in Southwest Key’s shelters.”
Southwest Key operates 29 shelters that provide temporary housing for unaccompanied children in Texas, Arizona and California, and is the largest housing provider for unaccompanied children in the United States. Southwest Key receives grants from the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide housing and other care for unaccompanied children at these shelters. Unaccompanied children are minors who enter the United States without parents or other legal guardians and without lawful immigration status in the United States. The shelters are the children’s homes until they are reunited with their immediate families or placed with a relative or other vetted sponsor while their immigration cases proceed.
The lawsuit, filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, alleges that, from 2015 through at least 2023, multiple Southwest Key employees subjected children in their care to severe or pervasive sexual harassment that has included, among other things, sexual contact and inappropriate touching, solicitation of sex acts, solicitation of nude photos, entreaties for inappropriate relationships and sexual comments. The complaint further alleges that Southwest Key took insufficient action to prevent sexual harassment of the children in its care, failed to consistently follow federal requirements for preventing, detecting and reporting abuse including sexual harassment, failed to take appropriate or sufficient action to protect the children in its care and discouraged children from disclosing sexual harassment in violation of federal requirements, despite ORR having issued multiple corrective actions to Southwest Key.
The department’s lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the children harmed by the alleged harassment, a civil penalty to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination and requiring Southwest Key to take appropriate steps to prevent such harassment in the future.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or abuse at Southwest Key shelters or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department’s housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291. For Spanish dial “2”; then dial “2” for sexual harassment cases; and dial “3” for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. For English dial “1”; then dial “2” for sexual harassment cases; and dial “9” for the Southwest Key lawsuit mailbox. Individuals can also email the Justice Department at [email protected] or report through our online portal at civilrights.justice.gov/link/southwestkey.
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 43 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $17 million for victims of such harassment.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
Justice Department Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Illinois Landlord for Sexually Harassing TenantsRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Michael J. DeWitte, of Washington, Illinois, for sexually harassing female tenants and housing applicants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. DeWitte has managed residential rental properties in Peoria, Illinois, and other central Illinois counties since at least 2002.
“Landlords cannot use their position of power to sexually harass someone who simply wants a place to live,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Fair Housing Act protects tenants’ right to housing free of any kind of sexual advance or harassment. We encourage survivors to speak out so that we can vindicate their fair housing rights.”
“No one should ever be asked to trade their body for a home,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois. “I urge any other tenants alleging discrimination by DeWitte to contact my office. When landlords abuse their power and attempt to take advantage of the vulnerable in violation of civil rights laws, my office and the Justice Department stand ready to hold them accountable.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, alleges that, since at least 2002, DeWitte subjected female tenants and applicants to unwelcome sexual harassment that included: sexual contact and comments about their physical appearances; offers to strip for female tenants; removing his pants while giving a tour to a female housing applicant; exposing his genitals to female tenants; asking female tenants on dates; requesting sex in exchange for reduced rent or other housing benefits; and evicting female tenants when they did not give in to his sexual advances.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. It also prohibits sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Michael DeWitte, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department by calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Illinois at 309-671-7019 or 833-591-0291, and emailing [email protected] or [email protected].
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 44 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $17 million for victims of such harassment. The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting people from sexual misconduct.
Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an allegation; any claims within it must be proven in court.
Justice Department Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Illinois Landlord for Sexually Harassing TenantsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Michael J. DeWitte, of Washington, Illinois, for sexually harassing female tenants and housing applicants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. DeWitte has managed residential rental properties in Peoria, Illinois, and other central Illinois counties since at least 2002.
“Landlords cannot use their position of power to sexually harass someone who simply wants a place to live,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Fair Housing Act protects tenants’ right to housing free of any kind of sexual advance or harassment. We encourage survivors to speak out so that we can vindicate their fair housing rights.”
“No one should ever be asked to trade their body for a home,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris for the Central District of Illinois. “I urge any other tenants alleging discrimination by DeWitte to contact my office. When landlords abuse their power and attempt to take advantage of the vulnerable in violation of civil rights laws, my office and the Justice Department stand ready to hold them accountable.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, alleges that, since at least 2002, DeWitte subjected female tenants and applicants to unwelcome sexual harassment that included: sexual contact and comments about their physical appearances; offers to strip for female tenants; removing his pants while giving a tour to a female housing applicant; exposing his genitals to female tenants; asking female tenants on dates; requesting sex in exchange for reduced rent or other housing benefits; and evicting female tenants when they did not give in to his sexual advances.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. It also prohibits sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental properties owned or managed by Michael DeWitte, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, may contact the Justice Department by calling the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois at 309-671-7019 or 833-591-0291, and emailing [email protected] or [email protected].
The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country. The initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative in October 2017, the department has filed 44 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $17 million for victims of such harassment. The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting people from sexual misconduct.
Jury Finds Drug Dealer Guilty on All CountsRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – During a two-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Weber County man today with firearm and drug crimes, including drug trafficking in the District of Utah.
According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, Marc Allen Davis, 52, of Ogden, Utah, is a twice convicted felon restricted from possessing firearms or ammunition. On March 13, 2021, Davis was pulled over by law enforcement after committing several traffic violations in Roy, Utah. During the traffic stop, law enforcement found that Davis possessed a loaded firearm, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute, and a taser.
Sentencing will take place before U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson, Jr. at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City on a date yet to be scheduled.
United States Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Roy City Police Department and the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Branden Miles and Assistant United States Attorney Maria Mooers-Putzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon for Pointing Gun at StepfatherRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Nashawn Marshall, 27, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of assault with a dangerous weapon and other charges, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The verdict was returned today, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
The Honorable Errol Arthur scheduled sentencing for September 30, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 1, 2024, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Marshall was at his parents’ apartment when he got into an argument with his mother and stepfather. During that argument, Marshall pointed a loaded handgun at his stepfather while threatening to kill him. His parents fled the apartment and his stepfather flagged down a police officer. Marshall was stopped and arrested in a nearby apartment building. A handgun matching the description given by his parents was recovered from a crawl space above where Marshall was stopped.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Callie Hyde and Sarah Roessler from the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Unit.
Jamestown, ND, Woman Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Firearms Trafficking and Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Fargo – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced that on July 17, 2024, April Elizabeth Bergman, Jamestown, ND, appeared before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, U.S. District Court, Fargo, ND, and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised released and a $100.00 special assessment for the offenses of firearm trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm.
This case began with the burglary and theft of 35 firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensed business in Jamestown, ND. Three of the firearms stolen in that burglary ended up in the possession of April Bergman when she engaged in trading methamphetamine for the firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from on or about June 25, 2023 to July 9, 2023, Bergman received a Sig Sauer Model P365 9mm pistol, a Beretta Model PX4 Storm .40 caliber pistol, and a Smith and Wesson Model M&P 40 Shield .40 caliber pistol from another person in and otherwise affecting interstate and foreign commerce while knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that receipt of these firearms would constitute a felony in violation of a federal firearms trafficking statute, Title 18, United States Code, Sections 933(a)(2). Bergman pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in March of 2024.
“The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gave our prosecutors valuable tools to confront firearms trafficking,” Schneider said. “As this strong sentence shows, we will aggressively use those tools to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted felons and those who commit violent crimes. I am grateful for the dogged determination of our law enforcement partners not only for ensuring justice in this case, but also for making sure these firearms were removed from the illicit market.”
“ATF treats burglaries of our federal firearms licensees with the utmost seriousness,” says ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. “It’s integral that we move swiftly in these cases as the firearms obtained during FFL burglaries often and quickly fall into the hands of dangerous criminals who cannot legally purchase firearms on their own. I’m very proud of the special agent who worked this case, and very grateful for the work of our investigative partners, the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, leading to the successful conclusion of this case.”
This case was investigated by the Fargo Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and the Jamestown Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Richard Lee prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted, and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.
Previous press release can be seen here.
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Jamestown man arrested, charged with drug possessionRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Craig Vanhook, 34, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,00,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 4, 2024, a Jamestown Police officer observed Vanhook on Allen Street. The officer had prior knowledge that Vanhook had an outstanding warrant out of Lakewood Busti, NY. Vanhook was taken into custody and arrested. At the time of his arrest, officers seized a large clear baggie containing approximately 24 grams of a crystal-like substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine, a switchblade knife, a black digital scale with white residue, and $363 from Vanhook. Officers also searched Vanhook’s backpack and discovered multiple glassine envelopes, as well as bags with white substances, brown substances, green substances, and rock like substances, which tested positive for methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. In total, Vanhook possessed approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, 18.5 grams of fentanyl, and 21 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division.
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.
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Indian National Indicted for Attempting to Entice A Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Kirtan Patel (24, India) with attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Patel faces a mandatory minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Patel was arrested on the indictment on July 18, 2024. He is currently detained pending the resolution of the criminal case.
According to the indictment, between May 22-24, 2024, Patel knowingly attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce an individual whom he believed had not yet attained 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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.