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Friday 28 June 2024
Former D.C. Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting a Handcuffed InmateRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Marcus Bias, 28, a former District Department of Corrections Officer, was sentenced today in federal court to 42 months in prison for seriously injuring a handcuffed detainee who was not resisting, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Bias pleaded guilty on March 29, 2024, to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to the prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Bias to serve two years of supervised release.
“Like any other law enforcement officer, the defendant had a duty to protect the constitutional rights of anyone who was in his care and custody,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “The defendant ignored that responsibility, when he assaulted and seriously injured an inmate who posed no threat. Such assaults are civil rights violations that will be prosecuted.”
“This defendant is being held accountable for violently rammed an inmate’s head into a metal doorframe while the victim was handcuffed behind his back and posed no threat,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Clarke “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute unlawful assaults on vulnerable populations and will stand up for the civil rights of the victims of these crimes.”
“Today, Marcus Bias was sentenced for violently injuring an inmate and violating their civil rights,” said David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “The FBI is charged with investigating those who violate a person’s civil rights, and it’s a responsibility the FBI takes very seriously. I would like to thank our partners who worked side-by-side with the FBI on this investigation in order to hold Marcus Bias accountable for his criminal actions.”
According to court documents, Bias, intentionally and without provocation, pushed a detainee’s head into a metal doorframe while escorting him from DOC’s dining hall to the medical unit June 12, 2019, causing significant injuries. At the time, the detainee, J.W., had his hands handcuffed behind his back and was suffering from the effects of O.C. spray. J.W. also was surrounded by five other officers and was not resisting. J.W.’s injuries required emergency medical attention at a hospital. After slamming J.W.’s forehead into the corner of the metal doorframe, Bias falsely claimed in an official DOC report that J.W. “pull[ed] away” and “fell” into the doorframe. Bias’s statement was contradicted by DOC surveillance video. Disturbed by what they saw on the video and recognizing that that Bias used deadly force when no force was needed or permitted, DOC officials fired Bias and escorted him out of the facility.
The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd and former Trial Attorney Rebekah Bailey of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
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Former D.C. Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting a Handcuffed InmateRead the Press Release
A former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer, Marcus Bias, 28, was sentenced today to 42 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release for one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for assaulting a handcuffed inmate. Bias previously pleaded guilty in March.
“This defendant had a duty to treat people in his custody humanely,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant is being held accountable for violently ramming an inmate’s head into a metal doorframe while the victim was handcuffed, surrounded by six officers and posed no threat. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute such excessive force against prisoners and will insist that corrections officers respect the civil and constitutional rights of those entrusted to their care.”
“Like any other law enforcement officer, the defendant had a duty to protect the constitutional rights of anyone who was in his care and custody,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The defendant ignored that responsibility, when he assaulted and seriously injured an inmate who posed no threat. Such assaults are civil rights violations that will be prosecuted.”
“Today, Marcus Bias was sentenced for violently injuring an inmate and violating their civil rights,” said Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “The FBI is charged with investigating those who violate a person’s civil rights, and it’s a responsibility the FBI takes very seriously. I would like to thank our partners who worked side-by-side with the FBI on this investigation in order to hold Marcus Bias accountable for his criminal actions.”
According to court documents, Bias, intentionally and without provocation, pushed a detainee’s head into a metal doorframe while escorting him within the Department of Corrections on June 12, 2019, causing significant injuries. At the time, the detainee, J.W., had his hands handcuffed behind his back, was suffering from the effects of O.C. spray, was surrounded by five other officers and was not resisting. J.W.’s injuries required emergency medical attention at a hospital.
The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case.
Former Courtesy Patrol Executive Sentenced for Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Robert Martin, 67, of Beckley, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $205,802.49 in restitution for fraudulent receipt of property from a debtor. Martin admitted to paying himself without authorization while serving as the chief executive officer of the entity that operated the West Virginia Courtesy Patrol.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Martin was CEO of Citizens Conservation Corp (CCC) when it filed for bankruptcy on April 3, 2019. Martin formed CCC in 1993 and its primary source of income beginning in 1998 was a multimillion-dollar contract with the State of West Virginia to operate the Courtesy Patrol roadside assistance service. CCC became financially unstable after it lost that state contract in 2018, leading to the bankruptcy filing.
On May 2, 2019, Martin testified at a bankruptcy creditors meeting that CCC was not generating income, that he was not receiving a salary because of the lack of income, and that he expected CCC to be paid on some receivables owed to it. The United States Trustee, who oversees the administration of bankruptcy cases in the Southern District of West Virginia, told Martin that he was not allowed to take a salary as a controlling officer without U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval.
On May 8, 2019, CCC received more than $41,000 from the West Virginia Treasury, and the money was deposited in CCC’s bank account. Two days later, Martin caused $50,000 to be transferred from that bank account to an account at a different bank. Martin paid himself $32,072.76 from those transferred funds with six separate checks. Martin admitted that he did not seek or obtain U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval for those payments, even though he knew that was required. Martin further admitted that he did not get prior approval because he intended to hide these payments from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Martin also admitted that CCC knowingly misspent $108,751.60 it had received from the United States Department of Interior National Park Service (NPS) between September 10 and October 1, 2018. CCC entered into a cooperative agreement with NPS on November 20, 2014 to recruit, hire, train and place young adults for internship positions at national parks throughout the country. Funding made available under the agreement included $111,221.09 to hire and pay two interns to work at the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation for 13 months. Martin admitted that CCC did not hire or place any interns with that funding. Instead, CCC drew down all but $2,469.49 of that funding for unallowable CCC operating expenses following the loss of the Courtesy Patrol contract. Martin admitted that he knew that the funds were misapplied or fraudulently converted in this way.
The $205,802.49 in ordered restitution consists of $37,072.76 for the Bankruptcy Estate of CCC and $168,729.73 for the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service. Martin paid the $37,072.76 owed to the Bankruptcy Estate on June 13, 2024.
CCC Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Douglas, 48, of Beckley, pleaded guilty on May 6, 2024 to theft from federal programs and awaits sentencing. Douglas admitted that CCC knowingly misspent the $108,752.60 received from NPS under the cooperative agreement.
“Mr. Martin held a position of trust within the bankruptcy proceedings. He abused that trust and then became unresponsive and uncooperative with the Bankruptcy Court,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “His pattern of avoidance, non-responsiveness, and flagrant disregard for the law makes his offense gravely serious.”
Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Interior-Office of Inspector General (DOI-OIG). The United States Trustee’s Charleston field office, which serves West Virginia, made the criminal referral of this case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public.
“Integrity, honesty, and transparency are foundational to the bankruptcy process, and the FBI and our partners stand together in upholding fairness and justice for our legal system,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “We will not allow those who choose deceit over truth to continue lining their own pockets at the public’s expense.”
“Chapter 11 requires debtors in possession of bankruptcy estate assets to be forthright with the court and with their creditors,” said Acting U.S. Trustee Gerard Vetter for Region 4, which includes West Virginia. “This case shows that the Justice Department and the U.S. Trustee Program will vigorously pursue those who divert estate assets and take money out of creditors’ pockets.”
“Mr. Martin knowingly misspent funds that should have been used to hire and pay interns working at national parks,” said DOI OIG Special Agent in Charge Katie Balestra. “The AUSA's office, the FBI, and DOI-OIG worked hard to achieve justice in this case.”
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Holly Wilson prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-147.
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Foreign National Charged for Allegedly Possessing with Intent to Sell Narcotics, Including Fentanyl in UtahRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – An indictment was unsealed and a foreign national living in Utah will remain in custody after he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City this week. A U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered the defendant remain in custody pending trial after he was allegedly attempting to sell fentanyl and heroin in the District of Utah.
According to court documents, Florentino Ramos-Salazar, 29, of West Valley City, Utah, became part of a DEA investigation in June 2024. During the investigation, agents attempted to stop a silver Jeep Cherokee that left a West Valley residence they were surveilling. The driver of the Jeep, later identified as Ramos-Salazar, allegedly initially attempted to evade agents in a parking lot before stopping. After searching the vehicle, agents seized 1,000 blue M-30 pills inside the Jeep. Following Ramos-Salazar’s arrest, agents executed a search warrant for a West Valley residence and seized approximately 958.5 grams of heroin, which field tested positive. They also seized 4470 grams of fentanyl pills, which field tested positive for properties of fentanyl.
Ramos-Salazar is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment was June 27, 2024, at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Holtan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
OCDETF
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 OCDETF, please visit https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Florida Woman Sentenced to 48 Months’ Imprisonment for Embezzling $2 Million from Former EmployerRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Catherine Latoski, age 53, formerly of Exeter, Pennsylvania and currently a resident of Davenport, Florida, was sentenced by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 48 months of imprisonment for committing wire fraud by embezzling nearly $2 million from her former employer.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Latoski was the Director of Accounting Services for a Scranton-based for-profit educational institution. Beginning in November 2016, through her termination in June 2021, Latoski charged nearly $2 million in personal expenses on corporate credit cards issued by her former employer, spending the funds on vacations, Disney timeshares and cruises, personal utility bills and shopping expenses, her child’s college tuition, and to fund her and her family members’ personal businesses selling health and beauty products for Jordan Essentials. Latoski then used her accounting position to facilitate having her former employer pay off the credit card charges, including by creating false entries in the company’s books and records to conceal the expenses.
In addition to the sentence of imprisonment, Judge Mannion also ordered Latoski to serve three years of supervised release following her term of imprisonment. Judge Mannion also ordered Latoski to pay $1,843,741.22 in restitution, and to forfeit five Disney timeshares that she purchased with the proceeds of her fraud, and placed in the names of her family members.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Florida Resident Convicted of Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A resident of Florida was convicted of four counts of tax evasion, Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Jason Kronick, 50, of Boca Raton, Florida, was convicted by a federal jury on June 26, 2024, of four counts of tax evasion following a trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
From 2010 through 2017, Kronick evaded payment of more than $8.6 million in income and employment taxes, including penalties and interest, despite having earned more than $20 million in taxable income. Kronick also collected approximately $200,000 in payroll taxes from employees of his company, but failed to remit those withholdings to the IRS and evaded his obligation to do so. Kronick evaded these taxes by, among other things, using approximately $1.8 million from accounts controlled by him to buy more than 40 luxury watches; spending more than $4.7 million to pay for home renovations and interior decorating; transferring more than $1.8 million, including funds originating from business accounts, to various casinos, where he converted the money to chips, gambled, and then redeemed chips for approximately $1.8 million in cash; and cashed approximately $159,000 in checks at check-cashing businesses to conceal his income and assets from the IRS.
Each of the four counts of tax evasion carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Kronick’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 14, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachelle M. Navarro and Christopher Fell of the Criminal Division in Newark.
Federal jury convicts Rochester man of possessing a machinegunRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal jury convicted David L. Rivera-Ruiz, 31, of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas E. Gregory and Brandon Gonzalez, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on October 27, 2022, Ruiz possessed a machinegun, a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, equipped with a conversion device. Ruiz also possessed additional firearms. In addition, Ruiz possessed with the intent to sell, quantities of fentanyl and cocaine. In September 2016, Ruiz was convicted of felon gun crimes in Camden County, New Jersey and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The verdict is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, who presided over the trial.
Fact Sheet: Fischer v. United StatesRead the Press Release
The following data points are made available in order to provide context with respect to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Fischer v. United States.
- The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has charged roughly 1,427 individuals with federal crimes arising from alleged criminal conduct committed at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. In more than 82 percent of those cases—involving approximately 1,178 individuals—the defendants were either never charged with or not convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2), the statute at issue in Fischer. Today’s decision has no bearing on those cases.
- Of the approximately 249 remaining cases, there are zero cases where a defendant was charged only with 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2). In other words, in every case potentially impacted by the Fischer decision, the defendant faced other criminal charges—felonies, misdemeanors, or both—for illegal conduct related to the Capitol Breach.
- Today’s decision will most significantly impact a narrow band of cases: those where the only felony for which a defendant was convicted and sentenced was 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2). In total, approximately 52 individuals have been convicted and sentenced on that charge and no other felony; of those individuals, only 27 are currently serving a sentence of incarceration—less than 2 percent of all charged cases arising from the Capitol Breach.
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FBI and U.S. Attorneys in North Carolina Warn of New Jury ScamRead the Press Release
The FBI Charlotte Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina are warning the public about a new, more sophisticated jury scam involving fake federal arrest warrants.
The scammers call victims or send emails claiming the victims failed to report for jury duty and there is a federal warrant for their arrest. To add additional credibility to their claims, the scammers either text or email a fake arrest warrant with the names of actual North Carolina federal law enforcement officers and prosecutors. The victims are told they can avoid jail time by paying a fine via a virtual currency machine or kiosk.
Additionally, they may manipulate caller ID information to make it appear as though the call is originating from a legitimate source, such as the courthouse or a government agency. They may discourage victims from paying the fine in person, claiming the office is closed due to COVID. Legitimate arrest warrants are not emailed or texted, they are served in person by a law enforcement officer or court official and never include a demand for payment.
Individuals need to exercise caution and skepticism when receiving unsolicited phone calls, especially ones asking for personal information or payment. The FBI recommends to never provide personal or financial information to unknown callers.
To avoid falling victim to common scams:
- Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or texts.
- Do not give money or personal information to anyone you don’t know.
- Trust your instincts and hang up on any caller who makes you feel pressured or uncomfortable.
- Verify the authenticity of legal claims against you with the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officials.
If you believe you have been a victim of a jury duty scam or other fraudulent scheme, file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
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Emergency Room Doctor Pleads Guilty to HIPAA ViolationRead the Press Release
An emergency room doctor who illegally obtained the personal health information of multiple individuals pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Roman, age 30, of Puerto Rico, formerly of Iowa City, Iowa, was convicted of one count of Wrongfully Obtaining Individually Identifiable Health Information Relating to an Individual Under False Pretenses.
In a plea agreement, Dr. Hernandez Roman admitted that, in June 2020, the State of Iowa issued him a resident physician license. That same month, Dr. Hernandez Roman began participating in the emergency medicine residency program at a university hospital in the State of Iowa. Between 2020 and 2023, Dr. Hernandez Roman worked in the emergency departments of hospitals within the State of Iowa, including “Hospital-1” in Cedar Rapids and “Hospital-2” in Iowa City.
In January 2022, Dr. Hernandez Roman knowingly and without authorization obtained the individually identifiable health information of “K.F” under false pretenses at Hospital-1. Specifically, Dr. Hernandez Roman used his access, as a resident doctor, to Hospital-1’s electronic medical records system to access K.F.’s medical records and learn private medical information about K.F. without K.F.’s knowledge or consent. At no time did K.F. consent to Dr. Hernandez Roman accessing K.F.’s medical records. Dr. Hernandez Roman accessed K.F.’s medical records while working a shift in Hospital-1’s emergency department. K.F. was never Dr. Hernandez Roman’s patient and was not a patient in Hospital-1’s emergency department at the time defendant accessed K.F.’s medical records.
In his plea agreement, Dr. Hernandez Roman also admitted to accessing K.F.’s medical records at Hospital-2 in March 2021, as well as the medical records of “M.C.” at Hospital-2 in October 2020. Dr. Hernandez Roman also admitted that, in January 2022, he sent a photograph of one of Hospital-1’s patients to another individual via SnapChat. The photograph showed the patient in a hospital setting, wearing a gown, with the patient’s rectum clearly hanging out of the body. Dr. Hernandez Roman had no legitimate medical purpose for taking this photograph or, further, for sending it via SnapChat to the individual.
Finally, Dr. Hernandez Roman admitted that, in June 2023, he mailed a letter to the Iowa Board of Medicine in which he admitted accessing the confidential medical records of K.F. and M.C. and to sharing the photograph of the prolapsed rectum. In his plea agreement, Dr. Hernandez Roman admitted he falsely wrote in the letter that he had sent the photograph of the prolapsed rectum to his mother to remind her of the importance of fiber intake.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Dr. Hernandez Roman remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing. Dr. Hernandez Roman faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-34.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Dominican Republic Citizen Sentenced for Illegal Re-entry into the United StatesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Carlos Manuel Valdez, 40, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced yesterday to serve sixty months imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after having been previously convicted of an aggravated felony.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, and Broome County Sheriff Frederick Akshar II made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Valdez admitted that prior to being deported to his home country in 2019, he had been convicted of a number of Massachusetts state felony offenses, including assaulting a police officer and possessing narcotics with the intent to distribute them.
In February 2023, Valdez was discovered in Broome County, New York, in a vehicle that also contained over a kilogram of fentanyl. Valdez was charged for the narcotics by New York State authorities in Broome County and was sentenced to serve 6 years’ imprisonment in state court.
Valdez was ordered to serve 30 months of his federal sentence consecutively, meaning that 30 months of Valdez’s federal sentence will not begin until after he has fully satisfied his New York State sentence of incarceration.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement- Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, and the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force (which is comprised of personnel from the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, City of Binghamton Police Department, and Johnson City Police Department) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
Dominican Man Previously Convicted of Drug-Related Offenses Pleads Guilty to Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to unlawful reentry.
Julio Pimentel-German, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for Sept. 24, 2024. Pimentel-German was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024.
Pimentel-German was previously deported from the United States on June 1, 2021. Sometime after his 2021 removal, Pimentel-German unlawfully reentered the United States. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement became aware of Pimentel-German’s unlawful presence in the United States upon his arrest for the drug-related offenses in July 2022. On Sept. 28, 2023, Pimentel-German was convicted for possession to distribute fentanyl, trafficking fentanyl, and possession of a firearm without a permit, among other charges in Essex Superior Court.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd Lyons, Field Office Director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Massachusetts Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
District Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Southeast Washington ShootingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ivan Dixon, 19, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today for the September 2023 shooting of two victims outside a local supermarket in Northeast Washington, DC, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
In March 2024, Mr. Dixon pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of Assault with Intent to Kill and one count of Possession of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, in addition to one count of Carrying a Pistol Without a License in an unrelated case. Mr. Dixon was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert Okun to 84 months’ incarceration, the top of Mr. Dixon’s voluntary sentencing guidelines for assault with intent to kill. Mr. Dixon’s period of imprisonment will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, with which Mr. Dixon agreed, Mr. Dixon was riding in a Ford Transit van when one of the victims, his intended target, parked his car outside of the supermarket. As the intended target walked into the supermarket, the van made a U-turn and drove slowly past the building, ultimately circling the block before parking behind the intended target’s car. After a few minutes, the intended target left the supermarket while the second victim, an innocent bystander, approached the front door. As the intended target held the door open for the innocent bystander, Mr. Dixon jumped out of the van and fired 16 shots in the direction of the intended target. While the intended target was not hit, the innocent bystander was hit five times and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney William Lawrence, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Deschutes County Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison for possessing 20 pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Isaac Kitashima, 48, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, from August 2020 through June 2021, Kitashima and co-conspirators conducted a multi-state drug trafficking operation. Kitashima used associates to assist with the purchase, shipment, and transport of methamphetamine between California, Oregon, and Hawaii.
In August 2020, Kitashima hired a co-conspirator to drive a shipment of methamphetamine from California to Oregon. An Oregon State Police trooper attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle. The driver initially yielded to the stop but then fled at a high rate of speed. The trooper pursued the vehicle, which was later found abandoned. A search of the vehicle located almost 20 pounds of methamphetamine, along with items identifying Kitashima.
Between February and May 2021, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Postal Service (USPS) intercepted multiple packages of methamphetamine intended for Kitashima’s distribution into Oregon and Hawaii.
On August 19, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Kitashima with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute. On September 2, 2021, DEA and Maui Police Department executed a search warrant on Kitashima’s residence in Makawao, Hawaii, where he was arrested. During the search, investigators located methamphetamine and firearms in the residence.
On February 27, 2024, Kitashima pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
This case was investigated by DEA, USPS, Oregon State Police, and Maui Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Delph.
Convicted Felons Plead Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms in Separate Project Safe Neighborhoods Investigations in AlbanyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – Two Albany residents with criminal pasts are facing up to fifteen years in prison each for illegally possessing firearms in separate Project Safe Neighborhoods investigations.
Marcus Ryan Telfair, 30, and Kentravious Montrell Ware, 36, both pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm before U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on June 26. Both defendants face a maximum of 15 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencings will be scheduled by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.
“These convicted felons not only illegally possessed firearms but also threatened citizens with those guns,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Project Safe Neighborhoods helps keep our community safer due to strong partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement in Albany and across the Middle District of Georgia united by our shared goal to reduce violent crime.”
“Mr. Telfair and Mr. Ware both terrorized an entire community," said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “Their actions threatened the lives of citizens and law enforcement alike. In the Middle District of Georgia, we will continue our relentless pursuit of dangerous felons who possess firearms, especially those who show no regard for human life. We must hold them accountable."
"Here is another example of the collaborative efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the Albany Police Department working to address the criminal actions of others,” said APD Chief Michael Persley. “These defendants have proven that they are repeat offenders and do not value the life of others. I hope that the victims have received the support they deserve, and this will be another lesson learned that crime doesn’t pay."
According to documents and statements referenced in court in the Telfair case, Albany Police Department (APD) officers responded to a disorderly conduct call on Oct. 23, 2023, on West Society Avenue. A landscaper working nearby called 911 after he observed Telfair dragging a woman by her hair in the street, who was screaming for help. The landscaper attempted to intervene, but Telfair drew a gun, pointed it at the man and threatened to shoot him if he did not step away. When the police arrived, Telfair ran off and was found hiding underneath a porch. A 9mm semiautomatic pistol and a knife were located in Telfair’s backpack; the gun was stolen out of a truck earlier in the year. In addition, another citizen contacted police on Oct. 14, 2023, after a man matching Telfair’s description flashed a gun at him while stealing items from his truck. APD recovered some of the stolen items from inside the backpack Telfair had in his possession during his arrest. Telfair has several prior criminal convictions in the Superior Court of Dougherty County including robbery, entering auto and interfering with government property. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.
According to documents and statements referenced in court in the Ware case, APD officers responded to a disorderly conduct call at a business on Ledo Road in Albany on July 22, 2023. The reporting individual stated that Ware and another customer were arguing in the store when Ware pulled out a firearm and pointed it at the man. The interaction was captured on video surveillance. The officers located Ware at the nearby Country Inn and Suites. Ware told officers he was carrying a firearm, and officers located a .380 semiautomatic pistol on his waistband. Ware told officers he got into the argument after the man bumped into him at the store. Ware has prior felony convictions for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in the Superior Court of Cobb County, Georgia, and theft by receiving stolen property in the Superior Court of Dekalb County, Georgia. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.
Both cases are 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 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.
The Telfair and Ware cases were investigated by the Albany Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid is prosecuting both cases for the Government.
Colorado Man Sentenced to 19 years’ for Possessing Meth and FirearmsRead the Press Release
A man who possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possessed multiple firearms in furtherance of that crime was sentenced on June 26, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City. Esequiel Gomez, 35, from Denver, Colorado, had pled guilty on October 13, 2022.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on April 27, 2022, law enforcement responded to an early morning alarm at the Sioux City Ford Lincoln car dealership. Defendant had broken into the dealership and stolen an F-350 pickup while a codefendant waited in a U-Haul van. Law enforcement ultimately located the pair traveling north on Highway 75 when a high-speed pursuit began. During the pursuit, defendant travelled in excess of 100 miles per hour and the pair were observed discarding items. The pursuit ultimately ended when the pair hit a parked car in Le Mars, Iowa, and sustained varying degrees of injury. Both were transported to Iowa hospitals for treatment. In the vehicles, and along the road, law enforcement discovered over 150 pounds of stolen marijuana from a Colorado dispensary, approximately one pound of methamphetamine, three firearms, and a substantial amount of other stolen items. Gomez has a significant number of warrants for pending charges in Colorado for auto thefts.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Gomez was sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment and must serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment. Gomez remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 22-4045. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Cocoa Woman Charged with Offenses Related to Car Theft and High-Speed Chase on Patrick Space Force BaseRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Krishna Jade Janosky (29, Cocoa) with unauthorized entry onto a military installation, grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and damaging government property. If convicted on all counts, Janosky faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on February 7, 2024, Janosky entered Patrick Space Force Base, a military installation within the jurisdiction of the United States, without lawful authority or credentials to enter the installation. While on the base, Janosky obtained and used the motor vehicle of another individual, knowing she was not entitled to the use of the vehicle. The indictment also charges Janosky with fleeing from law enforcement officers at a high rate of speed and in a manner demonstrating a wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property. Finally, Janosky is alleged to have willfully damaged the Patrick Space Force Base flightline gate.
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 the Air Force Office of Special Investigation, the 45th Security Forces Squadron, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel S. Lyons.
Chesapeake men sentenced for armed robbery of letter carrier and cashing stolen checks and money ordersRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – Two Chesapeake men were sentenced to prison for bank fraud, identity theft, and armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier.
According to court documents, on Dec. 18, 2022, Postal Inspectors along with the Chesapeake Police Department (CPD) conducted surveillance at the Chesapeake Main Post Office. They observed a vehicle arriving at 11:37 p.m. Two people exited the vehicle and used an arrow key to access the blue mail collection boxes while the driver, Isaiah J. Card, 24, remained in the vehicle. An arrow key is a U.S. Postal key with an engraved symbol and a serial number. Arrow keys open various types of mailboxes in a specific area, including blue collection boxes and apartment panel mailboxes.
When the two individuals who stole mail from the collection boxes ran back to the vehicle, law enforcement prevented the vehicle from leaving. While Postal Inspectors detained Card, CPD pursued the other two individuals, who fled on foot. The fleeing suspects abandoned their bag filled with approximately 250 pieces of stolen mail. CPD was able to locate one of the two, Dahnico Jharon McCoy, aka Donny, 22. Officers also found clothing McCoy discarded as he fled, which included the same distinct jacket seen in at least five prior collection box break-ins.
A search of the vehicle revealed numerous stolen checks and Western Union Money Orders that had been stolen from previous mail heists. Some of the money orders had been “washed" and made out in McCoy and Card’s names. These forged money orders contained the names and account numbers of various victims who had their mail stolen.
On April 19, 2023, Card and McCoy traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, and, while armed with a firearm, robbed a mail carrier for another arrow key. McCoy made a motion indicating to the mail carrier that he possessed a firearm, and the pair fled. On April 20, 2023, mail from a number of postal boxes in the Raleigh area was stolen using that arrow key. On April 27, 2023, a traffic stop was conducted on their vehicle and Card and McCoy were arrested. A search of their vehicle revealed the stolen arrow key, a handgun, and at least 180 stolen checks, some of which had already been washed.
On Feb. 8, 2024, McCoy and Card pled guilty to possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. On June 21, McCoy was sentenced to seven years in prison. Card was sentenced today to seven years in prison.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ajay Lall, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Kosky prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:23-cr-20.
Chemung County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Charles Kennedy, age 26, of Chemung County, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, and Broome County Sheriff Frederick J. Akshar II.
Kennedy was arrested on September 5, 2021, after a high-speed chase that began as he fled from New York State Police in Tioga County during a DWI investigation. Upon entering Broome County, Deputies from the Broome County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit. Kennedy’s car crashed on Route 17 when he unsuccessfully attempted to jump out of the moving vehicle after tire deflation devices were deployed. Kennedy was pinned between the open passenger-side door and a concrete abutment but suffered only minor injuries. A search of the vehicle located a loaded M and P 9mm semiautomatic pistol, as well as methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine powder, fentanyl, marijuana, and a money counting machine. Subsequent investigation established, and Kennedy admitted during his guilty plea, that he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine powder, heroin, and fentanyl.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2024, at which time Kennedy faces a minimum of ten (10) years and a maximum term of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000,000.00. for his convictions for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Kennedy also faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum term of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, and a fine of up to $250,000.00. for his conviction for carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Court will also impose a term of supervised release of at least 5 years to follow any term of imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the New York State Police, and the Broome County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Grabowski, Richard Southwick, and Geoffrey Brown are prosecuting the case.
Businesswoman Sentenced to Prison for Fabricating Millions in Business Income to Obtain Pandemic ReliefRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Massachusetts businesswoman was sentenced on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, for submitting fraudulent loan applications seeking COVID-19 relief.
Vanessa Nixon, 45, of Framingham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to five months in prison and three years of supervised release. Nixon was also ordered to pay $468,832 in restitution and forfeiture. In March 2024, Nixon pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
Nixon was the owner and operator of multiple businesses in Massachusetts, including Mass Homes Investments LLC, Nixon Homes LTD and Alpha Auto Body, Inc. Between April 2020 and November 2022, Nixon submitted multiple fraudulent loan applications in the names of her various businesses to banks and the U.S. Small Business Administration through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program that fabricated millions in business income. Nixon also created fake tax documents that she submitted with the loan applications to substantiate the fabricated business income. In total, Nixon received more than $468,832 in loans that were subsequently forgiven by banks and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Burlington Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for His Role in a Methamphetamine Conspiracy and for a Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for unlawful possession of firearms.
According to public court documents, Jimmie Willis, 44, and others, conspired to bring over 400 pounds of ice methamphetamine to Burlington, Iowa. Willis also unlawfully possessed numerous firearms related to his drug trafficking activities.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Willis will be required to serve 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Transportation, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa State Patrol.
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.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEROND ROGERS, JR., 30, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2022, law enforcement received information that Rogers, who was known to be associated with a violent Bridgeport gang, was in possession of a firearm. On October 25, 2022, Rogers ran from investigators who had a court-authorized search warrant for his vehicle, removed a black handgun from his waistband, and ran into oncoming traffic on Maplewood Avenue, where he was hit by a car. Investigators retrieved the gun, a loaded Glock 26 semi-automatic pistol, and Rogers was transported to this hospital.
Rogers’ criminal history includes state felony convictions for sale of narcotics, criminal possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Rogers has been detained since his federal arrest on March 20, 2023. On January 23, 2024, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Karen L. Peck
This prosecution 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. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
Boston Man Sentenced to More Than One Year in Prison for Drug Trafficking in and Around Public Housing DevelopmentRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A man identified as a member/associate of the Heath Street Gang was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for possession with intent to distribute cocaine in a public housing development.
Michael Van Rader, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 22 months in prison to be followed by six years of supervised release. In April 2024, Van Rader pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility.
On or about Sept. 3, 2023, Van Rader was arrested on the grounds of the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, a public housing complex in Jamaica Plain, in possession of a distribution quantity of cocaine. At the time of his arrest, Van Rader was barred by the Boston Housing Authority from trespassing at the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments and was on probation in connection with a state firearm-related conviction.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. The investigation was supported by the Boston Housing Authority Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. 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.
Blair Taylor Found Guilty of Murdering Two PeopleRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On June 20, 2024, BLAIR TAYLOR, a New Orleans resident, was found guilty by a jury of two-counts of causing a death through the use of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(j)(1), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to the evidence at trial, TAYLOR killed two individuals on August 10, 2014, in the so-called “Burgundy Massacre.” One of the homicide victims was a sixteen-year-old girl. Five other people were shot and seriously injured, including a 2-year-old child and a 4-year-old child. TAYLOR and two others went to Burgundy Street to retaliate against a narcotics dealer who had stolen drugs from the mother of one of TAYLOR’s co-conspirators. When they arrived, TAYLOR, opened fire on the crowd with a rifle, despite the presence of several young children. One of TAYLOR’s co-conspirators approached the intended target, then shot and killed him.
On February 2, 2017, TAYLOR and an accomplice were found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and five counts of attempted second-degree murder after the jury deliberated and returned an 11-1 verdict of guilty as charged on all counts. However, in 2021, they were granted new trials after the United States Supreme Court found that non-unanimous jury votes were unconstitutional. In October of 2022, the State of Louisiana re-tried TAYLOR and he was found not guilty. He was subsequently released from jail in March 2023.
Following the not guilty verdict in the state, a federal grand jury investigated the homicides, and indicted TAYLOR, for those murders.
As to each count, TAYLOR faces a maximum term of life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for October 3, 2024.
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. Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich, Unit Chief Attorney Elizabeth Privitera, and Special Assistant United States Attorney James Ollinger, all of the Violent Crime Unit, are in charge of the prosecution.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision in Fischer v. United StatesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Supreme Court’s decision in Fischer v. United States:
“January 6 was an unprecedented attack on the cornerstone of our system of government — the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. I am disappointed by today’s decision, which limits an important federal statute that the Department has sought to use to ensure that those most responsible for that attack face appropriate consequences.
The vast majority of the more than 1,400 defendants charged for their illegal actions on January 6 will not be affected by this decision. There are no cases in which the Department charged a January 6 defendant only with the offense at issue in Fischer. For the cases affected by today’s decision, the Department will take appropriate steps to comply with the Court’s ruling.
We will continue to use all available tools to hold accountable those criminally responsible for the January 6 attack on our democracy.”
Armed career criminal sentenced for straw purchasing 19 firearmsRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 17 years in prison for making false statements to illegally straw-purchase firearms.
According to court documents, Dartanguia Antonious Lee, aka Donte, Dante, Dionte, Snoop, Snookie and Bully, 42, is an armed career criminal with several previous felony convictions, including serious drug crimes and five convictions for robbery with a dangerous weapon. Beginning in December 2019 and continuing until March 2020, Lee used his girlfriend as a straw-purchaser to obtain at least 19 firearms from four federally licensed firearms dealers. As a previously convicted felon, Lee cannot purchase or possess firearms or ammunition. Lee often transferred the firearms to other convicted felons who could not purchase their own. Some of those firearms have already been recovered by law enforcement.
Lee was apprehended in Greensboro, North Carolina, in September 2022, months after his federal indictment in Virginia. He was apprehended as part of a drug trafficking investigation that involved multiple firearms. Lee still faces pending charges in North Carolina.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter G. Osyf prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:22-cr-44.
Adult Film Actor Justin Heath Smith, a/k/a “Austin Wolf,” Charged with Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of JUSTIN HEATH SMITH, an adult film actor who uses the stage name “Austin Wolf.” SMITH is charged with sending and receiving hundreds of videos of child pornography via the Telegram application. Those videos depicted children as young as infants, including a video showing a 10-year-old child bound and raped. In addition to sharing child pornography via Telegram, SMITH is also charged with possessing hundreds of additional videos containing child pornography in his Manhattan apartment. SMITH will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Justin Heath Smith received and distributed hundreds of recordings containing child pornography, including a ghastly video showing a young child bound, beaten, and raped. Our investigation into Smith is ongoing, and we urge anyone with information about Smith’s conduct to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those predators who victimize children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “I want to make it clear: those who distribute child sexual abuse images prey upon the most vulnerable in our society. Each image is a crime scene, leaving lasting scars on innocent victims. The FBI is relentless in our pursuit of these perpetrators. We will track them down, arrest them, and ensure they face justice for the harm they cause.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]
Between March 24 and March 28, 2024, SMITH, using an anonymous Telegram account, exchanged hundreds of videos containing child pornography with another individual whose phone was later seized and searched by the FBI pursuant to a search warrant.
An undercover FBI agent subsequently began a conversation with SMITH’s anonymous Telegram account. In the course of those conversations, SMITH revealed details that confirmed his identity.
On April 21, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at SMITH’s Manhattan apartment, which revealed an SD card with hundreds of videos containing child pornography.
* * *
SMITH, 43, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of distribution and receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 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 defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Williams urged anyone who has additional information about SMITH’s conduct to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or to submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Getzel Berger is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Thursday 27 June 2024
Winona Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Charges After Targeting More Than 60 Young Girls in Online Sextortion SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Winona man has pleaded guilty for his online sextortion scheme that victimized more than 60 minor girls across the country and abroad, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between April 2022 and June 2023, Valentin Silva Quintana, 30, used social media apps, including Snapchat and Instagram, to threaten, sexually manipulate, and exploit more than 60 young girls primarily between 9 and 12 years old in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Zealand and elsewhere. Quintana, who knew that most of the girls were between 9 and 12 years of age, used fake identities and lied about his age in communications with the girls, posing as a minor girl himself. He used images and videos of youthful appearing girls to make his communications with other victims more believable.
According to court documents, Quintana used a wide range of tactics to coerce his victims, sometimes by convincing young girls that he was their friend or romantic partner, or by offering them money. But most frequently, he convinced young girls to send him a sexual photo or video or covertly recorded them engaging in sexually explicit conduct and then threatened to send the first image to their friends and family unless the girls produced ever more graphic sexual images and videos for him. He continued this type of sextortion even as his victims wept and begged him to stop.
Quintana pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Winona County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McBride is prosecuting the case.
Windsor Man Pleads Guilty in Case Involving Thousands of Fake Calls to the Veteran’s Affairs Crisis LineRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Windsor man pleaded guilty today to making false statements to the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Crisis Line after making more than 12,000 calls to the hotline as a non-veteran, often providing fake names and addresses, and, in some cases, causing emergency services to be dispatched.
“This defendant made more than 12,000 fake cries for help to a hotline intended to provide assistance to the brave men and women who served in our military,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This tied up hotline operators who could have been helping true veterans – not to mention the resources wasted when emergency services was dispatched.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Ricky Ray Ryan, Jr., 31, a non-veteran, contacted the VA Crisis Line over 12,000 times between 2016 and 2023. The VA Crisis Line is operated by the VA for veterans experiencing difficult life events or challenges after leaving the military.VA Crisis Line employees are trained to remain online with callers until their services are no longer needed or emergency services are dispatched. During each of his calls to the VA Crisis Line, Ryan, who used a software program to mask his identity, reported to be experiencing suicidal ideations, and then provided fake names, false addresses, and dates of birth. On many occasions, emergency services were dispatched in response to Ryan’s claims, but the addresses Ryan provided were either fake or not his actual address.
Ryan pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement and faces a penalty of up to five years in prison when sentenced.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III accepted the plea. The United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Office of Investigation, is investigating the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa K. Labresh is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-1-D-RN.
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West Hartford Man Admits Role in Catalytic Converter Theft RingRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that YANQUEE RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Yankster Rodriguez,” 28, of West Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to offenses related to his participation in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement has been investigating the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut. A catalytic converter contains precious metals, can easily be removed from its vehicle, and is difficult to trace, making it a desirable target for thieves. The average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component.
The investigation revealed that Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC (“Downpipe Depot”), which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford, purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, including Rodriguez, and then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey. Business records seized during the investigation revealed that Rodriguez was one of Downpipe Depot’s largest suppliers of stolen catalytic converters. Between January 2021 and June 2022, Downpipe Depot paid Rodriguez $411,845 for catalytic converters.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for November 18.
Rodriguez was arrested on November 15, 2023. He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and the East Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and A. Reed Durham.
Waterbury Gang Member Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
JAIVAUN McKNIGHT, also known as “Sav,” 25, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for offenses related to his participation in a violent Waterbury street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police have been investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging McKnight and 15 other 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice offenses.
On March 11, 2024, McKnight pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. McKnight admitted that he and other 960 members were engaged in violent activity, including shootings, assaults and attempted murders, and that he trafficked fentanyl and other drugs in furtherance of the 960 enterprise. On September 21, 2018, in retaliation for the murder of an associate, McKnight and other 960 members attempted to murder a rival gang leader and others by shooting at an occupied residence on Scott Road in Waterbury.
McKnight has been detained since his arrest on September 16, 2021. On that date, investigators seized approximately 600 bags of fentanyl from his vehicle.
This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, Waterbury Police Department, ATF, and U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Southington Police Department, Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, and the DEA Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Washington man sentenced to seven years in prison for meth trafficking in large-scale drug conspiracy based on Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Washington man who came to the Crow Indian Reservation to distribute methamphetamine in a large-scale conspiracy was sentenced today to seven years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for his conviction of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Daniel Jiminez-Chavez, aka Raton, 40, of Okanogan, Washington, and a Mexican citizen, pleaded guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute meth.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents that federal law enforcement, in a collaborative effort with local and tribal law enforcement, conducted a large-scale, narcotics trafficking investigation centered on multiple properties on the Crow Indian Reservation. The properties, including one referred to as Spear Siding, were a source of supply of meth for both the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations from about January 2022 through March 2023. Jiminez-Chavez is one of approximately two dozen individuals associated with the investigation.
The government alleged Jiminez-Chavez was among the top tier of the conspiracy and came to Lodge Grass, on the Crow Indian Reservation, from Washington in about February 2023 to distribute meth and act as a caretaker. He had no ties to Montana other than a directive to look after one of the houses involved in conspiracy and sell drugs for a co-conspirator. Jiminez-Chavez began staying at a house known as the Bloodman residence, which was near Spear Siding. While at the residence, Jiminez-Chavez distributed meth to approximately six others in the case with assistance from another co-conspirator, who translated for him. Jiminez-Chavez was in Montana about two months before his arrest. Jiminez-Chavez was responsible for distributing at least 4.5 kilograms, which is almost 10 pounds, of meth in a two-month period. Ten pounds of meth is the equivalent of approximately 36,240 doses.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the 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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Virginia Company and Owner Sentenced for Criminally Filling WetlandsRead the Press Release
Boyd Farm LLC and its owner Frazier T. Boyd III were sentenced yesterday for criminally filling wetlands in Goochland and Louisa Counties, Virginia. Boyd Farm was sentenced to pay a fine of $300,000 and serve a year of probation for a felony violation of the Clean Water Act. Boyd was sentenced to 30 days home confinement and a year of probation.
At various times between 2017 and 2019, Boyd and his company had workers use excavators and other earthmoving equipment to pull vegetation, grub stumps and grade land at three sites in Virginia’s Piedmont region. The work left behind piles of dirt, slash and stumps. Operators hired by Boyd Farm then placed debris from those piles into wetlands and streams at the properties.
The Clean Water Act requires permits for such discharges into covered wetlands and other waters of the United States. Unpermitted discharges like these can destroy habitat and degrade the pollution cleaning function of wetlands. The United States does issue permits to fill wetlands under some conditions. Boyd Farm and Boyd knew of the requirement for these permits but did not seek or obtain them for any of their properties. In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had issued Boyd Farm an Administrative Order requiring compliance with the Clean Water Act and requiring restoration of impacted wetlands and streams at another property in Goochland County where unpermitted discharges had occurred.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.
EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case, with assistance from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Trial Attorney Elise Kent Bernanke of the Environment and Natural Resources Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Moore for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case.
Virginia Businesswoman Sentenced for Employment Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
A Virginia woman was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for not paying employment taxes to the IRS.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gail Jones, of Dumfries, Virginia, was a co-owner and served as director, president and vice president of parcel delivery service S&G Property Management Inc. (S&G). Between 2013 and 2018, Jones caused income, Social Security and Medicare taxes to be withheld from S&G’s employees. However, Jones did not pay those withholdings to the IRS as she was required to do. To thwart potential IRS levies and other collection activities, Jones opened new bank accounts using other individuals’ social security numbers, new Employer Identification Numbers and variations of her business’ name. Between December 2016 and December 2018, she withdrew over $450,000 in cash from business bank accounts in lieu of paying the taxes owed.
In total, Jones caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $950,000.
Additionally, Jones fraudulently applied for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which were part of a COVID-19 relief program intended to provide loans to certain businesses to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. Jones applied for the loans even though S&G was no longer operating. She fraudulently received $20,800 in loans.
In addition to her prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff for the Eastern District of Virginia sentenced Jones to three years of supervised release and to pay $950,100.18 in restitution to the United States.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Marissa Brodney of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace Announces 11 Arrests in National Health Care Fraud Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
Today, United States Attorney Breon Peace announced criminal charges against nine defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid.
Merrick B. Garland, United States Attorney General; Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Nicole M. Argentieri, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); Christi A. Grimm, the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York, (IRS-CI); and Raymond A. Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney, announced the arrests and charges.
“It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” stated Attorney General Garland. “The Justice Department will bring to justice criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and put people in danger for the sake of profits.”
“These defendants have been charged with treating the Medicare and Medicaid programs like cash registers they could use to ring up withdrawals from the public treasury straight into their pockets,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The enforcement actions announced today demonstrate my Office’s resolve to prosecute those who exploit our health care benefits programs for personal gain.”
Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department and the New York City Human Resources Administration, for their work on the cases.
“Health care fraud affects every American,” stated Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Argentieri. “It siphons off hard-earned tax dollars meant to provide care for the vulnerable and disabled. In doing so, it also raises the cost of care for all patients. Even worse, as the prosecutions we announce today underscore, health care fraud can harm patients and fuel addiction. The Criminal Division is committed to rooting out health care fraud, wherever it may be found, no matter who commits it. And we are using more tools than ever before to uncover misconduct and hold wrongdoers to account, whether they are executives in corner offices or doctors who violate their oaths.”
“These nine defendants allegedly submitted bills for services not provided collecting millions in reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid programs. This is yet another unfortunate example of individuals abusing government services intended to help patients in need. These actions are representative of the FBI’s nationwide efforts to bring justice to criminals who attempt to manipulate healthcare programs for personal benefits,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.
“As alleged, the defendants abused their positions and power to exploit vulnerabilities in the Medicare and Medicaid systems to the tune of $7.1 million in illicit funds. Through the American Medical Utilization Management Corporation (AMC), these purported medical providers are accused of flouting vital narcotics regulations and healthcare practices despite the incalculable risks to the public,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo. “HSI New York, through the New York OCEDTF Strike Force and in coordination with our law enforcement partners, is committed to disrupting the illegal distribution of prescription drugs by utilizing its broad statutory authorities to bring to an end the plague of overprescribed pharmaceuticals.”
“We will not tolerate fraud that preys on patients who need and deserve high quality health care,” stated HHS-OIG Inspector General Grimm. “The hard work of the HHS-OIG team and our outstanding law enforcement partners makes today’s action possible. We must protect taxpayer dollars and keep Americans safe from harms to their health, privacy, and financial well-being.”
“Health care providers are rightly expected to treat their patients with honesty and integrity, often in the most vulnerable times,” stated IRS-CI Special Agent-in-Charge Fattorusso. “The defendants in this case are accused of or have been convicted of betraying this sacred trust strictly for their own greed and financial gain. Today’s actions should serve to restore integrity in the system and put those who engage in these fraudulent acts on notice that law enforcement will not turn a blind eye.”
“My Office remains committed to stand and work with our federal partners in combatting crime and keeping our citizens safe," stated Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney. “Those who seek to illegally profit off the backs of hardworking U.S. taxpayers will be found out and brought to justice. The defrauding of our citizens will not be tolerated.”
U.S. v. Feng JiangOn June 26, 2024, Feng Jiang was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay health care kickbacks, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering in connection with an alleged $24 million scheme involving multiple New York pharmacies. As alleged in the indictment, Jiang and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks in the form of supermarket gift certificates and cash to Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid recipients who filled medically unnecessary prescriptions at Elmcare Pharmacy Inc. and NY Elm Pharmacy Inc. The indictment further alleges that Jiang and others wrote checks to various “trading companies” to obtain cash that was distributed as profits amongst the pharmacies’ owners and used to pay illegal kickbacks and bribes.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell of the Criminal Division, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit, Northeast Strike Force, which is based out of the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.
U.S. v. Joseph Tony Brown-Arkah and Evens JeanOn June 26, 2024, Joseph Tony Brown-Arkah and Evens Jean were charged by indictment in connection with an alleged $7.1 million health care fraud scheme and narcotics distribution. Brown-Arkah and Jean were charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to distribute narcotics and narcotics distribution, and Jean was also charged with false statements. As alleged in the indictment, Brown-Arkah, the owner of American Medical Utilization Management Corporation (AMC), a medical clinic in Brooklyn, along with Jean, a nurse practitioner, and others, engaged in an alleged scheme to bill Medicare and Medicaid fraudulently for services not provided or not provided as billed, and to prescribe narcotics pursuant to prescriptions that were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a provider acting in the usual course of professional practice. In particular, AMC was a purported provider of medicated addiction treatment and had a significant number of patients being treated with buprenorphine (Suboxone), a Schedule III narcotic. Many of these patients received prescriptions written by Jean, who lived in Florida and did not see or speak with the patients; instead, Jean issued the narcotics prescriptions based on information provided by individuals not entitled to prescribe buprenorphine, some of whom were not licensed medical professionals. As alleged in the indictment, Jean also made multiple false statements to law enforcement regarding his prescriptions of buprenorphine.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Miriam Glaser Dauermann of the Department’s National Rapid Response Strike Force and Margaret Mortimer of the Criminal Division, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit, Northeast Strike Force, which is based out of the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.
For patients who are prescribed a controlled substance medication and have lost access to their healthcare provider, contact either of these virtual treatment providers for evaluation, prescription for medication to help manage opioid withdrawal (buprenorphine, as applicable), and referral to outpatient care:
Virtual Express Care (NYC Health and Hospitals) (631) 397-2273; 24 hour/day, 7 days/week www.expresscare.nyc or MATTERS Medication for Addiction Treatment (765) M-A-T-T-E-R-S [(765) 628-8377] www.mattersnetwork.org
Referrals to harm reduction services and drug treatment programs:
Call the OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Supports) 24/7 HOPEline 1-877-8-H-O-P-E-N-Y or text HOPENY (467369)
U.S. v. Albert MuratovAlbert Muratov pleaded guilty on June 11, 2024 to health care fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicare by billing for undispensed cancer medication. Muratov, who operated Ave M Pharmacy in Brooklyn, New York, along with Artom Rafaelov and others, handled the pharmacy’s finances and payments and, together with others, caused the submission of approximately 253 claims to Medicare for Targretin Gel 1%. Targretin is a prescription drug used to treat skin conditions caused by Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, a rare skin cancer. The average wholesale price for a 60-gram tube of Targretin Gel 1% was over $34,000. From 2017 to 2021, the defendant and his co-conspirators, including Rafaelov, billed Medicare for Targretin that was medically unnecessary, not ordered by a professional, or that they did not dispense; as a result, Medicare paid Ave M Pharmacy more than $4 million.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Vagelatos is in charge of the prosecution.
U.S. v. Artom RafaelovArtom Rafaelov pleaded guilty on September 28, 2022 to a criminal information charging him with health care fraud. Rafaelov owned and operated Ave M pharmacy in Brooklyn. Between approximately February 2017 and September 2021, Rafaelov and co-conspirator Albert Muratov defrauded Medicare by causing Ave M to submit fraudulent claims for Targretin Gel 1% (described above) that were neither purchased nor stocked by Ave M; and not medically necessary or not prescribed by the doctors that Ave M claimed had prescribed the medication. In March 2024, Rafaelov was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 37 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $4.2 million in restitution to Medicare.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Vagelatos is in charge of the prosecution.
U.S. v. Ahmed et al.
On June 11, 2024, Noman Ahmed, Adnan Arshad, Rehman Diwan, Jessica Hendrickson, Jose Marte, Mohammed Saleem, Faisal Shamsi and Waqas Shamsi were arrested on a eight-count indictment charging them with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay health care kickbacks, paying health care kickbacks, and money laundering. The defendants owned, operated and were employees of several transportation companies. From approximately December 2020 to the present, the defendants paid illegal health care kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries so that those beneficiaries would order medical transportation services specifically from the defendants, which generally included transportation to addiction treatment centers for the beneficiaries’ purportedly necessary methadone treatment.
The defendants generally did not provide the medical transportation services ordered by the Medicaid beneficiaries. In total, the defendants and their transportation companies – 668 MTK Taxi LLC, All-Star Taxi LLC, Apollo Transportation, Sunrise Taxi LLC, and Transportation Solution NY Corp. d/b/a A1 Transport – fraudulently billed Medicaid millions of dollars for these services throughout the course of the scheme. At least two claims were submitted to Medicaid for individuals who were deceased, and some claims were submitted for individuals who were hospitalized or incarcerated.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Toporovsky of the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Milito.
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The charges in the indictments are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The enforcement actions announced today by U.S. Attorney Peace are 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 to government programs. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets, and the Department of Justice, in connection with the enforcement action, seized over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold and other assets.
The Defendants:
FENG JIANG (also known as “Jeff”)
Age: 42
Oakland Gardens, QueensE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-264
_______________________________
JOSEPH TONY BROWN-ARKAH
Age: 76
Brooklyn, New YorkEVENS JEAN
Age: 58
Cape Coral, FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-263
______________________________
ALBERT MURATOV
Age: 46
Forest Hills, QueensE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-164 (WFK)
______________________________
ARTOM RAFAELOV
Age: 41
Fresh Meadows, Queens
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-368 (WFK)
______________________________
NOMAN AHMED
Age: 37
Port Jefferson Station, New YorkADNAN ARSHAD (also known as “Eddie”)
Age: 45
Mount Sinai, New YorkREHMAN DIWAN
Age: 24
Hicksville, New YorkJESSICA HENDRICKSON
Age: 36
Patchogue, New YorkJOSE MARTE
Age: 33
Bronx, New YorkMOHAMMED SALEEM
Age: 38
Dix Hills, New YorkFAISAL SHAMSI (also known as “Jimmy”)
Age: 49
Massapequa, New YorkWAQAS SHAMSI (also known as “Ricky”)
Age: 44
Massapequa, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-231 (JMA)
U.S. Attorney Announces Participation in Coordinated National Health Care Fraud Enforcement ActionRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – Today, U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett announced criminal charges against six defendants in connection with schemes to defraud health care benefit programs and misuse of controlled substances in the Western District of Kentucky. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Justice Department’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The charges stem from three unlawful billing schemes, one opioid theft scheme, and a doctor who allowed his staff to issue Schedule II controlled substance prescriptions in his absence.
“It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will bring to justice criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and put people in danger for the sake of profits.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Bennett are 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 Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Connecticut, Middle District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District to Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, Western District of Louisiana, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Rhode Island, Eastern District of Tennessee, Middle District of Tennessee, Eastern District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, and Eastern District of Wisconsin; and State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and South Dakota are prosecuting the cases in the National Enforcement Action, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Western District of Kentucky, in particular, worked with the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); the Defense Criminal Investigative Services; the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL); the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the Kentucky State Police (KSP); the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General; the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General, Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control; and the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
The following individuals have been charged in the Western District of Kentucky:
Shafi Abbas, 57, of Pendleton, Kentucky, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain over $2.6 million in Medicare funds. According to the information, Abbas, through Aidmen Medical Equipment LLC and Justright Medical Equipment LLC, fraudulently billed Medicare for durable medical equipment, which was medically unnecessary, unwanted by patients, and not prescribed by the patients’ medical providers. Based on those false and fraudulent claims, Medicare paid approximately $1.3 million. In addition, Abbas allegedly transferred offshore the proceeds of health care fraud in a value greater than $10,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Ansari of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Carissa Uptegraff, 44, of Glasgow, Kentucky, was charged by indictment with theft of medical products. According to the indictment, Uptegraff, a pharmacy employee, stole a pre-retail medical product, oxycodone, which had a value over $5,000. The alleged thefts took place at two different pharmacies prior to the controlled substances being made available for retail purchase by a consumer. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Ansari of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Dr. Lawrence Peters, 62, of Louisville, Kentucky, was charged by information with conspiracy to illegally use a Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) registration number issued to another. According to the information, Dr. Lawrence Peters allegedly conspired with others in his medical practice to issue pre-signed and unsigned prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances and further directed his staff to fill the prescriptions at his physician’s owned pharmacy. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Ansari and Chris Tieke of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Tammy Daniels a/k/a Tammy Richardson, 55, of Louisville, Kentucky, was charged by indictment with wire fraud and health care fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain over $750,000 from her employer, a medical practice, and over $422,000 in Medicare funds. According to the indictment, Daniels was employed as the accounts manager for a medical practice when she used the medical practice’s credit cards to purchase personal items, transferred money from the practice’s bank account to pay the credit card invoices, transferred money from the practice’s bank account to pay for other personal credit card purchases, and used her access and position to bill for false and fraudulent medical procedures to pay credit card invoices in order to hide the unlawful use of the credit cards, all without her employer’s knowledge and authorization. As a result of the fraudulent scheme, health care benefit programs, including Medicare, paid over $79,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Ansari of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Michael Boaz, 45, and Christopher Augustus, 40, of Clinton, Kentucky were charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with an alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1,000,000 from health care benefit programs. According to the indictment, Boaz and Augustus falsely and fraudulently billed various health care benefit programs for medications dispensed from the Clinton and Bardwell Pharmacies by using material misrepresentations, material omissions, and deception in order to obtain authorization for the medications from physicians and nurse practitioners. In addition, the indictment alleges that Boaz and Augustus knowingly possessed, transferred, or used the means of identification two individuals, a nurse practitioner, and a physician, including the individuals’ names and unique National Provider Identifier numbers, without lawful authority, in relation to the health care fraud. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond McGee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Two Indicted in Alleged Murder-for-Hire ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A federal grand jury in Rhode Island has returned a five-count indictment, charging two individuals with allegedly participating in a conspiracy to murder two federal prosecutors and a witness associated with a criminal matter now pending before the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Elijah Melton, 26, of Taunton and Kareem Pires, 25 of Wareham, currently detained in federal custody in Rhode Island, are named in an indictment that charges both men with conspiracy to tamper with a witness or informant by killing or attempting to kill, and conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in commission of murder-for-hire. Additionally, Melton faces three counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.
The defendants will be arraigned in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island on a later date to be determined by the court. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This matter was first charged by way of a federal criminal complaint filed in the District of Massachusetts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. A press release issued at that time can be found here . At the direction of the Department of Justice in Washington, the District of Massachusetts is now recused from this matter.
The matter was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service for the District of Massachusetts, with the assistance of the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island. The matter is being prosecuted in the District of Rhode Island by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey A. Erickson and Peter I. Roklan.
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melton_and_pires_indictment.pdfTwo Arizona men sentenced for methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking in the Northern District of MississippiRead the Press Release
OXFORD, Miss. – Two Arizona men have been sentenced for trafficking drugs from California into the Northern District of Mississippi.
According to court records, Enrique Rivera, 45, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 110 pounds of methamphetamine. Omar Villacorta was convicted at trial of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute approximately 110 pounds of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting in the possession with intent to distribute approximately three kilograms of fentanyl.
Rivera was previously sentenced to 200 months incarceration with a five-year term of supervised release. At a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Villacorta to 235 months incarceration with five years of supervised release.
“This prosecution resulted from one of the largest drug seizures in the Northern District of Mississippi in recent history,” remarked U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “It was the result of a significant undercover operation involving state and federal law enforcement officers. Due to their diligence and professionalism, we were able to keep this methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets of Mississippi.”
“This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations and holding those responsible accountable, regardless of where they come from. The significant sentences handed down send a clear message that trafficking dangerous narcotics like methamphetamine and fentanyl into Mississippi will not be tolerated,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw.
The Panola County Sheriff’s Office, Batesville Police Department, Desoto County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Leary and Chad Doleac.
Texas Man on Federal Supervised Release Charged with Transporting 30 Kilograms of Cocaine Through Columbia County, FloridaRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Hector Villarreal (36, Pasadena, TX) with possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. If convicted, Villarreal faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Villarreal that the United States intends to forfeit any assets involved in the offense.
According to the indictment and public documents, on May 28, 2024, deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, working collaboratively with deputies from the Lowndes County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office, were performing drug interdiction work. As Villarreal was driving a rental SUV eastbound on I-10 in Lake City, Florida, the deputies witnessed Villarreal’s vehicle fail to maintain its lane. The deputies followed Villarreal’s vehicle as it turned onto the I-75 interchange to proceed south. When deputies made a traffic stop, Villarreal told them that he was on federal supervised release for narcotics trafficking out of Texas. Ultimately, a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of sealed cardboard boxes. When a Lowndes County drug canine alerted on the vehicle, deputies found 30 kilograms of cocaine inside the boxes.
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 the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney A. Tysen Duva.
Tenderloin Neighborhood Drug Distributor Sentenced to 32 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Yohan Murillo-Medina was sentenced today to serve 32 months in prison for possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the drugs in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, announced U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark. United States District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley handed down the sentence.
Murillo-Medina, 22, of San Francisco, pleaded guilty to the charges on February 21, 2024. According to his plea agreement, Murillo-Medina admitted that in the early morning of January 30, 2023, he was near the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Hyde Street where he was carrying a backpack and possessed a jacket. He ran when he noticed law enforcement officers approaching the area where he was located, and he discarded his backpack and jacket as he ran. Murillo-Medina acknowledged that he did this because he thought the officers were going to arrest him for possessing and trying to distribute the controlled substances in the backpack and jacket. After several blocks, Murillo-Medina stopped running and was detained. Law enforcement recovered the backpack and jacket which contained controlled substances including approximately 1,749.9 grams of a substance containing fentanyl; 20.7 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine; 26.7 grams of alprazolam pills; and 132.1 grams of marijuana.
On April 11, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Murillo-Medina, charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, both in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). Murillo-Medina pleaded guilty to both counts.
In addition to the 32-month prison sentence, Judge Corley ordered Murillo-Medina to serve three years of supervised release. Murillo-Medina has been detained since being taken into federal custody and will begin to serve his prison term immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Buszin is prosecuting the case with assistance from Laurence Macaraeg. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA and the San Francisco Police Department.
Swift Bear Man Sentenced for AssaultRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Swift Bear, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024.
William Moran, age 35, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Moran was indicted by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on March 21, 2024.
On November 18, 2023, Moran was consuming alcohol and socializing with a group of individuals in the Swift Bear Community, near White River, South Dakota. While there, he assaulted a woman, punching her and knocking her to the ground. Thereafter, he repeatedly punched and kicked her in the head and face. Other people tried to intervene, but he resisted efforts to stop him from assaulting the woman. He knocked another person to the ground. The woman was treated at a hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota, because she suffered hemorrhaging in her cranium, and had respiratory failure due to a collapsed lung. The area where the assault occurred is within the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Moran was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his sentence.
Suspected Car Thief Facing Federal Charges for Involvement in Robbery at Edwardsville Best BuyRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A Missouri woman is facing federal charges for her involvement in a robbery at the Best Buy in Edwardsville.
A federal grand jury charged Jakiaya T. McCoy, 21, of Florissant, Missouri, with two counts of transportation of a stolen vehicle, one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun.
“To help protect store employees and instill a better sense of safety for businesses, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to reducing violent crime throughout the Metro East and southern Illinois by holding offenders accountable for their criminal acts,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.
According to court documents, McCoy’s allegations stem from her involvement in a robbery of Best Buy in Edwardsville on Dec. 14, 2023. She is accused of unlawfully taking Apple iPads, a hoverboard and other property by force.
As alleged in the indictment, McCoy is also accused of possessing a Glock pistol with a machinegun conversion device, commonly known as a switch.
"No person or business should feel threatened by individuals who create chaos, spread fear, and have no regard for people or property," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jermaine Deans. "The FBI Metro East Safe Streets Task Force is committed to ensuring the safety of the people who live in our communities and the businesses that operate there."
In addition, McCoy is accused of knowingly transporting two stolen vehicles in Madison County in November 2023, namely a 2013 Kia Optima and a 2018 Chrysler 300.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
If convicted, a charge for interference with commerce by robbery is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment, transportation of a stolen vehicle can face a term of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and possession of a machinegun may result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
McCoy is scheduled for arraignment at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 8.
The FBI Springfield Field Office, the Glen Carbon Police Department, the Sunset Hills, Missouri, Police Department and the Wood River Police Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Reppert is prosecuting the case.
Superseding Indictment Charges Physician with Distributing A Controlled Substance and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Today, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced that a federal superseding indictment was filed in the Western District of North Carolina, charging Henry Ronald Emery, Jr., MD, 52, of Waxhaw, N.C., for the alleged unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.
A federal criminal indictment filed in September 2023, charged Dr. Emery, with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice, and 11 counts of distribution of controlled substances outside the bounds of professional medical practice. In addition to these offenses, the superseding indictment filed on July 11, 2024, charged Dr. Emery with one count of conspiracy to unlawfully use a registration number.
“It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company, if you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will bring to justice criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and put people in danger for the sake of profits.”
“The illicit prescription and distribution of opioids pose a serious threat to public health and safety,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Part of our efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and protect our communities, is identifying those who distribute these substances to our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Whether it involves physicians improperly prescribing controlled substances or street dealers selling drugs in our neighborhoods, we are committed to holding accountable those who profit by exploiting others’ struggles with substance abuse.”
According to the charges, from no later than September 2018 through in or about 2022, Dr. Emery, then a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, allegedly conspired with other persons to intentionally and unlawfully prescribe, dispense, and distribute, and did unlawfully prescribe, dispense, and distribute, a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance. It is also alleged that Dr. Emery engaged in the illegal distribution of buprenorphine on multiple occasions and while acting and intending to act outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. It is further alleged that Dr. Emery knowingly and intentionally conspired and agreed with others to use a registration number issued to another person in connection with the distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance.
The Justice Department announced today 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 charges against Dr. Emery are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA and IRS-CI for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nick J. Miller and William Bozin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are prosecuting the case.
Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl-Laced HeroinRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl-laced heroin.
CALVIN CARTER sold the drugs on two occasions in the fall of 2019. The first sale occurred in a gas station parking lot in Olympia Fields, Ill., and the second occurred in a liquor store parking lot in Country Club Hills, Ill. Unbeknownst to Carter, the buyer in both transactions was surreptitiously cooperating with law enforcement.
Carter, 44, of Country Club Hills, Ill., pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal drug distribution charges. In imposing the 16-year prison sentence on June 20, 2024, U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah found that the government proved Carter possessed a firearm in connection with the drug offenses. Multiple firearms were discovered during a court-authorized search of Carter’s residence shortly after the drug sales.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, FBI, Illinois State Police, and Chicago Police Department.
“Defendant possessed almost one kilogram of heroin and fentanyl that he intended to distribute to others,” Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Niranjan Emani argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “The type of drugs that defendant sold and intended for distribution have devastating effects on the community.”
The government was represented by Mr. Emani and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Ardam and Kristen Totten.
St. Louis County Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison, Ordered to Pay More Than $1 Million for Elder Fraud and Disability FraudRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Thursday sentenced a St. Louis County, Missouri man who financially exploited two elderly women while committing disability fraud to 87 months in prison and ordered him to repay more than $1.1 million.
Gino Rives, 36, of Edmundson, also agreed to return a house he obtained from one of the victims and will be ordered to return a total of six vehicles that he obtained from his two elderly victims. Judge Clark fined him $100,000.
Rives pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in January to five counts of theft of government funds in the disability fraud case. He pleaded guilty in October in the elder fraud case to one count of access device fraud and one count of fraudulently effecting transactions.
Rives admitted fraudulently receiving payments from the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Supplemental Security Income Program. Rives applied in 2010, claiming to have a mental health disorder. He repeatedly pretended to be incapable of answering basic questions during interviews and evaluations. He falsely claimed to have memory problems and difficulty concentrating, following instructions and completing tasks. He claimed he had never been employed, could not drive, was unable to handle his financial affairs and had no assets.
Rives concealed his employment in the construction and tree trimming industries, his participation in competitive mixed martial arts, his ownership of houses and vehicles, and his receipt of more than $721,692 since 2021. He now must pay the SSA $120,260.
Rives has also admitted financially exploiting two elderly women. He obtained four vehicles and checks totaling more than $855,000 from one woman for construction work on her house, most of which was never done. He also used her debit card for personal purchases for himself and his family. He executed a quit claim deed and transferred a house belonging to the other victim into his name. He moved her from her home and into a nursing home and permitted his mother to move into the home.
A nursing home administrator testified during the sentencing hearing that the victim was left at the facility with two sets of pajamas, two dresses, a pair of slippers, and a couple of sets of underwear. The victim received additional clothing purchased by the administrator and through donations obtained at the nursing home. The victim was left without “a single memento from her childhood or the international trips she made with her late husband,” a sentencing memo filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry says. The memo says Rives was convicted in 2009 of another case involving the financial exploitation of the elderly and accused in a similar case in 2014.
Judge Clark ordered Rives to pay restitution of $1,042,848 in the elder fraud case.
Zella Rives, 57, admitted helping her son with the disability fraud. Austin James, a Jefferson County contractor, has also pleaded guilty and admitted aiding Rives with defrauding one of the victims. They have not yet been sentenced.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry is prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information about disability fraud is asked to contact the SSA Office of Inspector General fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or submit a report online at oig.ssa.gov/report. Concerns about suspected abuse or neglect of the elderly or disabled should be directed to Missouri’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-0210 or online at health.mo.gov/safety/abuse/.
South Carolina Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Deceased Wife’s Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Albert Bayer (64, South Carolina, formerly of Hillsborough County, Florida) to one year and one day in federal prison for theft of government funds. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $76,547, the proceeds of the offense. Bayer entered a guilty plea in March 2024.
According to court documents, Bayer’s wife, L.D., was receiving Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits. L.D. passed away on March 31, 2015, but her death was never reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Consequently, the SSA continued to make the benefit payments. From April 2015 through June 2023, Bayer accessed the funds meant for L.D. and used them to pay his own personal expenses. In total, Bayer knowingly and willfully stole approximately $76,547 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.
South Bend Man Sentenced for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Jake Gregory Aarreberg, 50 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to theft of government funds, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Aarreberg was sentenced to 2 years of probation with 8 months home detention and was ordered to pay $226,389.56 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
According to documents in the case, from 2005 through 2023, Aarreberg falsely claimed to be a disabled military veteran and presented fraudulent military service records in order to obtain government benefits. As a result of his fraud, Aarreberg obtained VA medical benefits totaling over $96,000.00, and Social Security disability benefits totaling over $129,000.00.
This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
Six-Time Convicted Felon Who Shot Two People Outside San Bernardino Bar Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Bernardino County man and six-time convicted felon who shot two people outside a San Bernardino sports bar was sentenced today to 125 months in federal prison for illegally possessing ammunition.
Rafeal Yanni, 31, a.k.a. “Green Eyes,” of Colton, was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin.
Yanni pleaded guilty on April 11 to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
“This defendant’s criminal conduct resulted in two wounded and traumatized victims, but he has now earned a lengthy stay in federal prison,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Violent gun crime is a menace to our community and my office will continue to vigorously prosecute these kinds of cases. Those who commit gun crimes should be aware that the federal government will not hesitate to take action.”
According to court documents, in September 2023, Yanni was seen at a San Bernardino sports bar. As Yanni was leaving the bar, he was captured in surveillance cameras racking the slide of a firearm. When Yanni left the restaurant, he got into a fight in the parking lot with Victim 1. Yanni pulled out the firearm, which lacked a serial number (commonly called a “ghost gun”) and fired three shots at short range at Victim 1, who collapsed. After hearing gunshots and observing Victim 1 on the ground, Victim 2 ran to help Victim 1. Yanni then shot Victim 2 two times at short range as well.
Yanni fled the scene and was arrested two days later. Law enforcement found a loaded ghost gun inside a vehicle that he had just been in. Ballistics tests linked the seized firearm to the shootings.
Yanni is not permitted to possess ammunition because of six felony convictions on his record, including two convictions in Sacramento County Superior Court in 2021 for assault, one conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon in 2019 in San Bernardino County Superior Court, and unlawful taking of a vehicle in 2013 in San Bernardino County Superior Court.
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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Colton Police Department, and the San Bernardino Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Stimson of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Sisseton Man Sentenced for Voluntary Manslaughter in Connection with a 30-Year-Old CrimeRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Sisseton, South Dakota, man convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024.
Jay Adams, age 58, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a $50 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty in November of 2023.
In the early morning hours of September 4, 1992, in the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, Adams killed a young person, in the heat of passion, by slamming the victim’s head on a hard concrete floor. Afterward, he placed her back on the bed and returned to his bedroom. Adams did not seek medical attention for the victim and later the same day discovered she had died. Adams feigned ignorance as to the cause of the victim’s injury. An initial investigation failed to identify Adams as the assailant and the case remained unsolved for over 30 years.
In early 2023, a witness to the crime came forward and identified Adams as being responsible for the death of the victim in 1992. Law enforcement officers from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Police Department and the FBI continued the investigation. Prior to indictment in April of 2023, investigators conducted interviews of other individuals associated with Adams and consulted with a pathologist to review the 1992 autopsy performed on the victim. The medical evidence corroborated Adams eventual statement related to his guilty plea that he injured the child, which caused blunt force trauma and caused the child’s death.
“Tragically this matter took thirty years to resolve,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “But the resolution nonetheless demonstrates law enforcement’s relentless commitment to cracking these cases so that perpetrators can be held to account. It is our hope the Defendant’s sentence offers some measure of closure to the victim’s family.”
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s newly created Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners. The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components. Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of victims and their families despite the passage of time.
The investigation was conducted by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Police Department and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Great Plains Region Troy R. Morley.
Adams was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man, convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on June 24, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Stanley Richard Wright, age 48, was sentenced to two years and two months federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Wright was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on March 27, 2024.
Wright was convicted on a federal charge of Sexual Abuse in 2004. He is classified as a Tier III sex offender and is required to register as a sex offender for life. Prior to the charged incident, he last registered with the Sioux Falls Police Department on September 29, 2023, listing an address in Sioux Falls. Shortly thereafter, he left his registered address and no longer resided there. His whereabouts remained unknown until he was arrested on a warrant on November 28, 2023. This violated the requirement that he update his registration to include any change of residence within three business days.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Beau Blouin prosecuted the case.
Wright was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.