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12 August 2024
Bulgarian National Extradited for Scheme to Illegally Export U.S.-Origin Sensitive Microelectronics to RussiaRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A Bulgarian national made his initial appearance in a federal court in San Antonio Monday after being extradited from Greece.
According to court documents, Milan Dimitrov, 50, allegedly conspired with Ilias Sabirov, 52, of Russia, and Dimitar Dimitrov, 74, of Bulgaria, to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) in a scheme to procure sensitive radiation-hardened integrated circuits from the United States and illegally export those components to Russia through Bulgaria without the required licenses from the U.S. government.
Milan Dimitrov is charged with two counts of IEEPA violations, one count of money laundering, and one count of making false statements to the Department of Commerce in violation of ECRA. Each count in the indictment carries up to 20 years in federal prison.
Sabirov and Dimitar Dimitrov currently remain at large. The two were charged in the same indictment in December 2020 with two counts of IEEPA violations and one count of money laundering.
The indictment alleges that between at least May 2014 and May 2018 the defendants used the Bulgarian company Multi Technology Integration Group EEOD (MTIG) to receive export-controlled items from the United States and transship them to Russia without the required licenses.
According to the indictment, Sabirov is the head of two Russian companies—Cosmos Complect and OOO Sovtest Comp.—and controls MTIG. Both Dimitar Dimitrov and Milan Dimitrov worked for Sabirov at Cosmos Complect and MTIG.
As alleged, in 2014, the defendants met with the supplier of the radiation-hardened circuits in Austin and were informed that radiation-hardened circuits could not be shipped to Russia because of U.S. trade restrictions. Sabirov then established MTIG in Bulgaria to purchase the controlled electronic circuits, which did not require a license for export to Bulgaria. The radiation-hardened properties of these circuits made them resistant to damage or malfunction in the harsh outer-space environment. The circuits were controlled for export to Russia for these very reasons. The parts were shipped to Bulgaria in 2015, and MTIG soon thereafter transshipped them to Sabirov’s companies in Russia. OOO Sovtest Comp. transferred over $1 million to MTIG for the parts.
In the same timeframe, MTIG—at Sabirov’s direction—ordered over $1.7 million in other electronic components produced by another U.S.-based electronics manufacturer. MTIG bought these parts to fulfill part of its contract with OOO Sovtest Comp. Again, the parts were shipped from the United States to Bulgaria, where they were merely repackaged and then shipped to Russia.
In late 2018, a Department of Commerce Export Control Officer interviewed Milan Dimitrov during a visit to MTIG to determine whether the radiation-hardened components were still in MTIG’s possession in Bulgaria. Milan Dimitrov, among other things, falsely denied sending the components to Russia.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement and the FBI are investigating this case with assistance from Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael C. Galdo and G. Karthik Srinivasan are prosecuting the case along with trial attorney Christine Bonomo of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
An indictment merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Buffalo man pleads guilty to receipt of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Odilio A. Gonzalez, 29, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between July 8 and August 2020, Gonzalez engaged in sexual communications with an 11-year-old minor female (Victim) using Instagram. During these communications, Gonzalez persuaded the Victim to create sexually explicit images and videos of herself and send them to him. Gonzalez also received child pornography using the internet, which he saved on his cellular telephone, and in social media accounts. In total, 30 images and 89 videos of child pornography were recovered. Some of the images and videos contained depictions of violence against children.
The plea is the result of an investigation the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Arcara.
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Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Armed Robbery at ChurchRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Say-Quan Pollack was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 87 months in prison for his role in an armed robbery at a church (the Church) in Brooklyn on July 24, 2022. Pollack and his co-conspirators stole more $400,000 in jewelry from the pastor and his wife during a religious service. As part of the sentence, Pollack was ordered to pay $402,639 in restitution to the victims. Pollack pleaded guilty in November 2023 to Hobbs Act robbery.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Tommy Kalogiros, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.
“Pollack has been held accountable for committing a bold robbery in a house of worship with a gun, terrorizing the men, women, and children participating in the religious service that Sunday morning,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s sentence shows that such despicable and dangerous conduct will be punished with significant time in prison. For those victims who were traumatized by this violent crime carried out in a setting where they had gone to pray and worship, it is my hope that they find some closure in the prosecution of the defendants.”
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kalogiros stated, “This verdict sends a clear message that violent acts have consequences. Here, the defendant’s brazen armed robbery at a church earned him a lengthy prison sentence. This outcome affirms the unwavering commitment of ATF/NYPD’s Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery Technical Apprehension (SPARTA) Group and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York to stop those who wreak havoc in our city. This outcome was a product of the strong relationship ATF cultivates with our state and local partners which allow us to keep the community safe by identifying, investigating and apprehending those that commit acts of violence.”
“Today’s sentencing holds Mr. Pollack accountable for his shameless acts and serves as a stark reminder to others who might think of committing similarly egregious crimes,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “With justice served, the NYPD and our partners at the ATF and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York will continue doing everything possible to keep the public safe and ensure that there are always consequences for nefarious behavior.”
On the morning of July 24, 2022, Pollack, Juwan Anderson and Shamar Leggette —wearing masks and clad all in black—entered the Church brandishing guns and interrupting the religious service attended by parishioners both in person and via a live-stream. The lead pastor (Individual 1), who had been delivering a sermon from the pulpit, dove to the floor, while his wife (Individual 2) shielded their infant daughter who was sitting on her lap. Pollack initially stood guard at the doorway, pointing a gun in the direction of the parishioners and the pulpit. Leggette, also wielding a gun, approached Individual 2 and pulled jewelry off her person, and Anderson grabbed jewelry from Individual 1 as he lay facedown on the floor. Pollack then approached Individual 1 and, pointing a gun at his head, made sure that all of his jewelry had been removed by his co-conspirators.
Pollack and Anderson were arrested in September 2022. In December 2023, Anderson pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and is awaiting sentencing. Charges against Leggette were dismissed following his death in January 2024.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca M. Schuman is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Miranda Gonzalez.
The Defendant:
SAY-QUAN POLLACK (also known as “Say-Quan Pollock”)
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New YorkCo-Defendant to be Sentenced:
JUWAN ANDERSON
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-428 (WFK)
Brockton Woman Sentenced to over Eight Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Member of a nationwide drug trafficking ring was sentenced today in federal court in Boston. Throughout the investigation over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized. An illegal marijuana grow operation with hundreds of marijuana plants was also dismantled.
Robyn Costa, 39, of Brockton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 102 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In November 2022, Costa pleaded guilty to three counts of a superseding indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The superseding indictment also charged 10 other defendants with controlled substance offenses, firearm offenses and money laundering offenses.
In approximately October 2020, investigators received information about drug trafficking activities of a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in the Boston area. In late 2020, investigators identified Reshat Alkayisi as a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker, who distributed multi-pound quantities to multiple co-conspirators throughout the New England area. Costa was identified as one of Alkayisi’s methamphetamine distributors. In April 2021, Alkayisi distributed approximately five pounds (or 2.1 kilograms) of pure methamphetamine to Costa. Investigators arrested Costa following that meeting and seized the methamphetamine, as well as a loaded Smith & Wesson semi-automatic firearm, from Costa’s vehicle.
Costa is the second defendant to be sentenced. All other defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; and Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown and Waltham Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime SurveyRead the Press Release
The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the release of the Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Survey, which shows a decrease in violent crime in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same time period last year:
“This data offers yet another indicator of a substantial reduction in violent crime in major cities across the country. In nearly 70 major cities across the country, violent crime has continued to drop during the first six months of this year compared to the same time period last year, including a 17% decrease in homicides.
This updated data comes in the wake of last year’s historic drop in homicides nationwide and one of the lowest levels of violent crime in 50 years.
Three and a half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime rooted in investing in our partnerships with other federal law enforcement agencies, with state and local law enforcement who risk their lives to keep their communities safe every day, and with the communities we all serve.
The Justice Department’s work together with our partners to drive down violent crime is paying off.
But our message remains clear: we will not rest until every person and every community is safe from violent crime.
We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to arrest violent felons, seize and trace guns used in crimes, disrupt violent drug trafficking, and make critical investments in police departments to hire more officers. And we will continue to work with our community partners to support life-saving initiatives aimed at preventing and disrupting violence before it occurs.”
Attorney General Garland, Secretary Haaland of the Department of the Interior Highlight Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human Trafficking Crises in New Mexico VisitRead the Press Release
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland were in New Mexico today to highlight the work of the Biden-Harris Administration in helping address public safety, including the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crises throughout Indian Country. The leaders were briefed by representatives of both Departments at the headquarters of the Interior Department’s Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU), and held a listening session with the Eight Northern Pueblos, which include the Nambé, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos and Tesuque Pueblos.
“The Justice Department is committed to working with the Department of the Interior and with our Tribal partners to confront the crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous persons and the scourge of human trafficking,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am grateful to Secretary Haaland for her extraordinary leadership and for her partnership in our urgent shared work to advance safety and security in Tribal communities and to pursue justice for Native victims of crime.”
“It was my honor to be home in New Mexico with Attorney General Garland today to share, listen and learn about how the federal government can continue to be an active partner in the fight to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human Trafficking crises that have plagued Indian Country since colonization began,” said Secretary Haaland. “Together, the Interior and Justice Departments have made significant progress during the Biden-Harris administration, but we must continue to do everything we can to ensure that investments, resources and attention are paid to this critical issue.”
Under Attorney General Garland and Secretary Haaland’s leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to address the high rates of violent crime in Indian Country:
Law Enforcement Collaboration: At the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and FBI announced an agreement to provide for the effective and efficient administration of criminal investigations in Indian Country. The agreement specified that BIA’s Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) and the FBI would cooperate on investigations and share information and investigative reports as well as establish written guidelines outlining jurisdiction and investigative roles and responsibilities. The agreement also requires that all BIA, FBI and Tribal law enforcement officers receive training regarding trauma-informed, culturally responsive investigative approaches.
Access to Justice Department Resources: Since 2021, the Justice Department has provided over $732 million in funding awards, including $268 million this past year, to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities.
Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU): As one of her first acts as Secretary, Secretary Haaland created a new MMU within BIA-OJS to pursue justice for missing or murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU, headquartered in Albuquerque, provides leadership and direction for cross-Departmental and interagency work involving missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU has enabled the Interior Department to expand its collaborative efforts with other agencies, such as working to enhance the Justice Department’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and working through strategic partnerships with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Units (BAUs), the FBI Forensic Laboratory, the USMS’ Missing Child Unit (MCU) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
MMIP Regional Outreach Program: Since the start of this Administration, the Justice Department has made strides in implementing systems aimed at preventing new instances of MMIP, locating individuals who are reported missing, and, where a crime has occurred, investigating and prosecuting those responsible. In Summer 2023, the Department launched an MMIP Regional Outreach Program. This program places attorneys and coordinators at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people.
Not Invisible Act Commission: The Departments worked collaboratively to stand up the Not Invisible Act Commission, which was created by legislation the Secretary led in Congress, to develop recommendations on how the federal government can combat crimes against American Indian and Alaska Native people. The Commission included federal, state, and Tribal law enforcement, Tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors. In 2023, the Commission held seven field hearings across the country as well as a virtual national hearing to hear directly from individuals affected by the MMIP crisis. In March 2024, the Departments released their response to the Commission’s recommendations, which they are in the process of implementing in collaboration with Congress.
Operation Not Forgotten: The FBI established this operation to focus resources on seeking justice for Tribal community members who have been victims of unresolved crimes. Operation Not Forgotten first surged resources to Tribal communities in 2023 with the mission of examining cases that have gone unresolved. The goal was to move those cases closer to resolution, provide services for victims, and to bring offenders to justice, who had so far escaped it. Due to the success of the 2023 operation, the FBI is currently partnering with the BIA-MMU to surge resources in 2024. BIA-MMU is providing significant intelligence and investigative support for the duration of the operation. Over 45 special agents and five intelligence personnel have deployed in support of the 2024 operation.
White House Council on Native American Affairs: At the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Biden signed Executive Order 14053 on Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People directing the Departments of Justice, the Interior, and Health and Human Services to work with Tribal Nations and partners to build safe and healthy Tribal communities and to support comprehensive law enforcement, prevention, intervention and support services. President Biden signed the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 into law, which built on advancements from previous reauthorizations and included new provisions to address the crisis of MMIP across the country and re-enforced Tribal sovereignty by providing means for Tribes to address the epidemic of violence within their lands and communities. The White House Council on Native American Affairs is continuing to implement this work through its Public Safety and Justice committee, which is co-chaired by the Departments of Justice and the Interior, as part of an all of government approach to address public safety and the MMIP crisis.
International Collaboration: The United States is also working with its international counterparts from Canada and Mexico to address public safety issues on a larger scale. In September 2023, Canada chaired the Fifth Convening of the Trilateral Working Group on Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and government officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico and global subject-matter experts. Discussions at this year’s convening focused on human trafficking and access to justice. Officials from the three countries agreed to continue to protect and uphold the rights of Indigenous women, learn from and implement Indigenous-led approaches, provide accessible and culturally safe services, and support the preservation of Indigenous cultures and languages. A sixth gathering is expected later this year.
Arizona Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Role in Transnational Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering OperationRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced in federal court to 180 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Jairo Morales, 22, on August 8, 2024. Morales was one of 35 defendants charged through a Second Superseding Indictment unsealed in January for their participation in a domestic and international narcotics and money laundering conspiracy involving substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
According to information presented to the Court, from in and around August 2021 to in and around June 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Morales conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Further, from in and around April 2022 to in and around March 2023, Morales conspired with others to commit money laundering. Morales was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine that he distributed to others. The Court found that Morales was responsible for conspiring to distribute 7.48 kilograms of cocaine, 83 kilograms of fentanyl, and 72 kilograms of methamphetamine and that Morales possessed firearms in connection with that drug trafficking activity.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Morales. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy Welcomes 41st Annual National Black Prosecutors Association Conference to BostonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Last week, Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy welcomed over 400 prosecutors from around the nation to the 41st Annual National Black Prosecutors Association (NBPA) Conference.
“It was an honor for our office to co-host the NBPA this year, and welcome so many talented prosecutors from around the nation to Boston,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “Boston is steeped in history, culture and diversity with black lawyers playing a critical role in our criminal justice system at the federal and state level. The week-long conference focused on learning, networking and training opportunities, and it was also wonderful to see the NBPA and our counterparts from across the country embrace all that Boston has to offer. I want to thank the NBPA and the many partners who made this conference a reality.”
Chaired by Rilwan Adeduntan, Chief of the Office’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit, the conference serves as a platform for advancing dialogue on key topics such as justice reform, community engagement and the promotion of diversity within the legal profession. Throughout the week, attendees engaged in a series of workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions guided by this year’s conference theme “Educate, Advocate, Innovate: Inspiring the Future of Prosecution.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to supporting the NBPA’s mission and contributing to its ongoing efforts to achieve justice and equity for all.
The NBPA is the only professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of Blacks as prosecutors. Founded in 1983, NBPA’s membership is comprised of over 800 prosecutors in the continental United States, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada, including both chief and line prosecutors from local, state and federal offices, as well as law students, former prosecutors and law enforcement personnel. The NBPA is emerging as the international association of Black law enforcement professionals with a reputation for providing education and leadership in the legal profession through its intensive training sessions and multi-disciplined networking.
9 August 2024
司法部將監督夏威夷州遵守聯邦選舉權法的情況Read the Press Release
司法部今天宣佈，將監督夏威夷 8 月 10 日初選中對聯邦投票權法的遵守情況。該部將在檀香山縣和毛伊縣進行監測。
司法部負責執行聯邦投票權法，保護所有公民的投票權。該部定期派遣工作人員，監督全美各地社區選舉是否遵守聯邦民權法。此外，該部還根據聯邦法院命令的授權，部署了人事管理辦公室的聯邦觀察員。
民權司的投票科與美國檢察官辦公室合作，執行保護投票權的聯邦法規的民事條款，包括《選舉權法案》、《全國選民登記法案》、《幫助美國投票法案》、《民權法案》以及《制服公民及海外公民缺席投票法案》。
有關投票和選舉的更多資訊，請訪問司法部網站： www.justice.gov/voting。 詳細瞭解《投票權法案》和其他聯邦投票法，請訪問www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section 。 有關可能違反聯邦投票權法律的投訴，可通過民權司網站civilrights.justice.gov 或撥打電話 1-800-253-3931 。
司法部将监督夏威夷州遵守联邦选举权法的情况Read the Press Release
司法部今天宣布，将监督夏威夷 8 月 10 日初选中对联邦投票权法的遵守情况。该部将在檀香山县和毛伊县进行监测。
司法部负责执行联邦投票权法，保护所有公民的投票权。该部定期派遣工作人员，监督全美各地社区选举是否遵守联邦民权法。此外，该部还根据联邦法院命令的授权，部署了人事管理办公室的联邦观察员。
民权司的投票科与美国检察官办公室合作，执行保护投票权的联邦法规的民事条款，包括《选举权法案》、《全国选民登记法案》、《帮助美国投票法案》、《民权法案》以及《制服公民及海外公民缺席投票法案》。
有关投票和选举的更多信息，请访问司法部网站： www.justice.gov/voting。 详细了解《投票权法案》和其他联邦投票法，请访问www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section。 有关可能违反联邦投票权法律的投诉，可通过民权司网站civilrights.justice.gov 或拨打电话 1-800-253-3931 。
“Big Shades Bandit” receives lengthy prison termRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 23-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for committing numerous gunpoint robberies of Houston banks, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Malik Johnson pleaded guilty Feb. 23.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein has now ordered Johnson to serve 78 months in federal prison for the robberies and 168 months for brandishing of a firearm which will run consecutive for a total prison sentence of 246 months. Johnson must also serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Johnson’s conduct was not an aberration but instead violent conduct one after another by a serial bank robber.
On June 29, and Sept. 6, 2022, Johnson entered First Convenience Bank on Mykawa Road and First National Bank on 43rd St., respectively. In each instance, he displayed a black pistol, handed the tellers a note demanding money and to do so in seconds. He threated harm if they did not comply. Once he received the money, he exited the bank, leaving behind the notes.
The on Oct. 12, 2022, Johnson approached a teller at the Woodforest National Bank on Rice Ave. and once again handed her a similar threatening note. During this robbery, the teller froze, prompting Johnson to display a semi-automatic pistol. The teller eventually gave him cash from the drawer, but Johnson began to demand more money from the neighboring teller. After receiving additional cash, he left the bank. During the robbery, Johnson wore a black Chicago White Sox baseball cap with the nae “Leek” printed on the side.
Law enforcement received information that the bank robber, who was dubbed the “Big Shades Bandit,” was Johnson. His Instagram account also indicated a connection to the name “leek.” Authorities believed Johnson strongly resembled the suspect in the bank robberies. Johnson also had a registered vehicle matching the vehicle seen in surveillance videos at the banks.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence and found the clothing worn during the robberies and a semi-automatic pistol.
Johnson later admitted to all the bank robberies and using the semi-automatic pistol.
At the time of his arrest, Johnson wore the black Chicago White Sox hat with “Leek” embroidered on the side.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts prosecuted the case.
Utah Man that Attempted to Steal a Vehicle and Assaulted the Driver is Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – A Utah man who attempted to steal a car while it was parked at a Home Depot in Salt Lake City, threw the driver into a tree, and attempted to outrun law enforcement was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment.
Kay Elder, 36, of Farmington, Utah, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jill Parrish today after he pleaded guilty in May 2024 to carjacking. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Elder was sentenced to three years’ supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, Elder approached the 57-year-old victim parked at Home Depot on January 3, 2024, and began yelling at the man to get out of the car and give him the key. The victim exited the car and Elder attempted to strike and kick him but missed. Elder then grabbed the victim and threw him into a tree. Elder then attempted to drive away, but the victim had the vehicle’s car key fob. Elder then ran, attempting to outrun the police. Elder was ultimately arrested. See prior press release here.
The case was investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carlos A. Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah 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 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.
Ukrainian National Extradited for Role in International "Carding" SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Ukrainian national has been extradited to the United States from Germany to face federal charges filed in the Western District of North Carolina, for his alleged involvement in an international “carding” scheme that netted over $1.8 million in fraudulent credit and debit card charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, joins U.S. Attorney King in making the announcement.
Viacheslav Alexandrovich Basovych, 49, of Ukraine, was arrested in Germany on December 19, 2023, and was extradited to the United States on August 8, 2024. Basovych is charged with wire fraud conspiracy, access device fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Charlotte, following Basovych’s initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf.
According to allegations in the indictment, from October 2013 to February 2022, Basovych conspired with others to engage in an international “carding” scheme. The term “carding” refers to various criminal activities associated with stealing personal identifiable information (PII) and financial information of victims, including information associated with credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, or other access devices, and using that information to obtain money, goods or services without the victims’ authorization or consent.
The indictment alleges that Basovych and his co-conspirators obtained the PII and payment card information of victims and used the stolen information to make unauthorized credit and debit card charges by merchant accounts associated with Basovych. The fraudulent charges ranged between $7 to $15, and were thus more likely to go unnoticed. In this manner, it is alleged that Basovych and his co-conspirators caused over 148,000 fraudulent transactions totaling over $1.8 million in unauthorized charges. It is further alleged that over 5,100 fraudulent charges were made using payment cards of victims located in Charlotte. According to allegations in the indictment, Basovych and his co-conspirators used a network of money mules to launder the criminal proceeds and to evade detection.
“Greed knows no bounds, but justice has no borders,” said U.S. Attorney King. “The charges announced today are the result of a coordinated effort with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice cyber criminals that exploit victims’ stolen identities and financial information for their personal gain. Whether the perpetrators are on U.S. soil or abroad, we will pursue all investigative avenues and use all enforcement tools available to bring to justice those who engage in this type of criminal activity.”
“The world today doesn’t permit us to physically lock our identities away in a safe. Unfortunately, this vulnerability has given cyber criminals the opportunity to exploit and profit from stolen identities. The FBI is committed to ensuring that international cyber criminals do not operate with impunity,” said Special Agent in Charge DeWitt.
Following his initial appearance, Basovych was remanded into federal custody.
The wire fraud conspiracy charge and the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charge of access device fraud carries a statutory maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
The charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office for the investigation that led to the charges. U.S. Attorney King also thanked the INTERPOL Offices in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Washington, D.C., for their substantial assistance, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for securing Basovych’s arrest and extradition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Lapointe Announces $7.6 Million Settlement of Civil False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Womenswear Company for Underpaying Customs Duties on Imported Women’s ApparelRead the Press Release
MIAMI - Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and Bruce Murley, Acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) San Francisco/Portland Field Office announced that the United States has resolved a civil qui tam lawsuit in which the United States intervened for settlement purposes against Alexis, LLC, a womenswear company, for underpaying customs duties on imported apparel. In connection with the resolution, the United States filed a Complaint in Intervention against Alexis, LLC. The settlement, which is not an admission of liability by Alexis, LLC, resolves claims that between Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2022, Alexis, LLC violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by materially misreporting to CBP the value of imported apparel and thereby avoided paying the full amount of customs duties and fees owed on the imported merchandise.
Alexis, LLC paid a total of $7,691,999.63 to the United States to resolve this matter. Alexis, LLC, and its senior management fully cooperated with the United States’ investigation. Among other things, Alexis, LLC voluntarily and timely submitted information and records to the United States through which Alexis, LLC disclosed facts and evidence relevant to the government’s investigation that was not in the possession of the United States. These submissions assisted the United States in determining the losses caused by the underreporting of customs duties on the imported apparel during the relevant time period. Moreover, Alexis, LLC and its senior management implemented compliance procedures and employee training to preclude future issues.
The case was initiated when a whistleblower filed a complaint, Case No. 1:22-cv-21412-FAM (S.D. Fla.), in federal court in Miami. Alexis, LLC, and the settling parties disputed the whistleblower’s allegations. The Court entered, on Aug. 8, 2024, an Order of Dismissal Pursuant to the Agreed Motion to Dismiss that the United States and the Relator filed upon Alexis, LLC’s settlement payment.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and CBP are the agencies responsible for enforcing U.S. laws related to the importation of merchandise into the United States, including the collection of duties. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) provides the applicable classifications and duty rates for all merchandise imported into the United States. As part of the importation process, an importer must accurately classify imported merchandise pursuant to the HTSUS and correctly calculate its value. This and other information must be provided to CBP so that it can properly assess duties, collect accurate statistics, and determine whether all other applicable legal requirements have been met.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe said, “As this settlement demonstrates, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, along with our CBP partners, will, while continuing to hold accountable entities that engage in improper trade practices and deny our government vital revenues, work to resolve such matters in the interests of justice.” He thanked CBP and HSI for their significant assistance and support with this matter.
“CBP’s Apparel, Footwear & Textile Center of Excellence and Expertise worked in collaboration with CBP’s Office of Chief Counsel and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida to review thousands of documents, hundreds of entry summaries, and analyzed financial reports provided by Alexis, LLC as relevant to the undervaluation and underpayment of duties,” said Acting Director of Field Operations, Bruce Murley, of the CBP San Francisco Field Office. “CBP is proud of the investigative work and analysis done by its employees on this case and will continue to work collaboratively with inter-agency stakeholders to safeguard our nation’s economic security.” HSI in Miami provided significant assistance with this matter.
As a part of the settlement, Alexis, LLC admitted and acknowledged errors and omissions with respect to imported women’s apparel, and occasionally accessories, during the 2015 through 2022 period. Alexis, LLC admitted and acknowledged that it: (i) failed to apportion the value of “Assists,” in the form of fabric and garment trims, to the customs value of the imported merchandise, and that the value of certain “Assists” should have been included in the customs value; (ii) found, and thereafter corrected and reported to CBP other entry documentation issues including certain discrepancies between customs forms and the associated sales-related documentation; (iii) identified instances involving classification errors relating to sections of the textile chapters of the HTSUS; and (iv) identified entries with incorrect port of entry codes. As the Importer of Record, Alexis, LLC acknowledged and accepted responsibility for these errors. Alexis, LLC’s senior management worked with their expert trade counsel to implement a robust set of internal and external procedures and corrective actions to prevent any future violations, ensure accurate reporting moving forward, and apply rigorous discipline to its import protocols. As part of the settlement, Alexis, LLC, and its senior management represented that they seek the highest level of import compliance as a corporate goal.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Weinkle, the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, handled this case.
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Two Western Washington Women Indicted for Unauthorized Use of Northern Quest Resort & Casino Bank AccountRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Kaydee Jean Baker and Beth Ann Hayes, both of Thurston County, Washington, for bank fraud in connection with the unauthorized use of a bank account belonging to Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino.
The Indictment announced today charges Kaydee Jean Baker and Beth Ann Hayes, both of Thurston County, Washington, with ten counts of bank fraud. The Indictment alleges that Baker and Hayes ordered checks displaying a routing number and bank account number for a bank account that did not belong to them, but instead belonged to Kalispel Tribe’s Northern Quest Resort & Casino. The indictment alleges that Baker and Hayes then used the checks drawing from that account, attempting to use the funds in that account for their own financial gain. According to the indictment, Baker and Hayes wrote over $30,000 in checks fraudulently drawn on the Northern Quest Resort & Casino bank account.
“The integrity of our financial system is essential to keeping communities safe and strong,” said United States Attorney Waldref. “My office will continue to work closely with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to hold fraudsters accountable when they attempt to abuse the financial system in order to line their own pockets.”
The fraud charges carry sentences of up to 30 years in federal prison as well as restitution for fraudulently-obtained funds. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Kalispell Tribal Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frieda K. Zimmerman.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Case No: 2:24-CR-8-TOR
Tulsa Physician Pays over $600k to Resolve Allegations of False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – This week, Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D. agreed to pay $619,994 to the government to resolve a pending lawsuit filed by the United States and the State of Oklahoma pursuant to their respective False Claims Act statutes.
“This case resolution demonstrates holding physicians and health care providers accountable for fraudulent billing of government health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Through our coordinated efforts with law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect these programs. As a result, fraud proceeds are returned to American taxpayers and the health care programs that support our most vulnerable population.”
“I appreciate the successful collaboration by multiple law enforcement agencies and the tremendous work by the Oklahoma Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to resolve this case and return the tax dollars that were wrongfully taken from Oklahomans,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. “Healthcare providers have a responsibility to bill government healthcare programs fairly and I will always work to hold accountable anyone who tries to cheat the system.”
“Federal health care programs like Medicare rely on providers billing correctly and following the rules. Taxpayers who fund these programs deserve no less," said Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to ensure that those who submit false claims to Medicare are held accountable and that the Medicare trust fund is restored."
Healthcare billing rules require the provider to ensure that the claims submitted reflect the services provided. According to court documents, from March 2017 through October 2023, Dr. Shakeel submitted claims for payment to several federally funded health care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, ChampVA, and FEHB. Records submitted during that period alleged that Dr. Shakeel saw and rendered services to patients; however, the investigation revealed that the doctor was out of the office and traveled for more than 175 days.
Dr. Shakeel owns and operates Urgent Care of Muskogee PLLC, Urgent Care of Checotah PLLC, and
Muskogee Medical Care PLLC.The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Offices of Inspectors General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marianne Hardcastle handled the matter for the United States. State Assistant Attorney General Jamie Bloyd, of the Oklahoma Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, represented the State of Oklahoma.
To report health care fraud, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or submit a hotline complaint online.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Subaybayan ng Justice Department (kagawaran ng hustisya) ang Pagsunod sa Mga Pederal na Batas sa Mga Karapatang Pagboto sa HawaiiRead the Press Release
Inihayag ngayon ng Justice Department na susubaybayan nito ang pagsunod sa mga pederal na batas sa mga karapatan sa pagboto sa Hawaii para sa Agosto 10 primary election (pangunahing halalan). Susubaybayan ng departamento ang Honolulu County at Maui County.
Ipinapatupad ng Justice Department ang mga pederal na batas sa mga karapatan sa pagboto na nagpoprotekta sa mga karapatan ng lahat ng mamamayan na maabot ang balota. Regular na inilalagay ng departamento ang mga kawani nito upang subaybayan ang pagsunod sa mga pederal na batas sa karapatang pangsibil sa mga halalan sa mga komunidad sa buong bansa. Bilang karagdagan, ang dibisyon ay naglalagay din ng mga pederal na tagamasid mula sa Office of Personnel Management (opisina ng pamamahala ng tauhan), kung saan pinahintulutan ng utos ng pederal na hukuman.
Ang Voting Section (seksyon ng pagboto) ng Civil Rights Division (dibisyon ng karapatang pangsibil), na nagtatrabaho kasama ang mga Opisina ng U.S. Attorney (piskal ng U.S.), ay nagpapatupad ng mga pangsibil na probisyon ng mga pederal na batas na nagpoprotekta sa karapatang bumoto, kasama ang Voting Rights Act (batas ng mga karapatang bumoto), National Voter Registration Act (batas ng pagrehistro sa pambansang botante), Help America Vote Act (batas sa pagtulong sa America na bumoto), Civil Rights Act (batas sa karapatang pangsibil) at Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (batas pangkarapatang bumoto ng mga mamamayang militar sa ibayong dagat).
Mga karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa pagboto at mga halalan ay makikita sa website ng Justice Department sa www.justice.gov/voting. Matuto ng higit pa tungkol sa Voting Rights Act at iba pang pederal na batas sa pagboto sa www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Ang mga reklamo tungkol sa mga posibleng paglabag sa mga pederal na batas sa mga karapatan sa pagboto ay maaaring isumite sa pamamagitan ng website ng Civil Rights Division sa civilrights.justice.gov o sa pamamagitan ng telepono sa 1-800-253-3931.
Russian-German National Extradited for Illegally Exporting to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export ControlsRead the Press Release
Arthur Petrov Allegedly Participated in a Russia-Based Illicit Procurement Network That, Subsequent to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Illegally Procured Large Quantities of Sensitive Microelectronics for a Russian Company That Supplies Manufacturers for the Russian Military
Arthur Petrov, 33, a dual Russian and German national, made his initial appearance in federal court today, following his extradition from the Republic of Cyprus for criminal offenses related to export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering. Petrov allegedly participated in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. Petrov was arrested on Aug. 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the United States.
“Today’s extradition demonstrates the Justice Department’s enduring commitment to cutting Russia off from the western technologies that fuel President Putin’s war machine,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Together with global partners, the Department’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force and Task Force KleptoCapture will vigorously investigate and prosecute efforts to evade the global sanctions and export controls imposed to counter Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine. The defendant’s extradition is a vital step towards holding Russia accountable, and I am grateful to our Cypriot partners for their assistance in this matter.”
“Our charges allege that, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the defendant and his co-conspirators formed an elaborate tech-trafficking syndicate to supply microelectronics to Russia’s military-industrial complex,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Together with our international law enforcement partners, the Justice Department will now hold Petrov to account in a U.S. courtroom and continue dismantling criminal networks that threaten our collective security.”
“As demonstrated by today’s extradition, just because you’re located overseas doesn’t mean we won’t find you,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “If you procure sensitive U.S. microelectronics with military applications for Russia, you risk the very real threat of facing justice in a U.S. courtroom.”
“Arthur Petrov is alleged to have conspired to smuggle shipments from U.S. distributors of microelectronics with military applications through intermediary countries to Russia as part of an illicit Russian-based procurement network,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “As alleged, he concealed the ultimate destination of these sensitive materials, and he knew that these transactions and shipments were in violation of U.S. export controls relating to Russia. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners here and abroad, Petrov is now in U.S. custody and will face justice in a U.S. courtroom. This case demonstrates that we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect national security and disrupt and prosecute the illicit supply of U.S.-sourced military technology to Russia.”
“The extradition of Arthur Petrov and the allegations laid out in a criminal complaint send a strong message about the resolve and commitment of the FBI and its partners to stop the illegal transfer of sensitive, military-use technology,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “In the hands of hostile nations, such technology presents a significant threat to U.S. national security. Today’s actions demonstrate the power and reach of law enforcement partnerships to dismantle even the most elaborate schemes while keeping Americans safe in the process.”
According to court documents, Petrov worked for LLC Electrocom VPK (Electrocom), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. Petrov and two co-conspirators (CC-1 and CC-2), who are Russian nationals also working for Electrocom, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas. They fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom. To carry out the scheme, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia. The technology that Petrov and his co-conspirators have procured in contravention of export controls during the course of the conspiracy have significant military applications and include various types of electronics components of the sort that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones and electronic warfare and communications devices.
To perpetrate the scheme, Petrov first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (Astrafteros), which he operates. Petrov procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact, the components are destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. The microelectronics that Petrov has procured as part of the conspiracy include, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits that are on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and cannot lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department. Invoices provided to Petrov by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits are subject to U.S. export controls.
To evade these controls, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 worked together to transship the controlled items procured by Petrov using pass-through entities operated by CC-1 and CC-2 in third countries. CC-1 and CC-2 then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At all times, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia. During the course of the conspiracy, Petrov, CC-1, and CC-2 procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications.
On Aug. 26, 2023, Petrov was arrested and detained by the Cypriot authorities at the request of the United States. The United States thereafter submitted a formal extradition request. On July 18, after extradition proceedings in the Cypriot courts concluded with extradition being approved, the Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order issued the extradition order.
Petrov is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; three counts of violating the ECRA, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; three counts of smuggling goods from the United States, which each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Russian-German National Extradited for Illegally Exporting to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export ControlsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Lisa Monaco, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States; Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Christie M. Curtis, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Matthew S. Axelrod, the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement of the Commerce Department, announced today that ARTHUR PETROV, a dual Russian and German national, was extradited from the Republic of Cyprus after having been charged with export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering offenses in connection with his alleged participation in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. PETROV was arrested on August 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the U.S. He arrived in the Southern District of New York yesterday and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Arthur Petrov is charged with conspiring to smuggle microelectronics with military applications from U.S. distributors to Russia as part of an illicit Russian-based procurement network that supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. As alleged, he concealed the ultimate destination of these sensitive materials, and he knew that these transactions and shipments were in violation of U.S. export controls relating to Russia. Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners here and abroad, Petrov is now in U.S. custody and will face justice in a U.S. courtroom. This case demonstrates that we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect national security and disrupt and prosecute the illicit supply of U.S.-sourced military technology to Russia.”
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said: “Today’s extradition demonstrates the Justice Department’s enduring commitment to cutting Russia off from the western technologies that fuel President Putin’s war machine. Together with global partners, the Department’s Disruptive Technology Strike Force and Task Force KleptoCapture will vigorously investigate and prosecute efforts to evade the global sanctions and export controls imposed to counter Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine. The defendant’s extradition is a vital step towards holding Russia accountable, and I am grateful to our Cypriot partners for their assistance in this matter.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “Our charges allege that, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the defendant and his co-conspirators formed an elaborate tech-trafficking syndicate to supply microelectronics to Russia’s military-industrial complex. Together with our international law enforcement partners, the Justice Department will now hold Petrov to account in a U.S. courtroom and continue dismantling criminal networks that threaten our collective security.”
Acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis said: “Arthur Petrov was brought to the United States to answer for allegedly participating in a global procurement scheme which secretly supplied Russia’s military industrial complex with critical U.S. technology, including the same types of microelectronics recovered from Russian weapons on Ukrainian battlefields. This extradition underscores the dedication of the FBI and our international partners to maintaining the rule of law and holding accountable anyone attempting to evade international sanctions. The FBI is committed to protecting our national security and bringing to justice anyone who attempts to undermine it, no matter where they are in the world.”
Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod said: “As demonstrated by today’s extradition, just because you’re located overseas doesn’t mean we won’t find you. If you procure sensitive U.S. microelectronics with military applications for Russia, you risk the very real threat of facing justice in a U.S. courtroom.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint and statements made during Court proceedings:[1]
PETROV is a dual Russian-German national who resided in Russia and Cyprus and worked for LLC Electrocom VPK (“Electrocom”), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. PETROV and two co-conspirators (“CC-1” and “CC-2”), who are Russian nationals also working for Electrocom, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas. They have fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom. To carry out the scheme, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia. The technology that PETROV and his co-conspirators have procured in contravention of export controls during the course of the conspiracy have significant military applications and include various types of electronics components of the sort that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones, and electronic warfare and communications devices.
To perpetrate the scheme, PETROV first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (“Astrafteros”), which he operates. PETROV procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact the components are destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military. The microelectronics that PETROV has procured as part of the conspiracy include, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits that are on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and cannot lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department. Invoices provided to PETROV by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits are subject to U.S. export controls.
To evade these controls, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 worked together to transship the controlled items procured by PETROV using pass-through entities operated by CC-1 and CC-2 in third countries. CC-1 and CC-2 then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At all times, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia. During the course of the conspiracy, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications.
On August 26, 2023, PETROV was arrested and detained by the Cypriot authorities at the request of the U.S. The U.S. thereafter submitted a formal extradition request. On July 18, 2024, after extradition proceedings in the Cypriot courts concluded with extradition being approved, the Cypriot Minister of Justice and Public Order issued the extradition order.
* * *
PETROV, 33, a dual Russian-German citizen who has resided in Russia and Cyprus, is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; three counts of violating the ECRA, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the U.S., which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; three counts of smuggling goods from the U.S., which each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division and the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché offices in Poland, Germany, and Athens, Greece; the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order; and the Law Office of the Republic for their assistance. The Republic of Cyprus National Police also provided critical assistance in effecting the defendant’s arrest and detention at the request of the U.S.
This prosecution is coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the U.S. has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Prison Sentence for District Woman Who Defrauded the STAY DC Tenant Assistance ProgramRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Khin Phoo Ngon, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in D.C. Superior Court to 23 months in prison for six felony counts arising from her defrauding a Covid-19 tenant assistance program of more than $245,000.00, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, and Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General.
In addition to the prison term, D.C. Superior Court Judge Jason Park ordered her to pay $206,320.00 in restitution to the District government, in addition to a $600 fine paid to the victims compensation fund and three years of supervised release.
According to facts admitted in her guilty plea, in 2021 Ngon submitted seven fraudulent applications to the Stronger Together by Assisting You (STAY DC) program, a DC government program established in 2021 to help cover unpaid rent and utilities for renters suffering hardship from the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time she submitted all seven applications, Ngon was the sole tenant of an apartment at 1111 New Jersey Ave SE in the District. Two of her fraudulent applications listed her actual address and stated accurate information about unpaid rent she owed, but falsely stated that her 2020 income was $17,270.00 and that her projected 2021 income was $12,000.00. In 2020, however, Ngon had actually received income well in excess of $57,650.00, the STAY DC program’s minimum qualifying threshold for a household of one, and was on pace to exceed that threshold for 2021 when she submitted both applications.
Ngon also submitted two applications in which she listed her residence as 3210 ½ O Street NW, an apartment she had moved out of in the summer of 2020 with her rent paid in full. Ngon attached a fictitious lease to that application and falsely stated in her application that she was residing at the O Street address and owed 19 months of unpaid rent. Based on that fraudulent application, Ngon received $37,000.00 from the program.
In her guilty plea, Ngon also admitted to submitting two STAY DC applications in her family member’s name without his knowledge or permission. Ngon falsely stated in those applications that her family member lived at 3632 N Street NW in the District and owed tens of thousands of dollars in back rent. In fact, Ngon’s family member lived in Virginia, and had never lived at that address. Ngon admitted that she attached stolen and doctored documents to both applications, including her family member’s expired driver’s license and federal and District tax return documents. Ngon fraudulently obtained $82,800.00 from these two applications.
Finally, Ngon admitted to submitting a seventh STAY DC application, on behalf of an associate of hers. Ngon created a fraudulent lease document for an apartment at 450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, falsifying the lease term and monthly rent due. Based on those and other fraudulent representations, the STAY DC program issued Ngon’s associate a check for $78,200.00. Through a series of transactions involving other individuals, Ngon received at least $38,500.00 of those funds.
Ngon pled guilty on April 23, 2024 to two counts of first-degree fraud (felony), two counts of first-degree theft (felony), and two counts of first-degree identity theft.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves, Special Agent in Charge Scott, and Inspector General Lucas commended the work of those who investigated the case from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and D.C. Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming, on detail from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General to prosecute matters involving fraud and public corruption.
Peoria Man Sentenced to 58 Months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon and for Violating Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois man, Tyruis Bramlett, 22, was sentenced on August 8, 2024, to 58 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and violating the terms of his federal supervised release. His sentence includes a three-year term of supervised release to be served upon completion of his term of confinement.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, the government established that in July 2023, Bramlett was on federal supervised release and was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his 2021 conviction for stealing firearms from a gun store in Creve Coeur, Illinois. On July 6, 2023, officers from the Peoria Police Department began investigating several shots-fired incidents in Peoria involving a red SUV reported stolen out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. On July 11, 2023, police officers located the SUV and followed it to a residence on North Sherbrook Lane. Officers approached the vehicle and took three occupants into custody, including Bramlett. During a search of the SUV, police located two 9mm handguns in the front -passenger area, both loaded and equipped with high-capacity extended magazines. Both handguns had previously been reported stolen. Upon closer inspection of the exterior of the SUV, police officers located multiple bullet holes on both sides of the rear portion of the vehicle. The rear driver’s side window also appeared to have been shot out.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Bramlett charging him with possessing a firearm as a felon. He entered a guilty plea in April 2024. At his sentencing hearing, he admitted that he violated the terms of his supervised release by possessing a firearm, and also admitted to earlier incidents in April 2023 where he fled from police at a high rate of speed, drove without a license, and left the scene of an accident. His total sentence of 58 months is a combination of a term of 46 months’ imprisonment on the gun conviction to be served consecutively to a 12-month prison sentence for violations of supervised release.
Bramlett was previously detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending the resolution of his case.
The statutory penalties for possessing a firearm as a felon are not more than 15 years of imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release.
The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Corrections; and the Illinois State Police, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution.
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.
Panama City Beach Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Cosme Martin Hernandez, Jr., 34, of Panama City Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence is yet another example of the unwavering commitment to the protection of our most vulnerable and should serve as a significant deterrent to those who would attempt to harm them. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such heinous conduct.”
In December of 2023, law enforcement, conducting covert operations, downloaded files of child pornography which were being actively shared over the internet from Hernandez’s residential computer in Panama City Beach. On February 6, 2024, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence. On scene, law enforcement quickly located electronic devices containing child pornography and Hernandez was arrested. Several seized devices were subsequently analyzed by an HSI computer specialist. Hernandez received and possessed over 21,000 images and videos of child pornography in approximately 4 months – said files exploited children as young as toddlers. At the time of offense, Hernandez was an active-duty military member who had served approximately fifteen years in the United States Navy; he has since been discharged under other than honorable conditions.
“This sentence sends a strong message that those who exploit children will face justice,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. “Child pornography is not just about images; it’s tied to the broader fight against human trafficking. Our collaboration with federal agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is crucial to this fight, and we will continue to work together to protect our children and hold these dangerous criminals accountable.”
Hernandez’s prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions. The Court also ordered forfeiture of various electronic devices that he used to commit the offenses.
This conviction was the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Oshkosh Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking While Serving a Sentence for a Prior Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that on August 7, 2024, Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach sentenced Sherman M. Threets (age: 39) to 15 years in federal prison after Threets was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
According to court records, Threets was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. In January 2022, Threets was released to a residential reentry center, commonly known as a halfway house, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He immediately began distributing controlled substances and recruiting partners for his newly formed drug trafficking organization. In April 2022, after several controlled buys of controlled substances, a search warrant was executed, during which law enforcement seized approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine, over one pound of cocaine, and 100 grams of fentanyl which Threets had stored at a residence.
As noted during the sentencing hearing, while Threets was awaiting trial, he attempted to recruit an individual who would be willing to “take the charges” by lying to the district court about who possessed the substances seized during the investigation. In exchange for that individual lying to the court, Threets promised to provide that individual with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. Threets met with an individual on three occasions to discuss the plan in detail, but unbeknownst to Threets, he was speaking to an undercover agent.
This case was investigated by the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group – Drug Unit (LWAM), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Alex Duros prosecuted the case.
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Orlando Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $62k in Social Security FundsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Teresa Eve Hunt (63, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to theft of government property. Hunt faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. As part of her plea, she agreed to forfeit the proceeds of her criminal conduct, and to make full restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Hunt is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11, 2024.
According to the plea agreement, M.H. received both Social Security and VA benefits, which were directly deposited into a checking account to which her daughter, Hunt, had access via a power of attorney. M.H. died on April 13, 2016, at Hunt’s home in Orlando, Florida. Hunt did not report M.H.’s death to the SSA or VA, both of which continued to deposit benefits for M.H. into the account, thinking she was still alive. Hunt took those benefits, to which she was not entitled, and spent them on her own personal expenses. In total, Hunt knowingly converted to her own use and/or the use of another $62,857 in Social Security benefits and $59,120.95 in VA benefits.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General and Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.
Ohio Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – David Walker, 39, of Akron, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan, after pleading guilty to receipt, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography. Walker was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence.
Walker was an active participant on BitTorrent, an internet service that allows users to download content such as images and videos easily. It utilizes each user’s computer as a mini-server to facilitate computer-to-computer file sharing among users throughout the world. The technology allows thousands of people to download the same files without crashing the system which has made BitTorrent a commonly used protocol to share illegal files such as CSAM.
According to court documents, Walker received and distributed nearly 400 video files known to contain CSAM and exploitation of children. A computer tablet with CSAM files was recovered during the execution of a federal search warrant of his residence. Files were described to include male and female children of various ages under 17 including infants and toddlers. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, some of the victims were identified on the video files found in Walker’s seized computer tablet.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI, the Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office, and the Brunswick Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis for the Northern District of Ohio.
To report child sexual abuse, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Non-Custodial Mother Arrested and Accused of Taking a Utah Child to Live at a Religious Compound in MissouriRead the Press Release
UPDATE
Upon motion of the United States, the indictment described in the press release below against Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Kristine Merrill, in this case was dismissed on December 9, 2024.
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury returned an indictment this week charging a noncustodial mother, her sister and others with kidnapping after allegedly taking a child from Utah to live at a religious compound in Missouri.
According to court documents, Kimberly Dell Davidson-Drolet, 53, of Murray, Utah, had a warrant issued for her arrest on December 20, 2023, after she allegedly kidnapped her non-custodial child from Utah to Springfield, Missouri, in January 2023 through June 2024. Drolet was assisted in the kidnapping by her son Jaxson Davidson 30, of Washington, Utah; Dallas Davidson, 23, of Washington, Utah; and Kristine Merrill, 53, of Murray, Utah. All of whom are now in custody.
According to the complaint, Drolet used the United States Postal Service, cellular and other electronic devices, including a burner flip phone, to conceal her and the child’s whereabouts. Additionally, Drolet went through great lengths to avoid apprehension and formed an elaborate plan to take the child out of Utah with help from J. Davidson, D. Davidson and Merrill.
As alleged, Drolet and J. Davison left the state of Utah, and drove to Missouri, and Merrill assisted in their departure. After fleeing the state and ignoring the order of the court regarding custody of the child, Drolet remained at large for over a year, and hid the child away from her custodial father and law enforcement. According to the indictment, Drolet planned the kidnapping for 14 months. Throughout the kidnapping, Merrill, J. Davidson, and D. Davidson continued to hide Drolet and the child’s location from law enforcement. Prior to Drolet’s arrest, she was observed with the child who was located at a religious compound led by a religious cult leader, who is also related to Drolet.
Drolet, Jaxson Davidson, Dallas Davidson, and Merrill are charged with kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Merrill's initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for August 13, 2024, at 1:45 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. Jaxson Davidson, and Dallas Davidson's initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled in Salt Lake City for August 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4. Drolet has yet to be scheduled.
United States Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the United States Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (VFAST), and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Murray City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
*Court appearances updated 8/15/24
Attachments:
motionforleavetodismissindictment.pdf orderdismissingindictment.pdfMoscow Man Indicted for Conspiring with Son to Commit International KidnappingRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - On August 7, 2024, a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned a two-count indictment charging Jaimes Tin Aung with one count of Conspiracy to Commit International Parental Kidnapping, and one count of aiding and abetting International Parental Kidnapping. Aung made his first appearance in Federal Court on Friday, August 9, 2024.
According to the indictment, Jaimes Aung’s son, Aaron Aung, was supposed to travel to the Pullman Police Department for a custody exchange of the victim with the victim’s mother. Aaron Aung and the victim never arrived for the custody exchange. Instead, agents with the FBI and U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) obtained photos of a vehicle Aaron Aung was allegedly driving, which had crossed into Mexico on June 1, 2024, at the Andrade, California, Port of Entry. The vehicle was registered to Jaimes Aung.
The indictment further alleges that between May 31, 2024, and June 16, 2024, Jaimes Aung assisted Aaron Aung in avoiding law enforcement. According to the indictment, Jaimes and Aaron Aung exchanged coded and encrypted messages. The messages from Jaimes Aung allegedly warned Aaron Aung about the ongoing investigation and included suggestions on how to avoid detection.
“My office is committed to protecting the most vulnerable among us,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Law enforcement and my extraordinary team of dedicated prosecutors stand ready to pursue those who seek to harm children.”
This case is being investigated by the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Perez and Michael J. Ellis.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Montgomery County Man Charged with Election Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Philip C. Pulley, 62, of Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, was charged by information with falsely registering to vote, double voting, and election fraud.
The information charges that in 2018, while registered to vote in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, defendant Pulley also registered to vote in Broward County, Florida. In 2020, defendant Pulley, who was already registered to vote in Montgomery County and Broward County, allegedly registered to vote in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, using a false home address in Philadelphia and social security number. In the 2020 general election, which included the election for President and Vice President of the United States, it is alleged that Pulley requested a mail-in ballot to vote in Philadelphia, and voted in both Broward County and Montgomery County. In the 2022 general election, which included the election for United States Senator, Pulley allegedly voted in both Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.
If convicted, on each count of the information the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $10,000 to $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy E. Potts and Mark B. Dubnoff, with support from James Price, Senior Deputy Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mexican Citizen Pleads Guilty to Possessing Fraudulent Immigration and Employment DocumentsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gilberto Robles Gonzalez, age 39, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty today to possessing fraudulent immigration and employment documents.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas P. Brophy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) Buffalo Field Office Director, made the announcement.
Gonzalez admitted that on May 6, 2024, he possessed a counterfeit permanent resident card and a counterfeit social security card, both in his name, and knew that the cards were fraudulent.
At sentencing scheduled for December 5, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, Gonzalez faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
ICE-ERO investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case.
Men Who Stole USPS Arrow Keys Sentenced to Combined 17+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Three Fort Worth men have been sentenced to a combined 17 years in federal prison for robbing a U.S. letter carrier, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Cedrick Eugene Mims, Danny Yogi Oriszul Powell, and Cameron Kemond Gist were indicted in February. They each pleaded guilty to robbery of property of the United States. Mr. Gist was sentenced Friday to U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to 70 months in federal prison; Mr. Mims and Mr. Powell were previously sentenced to 75 months and 70 months, respectively.
“These defendants brazenly robbed a U.S.P.S. letter carrier at gunpoint in pursuit of an arrow key that would allow them to steal mail from collection boxes,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “In response to a concerning rise in arrow key robberies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas has become laser-focused on prosecuting these cases. We commend our partners at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their commitment to investigating these crimes and stopping them in their tracks.”
“The sentencing of these three individuals shows the utmost importance we place on the safety of U.S. Postal Service employees,” said Fort Worth Division Inspector in Charge Kai Pickens. “We will not stop pursuing those who seek to harm our employees and will bring them to justice to account for their violent crimes. Robberies of our employees are a top investigative priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and a traumatic event for our employees which we do not take lightly. The partnerships we’ve established with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Fort Worth Police Department allowed us to work jointly to pursue and hold these individuals accountable. Let this serve as reminder to those who harm and traumatize our employees: We will find you and bring you to justice.”
According to plea papers, the three men robbed a letter carrier, identified in court documents as C.S., in Fort Worth on Oct. 24, 2023.
Mr. Mimms admitted he pointed a 39mm pistol at the carrier and demanded “the key” – a reference to the carrier’s “Arrow Key,” a master key used by the U.S. Postal Service to gather mail deposited in blue collection boxes that is prized by mail thieves.
The men admitted that they also purloined a postal scanner and the keys to the letter carrier’s official vehicle. Mr. Powell drove the getaway car and Mr. Gist provided the firearms, plea papers indicate.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Montes prosecuted the case.
This case is the result of Project Safe Delivery (PSD), a joint U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service initiative aimed at countering postal crime and safeguarding postal employees. Announced in May 2023, in direct response to a rise in threats and attacks on letter carriers and mail theft incidents, PSD seeks to protect Postal employees and the mail stream, prevent incidents through education and awareness, and enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail stream. Since the launch of PSD, postal inspectors, working with law enforcement partners, have arrested more than 287 individuals for postal-related robberies through June 30, 2024. In the first six months of the fiscal year, the number of arrests for postal-related robberies rose 72% versus the same period the previous year, while the number of postal-related robberies dropped 21%. Meanwhile, the number of mail theft complaints received during that period decreased 35%, suggesting the PSD approach is achieving the intended result.
Massachusetts Woman Charged for Attempting to Smuggle Suboxone into Federal Detention Center PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Wanderis De La Cruz, 24, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was charged by indictment with one count of attempting to provide contraband in prison.
The charge arises from De La Cruz’s attempt to smuggle 18 sublingual 8mg films of Suboxone to an inmate at the Federal Detention Center Philadelphia in July of 2024.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan E. Claiborne.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Man Who Posed as 14-Year-Old Sentenced to 25 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A 46-year-old Amarillo man who pretended to be a 14-year-old boy in order to obtain pornographic images from a child was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Willie Gonzales was indicted in December 2023 and pleaded guilty in April 2024 to production of child pornography. He was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to 300 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
According to plea papers, in the fall of 2022, Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety – acting off a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – conducted a search warrant at Mr. Gonzales’ home, where they found an iPhone containing sexually explicit images of a 10-year-old girl.
A forensic examination of the phone revealed that Mr. Gonzales persuaded the child to send him photos and videos of herself. At sentencing, the judge noted that Mr. Gonzales had posed on Snapchat as a 14-year-old boy in order to entice his victim.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Frausto prosecuted the case.
Life Sentence Handed Down to Man Who Kidnapped and Sexually Assaulted His Romantic PartnerRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bryant Phillips, 54, of Washington DC, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of release, in addition to 30 years in prison, for first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, and multiple assault counts, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Phillips to life in prison without the possibility of release, in addition to 30 years in prison, followed by lifetime of supervised release/probation. The defendant will also have to register as a sex offender for life.
According to the court’s evidence and testimony presented at trial, between June 5-8, 2022, Phillips held his intimate partner hostage at his apartment in Northeast Washington DC. While there he physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times causing extensive 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.
Finally, they commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit and acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins, Paralegal Specialists Tiffany Fogle and ReShawn Johnson, Investigative Analyst Lucas Jetson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Holmes and Dana Joseph, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jacarre Cortez Woodruff, 23, of Dunbar, pleaded guilty today to distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 25, 2023, Woodruff sold approximately 27.4 grams of a substance containing fentanyl to two confidential informants at his residence in Dunbar.
Woodruff is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-99.
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Justice Department to Monitor Compliance with Federal Voting Rights Laws in HawaiiRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Hawaii for the Aug. 10 primary election. The department will monitor in Honolulu County and Maui County.
The Justice Department enforces the federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country. In addition, the division also deploys federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Act and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931.
Justice Department Releases Report Based on Critical Response Review of Columbus, Ohio, Division of PoliceRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced the release of a new report, an independent review of the use of force policies, procedures, and protocols of the Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police (CDP), as well as the training associated with these policies and operations. The review came at the request of the CDP and was conducted by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) and Jensen Hughe, a critical response provider, following the February 2023 release of the COPS Office Columbus (Ohio) Division of Police: Roadmap to Implementation report. This is part of ongoing technical assistance to CDP.
The goal of the report is to highlight areas in need of improvement through a series of findings and recommendations developed for the purpose of overall improvement of organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and performance. The report states that “[t]he overarching theme associated with almost all the recommendations is the need for enhanced technological capabilities. By upgrading technological capabilities, the CDP will be well-situated to optimize its performance and ensure accountability at a much higher level than it is currently able to achieve.” It goes on to say that “[i]ncreased data collection, analysis, and reporting is of the utmost importance at this time for the CDP to become the transparent, community-oriented policing agency the people of Columbus want and deserve.”
“Whenever we support best practices in policing, it benefits both the department and the community it serves,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Ultimately, the goal of these types of reviews is twofold: to improve the delivery of policing services to the community, and, by doing so, to increase public trust and enhance community-police relationships.”
“Investing in technology that facilitates data collection, analysis, and reporting, and evaluating its effectiveness underscores an agency’s commitment to the public,” said COPS Office Director Hugh T. Clements Jr. “When an agency voluntary asks for this kind of assessment and is interested in making improvements, everyone benefits.”
The report is available at here.
The Critical Response program is designed to provide targeted technical assistance (TA) to state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies experiencing high-profile events, major incidents, or sensitive issues of varying need. Critical Response is highly customizable by providing flexible assistance to law enforcement agencies that have recently experienced a critical incident or identified an issue of significant community concern in their department’s operations. The TA generally falls into three categories: (1) immediate delivery of TA to address a pressing and acute need, (2) data analysis, and (3) after-action reviews to understand and learn from law enforcement and public safety responses to critical incidents or issues.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Justice Department responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Justice Department agency with policing in its name, The COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served. The COPS Office has been appropriated more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 138,000 officers.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared recently before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on Aug. 8 was:
Leevi Dannyle Dobson, 34, of Billings, and Joseph Marion Medina, III, 33, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Dobson and Medina face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Dobson was released pending further proceedings, while Medina was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-98.
Appearing on Aug. 6 was:
Camille Lynn Ackaret, 42, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ackaret faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Ackaret was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-88.
Appearing on Aug. 1 was:
Lynda Diane Good, 59, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Good faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Good was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Billings Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-88.
Appearing on July 30 was:
Elias Adame, 38, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and receipt of a firearm while under indictment. If convicted of the most serious crime, Adame faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Adame was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-81.
Appearing on July 29 was:
Curtis William Witmer, 48, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Witmer faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Witmer was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-105.
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on Aug. 6 was:
Joel Hadley III, 22, of Florida, on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hadley faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine and four years of supervised release on the drug possession charge and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Hadley was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Tri-Agency Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-26.
Scott Hamilton, 44, of Helena, on charges of felon in possession of firearms. If convicted of the most serious crime, Hamilton faces a maximum of 15 years to life in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Hamilton was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-14.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on Aug. 9 was:
Blaise Scott Nuthak, 30, of Butte, on charges of distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Nuthak faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and three years of supervised release. Nuthak was detained pending further proceedings. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-15.
Appearing on July 30 was:
Alecia Mae Leonetti, 49, of Kalispell, and Krista Lynn Hall, 49, of Kalispell, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted of the most serious crime, Leonetti and Hall face a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the wire fraud charges and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release, on the identity theft charge. Leonetti and Hall were released pending further proceedings. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and FBI investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-36.
Guy S. Cook, 59, of Dripping Springs, Texas, on charges of tax evasion. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cook faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $100,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Cook was released pending further proceedings. The IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-22.
Anthony Reimer Mares, 32, of Texas, on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. If convicted of the most serious crime, Mares faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release. Mares was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI; U.S. Secret Service; Missoula, Bozeman, Helena, Livingston and Laurel police departments; Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office; Chubbock, Pocatello and Kemmerer, Idaho, police departments; Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho; Idaho State Police; Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming; and Evanston and Mountain View, Wyoming, police departments, investigated the case. PACER case reference. 23-13.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Human Smuggling Coordinator Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Mauricio Andrade-Garcia, 20, of Heber City, Utah, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 10 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Andrade-Garcia pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit on March 14, 2024.
Andrade-Garcia recruited drivers through social media sites, including Snapchat, to pick up undocumented noncitizens (UNCs) in Southern Arizona and to transport them further into the United States for profit. He coordinated with his co-conspirators, providing them with instructions on how and where to pick up the UNCs. He shared GPS coordinates for the UNCs’ locations and transportation routes designed to circumvent detection by law enforcement. Three of Andrade-Garcia’s co-conspirators were arrested while transporting the UNCs and convicted in separate cases in CR-23-00482-TUC-JCH and CR-23-00108-TUC-RM.
Homeland Security Investigations–Casa Grande and Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol–Tucson Sector conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Christine D. Keller, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01024-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-111_Andrade-Garcia# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Houston gun dealer convicted of assisting illegal firearms traffickingRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 44-year-old Cypress resident has entered a guilty plea to aiding and abetting engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Nicah Anderson was a federal firearms licensee and former majority owner and operator of NE Guns.
Between December 2022 and March 2023, an individual arranged the purchases of at least 41 firearms from NE Guns. However, that person never personally purchased the guns, but instead had straw purchasers actually obtain the guns. The individual then carried the guns out of NE Guns and quickly resold them. Anderson knew about the resales prior to the arrangement of the purchases.
Some of the firearms included Barret .50 caliber, military-grade sniper rifles; FN SCAR 17S, .308 caliber rifles and 9 millimeter pistols. These guns are known weapons of choice for Mexican drug cartels.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at NE Guns July 19, 2023. Among other things, they seized 266 firearms, 138,940 rounds of ammunition, seven silencers and NE Guns’ business records. The investigation found that between October 2022 and August 2023, NE Guns received $115,000 from purchases suspected straw purchasers had made.
“Weapons of war, including a .50 caliber gun, walked out of Nicah Anderson’s gun store in the arms of straw purchasers, and he knew it,” said Hamdani. “Investigations such as these stop illegal firearms trafficking at the source. Because of gun violence in large cities like Houston, there is absolutely no place or patience for gun dealers like Anderson who seek to profit from illegal straw purchases.”
“This investigation is a clear illustration of the importance of investigating illegal firearms trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “Firearms trafficking is a direct contributor to the gun violence that we fight every day. This defendant chose profit over helping to maintain the safety of the general public and will be held accountable for those repeated decisions.”
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and set sentencing for Oct. 24. As part of his plea agreement, Anderson is expected to serve a two-year prison sentence. Anderson was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
ATF conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh and John Ganz prosecuted the case.
Honolulu Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Attempted Child EnticementRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – Brent Leroy Gaston, 65, was sentenced yesterday to 120 months imprisonment for attempted child enticement by U.S. District Court Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi. Gaston pleaded guilty in February to attempting to engage in sexual contact with two children who Gaston believed to be a nine year-old boy and an eleven year-old girl. In addition to his sentence, Gaston must register as a sex offender, as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
According to information produced to the court, an undercover law enforcement officer posted a profile on a social media and dating application of an adult who would be visiting Honolulu and “wanted to find some like-minded pervs like me.” When Gaston responded to the profile, the officer added that he would be with his two children ages 9 and 11, to which Gaston responded, "Please clarify. You are wanting your children to participate?" Gaston continued to communicate with the officer, expressing sexually explicit suggestive plans regarding the officer's purported minor children. Gaston was arrested when he arrived at a meeting purportedly to meet with the officer and the children.
“Protecting children from the depravity of defendants like Gaston is among our highest priorities as a law enforcement community,” said United States Attorney Clare E. Connors. “These sanctions deter others from engaging in such devastatingly harmful conduct, and we will continue to seek them in all cases where vulnerable members of our community are targeted in this manner.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is the result of an operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohammad Khatib is prosecuting the case.
Guilty Plea for the 2024 Fatal Shooting of a Man in Southeast DCRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Kyree Anthony Hairston, 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the February 2024 fatal shooting of David Coe in the 1200 block of Southern Ave., SE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Hairston has been in custody since his arrest on March 14, 2024. His guilty plea, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, called for an agreed upon top half of the guideline period of incarceration of 14 to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein accepted the plea today.
According to the proffer of facts submitted at the plea hearing, at approximately 2:45 p.m., on February 3, 2024, Hairston and Mr. Coe were in the parking lot area of the Arbor View Apartment Complex located in the 1200 block of Southern Ave., SE. The two engaged in a conversation, part of which was captured on the audio portion of video surveillance footage that captured the shooting. On the surveillance, the defendant can be heard stating, “on my grandmother, you got 30 seconds. On my grandmother” and “you trippin like sh-t.” The surveillance shows Hairston pull the hood of the sweatshirt he was wearing over his head, covering part of his face. Hairston then removed a black handgun from his jacket pocket and pointed it at Mr. Coe. Mr. Coe lunged forward to try and disarm Hairston, but Hairston shot him in the chest before he could do so. Mr. Coe fell to the ground and as he laid there, Hairston shot Mr. Coe again. Mr. Coe was shot four times and died 20 minutes later.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marybeth Manfreda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the United States After Being DeportedRead the Press Release
A man who illegally returned to the United States after being deported was sentenced on August 9, 2024, to more than four months in federal prison.
Edwin Junech-Pastor, age 37, a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States and residing in Decorah, Iowa, received the prison term after a June 10, 2024, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry into the United States after having been deported.
In a plea agreement, Junech-Pastor admitted he had previously been deported from the United States and illegally reentered the United States without the permission of the United States government. Junech-Pastor was previously deported in June 2008. On March 22, 2024, immigration officials learned Junech-Pastor had illegally returned to the United States and found Junech-Pastor at the Winneshiek County Jail following his arrest on state charges.
In the plea agreement, Junech-Pastor also admitted he used a fraudulent Social Security card and a fraudulent Permanent Resident card, also known as a “green card,” both bearing his name, to prove his authorization to work in the United States when he completed employment and tax forms in June 2019 at a business in Decorah, Iowa. Illegal aliens are not authorized to work in the United States. The number on the Social Security card was assigned to a United States citizen and the number on the Permanent Resident card was assigned to a Mexican male.
Junech-Pastor was previously convicted in May 2008 in the Northern District of Iowa following an immigration enforcement action in Postville, Iowa, of using fraudulent documents to unlawfully gain employment in the United States.
Junech-Pastor was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Junech-Pastor was sentenced to 138 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Junech-Pastor is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be turned over to immigration officials.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel C. Tvedt and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-2014.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Greenbrier County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jason Michael Tucker, 43, of Frankford, was sentenced today to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2022, Tucker sold a Ruger model Wrangler .22LR caliber revolver to a confidential informant for $125 in the Frankford area of Greenbrier County. Tucker admitted to the transaction, and further admitted to selling a quantity of fentanyl to the confidential informant at the same location a few hours before the transaction.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Tucker knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in Monroe County Circuit Court on August 30, 2018, and for delivery of a controlled substance-marijuana in Greenbrier County Circuit Court on April 22, 2005.
Tucker has a long criminal history that spans 23 years and also includes felony convictions for forgery and entering without breaking.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. The Greenbrier Valley Drug and Violent Crime Task Force is composed of members of the West Virginia State Police, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lewisburg Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell 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 Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-17.
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Four Individuals Charged with Operating Illicit Massage Parlors in New Jersey and New YorkRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Four individuals have been charged with operating a series of illicit massage parlors in New Jersey and New York, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Zhejun Piao, 37, a Chinese national, Miyeon Choi, 37, a South Korean national, Shangxian Cui, 36, Chinese national, and Meixiang Jin, 34, of Palisades Park, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise. All four defendants were arrested on Aug. 8, 2024 and made their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court. They were all released.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From at least May 2017, the defendants owned, operated, and derived money from illicit massage parlors or spas in New Jersey and New York that, as the defendants knew, had been offering sexual services in exchange for money. The New Jersey spas include Coco Spa in Paterson, Gold Spa in Passaic, 785 Spa in Passaic, Bergen Acupressure in Fairview, Queen Spa in Edgewater, Hawaii Spa in Edgewater, Good Day Spa in East Brunswick, and Spa Wellness in Toms River. The New York spa includes New Soothing Day Spa in New Rochelle.
Each of the spas allegedly advertised sexual services on various online platforms by posting images of the female sex workers and describing the sexual services offered. Law enforcement obtained evidence demonstrating each of the defendants’ personal knowledge of, and involvement in, the illegal operation. For example, emails obtained by law enforcement show that Choi received what appear to be draft advertisements for the spas, and other emails and records show Choi and Piao transferred cryptocurrency to an online advertisement company. Law enforcement also observed Cui transport supplies, including mouthwash and paper towels, to the spas, make suspected cash pickups, and deposit over $50,000 of cash with Jin to a bank account.
The charge of conspiracy to commit interstate travel or transportation in aid of a racketeering enterprise carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker; the U.S. State Department, Diplomatic Security Service; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation. He also thanked HSI New York, Hudson Valley Office; Customs and Border Protection; the Passaic County Prosecutors Office; Passaic County Sheriff; Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; Bergen County Sheriff; Edgewater Police Department; Fairview Police Department; Paterson Police Department; East Brunswick Police Department; New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice; South Toms River Police Department; Edison Police Department; South Toms River Police Department; Morris County Prosecutor’s Office; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office; New Rochelle Police Department; Westchester District Attorney’s Office; Federal Air Marshals; New York State Police; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; and the Palisades Park Police Department
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey S. Smith and Javon Henry of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
piao.complaint.pdfFour Bridgeport Men Charged with Gunpoint Robberies of Retail Stores, Amazon Delivery TruckRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging ELIJAH RAFFINGTON, 21; RAJONNE BLAKE, also known as “Ray Ray,” 25; SHASSON DANIELS, 20; and MICKYEEM PROFIT, 21, all of Bridgeport, with robbery and firearm offenses stemming from the gunpoint robberies of multiple retail stores and an Amazon delivery truck.
The indictment, which was returned under seal on July 11, 2024, alleges that:
- On December 15, 2022, Raffington and Profit committed a gunpoint robbery of Omega Deli, located at 999 Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport;
- On December 21, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, and Profit committed a gunpoint robbery of Milford Convenience & Tobacco, located at 784 Boston Post Road in Milford;
- On December 23, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, Blake, Profit, and another individual committed a gunpoint robbery of an Amazon delivery truck and merchandise in Bridgeport;
- On December 23, 2022, Raffington, Daniels, and Profit, committed a gunpoint robbery of Smoke Shop, located at 2175 Boston Avenue in Bridgeport;
- On January 2, 2023, Raffington, Daniels, and Blake, committed a gunpoint robbery of Cumberland Farms, located at 1290 West Broad Street in Stratford.
The six-count indictment charges each defendant with multiple counts of interference with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count. In addition, Daniels and Profit and charged with carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and Raffington and Blake are charged with aiding and abetting in the same, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
The indictment was unsealed on August 1, 2024, after Blake was arrested. Raffington, Daniels, and Profit had been detained in state custody. Each of the defendants were arraigned in New Haven federal court, entered pleas of not guilty, and were ordered detained.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Stratford Police Department, and the Milford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
The case is being prosecuted through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
Fort Lauderdale Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Assaulting a Federal Employee with a Hate Crime EnhancementRead the Press Release
MIAMI - Today, Kenneth Pinkney, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. was sentenced to 37 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, after having previously pled guilty for his assault on a federal employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a) and (b) which included a hate crime enhancement. The victim was employed as a United States Postal Service (USPS) worker at the time of her assault. The victim was a Muslim woman who wore a hijab, including when she delivered the mail from her postal truck.
“Hate crimes represent vicious attacks on the very fabric of our diverse communities. No one should live in fear of being targeted because of their religious beliefs,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis for the Southern District of Florida. “Everyone, including federal employees, have the right to carry out their duties safely. Justice was served today, with the 3-year prison sentence imposed on Kenneth Pinkney for his brutal assault on a Muslim postal employee. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and our law enforcement partners implore the public to continue to report hate crimes and assaults on federal employees to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
"Targeting people based on their religion has no place in South Florida and America," said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Miami Field Office. "The defendant verbally and physically attacked the victim based on her religious beliefs as she was simply trying to fulfill her civic duty to the community. The FBI is unwavering in our efforts to protect those who are targeted based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability status. We will continue to bring those to justice who commit hate crimes. I want to thank our partners in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI's Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which also investigates civil rights violations."
“One of the core missions of the Postal Inspection Service is the protection of postal employees and the result of this investigation is a testament to the dedicated work Postal Inspectors and our federal and state law enforcement partners will commit to in order to ensure that those that cause them harm will be pursued and brought to justice for their crimes,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector in Charge of the Miami Division.
According to the Court record, to include a factual proffer in support of the plea, on or about Oct. 9, 2023, just two days after Hamas’ attack on Israel, the victim was wearing her hijab while delivering mail. She was visible to the public as she drove the postal vehicle along her route. On this day, the victim saw Pinkney looking at her in what she interpreted as an aggressive manner as she drove by him in her USPS vehicle.
Two weeks later, on Oct. 24, 2023, the victim was on her postal route, stopped the USPS truck, and got out of the vehicle with mail to deliver. Pinkney approached on a bicycle and began to pass the victim. While still cycling, Pinkney made a hand gesture towards the victim in the shape of a firearm using two fingers to represent the barrel of a gun. Pinkney then turned his bicycle around and made the firearm gesture toward the victim more assertively. Pinkney rode his bicycle directly towards the victim, then got off the bicycle and walked toward the victim. Pinkney called the victim a “b----” and said, “If I had a gun,” and “go back to your country.” All this time, Pinkney continued to make the same menacing hand gesture, simulating a firearm. At a point, the victim turned and faced the USPS truck and heard Pinkney say, “go back to your country” multiple times while tapping the victim on the back of her head with two fingers.
The victim entered the USPS truck and sat in the driver’s seat. Pinkney continued to call the victim a “b----” and say “go back to your country.” Pinkney also spit on the image of the eagle of the side of the USPS truck, and then spit on the victim. The victim was nervous and scared. Pinkney reached into the truck and pulled at the victim’s ankle and leg in an unsuccessful attempt to yank her from the USPS truck. Pinkney then entered the truck and grabbed at the victim’s neck with one hand and placed his other hand on her hijab. While in the vehicle, Pinkney tried to remove the hijab off the victim by pulling it down her face. She physically resisted. Unable to remove the hijab in this fashion, Pinkney then lifted the hijab up past the victim’s face toward the back of her head. Pinkney succeeded in removing the hijab and revealing the victim’s hair. Pinkney and the victim struggled over the hijab inside the vehicle. Pinkney eventually released the victim’s hijab, but then started pulling at her USPS apron. The victim put her hijab back on her head. The victim felt trapped, so she exited the vehicle. Pinkney followed suit.
Once the victim and Pinkney were out of the vehicle, Pinkney said, “F-- Islam” and “You are a terrorist.” Pinkney and the victim continued to struggle, during which time the victim grabbed onto the collar of Pinkney’s shirt. Pinkney’s shirt ripped as they separated. Pinkney fled the scene and was later arrested.
The victim sustained scratches on her face as a result of the assault.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davis for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Chief of Police William Schultz of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD), and Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, made the announcement.
FBI Miami, FLPD and USPIS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gilfarb prosecuted it.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-60014.
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Former postal worker admits to stealing from mailRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old Houston postal worker has pleaded guilty to opening mail and stealing money and gift cards, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Laura Aguirre was employed as a postal clerk responsible for processing mail for delivery from Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2023.
The investigation revealed Aguirre had opened some of the mail entrusted with her and stole cash and gift cards totaling at least $2,500. She was terminated and charged with theft of mail as a postal employee.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 1. At that time, Aguirre faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
She was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.
The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Chu is prosecuting the case.
Former Tennis Coach Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting a Minor Across State Lines and Engaging in Sex ActsRead the Press Release
Montgomery, Alabama – Today, United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross announced the sentencing of a former youth tennis coach from Columbus, Georgia for unlawfully transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sexual activity. On August 8, 2024, a federal judge ordered that 51-year-old Leroy Thomas Joyner, Jr. serve 300 months in prison. The judge also ordered that Joyner remain on supervised release for life following his prison term. Federal inmates are not eligible for parole. Restitution to Joyner’s victim will be determined at a later date.
According to court records and evidence presented during his January 2024 trial, Joyner previously operated a tennis association in Dale County, Alabama. The association provided lessons to underprivileged children and teens. In September of 2018, law enforcement began an investigation following reports of physical abuse carried out by Joyner against one of his 15-year-old female students. The investigation revealed that, in addition to beating the young victim with a wooden board to influence her to obey him, Joyner began a sexual relationship with her when she was 13. Trial testimony indicated that Joyner engaged in sex acts with the minor in multiple states, including Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. This sexual exploitation continued until the investigation began in 2018.
“This significant sentence reflects the harm that Joyner inflicted upon his young and vulnerable victim,” said United States Attorney Ross. “I am grateful for the courage shown by the victim in coming forward and the diligence of the investigating agencies. Through the actions of all involved, a predator is off of the street and our communities are safer.”
“Yesterday’s sentencing was the result of law enforcement’s collective efforts to protect the children in our communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this investigation.”
The FBI Mobile Field Office and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which Assistant United States Attorneys Russell T. Duraski, Tara S. Ratz, and B. Chelsea Wilson prosecuted.
Former Philadelphia Correctional Officer Charged with Violating the Constitutional Rights of an InmateRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Ivory S. Cousins, 35, of West Deptford, New Jersey, was arrested and charged by indictment with violating the constitutional rights of a prison inmate by ignoring his significant injuries from an assault by other inmates, pepper spraying him, helping another inmate to steal from him, and obstructing the investigation of what happened to him.
According to the indictment, the defendant was a correctional officer employed by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons in August 2019. While on duty at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the indictment alleges that the defendant became aware that an inmate had been assaulted by other inmates and had serious injuries, but she was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs, failed to get him medical attention, and prevented a superior officer from discovering the inmate’s injuries. After her partner discovered the injured inmate and called for medical attention, but before assistance arrived to escort him to the medical unit, the indictment charges that the defendant subjected the injured inmate to excessive force, that is, she unreasonably pepper sprayed him. When the injured inmate had been escorted out of the area for medical attention, the indictment alleges that the defendant further violated the injured inmate’s constitutional rights by helping one of the inmates involved in his assault to steal his personal belongings from his cell. When she later completed a report about the incident, the indictment charges that the defendant provided false information about the injured inmate being aggressive, engaging in a fight, and using a weapon.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of up to 41 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $1 million fine, and a $400 special assessment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy E. Potts and Everett R. Witherell.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Frankfort woman, Brittany Joyce May, 35, pleaded guilty on Thursday, before U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to her plea agreement, between July 2021 and May 2023, May was employed as an administrative specialist at the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). As part of her duties, May managed payments to providers who were eligible for payments under certain adoption and foster programs. In doing so, May input provider information into the computer resource directory, including their personal identifying information and banking information. To receive payments under these programs, providers submitted request paperwork to CHFS. Upon receiving those requests, May would initiate payments, via a wire transfer, to the provider’s bank account. However, when some providers did not submit the required paperwork or stopped receiving payments because their services had expired, May would instead direct funds that would have been paid to them to four bank accounts that she owned and controlled.
To conceal these actions, May would submit false invoices, to make it appear as if the provider had requested payment. And knowing the system would automatically send notifications to the provider’s listed address, indicating a payment had been made, May would change the provider addresses, to forward the notices elsewhere. From July 2021 to May 2023, May used the names and/or social security numbers of 45 providers in the computer resource directory to operate her scheme, and she further opened bank accounts using the personal identifying information of two providers.
In all, May misappropriated $444,663.77 in funds and initiated more than 540 fraudulent wire transfers to bank accounts she owned and controlled.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Karen Wingerd, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Cincinnati Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation; and Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the IRS and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Mattingly-Williams prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
May is scheduled to be sentenced on November 5, 2024. She faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge, as well as a mandatory, consecutive two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
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