Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
2 August 2024
Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Role in Conspiracy to Sell Machine GunsRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Isaiah M. Smith, 24, was sentenced on Friday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 72 months in prison, for possession and transfer of a machine gun.
In pleading guilty, Smith admitted to collaborating with Demarco Sturgeon and Denico Hudson to possess and transfer numerous machine gun conversion devices. Smith also admitted to manufacturing the plastic conversion devices in Ohio, and to selling many of them to Sturgeon in Kentucky. Sturgeon then sold the bulk of them to Hudson, who would pay for them with money and drugs, and the two of them distributed the devices to members of two violent gangs in Cincinnati. Members of these gangs were connected to drug trafficking and numerous shootings.
Smith further admitted to distributing over 25 machine gun conversion devices, from 2022 to 2023. Specifically, on April 4, 2023, law enforcement conducted a search of Smith’s residence and seized a machine gun conversion device, as well as a loaded handgun. Smith confirmed that he had manufactured and distributed over 80 machine gun conversion devices and assisted agents in seizing the printers and computers he used to make them.
Sturgeon was previously sentenced to 130 months and five years of supervised release; Hudson was sentenced to 108 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
“Machine gun conversion devices are incredibly dangerous, and an acute threat to the safety of our communities,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Worse yet, they are more prevalent than ever. By themselves, these devices are illegal machine guns; and when used, they are capable of rapid and appalling damage. We simply must do everything we can to combat this alarming trend, prioritize the effort to eliminate these devices, and prosecute those who illegally make, possess, and sell them.”
“Machine gun conversion devices are a significant threat to our communities. Law enforcement in Kentucky and across the United States are encountering them with alarming frequency,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Division. “These conversion devices, which can fire hundreds of rounds of ammunition a minute, are illegal and incredibly dangerous, especially in the hands of gang members and drug dealers. ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize these investigations with our local partners to shutdown supply channels and keep these deadly devices off our streets.”
Under federal law, Smith and his co-defendants must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon his release from prison, Smith will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office three years.
U.S. Attorney Shier; SAC Morrow; Director Scott Hardcorn, Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force; and Chief Teresa Theetge, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by ATF, Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, and Cincinnati Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
— END —
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
A man who distributed fentanyl in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced today to more than eight years in federal prison.
Colby Joseph Manley, age 26, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after a January 8, 2024 guilty plea to four counts of distribution and aiding and abetting the distribution of a controlled substance and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that, in April 2022, Manley distributed an amount of fentanyl to another person, which caused the person to suffer an overdose and die. Following the overdose, on six separate occasions between December 2022 and February 2023, under cover law enforcement officers purchased pills containing fentanyl from Manley.
Manley was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Manley was sentenced to 98 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Manley is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated as part of the Northern Iowa Heroin Initiative and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Johnson County Drug Task Force and the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The Johnson County Drug Task Force consists of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa
City Police Department, the Coralville Police Department, the North Liberty Police Department, the University of Iowa Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-CR-41.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Casper man receives 200 months in prison for multiple drug and firearm offenses, including possession of a machinegunRead the Press Release
Albert Rueben Gaines, 31, of Casper, Wyoming, was sentenced to 200 months’ imprisonment for felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents, in January 2023, DCI agents began receiving information that Gaines was involved in the use and distribution of controlled substances throughout the state of Wyoming. In June of 2023, several incidents occurred that led to the arrest of Gaines and the seizure of 11 guns, multiple rounds and calibers of ammunition and magazines, approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 62 grams (600 pills) of fentanyl, and approximately $11,000 in cash. Amongst the 11 seized firearms, law enforcement seized a Glock, model 17 that had been modified with a Glock switch conversion device. The Glock switch converted the semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic machine gun.
Gaines was indicted on July 19, 2023 and pleaded guilty on April 14. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence on July 31. This crime was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and the Casper Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Timothy J. Forwood.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes the illegal possession of firearms very seriously. Tracking down the sale, use, and possession of machine gun conversion devices is one of our top priorities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Eric Heimann. “Possession of these extremely dangerous devices is against federal law and our office will continue to vigorously prosecute these violations.”
“I would like to recognize the outstanding work and continued cooperative relationship between our office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Casper Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Brad Reinhart, V41 Special Agent/Team Leader, Central Enforcement Team, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
“Gaines, a previously convicted felon, was found in possession of multiple firearms, including stolen ones, firearm parts, and a machine gun,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. “While armed he was also trafficking meth and fentanyl into the Casper community. This violent criminal will now serve more than 16 years in federal prison due to the incredible collaborative work of the Casper Police Department, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the ATF Cheyenne Field Office.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN
California Man Sentenced to 188 Months for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa –A California man was sentenced on July 30, 2024, to 188 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, between October 2020 and July 2022, Jose Antonio Reyes, 35, conspired with others to send large amounts of methamphetamine from California to Muscatine, Iowa for distribution. Reyes mailed two packages containing pound quantities of methamphetamine to co-conspirators in Muscatine.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Reyes will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Muscatine County Drug Task Force.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 113 Grams of FentanylRead the Press Release
Gulfport, MS – A Compton, California man pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 113 grams of fentanyl.
According to court documents, Jayma Nettles, 46, was identified as being a member of a drug-trafficking organization in California that was sending packages of narcotics to Mississippi dating back to 2019. The overall investigation yielded 5,766 grams of pure methamphetamine, 236 grams of fentanyl, 84.2 grams of cocaine, and 7.8 kilograms of marijuana that were shipped to the Gulf Coast. Jayma Nettles was responsible for sending 113 grams of fentanyl to the Coast in October of 2022.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. The DEA reports that two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, and one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. More facts on fentanyl can be found at https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl and https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl.
Nettles pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2024, and faces up to 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Assistant Special Agent in Anessa Daniels-McCaw of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose is prosecuting the case.
Burlington Man Sentenced to 150 Months for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa –A Burlington man was sentenced on July 30, 2024, to 150 months in federal prison for Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, between October 2022 and October 2023, Michael Bernard Hicks Jr., 27, distributed over three kilograms of methamphetamine in the southeast Iowa area to confidential informants and undercover officers. All of Hicks’ distributions of methamphetamine were carried out while he was on probation for a state of Iowa conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Hicks will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force and Iowa Department of Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement.
Billings man sentenced on firearms crime after armed patrols on sidewalk in an elementary school zoneRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — A Billings man who conducted armed patrols on the sidewalk in his neighborhood, which is across the street from a public elementary school and in a school zone, was sentenced today to three years of probation for a firearms conviction, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Gabriel Cowan Metcalf, 50, pleaded guilty in March to unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone, as charged in an indictment.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
In a plea agreement, the parties jointly recommended that a probationary sentence was appropriate.
“Almost one year ago, just as the school year was scheduled to begin, Broadwater Elementary School was busy taking proactive measures to protect kids from Metcalf and so were our law enforcement partners. Despite multiple attempts to explain to Metcalf that he was in violation of federal law, he continued his habit of armed patrols around his neighborhood and in a school zone. As we prepare for another year of school, the parents and children of Billings schools should know we will do whatever it takes to keep kids safe, as shown by our actions in this case,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged in court documents that in August 2023, multiple individuals observed Metcalf walking in the vicinity of Broadwater Elementary School while carrying a firearm. Metcalf was observed in multiple public areas, including walking down the sidewalk, crossing the street, and walking down a city alley, all within 1,000 feet of the elementary school. Metcalf’s residence is on Broadwater Avenue and is directly across the street from the school.
On Aug. 17, 2023, law enforcement officers spoke to Metcalf, who admitted to following cars while carrying a firearm, walking to the nearby business and escorting his mother down the street to her shop while carrying a firearm. Metcalf further told officers he patrolled daily and usually went around the block once or twice a week, but that lately he had done it several times a day. On Aug. 22, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Metcalf’s residence and seized a 20-gauge shotgun and six rounds of ammunition. The shotgun was the firearm Metcalf described as using to patrol.
Metcalf’s conduct prompted the school to lock down, put up tarping, erect a temporary fence, change where children walked and request increased police presence. When confronted with information that he was scaring parents and school authorities, Metcalf would not stop.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
XXX
Bethlehem Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Production of Child Pornography and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Harold Daleus, Jr., 49, of Bethlehem, PA, was sentenced to 20 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release by United States District Judge John M. Gallagher for production of child pornography and related offenses.
For years, Daleus wired money to the Philippines, in exchange for live access to the sexual abuse of children. Daleus paid Filipino child sex traffickers over $24,000, in order to view the live transmissions of children being sexually abused at his direction.
In December 2022, Homeland Security Investigations seized Daleus’ electronic devices from his home and identified dozens of videos and images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of prepubescent children. The defendant was indicted in August 2023 and subsequently pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, the use of the internet to entice a minor to engage in sexual conduct, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Homeland Security Investigations worked with law enforcement in the Philippines to secure convictions abroad of the involved child sex traffickers.
“Harold Daleus paid for the ongoing sexual abuse of numerous children, providing explicit instructions for the vile acts that he wanted to watch in real time,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Whether they’re here at home or half a world away, we must protect our vulnerable young kids from exploitation by predators and traffickers. This sentence ensures accountability for Daleus and some measure of justice for those he victimized.”
“HSI’s global reach, cybercrime expertise and dedication to protecting children in the U.S. and abroad has enabled us to bring this dangerous predator to justice,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Nathan R. Abel. “Our partnership with the tremendous prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania continues to produce results for the American public and protect innocent children around the world.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Allentown Resident Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Priya T. De Souza and Tatum Wilson.
Belknap County Fugitive Anthony Clark Arrested in South BostonRead the Press Release
CONCORD – An inmate of the Belknap County jail who fled from a hospital where he was receiving medical treatment was arrested by the U.S. Marshals this morning in South Boston, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Anthony Clark, 41, was charged by complaint on August 1, 2024, with one count of violating the Fugitive Felon Act. Clark was arrested in South Boston this morning and will appear in federal court in Concord at noon today.
According to the charging documents, Clark was an inmate at the Belknap County jail on pretrial detention. He was facing trial on state charges, including assault, domestic violence, strangulation, witness tampering, and violating a protective order. In July 2024, he was released on conditions to the Concord Hospital in Laconia, New Hampshire, for medical procedures. Clark had an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor his location.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, the Laconia Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen who found an ankle bracelet on High Street near the Concord Hospital. Law enforcement confirmed that the bracelet belonged to Clark. Footage from Concord Hospital confirmed that Clark fled the area of the hospital at around 1 a.m. that day. When the ankle bracelet was removed from Clark there was a tamper alert, but it had gone undetected.
The U.S. Marshals arrested Clark. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
###
Beckley Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl CrimeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Derrick Lee Hodge, 35, of Beckley, was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 1, 2023, Hodge sold a controlled substance containing fentanyl to a confidential informant at a Beckley hotel where Hodge was staying. Hodge admitted to the transaction and further admitted to selling controlled substances containing fentanyl to a confidential informant on January 26 and January 31, 2023, in Beckley.
On February 2, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hodge’s Beckley hotel room. Officers seized a small bag containing cocaine, a set of digital scales with purple residue, plastic bags, $347 and a Ruger Model EC9S 9mm semi-automatic handgun during the search. Hodge admitted that he was distributing drugs out of the hotel room and possessed the seized firearm.
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 Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. The Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-139.
Attorney Pleads Guilty to Attempted Bombing Near the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Christopher Rodriguez, 45, of Panama City, Fla., pleaded guilty today to a three-count superseding information charging him in the September 2023 attempted bombing outside the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C., and a November 2022 bombing of a sculpture depicting communist leaders Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong in San Antonio, Tex.
The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves of the District of Columbia and Special Agent in Charge Craig B. Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division.
Rodriguez, a licensed Florida attorney, pleaded guilty today to damaging property occupied by a foreign government, explosive materials—malicious damage to federal property, and receipt or possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device).
According to court documents, on September 23-24, 2023, Rodriguez drove from his home in Panama City, Fla., to Northern Virginia with a rifle and 15 pounds of explosive material. En route, he stopped in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, Va., to buy a black backpack, nitrile gloves, and a burner cell phone. On September 24, he parked his car in Arlington, Va., and used the burner phone to arrange for a taxi to drive him to within a few blocks of the Chinese Embassy. Sometime between midnight and 3:00 a.m. near the back wall of the Embassy in Northwest Washington, Rodriguez placed the black backpack filled with explosives next to a streetlight. Rodriguez then attempted to detonate the explosives by shooting at the backpack with a rifle. Rodriguez missed his target, and the device failed to detonate. Law enforcement officers later recovered the backpack containing explosive material, three shell casings, and bullet fragmentations from the ground along the outer perimeter wall of the Chinese Embassy. Impact marks were found on the Embassy wall near the bullet fragments behind the backpack.
Also according to court documents, DNA obtained from the black backpack was found to be consistent with DNA evidence obtained from a previous arrest of Rodriguez in June 2021 in California. During the California incident, Rodriguez possessed three firearms and apparent explosive material consistent with the explosives used during the Chinese Embassy attack. DNA evidence obtained from Rodriguez pursuant to a buccal swab warrant later confirmed this DNA match.
Between November 5 and 7, 2022, according to court documents, Rodriguez rented a vehicle in Pensacola, Fla., and drove to San Antonio, Tex. At approximately 2:25 a.m. on November 7, Rodriguez scaled an eight-foot fence to enter a courtyard on the 300 block of West Commerce Street, San Antonio. Inside the courtyard, he placed two canisters of explosive materials at the base of a satirical steel sculpture titled “Miss Mao Trying to Poise Herself at the Top of Lenin’s Head.” At about 2:30 a.m. on November 7, Rodriguez used a rifle to shoot at the canisters at the base of the statue, causing an explosion that caused significant damage to the Miss Mao sculpture.
The ATF arrested Rodriguez on November 4, 2023, in Lafayette, La. He has been held since that date.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Washington Field Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Florida, the Western District of Louisiana, and the Western District of Texas; the ATF’s Tampa, New Orleans, and Houston Field Divisions; the FBI’s Washington and San Antonio Field Offices; the San Antonio Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Secret Service, Uniformed Division and Foreign Missions Detective Unit; the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security; and the Metropolitan Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jolie F. Zimmerman and Stuart D. Allen. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maeghan Mikorski and Kelly Stephenson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McCarthy.
23cr392
Arkansas Man Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute More than 400 Grams of FentanylRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A federal jury convicted a Newport, Arkansas man yesterday of Conspiracy to Distribute more than 400 grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Fentanyl.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl pills in Fayetteville, Arkansas from May to June 2023. The investigation identified Claude Dukes, Jr., age 42, of Newport, Arkansas, as the source of supply for fentanyl being distributed by co-conspirator, Justin Alexander Ellis, age 36, of Fayetteville. The pills distributed by this group contained fentanyl made or pressed to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills. Dukes was found to be responsible for over 400 grams of fentanyl distributed in the conspiracy through his own conduct and the conduct of co-conspirators.
Duke is scheduled to be sentenced on a later date. Conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl is punishable by a minimum term of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Justin Ellis pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl on February 28, 2024, and is awaiting a sentencing date. Distribution of Fentanyl is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and were assisted by the following agencies: Benton County Drug Unit, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Rogers Police Department, Bentonville Police Department, Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Arkansas Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections, and the Newport, Arkansas Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sydney Stanley, Kevin Eaton, and Dustin Roberts prosecuted 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.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Argyle Fire Chief sentenced to prison for federal violations, ordered to pay over half-million in restitutionRead the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The former Argyle Fire Chief has been sentenced for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Troy Mac Hohenberger, 65, pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges related to misuse and theft of funds from the Argyle Fire District, Inc. operating account, along with making false statements to the Department of Labor and was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III on August 1, 2024. He was also ordered to pay $509,807.50 in restitution to the Argyle Fire District, Inc., and to forfeit $28,048.34.
According to information presented in court, Hohenberger stole money from the operating account of the Argyle Fire District, Inc., (which received federal funds in the form of Medicare reimbursements) and used over $490,000 of those funds to pay personal credit card bills. Those personal credit card expenses included cash advances at casinos, payments related to a family member’s business in Hawaii, and other personal uses. The evidence also showed that Hohenberger failed to fund firefighter retirement accounts in the time required by federal regulations, embezzled or stole the funds, and made false statements related to the ERISA-qualified firefighter retirement plan on a form submitted to the Department of Labor. Hohenberger was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022.
“Today’s sentence sends a message that my office takes seriously crimes related to the misuse, theft, and embezzlement of retirement- and pension-plan assets, particularly when such offenses are committed by fiduciaries, like the defendant, who are charged with protecting the assets of employee benefit plans,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “Because the defendant chose personal gain over his fiduciary responsibilities, he will now spend significant time in prison. We appreciate the diligence and partnership of the FBI and the Department of Labor in investigating these offenses and bringing the evidence of these crimes to light.”
“Financial fraud is not a victimless crime. The defendant didn't just embezzle federal funds. He took money that was meant to fund the retirement accounts of his colleagues and selfishly spent it on himself,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough. “Thank you to our partners at the Department of Labor and the U.S. Attorney's Office for helping us hold this individual accountable for his crimes.”
Deborah Perry, Dallas Regional Director of the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration said, " I hope this sends a clear message to all who sponsor or transact business with employee benefit plans that the federal government will aggressively pursue those who commit crimes against employees and retirees of private-sector pension and health plans."
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Labor – EBSA.
###
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy Commemorates the Two-Year Anniversary of the Human Trafficking and Civil Rights UnitRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two years ago today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts formally announced the creation of the Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Unit (HTCRU). This specialized team – comprised of federal prosecutors, victim witness specialists and support personnel – is dedicated to protecting human rights and holding perpetrators of human trafficking accountable.
Since its establishment, HTCRU has become a leader within the Department of Justice in terms of prosecuting individuals who engage in human trafficking.
“Today marks the two-year anniversary of the HTCRU, a unit that, I am sorry to say, has been a huge success because it has revealed how serious and widespread a problem human trafficking is in our communities. Commercial sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable adults has no place in the District of Massachusetts. The dedicated team in this unit has worked tirelessly to eradicate these harms and atrocities while also tackling allegations of excessive police force, hate crimes, and labor trafficking," said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our office is determined to hold traffickers liable for their deplorable crimes.”
Over the last two years, in close collaboration with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, our Office has prosecuted over 20 cases with numerous defendants. For example, in U.S. v. Stavros Papantoniadis, the defendant was convicted at trial for forced labor charges. He was found guilty of forcing or attempting to force six victims to work for him while physically and mentally abusing them. The defendant also targeted immigrants who he could exploit due to their vulnerability. Additionally, Jimall Brown, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release after being convicted of sex trafficking a minor and two adults, while collecting all of the proceeds for himself and others.
This Unit has targeted not just traffickers but also the purchasers of sex who fuel the demand for exploited victims of sex trafficking. Our office has charged sex buyers federally where possible, such as in our recent prosecutions of US v. David Cannon / US v. Misael Medina / US v. Dmitri McKenzie, all for attempting to purchase sex with minors. In cases where there is not federal jurisdiction, we have worked to make state referrals to ensure that these sex buyers are held accountable.
The HTCRU coordinates trainings, including survivor-led trainings to identify trends in the community while learning how the office can improve work with victims. Labor trafficking training has been provided to both federal employees and state inspectors to recognize key indicators of exploitation. This team also works with local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as non-government organizations, to hold predators accountable and protect survivors’ rights.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please call your local police department or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or contact [email protected].
60 Year Prison Term for Man Who Shot and Killed a Man in Northeast D.C.Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Eric Davis, 61, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 60 years in prison for the July 2021 shooting of Theodore “Bino” Riley in the Kingman Park neighborhood. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
A Superior Court jury found Davis guilty of first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense on May 2, 2024, before the Honorable Michael O’Keefe.
According to evidence presented during the trial, on July 19, 2021, at around 7:33 p.m., Davis was captured on surveillance walking with the victim, Theodore Riley, to an alley adjacent to 1608 Gales Street Northeast. Once in the alley, Davis shot Mr. Riley once in the head. The defendant then quickly walked out of the south end of the alley and fled while attempting to change his outward appearance by putting on a long-sleeved shirt over the short-sleeved shirt he had been wearing. Mr. Riley was found in the alley face-down with a single .45 caliber casing at his feet. Davis was arrested on September 22, 2021.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Gibbons and Saman Danai of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
1 August 2024
법무부 장애인 유권자들의 접근성을 향상하기 위해 로스앤젤레스 카운티와 역사적 협정 체결Read the Press Release
법무부는 해당 카운티가 장애인이 접근할 수 있는 시설을 투표 장소로 선정하고 사용하지 않음으로써 장애인 유권자의 동등한 투표 프로그램, 서비스 및 활동에 참여할 기회를 거부하여 미국 장애인법(Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA)을 위반했다는 혐의로 제기된 소송을 해결하기 위한 목적으로 로스앤젤레스 카운티와 역사적인 합의에 도달했음을 오늘 발표했습니다.
“장애인은 투표 제도에 온전히 참여할 권리를 가집니다.” 법무부 민권부의 Kristen Clarke 법무차관이 말했습니다. “법무부는 장애인 유권자를 포함하여 모든 적격 유권자가 선거 과정에 참여할 권리를 보호하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다. 이 협정은 지금 전국의 공무원들을 대상으로 투표 과정상 접근성 보장의 필요성과 관련한 메시지를 전달해야 합니다.”
“투표권은 민주주의에 필수적이며 모든 유권자의 권리를 보호해야 합니다.” 캘리포니아 중부 지구의 Martin Estrada 검사가 말했습니다. “장애인 유권자는 이웃, 친구와 함께 직접, 비공개로 그리고 독립적으로 투표할 동등한 기회를 누릴 자격이 있습니다. 우리는 법무부와 협력하여 장애를 가진 각 개인의 동등한 접근성을 보장하려는 로스앤젤레스 카운티의 노력을 칭찬하고자 합니다.”
이 소송은 2023년 6월, 장기간의 조사에 의해 해당 카운티가 지역 내 직접 투표 프로그램 참여에서 장애인들을 배제한 것으로 밝혀짐에 따라 제기되었습니다. 미국 캘리포니아 중부 지구 검찰청은 2016년 6월, 2020년 3월, 2020년 11월, 2022년 11월 선거에서 수백 곳의 투표소를 조사했으며 그중 대부분이 가파른 경사로, 도로와 입구 출입문 사이의 갑작스러운 높이 변화, 접근 가능한 주차 공간의 부족 등 건축상의 장애물을 보유하고 있는 것으로 드러났습니다. 이러한 장애물은 이동 및 시야가 제한된 장애인이 투표 센터에 안전하게 접근하여 직접 투표하는 데 방해가 됩니다. 이 소송에서는 특정 투표 센터에 길가 투표의 가능 여부를 알리는 표지판이 없거나, 유권자가 길가 투표에 도움을 받고자 선거 직원에게 연락할 수 있는 충분한 수단을 제공하지 못하여 해당 카운티의 길가 투표 프로그램의 접근성이 충분치 못했음을 주장하기도 했습니다.
오늘 이른 시간에 제출된 합의서는 장애인 유권자의 접근성을 높일 것입니다. 이 합의에 의해 로스앤젤레스 카운티는 3년간 장소 선정 정책 및 절차 수립에 대해 독립적인 접근성 전문가와 협력하여, 해당 카운티가 임시 개선 조치를 통해 접근성 있거나 접근성을 향상할 수 있는 투표 센터 장소를 선택할 수 있도록 할 것입니다. 해당 카운티에서는 전문가 및 부서와 협력하여 전문가의 권장 사항을 시행하기로 합의했습니다. 전문가는 연 2회 카운티와 부서에 보고서를 제출할 것입니다.
로스앤젤레스 카운티는 500개 이상의 지역구와 약 430만 명의 등록 유권자를 보유한 국내 최대의 선거 관할구입니다.
로스앤젤레스 카운티 조사는 법무부의 ADA 투표 이니셔티브의 일환으로, 이는 전국 장애인의 투표권을 보호하는 데 중점을 두고 있습니다. 투표 및 선거에 관한 더 자세한 정보는 법무부 웹사이트, www.justice.gov/voting에서 확인하실 수 있습니다. 민권부에 관한 더 자세한 정보는 www.justice.gov/crt를 방문하시기 바랍니다. ADA에 관한 더 자세한 정보는 법무부의 무료 ADA 정보 전화, 1-800-514-0301로 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) 전화하거나 www.ada.gov를 방문하시기 바랍니다. 장애로 인한 차별을 받으신 경우, www.civilrights.justice.gov에서 보고서를 제출해 주시기 바랍니다. 차관 및 민권 섹션 부장 Richard Park와 캘리포니아 중부 지구 차관 Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen, Alexandra Young이 법무부 민권부의 장애 권리 섹션과 협력하여 이 문제를 처리했습니다.
지난달은 1990년 7월 26일 George H.W. Bush 대통령이 법률에 서명한 ADA의 34주년이 되는 달이었습니다. ADA는 장애인을 위한 세계 최초의 종합 민권법이었습니다. ADA의 34주년을 기념하면서 우리는 ADA의 유용성을 인정하는 시간을 가지는 동시에 장애인을 위한 형평성, 포용성, 접근성이라는 지속적 목표를 달성하기 위해 아직 해야 할 일이 남아 있다는 사실을 인식합니다.
司法部與洛杉磯縣簽訂歷史性協議，提升身心障礙選民的投票便利性Read the Press Release
司法部今日宣佈，已與洛杉磯縣達成一項具有里程碑意義的協定，旨在解決針對洛杉磯縣提起的訴訟。該訴訟指控洛杉磯縣違反了《美國身心障礙者法案》(Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA)，未能選擇和使用身心障礙者可進入的設施作為投票站，剝奪了身心障礙選民平等參與洛杉磯縣投票計畫、服務和活動的機會。
「身心障礙選民應當享有完全平等的投票權，」司法部民權司助理司長 Kristen Clarke 說道。「司法部致力於保障包括身心障礙選民在內的所有合格選民參與選舉過程的權利。這項協議應向全國官員們傳達了一個資訊，即確保投票過程的便利性是當務之急。」
「投票權是我們民主體系的核心，必須保障所有選民都能行使這一權利，」 加州中區聯邦檢察官 Martin Estrada 表示。「身心障礙選民應享有與鄰居和朋友同等的平等、直接、私密和獨立投票的機會。我們對洛杉磯縣與司法部的合作表示讚賞，他們共同努力確保身心障礙者的平等投票機會。」
該訴訟於 2023 年 6 月提起，此前進行了長時間的調查，發現洛杉磯縣剝奪了身心障礙者參與現場投票計畫的權利。在 2016 年 6 月、2020 年 3月、11 月以及 2022 年 11月 的選舉期間，美國加州中區檢察官辦公室對數百個投票站進行了調查，發現多數網站存在建築障礙，如過陡的坡道、不平坦的人行道和入口，以及缺乏便捷的停車設施。這些障礙妨礙了行動不便者和視障人士安全到達投票點並親自參與投票。該訴訟還指出，洛杉磯縣的路邊投票計畫無法使用，由於一些投票中心未設置明確指示路邊投票計畫可用的標識，或未提供足夠途徑讓選民聯繫選舉工作人員以獲得路邊投票的協助。
今天早些時候提交至法院的和解協議旨在提升身心障礙選民的投票便利性。根據協定條款，洛杉磯縣將與獨立無障礙專家合作三年，審查選址政策和程式，確保選定的投票中心提供無障礙設施，或在投票期間通過臨時措施提升其便利性。洛杉磯縣同意與專家和司法部合作，執行專家的建議。專家將每半年向洛杉磯縣和司法部提交一次調查結果報告。
洛杉磯縣有 500 多個行政選區和約 430 萬登記選民，是美國最大的選區。
洛杉磯縣的調查屬於司法部 ADA 投票倡議的一部分，旨在保障全國身心障礙者的投票權。欲瞭解有關投票和選舉的詳細資訊，請造訪司法部網站www.justice.gov/voting。欲瞭解有關民權司的詳細資訊，請造訪 www.justice.gov/crt。欲瞭解有關 ADA 的詳細資訊，請致電司法部的免費 ADA 資訊熱線 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) 或造訪 www.ada.gov。如果您認為自己因身心障礙遭受歧視，請造訪 www.civilrights.justice.gov 進行線上舉報。美國助理檢察官兼民權科科長 Richard Park 以及加州中區的其他美國助理檢察官 Katherine Hikida、Matthew Barragan、Margaret Chen 和 Alexandra Young 負責此案，並與司法部民權司身心殘障者權利科協調。
上個月是 ADA 頒佈的第 34 周年紀念日，該法案由 George H.W. Bush 總統于 1990 年 7 月 26 日簽署生效。ADA 是全球首部全面保障身心障礙者民事權利的法律。在紀念 ADA 頒佈 34 周年之際，我們不僅要認識到 ADA 帶來的益處，同時也要認識到，要實現身心障礙者的公平、包容和便利性的長期目標，我們仍需不斷努力。
司法部与洛杉矶县签订历史性协议，提升残疾选民的投票便利性Read the Press Release
司法部今日宣布，已与洛杉矶县达成一项具有里程碑意义的协议，旨在解决针对洛杉矶县提起的诉讼。该诉讼指控洛杉矶县违反了《美国残疾人法案》(Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA)，未能选择和使用残疾人士可进入的设施作为投票站，剥夺了残疾选民平等参与洛杉矶县投票计划、服务和活动的机会。
“残疾选民应当享有完全平等的投票权，”司法部民权司助理司长 Kristen Clarke 说道。“司法部致力于保障包括残疾选民在内的所有合格选民参与选举过程的权利。这项协议应向全国官员们传达了一个信息，即确保投票过程的便利性是当务之急。”
“投票权是我们民主体系的核心，必须保障所有选民都能行使这一权利，” 加州中区联邦检察官 Martin Estrada 表示。“残疾选民应享有与邻居和朋友同等的平等、直接、私密和独立投票的机会。我们对洛杉矶县与司法部的合作表示赞赏，他们共同努力确保残疾人的平等投票机会。”
该诉讼于 2023 年 6 月提起，此前进行了长时间的调查，发现洛杉矶县剥夺了残疾人参与现场投票计划的权利。在 2016 年 6 月、2020 年 3 月、11 月以及 2022 年 11 月的选举期间，美国加州中区检察官办公室对数百个投票站进行了调查，发现多数站点存在建筑障碍，如过陡的坡道、不平坦的人行道和入口，以及缺乏便捷的停车设施。这些障碍妨碍了行动不便者和视障人士安全到达投票点并亲自参与投票。该诉讼还指出，洛杉矶县的路边投票计划无法使用，由于一些投票中心未设置明确指示路边投票计划可用的标识，或未提供足够途径让选民联系选举工作人员以获得路边投票的协助。
今天早些时候提交至法院的和解协议旨在提升残疾选民的投票便利性。根据协议条款，洛杉矶县将与独立无障碍专家合作三年，审查选址政策和程序，确保选定的投票中心提供无障碍设施，或在投票期间通过临时措施提升其便利性。洛杉矶县同意与专家和司法部合作，执行专家的建议。专家将每半年向洛杉矶县和司法部提交一次调查结果报告。
洛杉矶县有 500 多个行政选区和约 430 万登记选民，是美国最大的选区。
洛杉矶县的调查属于司法部 ADA 投票倡议的一部分，旨在保障全国残疾人的投票权。欲了解更多有关投票和选举的信息，请访问司法部网站 www.justice.gov/voting。欲了解更多有关民权司的信息，请访问 www.justice.gov/crt。欲了解有关 ADA 的更多信息，请致电司法部的免费 ADA 信息热线 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) 或访问 www.ada.gov。如果您认为自己因残疾遭受歧视，请访问 www.civilrights.justice.gov 进行在线举报。美国助理检察官兼民权科科长 Richard Park 以及加州中区的其他美国助理检察官 Katherine Hikida、Matthew Barragan、Margaret Chen 和 Alexandra Young 负责此案，并与司法部民权司残疾权利科协调。
上个月是 ADA 颁布的第 34 周年纪念日，该法案由 George H.W. Bush 总统于 1990 年 7 月 26 日签署生效。ADA 是全球首部全面保障残疾人民事权利的法律。在纪念 ADA 颁布 34 周年之际，我们不仅要认识到 ADA 带来的益处，同时也要认识到，要实现残疾人的公平、包容和便利性的长期目标，我们仍需不断努力。
ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌ទទួលបាននូវកិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងដ៏សំខាន់មួយជាមួយខោនធី Los Angeles ដើម្បីបង្កើនលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់សម្រាប់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពRead the Press Release
ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌បានប្រកាសនៅថ្ងៃនេះថា ខ្លួនបានឈានដល់កិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងសំខាន់មួយជាមួយខោនធី Los Angeles ដើម្បីដោះស្រាយបណ្តឹងរបស់ក្រសួងដែលចោទប្រកាន់ថា ខោនធីបានរំលោភច្បាប់ស្តីពីជនពិការអាមេរិក (ADA) តាមរយៈការបដិសេធចំពោះអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពមិនឱ្យមានឱកាសស្មើគ្នាក្នុងការចូលរួមក្នុងកម្មវិធី សេវាកម្ម និងសកម្មភាពបោះឆ្នោតរបស់ខ្លួន នៅពេលដែលខោនធីខកខានមិនបានជ្រើសរើស និងប្រើប្រាស់កន្លែងបោះឆ្នោត ជាកន្លែងដែលជនពិការអាចចូលប្រើប្រាស់បាន។
ជំនួយការអគ្គមេធាវី Kristen Clarke នៃនាយកដ្ឋានសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិលរបស់ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា "ជនពិការមានសិទ្ធិទទួលបានការរាប់បញ្ចូលទាំងស្រុងនៅកន្លែងបោះឆ្នោត"។ “ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌ប្តេជ្ញាការពារសិទ្ធិរបស់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានសិទ្ធិគ្រប់រូប រួមទាំងអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពក្នុង
ការចូលរួមក្នុងដំណើរការនៃការបោះឆ្នោតរបស់យើង។ កិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងនេះគួរតែផ្ដល់សារទៅមន្ត្រីនៅទូទាំងប្រទេស ទាក់ទងនឹងតម្រូវការក្នុងការធានាឱ្យបាននូវលទ្ធភាពចូលប្រើប្រាស់ក្នុងដំណើរការនៃ
ការបោះឆ្នោតឥឡូវនេះ។"Martin Estrada ដែលជាមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកប្រចាំនៅមណ្ឌលកណ្តាលនៃរដ្ឋ California (Central District of California) បានមានប្រសាសន៍ថា "សិទ្ធិបោះឆ្នោតគឺជារឿងសំខាន់សម្រាប់លទ្ធិប្រជា
ធិបតេយ្យរបស់យើង ហើយត្រូវបានការការពារសម្រាប់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតទាំងអស់"។ "អ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលមានពិការភាពមានសិទ្ធិទទួលបានឱកាសស្មើគ្នាដើម្បីបោះឆ្នោតដោយផ្ទាល់ ជាលក្ខណៈឯកជន និងដោយឯករាជ្យ រួមជាមួយអ្នកជិតខាង និងមិត្តភក្តិរបស់ពួកគេ។ យើងសូមកោតសរសើរដល់ខោនធី
Los Angeles ចំពោះការប្តេជ្ញាចិត្តរបស់ខ្លួនក្នុងការធ្វើការជាមួយក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌ ដើម្បីធានាឱ្យបាននូវលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់ស្មើៗគ្នាសម្រាប់បុគ្គលដែលមានពិការភាព។"បណ្តឹងនេះត្រូវបានដាក់នៅខែមិថុនា ឆ្នាំ 2023 បន្ទាប់ពីការស៊ើបអង្កេតដ៏យូរអង្វែងមួយ ដែលបានរកឃើញថាខោនធីមិនបានរាប់បញ្ចូលបុគ្គលដែលមានពិការភាពនៅក្នុងការចូលរួមក្នុងកម្មវិធីបោះឆ្នោតដោយមានវត្តមានផ្ទាល់របស់ខោនធី។ការិយាល័យមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកប្រចាំតំបន់កណ្តាលនៃរដ្ឋ California បានស្ទង់មតិនៅកន្លែងបោះឆ្នោតរាប់រយកន្លែងនៅក្នុងការបោះឆ្នោតនាខែមិថុនាឆ្នាំ 2016 ខែមីនាឆ្នាំ 2020 ខែវិច្ឆិកាឆ្នាំ 2020 និងខែវិច្ឆិកាឆ្នាំ 2022 ហើយបានរកឃើញថាភាគច្រើនមានឧបសគ្គស្ថាបត្យកម្មដូចជាផ្លូវជម្រាលចោត ការផ្លាស់ប្តូរកម្រិតញឹកពេកនៅលើផ្លូវដើរនិងទ្វារចូល និងកង្វះចំណតរថយន្តសម្រាប់ជនពិការ។ ឧបសគ្គទាំងនេះបានរារាំងលទ្ធភាពចូលទៅកាន់មណ្ឌលបោះឆ្នោត និងបោះសន្លឹកឆ្នោតដោយសុវត្ថិភាព ដោយមានវត្តមានផ្ទាល់របស់មនុស្សដែលអាចធ្វើចលនាមានកម្រិត និងដែលមានពិការភាពផ្នែកចក្ខុវិញ្ញាណ។ ពាក្យបណ្តឹងនេះក៏បានចោទប្រកាន់ថា កម្មវិធីបោះឆ្នោតតាមចិញ្ចើមផ្លូវរបស់ខោនធីមិនអាចឱ្យជនពិការចូលប្រើបានទេ ដោយសារមណ្ឌលបោះឆ្នោតមួយចំនួនខ្វះផ្លាកសញ្ញា ដែលបង្ហាញថាការបោះឆ្នោតតាមចិញ្ចើមផ្លូវអាចរកបាន ឬខកខានមិនបានផ្តល់មធ្យោបាយគ្រប់គ្រាន់ ដើម្បីឱ្យអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតអាចទាក់ទងបុគ្គលិកបោះឆ្នោតដើម្បីទទួលបានជំនួយបានក្នុងការបោះឆ្នោតតាមចិញ្ចើមផ្លូវ។
ដំណោះស្រាយ ដែលបានដាក់ជូនតុលាការកាលពីដើមថ្ងៃនេះ នឹងបង្កើនលទ្ធភាពចូលប្រើប្រាស់របស់អ្នកបោះឆ្នោត ដែលមានពិការភាព។នៅក្រោមកិច្ចព្រមព្រៀងនេះ ខោនធី Los Angeles នឹងធ្វើការជាមួយអ្នកជំនាញផ្នែកលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់របស់ជនពិការឯករាជ្យ រយៈពេលបីឆ្នាំសម្រាប់គោលនយោបាយ និងនីតិវិធីជ្រើសរើសទីតាំង ដើម្បីធានាថាខោនធីជ្រើសរើសទីតាំងមណ្ឌលបោះឆ្នោតដែលអាចចូលប្រើបាន ឬអាចផ្តល់លទ្ធភាពចូលប្រើបានកាន់តែច្រើនដល់ជនពិការក្នុងអំឡុងពេលបោះឆ្នោត ដោយប្រើប្រាស់វិធានការដោះស្រាយបណ្តោះអាសន្ន។ ខោនធីបានយល់ព្រមធ្វើការជាមួយនឹងអ្នកជំនាញ និងក្រសួងដើម្បីអនុវត្តតាមការណែនាំរបស់អ្នកជំនាញ។ អ្នកជំនាញនឹងផ្តល់របាយការណ៍ប្រចាំខែអំពីការរកឃើញរបស់ពួកគេទៅកាន់ខោនធី និងក្រសួង។
ដោយមានមណ្ឌលនយោបាយជាង 500 មណ្ឌល និងមានអ្នកបោះឆ្នោតដែលបានចុះឈ្មោះប្រហែល 4.3 លាននាក់ ខោនធី Los Angeles គឺជាដែនសមត្ថកិច្ចបោះឆ្នោតធំបំផុតនៅក្នុងប្រទេស។
ការស៊ើបអង្កេតក្នុងខោនធី Los Angeles គឺជាផ្នែកមួយនៃគំនិតផ្តួចផ្តើមអំពីការបោះឆ្នោតនៃច្បាប់ស្ដីអំពីជនពិការអាមេរិក ( ADA) របស់ក្រសួង ដែលផ្តោតលើការការពារសិទ្ធិបោះឆ្នោតរបស់បុគ្គលដែលមានពិការភាពនៅទូទាំងប្រទេស។ ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមអំពីការបោះឆ្នោតអាចរកបាននៅលើគេហទំព័ររបស់ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌នៅ www.justice.gov/voting។ សម្រាប់ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមអំពីផ្នែកសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិល សូមចូលមើលគេហទំព័រ www.justice.gov/crt។ សម្រាប់ព័ត៌មានបន្ថែមអំពីច្បាប់ ADA សូមទូរសព្ទទៅបណ្តាញព័ត៌មាន ADA របស់ក្រសួងដោយឥតគិតថ្លៃតាមរយៈលេខ 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) ឬចូលមើលគេហទំព័រ www.ada.gov។ ប្រសិនបើអ្នកជឿថាអ្នកត្រូវបានគេរើសអើងដោយផ្អែកលើពិការភាព សូមដាក់របាយការណ៍តាមអនឡាញនៅគេហទំព័រ www.civilrights.justice.gov។Richard Park ដែលជាជំនួយការមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកនិងប្រធានផ្នែកសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិល និង Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen និង Alexandra Young ដែលជាជំនួយការមេធាវីសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក សម្រាប់មណ្ឌលកណ្តាលនៃរដ្ឋ California បានដោះស្រាយបញ្ហានេះដោយមានការសម្របសម្រួលជាមួយផ្នែកសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិលរបស់ក្រសួងយុត្តិធម៌។
ខែមុននេះគឺជាខែគម្រប់ខួបទី 34 នៃច្បាប់ ADA ដែលលោកប្រធានាធិបតី George H.W. Bush បានចុះហត្ថលេខាឱ្យចូលជាច្បាប់នាថ្ងៃទី 26 ខែកក្កដា ឆ្នាំ 1990។ ADA គឺជាច្បាប់ស្តីពីសិទ្ធិស៊ីវិលដ៏ទូលំទូលាយដំបូងគេរបស់ពិភពលោកសម្រាប់ជនពិការ។ នៅពេលយើងប្រារព្ធខួបលើកទី 34 នៃច្បាប់ ADA នេះ យើងក៏ឆ្លៀតពេលដើម្បីទទួលស្គាល់អត្ថប្រយោជន៍នៃ ADA ខណៈពេលដែលយើងក៏យល់ផងដែរថា នៅតែមានការងារត្រូវធ្វើដើម្បីសម្រេចបាននូវគោលដៅដ៏យូរអង្វែងនៃសមធម៌ ការរួមបញ្ចូល និងលទ្ធភាពប្រើប្រាស់សម្រាប់ជនពិការ។
West Columbia Man Sentenced to Jail and Fined for Blocking Clinic AccessRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Steven Lefemine, 68, of West Columbia was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment and fined $1,000 after being found guilty of a misdemeanor violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinics (FACE) Act.
Evidence presented during his trial showed that Lefemine blocked the entrance to the Columbia Office of Planned Parenthood. Testimony from the trial indicated that Lefemine was a frequent protester of the clinic and, on this occasion, physically sought to bar employees and patients from entering the facility. Lefemine recorded his activities and presented the audio/video recordings during the trial. Lefemine was arrested by the Columbia Police Department for trespassing and removed from the site. During the sentencing hearing, United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Anderson noted that Lefemine has multiple previous convictions for similar behavior.
The FACE Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in May 1994 in response to the escalation of violence surrounding abortion clinics in the early 1990s. The Act criminalizes violence toward or obstruction of health care facilities or places of worship.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson prosecuted the case.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: Veronica Hill, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Attorney’s Office, [email protected], (803) 929-3000
Volleyball Coach Indicted for Sexually Exploiting Minors on Social Media and Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minnetonka man has been indicted for the production and receipt of child sexual abuse material and coercing and enticing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on multiple occasions between approximately October 2014 and March 2024, Dorian Christopher Barrs, 32, used Snapchat, text messaging, and social media to engage minor girls in sexually focused conversations. Additionally, while in his position of trust as a volleyball coach, Barrs coerced and persuaded minor girls to engage in sexual activity with him and produce and send him sexually explicit material. Further, Barrs produced child sexual abuse material in which he is depicted engaging in sexual activity with minors. Efforts to identify additional minor victims reflected in records are ongoing. Some of the minor victims Barrs solicited for sexually explicit material or sexual contact have self-identified in records as being as young as 13 years old.
Law enforcement is still working to identify and confirm the identity of many of the minor victims involved. If you believe you or your minor dependent(s) have been victimized by Dorian Barrs, please contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.
The indictment charges Barrs with four counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and four counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. Barrs made his initial appearance yesterday in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Minnetonka Police Department, Maple Grove Police Department, and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan Engages Youth Through Project LEAD (Legal Enrichment and Decision-Making)Read the Press Release
DETROIT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan is committed to educating youth on the dangers and consequences of their actions. As part of our prevention outreach efforts, this past school year, the Office partnered with the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) to introduce Project LEAD (Legal Enrichment and Decision-Making) to elementary school children. Project LEAD provides a curriculum that focuses on the legal and social consequences of juvenile crimes, such as truancy, illicit drug use, and shoplifting, and was introduced at two elementary schools in the city of Detroit this past school year. Additionally, the program focuses on teaching students techniques for resolving conflict, resisting peer pressure, promoting tolerance, respect for diversity, and achieving economic stability. The program concludes with students performing a mock trial and putting into practice what they have learned about the criminal justice system.
Bow Elementary School and Pulaski Elementary School, both in the city of Detroit, were selected as part of the One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership’s prevention efforts. Each school is located in the 8th and 9th Precincts, respectively, which are focus areas for our violent crime initiative.
The 10-week program consisted of Assistant United States Attorneys serving as facilitators, going into classrooms, and providing lessons on topics such as the Rule of Law, Order in the Court, the Juvenile Justice System, and Conflict Resolution to name a few. The program ended with a mock trial being held at the United States District Court. The students played the role of judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, jurors, bailiff, and witnesses.
Project LEAD has been proven effective. A team of researchers conducted an evaluation of the program to gauge its impact on students’ knowledge and attitudes about the legal system, as well as Project LEAD’s capacity as a delinquency prevention model. The results of the study showed that Project LEAD students gain important “protective factors,” which are factors that buffer against the “risk factors” that increase or decrease the risk of youth experiencing or perpetrating violence and may lessen the likelihood of violence victimization and perpetration. Project LEAD gives students the skills and experience to evaluate challenging situations and make good decisions. The program also helps students gain an understanding of the legal system and the reasons behind laws.
“We are committed to balancing our investigative and prosecutive efforts with outreach strategies designed to prevent violent crime from happening, especially among our youth,”
stated U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “We appreciate our partnership with DPSCD and the opportunity to bring this successful, evidence-based program to elementary schools in two Detroit communities with the highest rates of violence. We hope the life skills and tools provided in the Project LEAD curriculum, as well as the positive interactions with law enforcement, will equip students for success in the future. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with DPSCD and partnering with other school districts to bring Project LEAD to multiple elementary schools throughout the District in the new school year.”
“It was an honor to participate in Project LEAD this school year. I saw my students come alive and participate in a capacity that allowed them to connect school and real-life situations. They learned a lot about the justice system as they practiced reading and writing skills. The field trip to the courthouse was the ultimate prize, and one I know my students will probably never forget. I am looking forward to participating in Project LEAD next school year,” said Wilma Muhammad, 4th and 5th grade English and Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher at Pulaski Elementary.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Partners with Local Law Enforcement to Celebrate National Night OutRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is proud to announce we have teamed up with local law enforcement partners to participate in National Night Out events throughout the community.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our communities safer, more caring places to live. Throughout the country, millions of people take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities beginning on the first Tuesday of August. As part of the community, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be at a variety of National Night Out events from August to October. The first event kicks off August 5th at the Murray City Annual Safety Fair and August 6th at Draper City’s “Draper Safety Days.” See full list of events below.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is grateful for the opportunity to strengthen our existing partnerships with law enforcement and to interact with the community in which we serve,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins. “We are looking forward to these events, hearing from the community and sharing information about our office.”
Events:
1. Murray City Annual Safety Fair
Monday, August 5, 2024, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Murray Park (296 East Murray Park Avenue, Main Parking Lot near Pavilion #5)2. Draper Safety Days
Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Draper Park (12500 South 1300 East)3. North Salt Lake Police Department National Night Out Against Crime
Thursday, August 8, 2024, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Foxboro North Regional Park (1120 West 1100 North)4. Ogden’s Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
West Ogden Park (751 West 24th Street)5. Woods Cross Police Night Out Against Crime
Thursday, August 22, 2024, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1555 South 800 West, Woods Cross, UT 840876. Syracuse City Public Safety Jamboree
Thursday, October 3, 2024, Time TBA
Syracuse Fire Department (1869 South 3000 West, Syracuse, UT 84075)National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe. For more information, visit https://natw.org
U.S. Attorney, FBI Announce Additional Charges for Alleged Serial Murderer, Kidnapper, and Sexual Abuser Labar Tsethlikai in Ongoing InvestigationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Federal prosecutors have filed additional charges against Labar Tsethlikai for a series of violent crimes targeting Native American men across New Mexico between 2022 and 2024, including murder, kidnapping, robbery, and sexual assault.
Labar Tsethlikai, 51, an enrolled Member of Zuni Pueblo, now faces an 11-count superseding indictment charging him with two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of first-degree murder, one count of first degree felony murder, four counts of kidnapping, one count assault with intent to commit murder, one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse. Tsethlikai will remain in custody pending trial. Tsethlikai’s arraignment on the superseding indictment has not been scheduled.
Tsethlikai was previously charged with second degree murder on April 26, 2024.
Tsethlikai is accused of kidnapping and murdering two men, identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, in separate incidents on October 22, 2022, and January 18, 2024, respectively.
According to the Superseding Indictment, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 1 on October 22, 2022, and used various public places and transportation methods to carry out the crime. Tragically, John Doe 1 died as a result of this kidnapping.
The indictment further alleges that Tsethlikai deliberately and with premeditation kidnapped and killed John Doe 2 on January 18, 2024. Furthermore, Tsethlikai is accused of killing John Doe 2 while committing or attempting to commit other crimes, including kidnapping and sexual abuse.
In addition to these charges, Tsethlikai faces multiple counts of kidnapping, sexual abuse, and assault involving other victims between 2023 and 2024. The crimes allegedly occurred in McKinley and Bernalillo counties in New Mexico:
- On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 3.
- On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 3 with the specific intent to commit murder.
- On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 3 resulting in serious bodily injury.
- On July 13, 2023, Tsethlikai is accused of kidnapping John Doe 4.
- On July 13, Tsethlikai is also accused of engaging in a sexual act with John Doe 4 by using force and threats.
- On February 16, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 5 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.
- On April 11, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 6 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.
If convicted of the current charges, Tsethlikai faces a mandatory life sentence or death for the kidnapping resulting in death and first-degree murder charges, up to twenty years imprisonment on the assault with intent to murder charge, up to ten years imprisonment on the assault resulting in serious bodily injury charge, and any number of years up to life for the kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse charges.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, led by FBI SA Mark Stephenson, investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit and Air Support Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McGinley, Mark A. Probasco, and Eliot Neal are prosecuting the case.
View the Superseding IndictmentAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The FBI continues to investigate Tsethlikai’s involvement in crimes against other victims and seeks information. If you have reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim, or have information about Tsethlikai, please call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. Tips based on prior news articles and stories related to Tsethlikai’s conduct have produced information supporting some of the charges featured in the superseding indictment.
Labar Tsethlikai is approximately 5’7” and weighs 180 pounds. He is heavyset, has short brown hair, brown eyes, and wears glasses. It is believed that he wore a gold bracelet. He is from Zuni, but traveled extensively around New Mexico, including Gallup, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. Prior to being detained, it is believed that Tsethlikai worked in the Native American jewelry industry and was a Zuni jewely artist.
Moreover, prior to being detained on federal charges, investigators believe that Tsethlikai used a gold/brown Chevy Silverado, single cab truck, with dual exhaust, bearing license plate number WNMU0043, in furtherance of his criminal spree.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners. The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components. Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of Indigenous victims and their families.
U.S. Attorney's Office Invites Communities to Participate in National Night Out EventsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Federal prosecutors and personnel with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North
Carolina will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
To encourage community participation, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King is sharing a special video message, inviting everyone to show support by joining National Night Out events across Western North Carolina. The video can be viewed here.
“National Night Out is vital in building trust and cooperation between law enforcement and our communities. When we engage directly with the people we serve, we get to know and understand the unique challenges and concerns they face. This collaboration not only strengthens our relationships but also enhances our efforts to promote justice and ensure the well-being of our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney King.
During this year’s National Night Out, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will attend a community event organized by the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition at the Arbor Glen Outreach Center, located at 1520 Clanton Road, in Charlotte.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
# # #
U.S. Attorney Secures Sentence for Man who Assaulted a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Santa Fe man was sentenced to one year of home confinement followed by two years of supervised probation for assaulting his girlfriend’s son.
According to court documents, on June 19, 2021, Luis Xavier Rael, 36, was supervising his girlfriend’s 12-year-old son, who is a member of the Pueblo of Nambé. Rael made the child do a series of physical exercises, which the child did not to complete to Rael’s satisfaction. Because of this, Rael hit the child with a tree branch and a belt on his butt, lower back, and upper legs. The strikes caused significant bruising to the child.
In addition to the confinement and probation, Rael must also complete substance-abuse counseling, mental-health counseling, and make restitution to cover the child’s continued counseling.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Clara Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Two Men Sentenced for Robbery Spree in Metro AtlantaRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Kujo Duako and Sammetrius Brooks have been sentenced for a string of armed robberies that targeted multiple businesses and a bank in metro Atlanta.
“Duako and Brooks terrorized innocent victims and jeopardized their lives during this violent crime spree,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The men’s arrest and prosecution are an example of the excellent coordination that the FBI and our district’s local law enforcement partners routinely leverage to remove dangerous criminals from our communities.”
“Carrying weapons into peaceful places of business and terrorizing hard-working citizens is something the FBI and our law enforcement partners will make every effort to prosecute and punish,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “These sentences should be a warning to anyone who would consider armed robbery in our community, and hopefully bring some comfort to the victims that were affected during the commission of these crimes.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: On October 29, 2018, Duako attempted to rob a CVS store in the City of South Fulton, Georgia. During the robbery, Duako pointed a semi-automatic handgun at an employee and ordered her to walk to the cash register. Rather than comply with Duako’s demand, the employee fled to the rear of the store and engaged a fire alarm, thwarting the robbery.
Later that day, Duako robbed a Dollar General store, also located in South Fulton. Again, he pointed a handgun at an employee and demanded cash. On this occasion, Duako stole cash and personal property from the employee.
On October 30, 2018, Duako and a co-defendant, Sammetrius Brooks, drove to various locations in metro Atlanta, including an IHOP restaurant and a Family Dollar store in South Fulton, a Sprint store in Riverdale, Georgia, a Metro PCS store in College Park, Georgia, and a United Community Bank branch in Fairburn, Georgia. Duako robbed each of these businesses at gunpoint, stealing cash and cell phones. Brooks acted as the getaway driver.
Less than two hours after the robbery at the United Community Bank, law enforcement apprehended Duako and Brooks. Law enforcement recovered more than $9,000 in cash in Duako’s possession – the approximate amount of money stolen during the five robberies on October 30, 2018. Police also recovered several cell phones that were taken during the robbery at the Sprint store.
Kujo Duako, 35, of Ghana, West Africa, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jean-Paul “J.P.” Boulee on July 31, 2024, to 16 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Duako was convicted of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and armed bank robbery on April 24, 2024, after he pleaded guilty.
Sammetrius Brooks, 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by Judge Boulee on September 29, 2021, to 11 years, nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Brooks was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, armed bank robbery, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on June 17, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the Clayton County Police Department, South Fulton Police Department, Riverdale Police Department and Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johnny Baer and Joseph Plummer 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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Two Alabama Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Robbing A United States Postal Service Mail CarrierRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marquan Deon Johnson, 25, and Keondre Dashown Daniels, 26, both of Montgomery, Alabama, were sentenced to 60 months’ and 117 months in federal prison, respectively, after previously pleading guilty to using a firearm to rob a United States Postal Service mail carrier and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“The United States mail must be secure and the dedicated employees who deliver it must be safe from violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody. “These sentences illustrate our resolve to protect the public servants working on behalf of their fellow citizens and should serve as examples of the significant federal penalties associated with acts of armed violence.”
On July 21, 2023, a United States Postal Service mail carrier was delivering mail in a residential neighborhood Fort Walton Beach, Florida. As she attempted to deliver mail, a vehicle driven by Johnson, pulled up next to the mail carrier’s vehicle and Daniels exited the vehicle. Daniel’s approached the mail carrier and pointed a handgun at the mail carrier. Daniels grabbed the mail carrier’s wrist and stole her mail key. Johnson and Daniels then fled the scene. Officers from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department identified the vehicle driven by Johnson from a nearby traffic camera and issued a Be on the Lookout (“BOLO”) alert. A few hours after the robbery, the vehicle was located in Montgomery, Alabama, by the Montgomery Police Department and Johnson and Daniels were arrested.
"This case is a testament to the swift and coordinated efforts of law enforcement across state lines and the strong partnerships between federal and local agencies,” said Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of our community. Let this be a clear message: violence in our community will not be tolerated, and we will make every effort to bring those who commit violent acts to justice."
“U.S. Postal Service employees should be free to service our communities without being subjected to acts of violence, especially armed robberies,” said Juan Vargas, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud of its work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our local law enforcement partners on this case. The sentencing of Marquan Johnson and Keondre Daniels upholds the fundamental right of a safe work environment for our nation’s postal employees.”
Johnson’s prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of supervised release and Daniel’s prison sentence will be followed by 2 years of supervised release.
This sentencing resulted from the collaborative work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, and the Montgomery Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.
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 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Trenton Man Admits Assaulting Federal Agent with Deadly Weapon, Armed Robbery, and Discharging FirearmRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Trenton man today admitted assaulting a federal agent with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jabree Johnson, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court on July 31, 2024, to an indictment charging him with one count each of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, robbery with a dangerous weapon of an individual with custody of federal property, and using and carrying a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence, in which the firearm was discharged.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On March 22, 2021, federal law enforcement officers were investigating firearms trafficking and other illegal activities in and around Trenton and Hamilton, New Jersey. A federal law enforcement agent, working in an undercover capacity, arranged to purchase multiple firearms from an individual later identified as Johnson.
After arriving at an agreed-upon location for the firearms transaction, Johnson entered the undercover federal agent’s vehicle, and handed the agent a black, semi-automatic firearm. The undercover federal agent inspected the firearm and then returned it to Johnson and requested to see the other firearms that Johnson had agreed to sell. Instead, Johnson pointed the loaded firearm directly at the undercover federal agent and demanded money from the agent. The undercover federal agent provided Johnson with an amount of U.S. currency that the agent had on him to purchase the guns. Johnson then ordered the undercover federal agent out of the vehicle at gunpoint. The agent exited the vehicle as ordered and immediately drew a service-issued firearm and fired at Johnson, striking Johnson in the shoulder. Johnson also fired his handgun multiple times at the undercover federal agent. Johnson fled the area with the money. Johnson was later identified at a local hospital as the individual who had assaulted and robbed the undercover federal agent at gunpoint and placed under arrest.
The charge of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of robbery of federal property with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum potential penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, which was discharged, carries a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum of life imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Satellite Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Steve E. Wilson; officers of the Hamilton Township Police Division, under the direction of Police Chief Kenneth DeBoskey; troopers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, and detectives and prosecutors of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
johnson.indictment.pdfThree Real Estate Investors Plead Guilty to $119M Mortgage Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Three real estate investors have pleaded guilty to engaging in an extensive, multi-year conspiracy to fraudulently obtain a $74 million loan and a $45 million loan and fraudulently acquire multifamily properties.
Fredrick Schulman, 72, of New York, and Chaim “Eli” Puretz, 29, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution. Moshe “Mark” Silber, 34, of New York, pleaded guilty on July 9 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution.
According to court documents, between 2018 and 2020, Silber, Schulman, and Puretz conspired with others to deceive lenders into issuing a mortgage loan for a multifamily property and Fannie Mae into funding or purchasing the mortgage loan. Silber and Schulman were managing members of Rhodium Capital Advisors, an entity that was involved in the acquisition and management of Williamsburg of Cincinnati, an apartment complex in Cincinnati, Ohio. Puretz was one of the owners of commercial property Troy Technology Park in Troy, Michigan. Silber, Schulman, Puretz, and their co-conspirators provided the lenders and Fannie Mae with falsified documents, including a purchase contract with an inflated purchase price and other fraudulent documents.
In March 2019, Williamsburg of Cincinnati was acquired for $70 million. However, Silber, Schulman, and other co-conspirators utilized a stolen identity to present a lender and Fannie Mae with a purchase and sale contract for $95.85 million and other fraudulent documents. On March 8, 2019, two closings were performed, one for the true $70 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $95.85 million sales price presented to the lenders. Based on the co-conspirators’ false statements, the lender and Fannie Mae funded a loan in the amount of $74.25 million for the purchase of Williamsburg of Cincinnati.
In September 2020, Troy Technology Park was acquired by Puretz and co-conspirators for $42.7 million. However, to support an inflated purchase price of $70 million, Puretz and his co-conspirators submitted to the lender and appraiser a fraudulent letter of intent to purchase the property from another party for $68.8 million and other fraudulent documents. Based on the fraudulent documents, the lender funded a loan for $45 million. To conceal the fraudulent nature of the transaction, Puretz and his co-conspirators arranged for a short-term $30 million loan, which was used to make it appear that they had the funds needed to close on the sale. On Sept. 25, 2020, a title company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, performed two closings, one for the true $42.7 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $70 million sales price presented to the lender.
Silber, Schulman, and Puretz are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 3 and each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey; Inspector General Brian M. Tomney of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG); and Postal Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement.
The FHFA-OIG and USPIS are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Siji Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Nye for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.
Anyone with information concerning similar multifamily or commercial mortgage fraud can report it by contacting the FHFA-OIG Hotline at 800-793-7724 or via the web at www.fhfaoig.gov/ReportFraud#hotlineform.
Three Defendants with Felony Convictions Sentenced to a Total of 22+ Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
MONROE, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the resolution of three separate illegal firearms cases in the Western District of Louisiana today. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the following three defendants:
Mark Abercrombie, 45, of Monroe, was sentenced to 132 months (11 years) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On October 22, 2022, Abercrombie was the driver and sole occupant involved in a one-vehicle crash in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. He fled the scene prior to the arrival of Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies. Inside Abercrombie’s vehicle, deputies found a Ruger Model LC9 9x19 pistol and ammunition and .22 caliber ammunition. Abercrombie was a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, including nine felony convictions, and knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was subsequently arrested and charged with illegally possessing the firearm and ammunition. He pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge on April 19, 2024.
Kerry D. Gayfield, 40, of Oak Grove, was sentenced to 78 months (6 years, 6 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gayfield went into a pawn shop in West Monroe on October 4, 2023, with a New England Firearms Pardner SB1 .20 gauge shotgun. In the pawn shop, Gayfield provided his identification and signed documents to pawn the firearm. As a convicted felon, Gayfield knew he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition but did so anyway. He was previously convicted on September 3, 2014, in the Western District of Louisiana of felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was sentenced at that time to 90 months in prison and had been released from prison at the time of this offense. Gayfield pleaded guilty on April 19, 2024. The 78-month sentence handed down today includes an 18-month sentence for Gayfield’s violation of the terms of his supervised release.
Freddie L. Nash, 52, of Monroe, was sentenced to 64 months (5 years, 4 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On August 22, 2023, Monroe Police Department officers responded to a domestic complaint at a residence in Monroe. Upon arrival at the residence, officers were made aware that Nash was in a vehicle passing by the residence. Officers stopped the vehicle, made contact with Nash, and found an RG Model 26 .25 caliber pistol located between the passenger door and seat where Nash had been sitting. Nash knew that as a person having prior felony convictions, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was arrested and charged with illegally possessing the firearm. Nash pleaded guilty to the charge on May 6, 2024.
“Keeping firearms out of the wrong hands is a priority of the United States Department of Justice,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “These investigations are in line with our commitment of partnering with our local district attorneys and law enforcement agencies to curb gun violence in Ouachita Parish and all of northeast Louisiana. These defendants have no regard for the law and given their conduct and criminal histories, these sentences are fair. Justice has been served.”
These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Monroe Police Department, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth D. Reeg and Special Assistant United States Attorney Catherine L. Semmes.
# # #
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Importing Internationally Protected Reptiles from AustraliaRead the Press Release
A Texas man made his initial appearance in court and pleaded guilty today to violating the Endangered Species Act by importing protected Australian reptiles into the United States on behalf of a fake zoo which he represented as legitimate.
According to court documents, Don Church imported 165 native Australian reptiles by providing false information to Australian and U.S. authorities. The imported reptiles included three Rusty Monitor (Varanus Semiremex) lizards, which are protected internationally by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Church imported the reptiles on behalf of the “Austin Reptile Center,” a non-existent facility. He submitted documents to Australian authorities containing misrepresentations about the facility, including photographs of reptile exhibits, employee names and positions, floor plans, location and financial information. But Church knew no facility suitable for reptile care existed.
To gain purported legal authority to import the reptiles, Church submitted documentation containing misleading and erroneous information about the fictious Austin Reptile Center to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). He then imported the reptiles on behalf of the Austin Reptile Center, knowing that import was unlawful.
To protect species against over-exploitation, CITES regulates trade in endangered and threatened species through permit and quota requirements. The U.S. and 183 countries are signatories to the CITES treaty. The United States implements CITES through the Endangered Species Act, and the USFWS enforces it.
Church pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging violation of the Endangered Species Act. He faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $50,000.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and Assistant Director Edward Grace of the USFWS’ Office of Law Enforcement made the announcement.
The USFWS is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Sarah M. Brown of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section is prosecuting the case.
Superseding Indictment Adds Three Defendants and New Charges in “Operation SLO Ride”Read the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 53-count superseding indictment today adding new charges for Alberto “Beto” Alvarado, Freddy Alvarado, Yerlly Vega, and Roberto Soria-Cuevas, and newly charging Tulare County residents Manuel Diaz, Daniel Alvarado, and Rafael Alcala Jr, for their participation in the drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
The initial indictment in the case charged 28 individuals. The addition of Manual Diaz, Daniel Alvarado, and Rafael Alcala Jr. brings the total number now charged in the case to 31.
According to court documents, beginning in July 2023, investigators gathered evidence regarding individuals involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other narcotics in Tulare County using investigative tools that included confidential sources, surveillance, and wiretaps.
Operation SLO Ride ultimately resulted in the dismantling of a criminal organization operating in Tulare County. In March 2024, law enforcement executed numerous search and arrest warrants in a coordinated takedown. In the course of the operation, law enforcement seized more than 936 pounds of methamphetamine, 8.6 pounds of cocaine, 5.5 pounds of heroin, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl, more than $600,000 in currency, and 50 firearms. The 31 individuals now stand charged with various drug trafficking, money laundering, continuing criminal enterprise, and illegal possession of firearms offenses.
The superseding indictment adds charges against Alberto “Beto” Alvarado for operating a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiring to commit money laundering. If convicted, Alberto “Beto” Alvarado faces a mandatory minimum of life in prison.
Freddy Alvarado is additionally charged with conspiring to commit money laundering and international money laundering. Vega is additionally charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Soria-Cuevas is also now charged with conspiring to commit money laundering. Diaz, Alcala, and Daniel Alvarado are each newly charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiring to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, Alberto Alvarado, Freddy Alvarado, Daniel Alvarado, Diaz, Vega, Alcala, and Soria-Cuevas conspired to launder the proceeds of narcotics trafficking by transporting and transferring the proceeds from the United States to Mexico.
On April 29, 2024, Francisco Garcia, 28, of Tulare, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Sentencing is scheduled to occur Sept. 30, 2024.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Tulare County Tactical Narcotics Team, which is a part of Central Valley California HIDTA, the Tulare Police Department, the Visalia Police Department, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, the Porterville Police Department, the Woodlake Police Department, the Clovis Police Department, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Tulare County District Attorney. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio Pataca is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendants face a range of sentences from 10 years in prison to life in prison, and some face mandatory minimum sentences of five and 10 years for drug trafficking offenses. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.
Stilwell Resident Sentenced for Federal Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Justin Dale Killer, age 40, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and 50 months in prison for Possessing a Firearm after a Felony Conviction. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Stilwell Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 7, 2023, Killer pleaded guilty to the charges. On February 6, 2023, Killer possessed methamphetamine and a firearm while traveling in a vehicle in Stilwell, Oklahoma. Killer possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it and possessed the firearm after having been previously convicted of a felony offense punishable by more than one year.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Killer will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Gross represented the United States.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on the Conviction of Haji Abdul Satar Abdul ManafRead the Press Release
“Haji Abdul Satar Abdul Manaf, an international drug trafficker with deep ties to terrorist organizations, attempted to import large quantities of heroin into the United States while paying the Taliban and attempting to provide financial support to the Haqqani Network, another terrorist organization responsible for acts of terrorism against this country. After he was arrested and extradited to the United States, Manaf worked with others in Afghanistan to kidnap and intimidate a witness at gunpoint. Today, Manaf has been found guilty on all counts, and now faces significant time in prison for his attempts to exploit the heroin trade, fuel terrorism, and kidnap and threaten a witness. This verdict brings justice to the countless lives endangered by Manaf’s actions and hope to the many others under threat of terrorist organizations. It is thanks to the exceptional work of the career national security prosecutors of this Office, the DEA, and our international partners that Manaf has been brought to justice. This Office remains resolute in its mission to dismantle such dangerous networks and protect those fighting against terrorism.”
St. Petersburg Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Possession of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William Jung has sentenced Jason Washington (42, St. Petersburg) to 13 years and 1 month in federal prison for possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Due to the amount of methamphetamine Washington possessed, he was subject to a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.
According to court documents, on April 13, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Washington’s residence. Inside the home, agents located more than 240 grams of methamphetamine, 225 grams of fentanyl, and 102 grams of cocaine. Agents also recovered more than $77,000 in cash and six firearms from inside the home.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on the following 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.
Springfield Man Sentenced to over Two Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield, Mass. man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for unlawful possession of a machinegun.
Angel Vargas, Jr., 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In February 2024, Vargas pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun.
On Jan. 27, 2023, during a search of Vargas’s Springfield residence, a ghost gun with an attached Glock switch, laser sight and extended magazine containing 23 rounds of ammunition, along with three firearms: a semi-automatic rifle with another extended magazine containing 22 rounds; a 12-gauge shotgun with five rounds; and a semi-automatic pistol with a third extended magazine containing 15 rounds were seized. Vargas’s mobile phone was also seized which contained evidence that he had been trafficking other firearms, including Glock switches, after a state felony conviction and while on pretrial release for a state firearms case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance provided by the Springfield Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.Sioux City Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute DrugsRead the Press Release
Shannon Ivory, 43, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty July 31, 2024, in federal court, to four counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
At the plea hearing, evidence showed that on March 20, 2023, Ivory was arrested on state of Iowa charges. During the arrest multiple types of illegal drugs packaged in separate bags were found on Ivory. Ivory was found in possession of over 26 grams of pure methamphetamine; over 15 grams of crack cocaine; over 4 grams of powder cocaine; and 25 morphine pills. Ivory admitted to possessing the drugs and his intent to distribute them to other persons.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. On the convictions, Ivory faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, an $8,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service, the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-4038.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Settlement agreement reached with Community Bank involving alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement with Community Bank, N.A. (CBNA) to resolve two allegations that customers at CBNA’s Orchard Park, NY, branch location were denied American Sign Language interpreters for complex banking services, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The complainants, who are deaf and use ASL as a primary means of communication, were both customers at CBNA in connection with residential real estate purchases. Each complainant separately requested an ASL interpreter to assist with the closing of their transaction. The first request was made in January 2021; the second request was made in October 2023. In response to the January 2021 request, CBNA offered to pay one-half of the cost for an ASL interpreter. In response to the October 2023 request, CBNA refused to pay any of the cost for an ASL interpreter. Both complainants, who obtained interpreter services without assistance from CBNA, were frustrated and stressed by the efforts to obtain communication access in ASL.
Under the settlement, CBNA will not discriminate against or deny services to any individual on the basis of disability, including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. CBNA has also agreed to develop and prominently post an ADA Effective Communications Policy at each branch location and on its website so that it can be easily read by members of the public. CBNA will also train all customer-facing employees on the Effective Communications Policy and pay each complainant $1,000 as compensation for harm.
CBNA also agreed that: CBNA will not retaliate against any person involved in this matter; CBNA will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services, free of charge, when necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities; CBNA will provide timely responses to requests for auxiliary aids and services; and CBNA will not require an individual with a disability to bring another individual to interpret for him or her.
The Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts under the ADA seek equal opportunity and dignity in all aspects of life, including access to effective communications for people with disabilities.
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (716) 843-5700 or file a complaint with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division at: https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. B. Bobseine, Civil Rights Coordinator in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo, New York.
# # # #
San Juan Capistrano Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges for Running Illegal Sports-Betting Business and Cheating on TaxesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges for running an illegal gambling business that took in unlawful sports bets, including from then-current and former professional athletes as well as a former Major League Baseball (MLB) Japanese-language interpreter currently facing prison time.
Mathew R. Bowyer, 49, of San Juan Capistrano, has agreed to plead guilty to a three-count information charging him with operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return.
Bowyer is expected to plead guilty to the charges on August 9.
According to his plea agreement, Bowyer operated an unlicensed and illegal bookmaking business that focused on sports betting and violated a California law that prohibits bookmaking. Bowyer’s gambling business remained in operation for at least five years until October 2023 and at times had more than 700 bettors.
He operated this business out of various locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties as well as in Las Vegas. Bowyer also employed agents and sub-agents – including casino hosts – who worked for his illegal gambling business who were paid a portion of the losses that bettors incurred and paid. His unlawful business used several Costa Rica-based websites and a call center so agents and customers could place and track bets. At times, Bowyer operated his illegal business while gambling at a casino – identified in court documents as “Casino A” – and sometimes paid his agents commission in Casino A chips.
One of Bowyer’s clients was Ippei Mizuhara, who pleaded guilty on June 4 to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return. Mizuhara was the Japanese-language interpreter and de facto manager of MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani. Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts and failing to pay tax on his gambling income. Law enforcement considers Ohtani a victim. Mizuhara’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 25.
From September 2021 to January 2024, Mizuhara placed at least 19,000 bets with Bowyer’s illegal gambling business through one of the betting websites Bowyer used for it. During this period, Mizuhara had total winning bets of at least $142,256,769, and total losing bets of at least $182,935,206, leaving Mizuhara owing approximately $40,678,436. On a regular basis during this period, Bowyer would increase Mizuhara’s betting limits.
From February 2022 to January 2024, Bowyer directed Mizuhara to make payments of at least $16.25 million to Bowyer-controlled bank accounts, all of which were proceeds of Bowyer’s illegal gambling business. Of these illegal proceeds, Bowyer transferred or directed the transfer of least $9.3 million to a casino in the form of wire transfers as payment for markers for Bowyer and his associates.
Other Bowyer gambling business customers included “Individual B,” a professional baseball player for a Southern California-based baseball club, and “Individual C,” a former minor-league baseball player.
Bowyer admitted in his plea agreement to knowingly and willfully falsely reporting his taxable income to the IRS on his tax return for the year 2022. On that year’s tax return, Bowyer reported $607,897 in total income. His unreported income for that year was $4,030,938, which was income from his illegal gambling business, including $3.8 million in wire transfers into one of his bank accounts, which he did not declare on his tax return. As a result of the false information Bowyer provided, he owes additional taxes of $1,613,280 for the tax year 2022, not including interest and penalties.
Upon pleading guilty, Bowyer will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison on the money laundering count, up to five years in federal prison for the unlawful gambling business count, and up to three years in federal prison for the false tax return count.
As part of his plea agreement, Bowyer will forfeit $257,923 in U.S. currency and $14,830 in casino chips seized by law enforcement in October 2023. He also has agreed to fully cooperate with federal prosecutors and investigators.
IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating this matter.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel N. Agress and Assistant United States Attorney Dominique Caamano of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section are prosecuting this case.
Salem Man Indicted for Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Salem man was indicted in connection with firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Daniel Fratus, 38, was indicted on one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person and one count of possession of unregistered firearms. Fratus appeared in federal court today and was detained.
According to the charging documents, on January 23, 2024, Fratus possessed two silencers and a total of nine guns: five rifles, three pistols, and one sawed-off shotgun. As a previously convicted felon, Fratus was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Additionally, the two silencers and four of the nine firearms were unregistered weapons.
The charge of possession of firearms by a prohibited person provides for a maximum sentence of up to fifteen years in prison, up to a three-year term of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of unregistered firearms provides for a sentence of no greater than ten years in prison, up to a three-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Salem Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Sacramento Man Charged with Production, Distribution, and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Jordan Hughes, 24, of Sacramento, charging him with production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between February and September 2022, Hughes convinced at least two underage victims to send him images and videos depicting themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Hughes also distributed images of child sexual abuse conduct, and, in November 2022, possessed child sexual abuse material, including images of at least four underage victims engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force, which includes the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department as well as Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Hughes faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of production of child sexual abuse material. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Sacaton Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Using an Axe and a Knife Causing Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – He Tehila Brave Heart, 41, originally of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, but living in Sacaton at the time of the offense, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Brave Heart is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
On April 4, 2023, Brave Heart and his wife, Jacqulyn Brave Heart, beat and threatened to kill two victims, causing serious bodily injury. Brave Heart also stabbed one of the victims in the neck with a knife and hit her in the head with an axe. Brave Heart pleaded guilty on April 22, 2024, to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Jacqulyn Brave Heart was sentenced to six years in prison on April 10, 2024, after pleading guilty to the same two charges on January 22, 2024.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Gila River Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-01247-PHX-DWL
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-105_Brave Heart# # #
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.Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Wide-Ranging Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization involved in the manufacturing and distribution of tens of thousands of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Jasdrual a/k/a “Josh” Perez, 36, pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2024. Perez was charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 14, 2022 and has remained in custody since.
In September 2019, investigators began a multiyear investigation into a drug trafficking organization led by Perez that was based out of Providence, Rhode Island. This drug trafficking organization was known to manufacture large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. It was learned that Perez used encrypted applications such as WhatsApp and FaceTime to further his drug trafficking activities and supervise his drug trafficking enterprise. In addition, Perez personally participated in the trafficking of kilogram quantities of fentanyl and the pressing of kilograms of fentanyl powder into pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical pills.
In February 2022 during a search of the property that Perez and his associates used to manufacture fentanyl pills, two industrial grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl and pressed fentanyl pills, and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills were seized. During a separate search of Perez’s residence, over $62,000 in drug proceeds were also seized.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston and Providence Field Offices; Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence Field Office; Rhode Island State Police Department; and Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Kunal Pasricha of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Readout of OVW Director Rosemarie Hidalgo’s Trip to Unveil Comprehensive Initiatives to Address the Intersection of Domestic Violence and FirearmsRead the Press Release
Director Rosemarie Hidalgo of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) met with representatives yesterday from 12 pilot sites across the country that receive funding and support through the Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP) and announced a comprehensive strategy to address the lethal intersection of domestic violence and firearms. Meeting with FTAP grantees, Director Hidalgo emphasized the urgent need to enhance efforts to prevent and address this dangerous issue, which increases the likelihood of death for victims of domestic violence.
FTAP, an OVW grant program funded by appropriations through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), provides communities with the tools and support needed to develop and implement effective strategies for preventing the use of firearms in domestic violence incidents and for strengthening a coordinated community response to increase access to safety and support for victims. OVW has awarded a total of $5.99 million to 12 FTAP sites across the nation, including one Tribal nation. These initiatives are part of the Justice Department’s broader strategy to reduce violent crime and enhance community safety.
The convening, coordinated by the Battered Women’s Justice Project, which runs the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, brought together grantees from the following sites: Tucson, Arizona; Georgia Department of Community Supervision; Detroit; Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley, Tennessee; Austin, Texas; Yakima, Washington; Birmingham, Alabama; Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Columbus, Ohio; Brooklyn, New York; State of Vermont; and Spokane, Washington.
In her opening remarks, Director Hidalgo highlighted a startling statistic: over half of the women murdered in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner, and the presence of firearms increases the risk of homicide by 500%. This heightened threat to individuals and public safety necessitates a coordinated community response involving law enforcement, prosecutors, civil and criminal courts, victim service providers, and community-based organizations. Effective intervention and support can mean the difference between life and death for victims, as well as for law enforcement officers responding to domestic violence incidents. In addition to increased lethality and serious injuries, firearms are used by abusive partners to inflict fear, intimidation, and coercive control.
Director Hidalgo noted the statement by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland following the Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision in United States v. Rahimi, in which he stated that the decision, “upholds Congress’s longstanding prohibition on the possession of firearms by people subject to domestic violence restraining orders. That law protects victims by keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals who pose a threat to their intimate partners and children.” The Attorney General also said, “The Justice Department will continue to enforce this important statute, which for nearly 30 years has helped to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence from their abusers. And we will continue to deploy all available resources to support law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim advocates to address the pervasive problem of domestic violence.”
Director Hidalgo delivers remarks while meeting with representatives from 12 FTAP pilot sites.To support community efforts, Director Hidalgo unveiled OVW initiatives that are part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at raising awareness of federal laws that prohibit firearm possession by domestic abusers and bolstering partnerships across federal, state, Tribal, and local levels. She highlighted the increased collaboration among key Justice Department components, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (FBI/NICS), Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA), OVW, Office of Justice Programs (OJP), and other Justice Department components. The Justice Department is dedicated to forging strong collaborations between federal partners with state and local prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and victim advocates to enhance our collective response to this critical issue.
DOJ recently released the Misdemeanor Crimes of Domestic Violence Resource Card. This resource explains the tools available under existing federal law to prevent the purchase of firearms and prosecute DV offenders who illegally possess them — including through implementation of the new dating-relationship provisions recently enacted through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) that narrow the so-called “boyfriend loophole.” This resource is designed to ensure that law enforcement, courts, and the public understand the domestic violence firearm prohibitions to increase effective implementation.
Justice Department representatives recently conducted a training at the Conference on Crimes Against Women, held in Dallas in May, and shared information on the role played by different Department components in firearms relinquishment, and ways to strengthen implementation by law enforcement and courts at the local level. Next month, DOJ will launch new roll call videos for law enforcement to ensure accurate documentation of relationships in FBI/NICs records to properly implement the dating violence prohibitions that were recently enacted through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
To support communities in accessing federal resources and strengthening a coordinated community response, OVW and OJP have developed the Resource Guide for Addressing the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Firearms. This guide details the Justice Department’s funding, training and partnership opportunities aimed at enforcing firearms laws and strengthening efforts at the local, state, Tribal and federal levels to keep guns out of the hands of adjudicated abusers.
To complement department resources and training, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms (NRCDVF), an OVW-funded national training and technical assistance provider, will conduct additional virtual trainings. These trainings will focus on best practices for law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim service providers, ensuring communities receive the latest and most effective tools when implementing surrender or relinquishment protocols.
Efforts also include expanding outreach to raise awareness about OVW grant funding that can support community initiatives to remove firearms from adjudicated abusers. This included recently sending a letter to grant administrators in every state and territory informing them about opportunities to use Services, Training, Officers and Prosecutors (STOP) formula grant program funds to prevent homicides by addressing the intersection of domestic violence and firearms, as well as providing information about additional training and support to STOP administrators to enhance state implementation plans to address these issues. Additionally, OVW is notifying state domestic violence coalitions about ways communities can leverage both OVW formula and discretionary grant funds to prevent domestic violence abusers from purchasing or possessing firearms.
Later in the day, Director Hidalgo conducted a listening session with representatives from the 12 FTAP pilot sites to explore each site's best practices and challenges in implementing their programs. The discussions provided valuable insights into effective strategies nationwide to address the intersection of domestic violence and firearms. Key topics included fostering trauma-informed approaches that center around survivors; best practices for enhancing partnerships between law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services providers, community-based organizations, courts and other system and community partners; identifying areas of support needed to increase the effectiveness of their programs; and ways OVW could further support partnerships at the local level with federal partners, such as U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and ATF.
Director Hidalgo speaks with representatives from the 12 FTAP pilot sites.In particular, representatives of the FTAP pilot sites highlighted the progress they have made in their jurisdictions by forming multi-disciplinary teams to identify barriers and challenges to implementation and then developing collaborative strategies to address these barriers. This included: developing protocols and updating court forms in the civil and criminal courts for the relinquishment of firearms by adjudicated abusers; addressing issues with high rates of civil protection orders that were not being served; providing timely information to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System; improving training for law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and community partners; identifying storage facilities for relinquished firearms, which can be a particular challenge in rural areas; improving language access and partnerships with culturally-specific community-based organizations; developing co-responder models for advocates to respond to the scene and provide support for victims of domestic violence; and increasing access to advocates for victims to navigate complex systems and obtain trauma-informed services.
Director Hidalgo emphasized that these resources and efforts highlight the crucial role of a coordinated community response, a cornerstone of the Violence Against Women Act. By fostering effective partnerships, these initiatives seek to remove firearms from dangerous situations, ensure community safety, support survivors and their children, reduce community violence, and prevent the use of firearms to cause injury or instill fear and coercive control in domestic violence situations.
Prior felon going to prison on new child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Scott Millar 55, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 138 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who handled the case, stated in July 2023, Millar was under the supervision of the United States Probation Department based on a 2009 conviction for possessing child pornography. A condition of his supervision was that he was not allowed to commit another criminal offense. A probationary search of Millar’s telephone revealed images and videos of child pornography.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the United States Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Timothy Englert.
# # # #
Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possessing Videos of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bayo Thomas Bakare, 42, a previously convicted sex offender, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for possessing six videos of child sexual abuse materials on his mobile phone in September 2023 and maintaining additional child exploitation videos on an online storage application. At the time of the offense, Bakare was on supervised release for a previous conviction of distributing child pornography. The sentencing was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division.
Bakare pleaded guilty February 8, 2024, to a charge of access with intent to view child pornography. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden ordered Bakare to serve 15 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on April 15, 2023, law enforcement agencies conducted compliance checks of sex offenders registered within Washington, D.C. Bakare, who lived on the 3200 block of 8th Street, NE, was a registered sex offender in the District due to a 2016 conviction on a charge of distribution of child pornography for which he was sentenced to 60 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release.
Bakare met the law enforcement agents at his front door. The group was comprised of members of the U.S. Probation Office (USPO), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), and a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF). Bakare indicated that he needed to retrieve clothes from his bedroom. The USPO member followed Bakare into his bedroom. The USPO member spotted a Galaxy A11 cell phone, and an Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max plugged into a wall charger. Bakare said that the Galaxy phone was being monitored by USPO. Bakare reported that the Apple iPhone was not monitored. Because Bakare was on supervised release, he was forbidden to have a phone that was not monitored by the USPO. The iPhone was seized. The USPO subjected the iPhone to a forensic extraction which revealed six videos depicting child exploitation and an additional 30 video depicting likely child exploitation stored on the Discord application.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, and the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Foreman.
23cr385
Pittsburg County Resident Sentenced to 22 Years for Federal Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Richard Allen Rollings, age 57, of McAlester, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 210 months each for two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and 180 months for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, to be served concurrently. Rollings was also sentenced to an additional 60 months for one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, which will be served consecutive to his other sentences.
The charges arose from investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On January 10, 2024, Rollings pleaded guilty to two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, two counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
According to investigators, in January of 2023, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Rollings’ residence south of McAlester. Deputies found over 400 grams of pure methamphetamine and multiple firearms, along with numerous rounds of ammunition. In June of 2023, DEA agents returned to Rollings’ residence to serve a federal arrest warrant, observed evidence of additional narcotics violations, and obtained another search warrant. Agents found over 2.8 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, eleven additional firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and over $1,800 in cash.
Rollings was previously convicted and served time for multiple felony charges. In 1988, the State of Oklahoma convicted Rollings of Possession of a Controlled Drug with Intent to Distribute Amphetamine and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. In 1999, the United States convicted Rollings in federal district court on charges of Attempt to Manufacture Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
“The lengthy prison sentence handed down against Mr. Rollings is the unapologetic consequence of criminals who choose to traffic drugs in rural, eastern Oklahoma,” said Eduardo A. Chavez, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division, whose area of responsibility covers the State of Oklahoma. “This accountability and success was the result of a joint investigation with our local law enforcement partners, specifically targeting dangerous criminal offenders involved in both methamphetamine and firearms trafficking. The men and women of DEA McAlester will continue to work closely with Oklahoma law enforcement to hold the line and keep our communities safe.”
“Targeting suspected drug dealers for investigation and prosecution, especially repeat offenders like Rollings, continues to be a priority,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “Rollings refused to stop dealing in illegal narcotics and possessing firearms. Thanks to the cooperative work of law enforcement, he will be in federal prison well into his seventies and no longer a threat to the peace and safety of our communities.”
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Rollings will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Erin Cornell represented the United States.
Paralegal Is Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling over $2 Million from Law Firm's ClientsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jennifer Elaine Roarke, 55, of Hickory, N.C., was sentenced today to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for embezzling more than $2 million from the clients of the law firm where she was employed as a paralegal, 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 in North Carolina, joins U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, from 2007 to 2021, Roarke, who is also known as Jennifer Claveria, was employed as an assistant and a paralegal for a law firm in Hickory. The law firm handled, among other things, the administration and management of trusts for clients, including the trusts’ bank accounts. As part of her duties, Roarke was responsible for opening mail, depositing checks into trust bank accounts, and processing invoices. Court records show that, from 2015 to September 2021, Roarke executed the embezzlement scheme by causing at least 190 fraudulent and unauthorized bank wires, totaling more than $2 million, from the law firm’s clients’ trust bank accounts to bank accounts controlled by Roarke. Roarke used the embezzled funds to pay for personal items, make mortgage, car, and credit card payments, and to fund an extravagant lifestyle.
On December 1, 2023, Roarke pleaded guilty to wire fraud. She is released on bond. She will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Billings with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
Orlando Man Sentenced to over Five Years in Federal Prison for Access Device Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Sean White (46, Orlando) to five years and five months in federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. White pleaded guilty on April 10, 2024.
According to court documents, between January and March 2016, White and two affiliates—Jamie Fort and Sena Howell—executed a scheme to defraud several Orlando-area financial institutions. As part of the scheme, White and Fort obtained names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of identity theft victims. They then used these stolen identities to create counterfeit State of Florida driver licenses. White, Fort, and Howell then used the counterfeit driver licenses to obtain financing in victims’ names from federally insured banks. They purchased three luxury vehicles at Orlando-area car dealerships with this financing, including two Mercedes-Benz vehicles and a Cadillac Escalade. They then sold these vehicles for cash.
White and his affiliates also used the counterfeit driver licenses to obtain credit and make fraudulent purchases in victims’ names at various retail stores in the Orlando area. Evidence located at White’s residence included stolen personal identifying information of a number of identity theft victims, as well as a book entitled “How to be Invisible.” White eluded arrest for several years after being charged. He was located in 2023 and arrested, at which time he was living under the alias of another identity theft victim.
Howell was sentenced in March 2017 to two years and three months’ imprisonment for her participation in the scheme to defraud. Fort was sentenced in October 2017 to five years and five months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the scheme.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Orlando Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chauncey A. Bratt and Michael Sartoian.