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Friday 7 June 2024
U.S. Attorney’s Office Provides Outreach in Advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2024 and because of the prevalence of financial fraud perpetrated against older adults, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont has joined with its partners at the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Diplomatic Security Service to share information and training with the Vermont elder community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners presented information and training at the Charlotte Senior Center on May 15, 2024, the Residences at the Essex on June 6, 2024, and will be presenting at the Shelburne Town Hall on June 24, 2024.
First recognized on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) seeks to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect suffered by millions of older adults – crimes that are often overlooked or unreported. WEAAD brings attention to the cultural, social, economic, and demographic factors that contribute to elder abuse.
“Elder abuse comes in many forms, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse. These threats to older adults demand our attention,” said U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest. “In addition to prosecuting those who take advantage of older adults, participating in outreach and providing useful information to our elder community members is a priority of this office. By doing this work, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for our older Vermonters and ensure that they receive the respect and protection they deserve.”
In addition to the outreach efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners, in April 2024, a scam alert issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) warned of fraudsters impersonating SSA OIG agents. In this latest iteration of government imposter scams, fraudsters request victims to meet them in person to hand off cash. Variations of the scam include fraudsters posing as IRS agents demanding money for unpaid taxes, as sheriff’s office deputies threatening arrest for purported outstanding fines, and as prosecutors or court personnel threatening prosecution or jail time for failing to comply with jury duty service.
Additional financial schemes targeting older adults are:
- Tech Support Scams – Convince victims to pay for non-existent computer problems.
- Non-Delivery Scams – Induce victims to pay for goods or services online, but never receive them or convince victims that additional payment or personal information is required to complete a package delivery.
- Romance Scams – Lull victims into believing they are in an online romantic relationship and money needs to be sent to pay for a visit to the U.S. or for some other purpose.
- Grandparent Scams – Dupe victims into thinking that their grandchildren or other relatives are in trouble and need money right away for bail or another emergency.
- Charity Scams – Solicit donations for fake charities, or by altering or “spoofing” caller IDs to show the name of a real charity on the phone.
- Lottery Scams – Use phone calls, letters, or emails to convince victims that a large fee or taxes must be paid before they can receive lottery winnings.
- Debt Collection Scams – Threaten arrest and jail time if payment for a fake debt is not made immediately.
- Money Mule/Money Laundering Scams – Convince victims to use their bank accounts to quickly move funds in and out of those accounts thereby laundering ill-gotten funds.
- Timeshare Scams – Target timeshare owners with false promises of resale and exit from their timeshares for a fee.
- Sham Business Opportunities – Convince victims to invest in lucrative business opportunities or fake investments.
Here are some tips on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam:
- Don’t share personal or financial information with anyone you don’t know.
- If the person asking the information claims to be a relative, a friend, someone you know, or a representative of a financial institution or government agency, do not respond right away. Instead, contact the person/entity independently or ask a trusted family member or friend for help.
- Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning.
- Don’t click on pop-up ads, messages, or virus warnings.
- Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls.
- Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger or someone who claims to be a relative without verification.
- Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or lucrative business deals.
- If you suspect fraud, take the time to talk to a trusted friend or family member.
- It’s not rude to say, “NO.”
- Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life.
- A good rule of thumb is, if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
- And remember, there is no shame in falling prey to an online scammer. These are professional criminals that use tried-and-true tactics to perpetrate fraud.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges the public to report suspected elder fraud by calling the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) or visiting the Elder Justice Initiative at Justice.gov/elderjustice for additional information and resources.
If other communities or organizations in Vermont are interested in having the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners provide information and training specific to elder fraud, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 802-651-8298.
U.S. Attorney's Office Shares Tips for Increasing Children's Online Safety During the Summer MonthsRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – During the summer months, the internet can be an essential tool for children and families, as digital
technology can provide educational material and entertainment for kids while helping them stay connected with friends and classmates. At the same time, increased online presence, if unmonitored, may expose children to potentially adverse effects, including predatory individuals and cyberbullying.
“Ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable in our society is my Office’s highest priority,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “Protecting children and helping them develop and maintain healthy online behaviors requires a concerted effort by everyone entrusted with the well-being of young people. Our tips and tools can aid parents, guardians, caregivers, and children understand the risks that lurk online and how to stay safe in the digital realm.”
Engaging in discussions about online safety with children at an early age and maintaining those conversations over time can help them better navigate the online sphere. The following topics can facilitate conversations about enhancing children’s cyber safety:
Elementary School-Age Children:
- Discuss Internet Safety and Develop an Online Safety Plan for engaging in online activity. Establish clear guidelines, teach children to spot red flags, and reinforce open communication.
- Review Games, Apps, and Social Media Sites before they are downloaded, paying special attention to apps and sites that feature end-to-end encryption, direct messaging, video chats, file uploads, and user anonymity, which are frequently exploited by online child predators. Make the profile private and teach children NOT to accept requests from people you don’t know in real life.
- Adjust Privacy Settings and Use Parental Controls for online games, apps, social medial sites, and electronic devices. Extra caution should be used in gaming platforms that can commonly expose children to cyberbullying, scams, predators, and inappropriate content.
- Supervise Young Children’s Use of the Internet and Gaming Platforms, including periodically checking their profiles and posts. Keep electronic devices in open and common areas and consider setting time limits for their use.
- Encourage Children to Tell a Parent, Guardian, or Other Trusted Adult if anyone asks them to engage in inappropriate behavior.
Middle School and High School-Age Children:
- Establish the Importance of Online Privacy, by emphasizing the dangers of sharing personal information, photos, and videos online especially in public forums or with people they don’t know in real life. Explain that sharing with friends can also lead to concerns because of re-sharing, and help children understand that once images are posted online, they will remain permanently accessible on the internet.
- Teach Children About Body Safety and Boundaries, including the importance of saying ‘no’ to inappropriate requests in the physical and the virtual world. Remain vigilant against sextortion schemes that routinely target children using common social media sites, gaming sites, or video chat applications.
- Develop Healthy Skepticism by encouraging children to challenge the authenticity of what they see and read in online posts, messages, forums, and social media platforms. In particular, urge minors to be wary of online predators using fake accounts to pose as their peers and using fake photos or videos to lure children into sharing pictures and videos of themselves, which can easily lead to a sextortion scheme.
- Be Alert to Potential Signs of Abuse, including changes in children’s use of electronic devices, attempts to conceal online activity, withdrawn behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety, and depression.
- Proactively Engage in Discussions About the Pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence which can be misused by child predators and others to cyberbully children and produce fake content that looks real.
Adolescents and Young Adults:
- Reinforce Strong Online Habits such as robust passwords, two-factor authentication, using a password manager, and applying routine system updates on devices and operation systems.
- Build Upon Privacy Lessons with an emphasis on how over-sharing personal information on social media platforms can lead to potential adverse impacts, to include online reputations and cyberbullying.
- Avoid Dangerous Distractions through the responsible use of devices while driving and remain extra vigilant against device and password theft.
- Be Vigilant Against Scams prevalent on ads that appear on shopping platforms and other social media sites that can lead to the fraudulent sale of defective or counterfeit items or to non-delivery of purchased items.
- Protect Against Phishing schemes in texts, emails, and social media posts where fraudsters can impersonate a trusted individual or organization and trick users into providing login credentials, sending money through Cash App, Zelle, or Venmo, or unwittingly installing malware on devices.
Immediately Report Suspected Online Enticement or Exploitation of a Child by alerting law enforcement or filing a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org.
For More Information, Helpful Tools and Additional Resources please visit https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-ceos/keeping-children-safe-online.
To Learn More About the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Safe Childhood initiative go to https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/project-safe-childhood.
U.S. Attorney's Office Announces Updates in Four Child Exploitation CasesRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – This week, MICHAEL RIOS, 42, and JIMMY RAY PIERCE, 68, pleaded guilty to child pornography related charges; RONNIE GENE HAZELWOOD, 44, pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender after a felony conviction on possession of child pornography; and KRISTIAN FERNANDEZ, 20, was charged with receipt and possession of material containing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
This announcement reflects the latest in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma’s ongoing commitment to aggressively pursue cases involving the sexual exploitation of minors and defendants who fail to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
The updates in the cases are as follows:
- Michael Rios, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography on June 3, 2024. According to affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, Rios utilized an online encrypted messaging service to share child pornography. After executing a court authorized federal search warrant, FBI agents discovered a large library of child pornography on Rios’s phone. At sentencing, Rios faces no less than five years and up to 40 years in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon is prosecuting the case.
- Jimmy Ray Pierce, of Elgin, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to possession of material containing child pornography on June 6, 2024. According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, in January 2024, Pierce uploaded child pornography to Facebook. While executing a court authorized search warrant, law enforcement located on his cell phone multiple videos and images depicting child pornography. At sentencing, Pierce faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ganz is prosecuting the case.
- Ronnie Gene Hazelwood, of Tulsa and Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender on June 3, 2024. According to public record, Hazelwood was previously convicted of possession of child pornography and failing to register as a sex offender in the Northern District of Oklahoma, case number 15-CR-049. These convictions required Hazelwood to register as a sex offender, but he failed to do so while residing in the Western District of Oklahoma. Hazelwood faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ganz is prosecuting the case.
- ** Kristian Fernandez, of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of material containing child pornography by a federal grand jury on June 4, 2024. If found guilty on the receipt count, Fernandez faces not less than five years and up to 20 years in federal prison. If found guilty on the possession count, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. On each count, he faces a term of supervised release of no less than five years and up to life. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly is prosecuting the case.
** The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
These cases are the result of investigations by the FBI Oklahoma Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, the Department of the Army—Criminal Investigation Division, the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation Task Force, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Two Sentenced in Scheme to Steal More than $850,000 in COVID-19 Housing Assistance FundsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Two members of a New Bern family were sentenced for their role in a scheme to defraud a program designed to help struggling North Carolina residents stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Takeeia Hawkins, age 43, and her daughter, Shanasia Hawkins, age 22, both pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud earlier this year. Takeeia Hawkins was sentenced to 36 months in prison for her role in the scheme, while Shanasia Hawkins was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Both women claimed to be landlords of properties in Eastern North Carolina, with tenants who were unable to pay rent due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They submitted fraudulent applications to the NC HOPE Program (North Carolina Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions Program), which was established during Covid to provide emergency rental assistance to tenants who struggled to pay rent and therefore faced eviction due to financial difficulties caused by the pandemic. The two women received nearly $150,000 in federal funds, which was largely spent on gifts and gambling.
“This case represents yet another example of the greedy taking from the needy,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “COVID-19 monies were set aside to help struggling families pay their rent, and these defendants stole it. This office will continue its vigorous pursuit of those who used the pandemic to turn a fraudulent profit.”
“The fraud committed by the defendants diverted critical taxpayer money that was intended to help families during an unprecedented pandemic,” said Acting Special Agent-in-Charge George Richardson with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. “HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with our prosecutorial and law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD programs.”
“As many families continue to struggle with the aftermath of COVID-19, today's sentencing offers a renewed hope in our criminal justice system. There are consequences for those who seek to exploit and harm others during vulnerable times. This is a testament to justice prevailing and individuals being held accountable. We are grateful for our partners and the investigators, agents, and prosecutors who saw this case through,” said SBI Director Robert Schurmeier.
Rich Delmar, the Treasury Acting Inspector General, stated, “Treasury OIG’s oversight is a key factor in assuring the integrity and effectiveness of this and many other pandemic recovery programs on which millions of Americans rely.”
Several other family members and acquaintances of the Hawkins are also implicated in the scheme to defraud the NC HOPE Program. Takeeia Hawkins’ son, Jmari Hawkins, age 24, and two other conspirators, Jonell Ojeda, age 23, and Tevin Evans, age 26, have also pled guilty in the scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $850,000 in emergency rental assistance from the NC HOPE Program. All three are set to be sentenced later this summer.
The NC HOPE Program administered federal COVID-19 relief funds and provided emergency rental assistance to North Carolina renters who faced eviction and homelessness during the pandemic. The Program allowed renters to submit an online application to apply for rental assistance. If approved, the Program paid the tenant’s rent, in checks sent directly to the landlord, for up to 15 months of overdue or future rent payments.
Takeeia, Shanasia, and Jmari Hawkins, along with Jonell Ojeda and Tevin Evans all admitted to falsely claiming to be landlords of multiple properties in North Carolina. In total, the group attempted to defraud the NC HOPE Program out of more than $870,000 and were ultimately successful in obtaining more than $250,000 in stolen COVID-19 relief funds.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; the United States Department of Treasury, Office of Inspector General; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Haughton.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for United States v. Takeeia Hawkins, Case No. 5:23-00380; United States v. Shanasia Hawkins, Case No. 5:23-CR-00379; Unites States v. Jmari Hawkins et al, Case No. 5:23-cr-00300; United States v. Tevin Evans, Case No 5:24-CR-00054.
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Two New Orleans Men Sentenced in Theft of Cars from RailyardRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MISTER MACKEY, JR., age 22, and JONATHAN FRANK, age 40, residents of New Orleans, were sentenced on May 28, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey after previously pleading guilty to charges arising out of a 20-count indictment. MACKEY and FRANK are the final of the 10 defendants to be sentenced in the case.
MACKEY was sentenced to 58 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $400 mandatory special assessment fee for possessing two cars stolen from the Norfolk Southern Railyard, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 659; being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8); and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D).
FRANK was sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $300 mandatory special assessment fee after also being convicted of possessing two cars stolen from the Norfolk Southern Railyard, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 659 and being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).
According to court documents, between March 29 and April 3, 2023, MACKEY was observed on surveillance video occupying both a 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor Crew Cab 4x4 and a 2023 Lincoln Aviator that had been stolen from the Norfolk Southern Railyard. MACKEY exited the Aviator on April 3rd with a loaded Zastava Model PAP M92 PV, 7.62x39 millimeter caliber AK-47-style pistol. On August 19, 2023, MACKEY was the sole passenger in a vehicle pulled over for a traffic violation. Inside the vehicle, MACKEY had a backpack containing marijuana and digital scales, and also possessed a Glock Model 17 handgun with a loaded 30-round magazine partially inserted in the gun, and an additional loaded drum magazine in the passenger glove box.
Between March 30 and April 3, 2023, FRANK was captured on surveillance video driving two Ford Explorer STs stolen from the Norfolk Southern Railyard. FRANK possessed a Smith & Wesson Model SD40VE, .40 caliber handgun while driving the stolen cars.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.
Two Mexican Citizens Sentenced to Decades in Federal Prison in a South Dakota Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced the second of two Mexican men convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on June 3, 2024.
Mario Castro Covarrubias, 37, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. On March 11, 2024, Melecio Rodriguez Medina, 39, was sentenced to 27 years and three months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Mario Castro Covarrubias and Melecio Rodriguez Medina were indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in February of 2022. Rodriguez Medina pleaded guilty on November 6, 2023, and Castro Covarrubias pleaded guilty on January 3, 2024.
Rodriguez Medina and Castro Covarrubias were based in Mexico and were part of an international organization that arranged for the transportation of large amounts of narcotics to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from Mexico. While in Mexico, Rodriguez Medina and Castro Covarrubias coordinated with two couriers to get approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine delivered to Sioux Falls in October of 2021. On October 18, 2021, law enforcement seized the cocaine that they had shipped to South Dakota. In December of 2021, the two again coordinated to ship approximately 42 kilograms of cocaine to Sioux Falls, which was also seized. In addition to cocaine, Rodriguez Medina was responsible for organizing a shipment of 1 kilogram of fentanyl pills to Sioux Falls. Investigators also determined that Rodriguez Medina made arrangements for a co-conspirator in South Dakota to pick up multi-pound shipments of methamphetamine in California and then take them back to South Dakota for distribution.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
Both men were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after their respective sentencings.
Two Men Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charges for Allegedly Murdering Teenager to Increase Position in Chicago Street GangRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Two men have been indicted on federal racketeering charges for allegedly murdering a teenager to maintain and increase their positions in a violent Chicago street gang.
GARY ROBERSON, 40, and JOSEPH MATOS, 41, both of Chicago, are charged with racketeering and firearm offenses in an indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The indictment accuses the pair of murdering Chrys Carvajal on July 3, 2021, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the Milwaukee Kings street gang. Carvajal, 19, was fatally shot in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
The indictment alleges that the Milwaukee Kings is a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in narcotics trafficking and committed acts of violence, including murder and assault, to acquire and preserve the gang’s perceived territory on the North Side of Chicago. Members of the gang intimidated rival gang members, victims, and witnesses through acts and threats of violence, boasted about their gang on social media, and took steps designed to prevent law enforcement from detecting their criminal activities, according to the indictment.
Roberson was arrested last month and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was ordered to remain detained in federal custody pending trial. Matos is not in custody and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Prashant Kolluri, Caitlin Walgamuth, and Kirsten Moran.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Murder in aid of racketeering is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and the death penalty is also possible. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Roberson et al indictmentTwo Charged for Involvement with Online Groups Dedicated to Monkey Torture and MutilationRead the Press Release
Two individuals were charged this week for their involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.
Nicholas T. Dryden, of Ohio, and Giancarlo Morelli, of New Jersey, were charged with conspiracy to create and distribute so-called “animal crush videos,” and with distributing animal crush videos. Dryden is also charged with the creation of animal crush videos, as well as with production, distribution and receipt of a visual depiction of the sexual abuse of children because a minor was paid to abuse the monkeys.
According to court documents, in March and April 2023, the two co-defendants allegedly conspired to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against baby, adolescent and adult monkeys. The conspirators allegedly funneled money through Dryden, who then paid the minor in Indonesia to commit the requested acts on camera.
The videos alleged to have been created as part of the conspiracy included depictions of monkeys having their genitals burned, having their genitals cut with scissors, being sodomized with a wooden skewer and being sodomized with a spoon.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, the charges related to the creation and distribution of animal crush videos each carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and the charges of producing and distributing depictions of the sexual abuse of children each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI investigated the case.
Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Oakley for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Charged for Involvement with Online Groups Dedicated to Monkey Torture and MutilationRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI - Two individuals were charged this week for their involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.
Nicholas T. Dryden, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Giancarlo Morelli, of New Jersey, were charged with conspiracy to create and distribute so-called “animal crush videos,” and with distributing animal crush videos. Dryden is also charged with the creation of animal crush videos, as well as with production, distribution and receipt of a visual depiction of the sexual abuse of children because a minor was paid to abuse the monkeys.
According to court documents, in March and April 2023, the two co-defendants allegedly conspired to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against baby, adolescent and adult monkeys. The conspirators allegedly funneled money through Dryden, who then paid the minor in Indonesia to commit the requested acts on camera.
The videos alleged to have been created as part of the conspiracy included depictions of monkeys having their genitals burned, having their genitals cut with scissors, being sodomized with a wooden skewer and being sodomized with a spoon.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, the charges related to the creation and distribution of animal crush videos each carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and the charges of producing and distributing depictions of the sexual abuse of children each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI investigated the case.
Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Oakley for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Tucson Woman Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Trafficking Approximately 453,000 Fentanyl-Laced Pills and One Kilogram of Fentanyl PowderRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – Alegria Pompeya Mendoza-Castro, 30, of Tucson, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 60 months in prison. Mendoza-Castro pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl on November 16, 2023.
On April 20, 2023, Mendoza-Castro traveled from Mexico through the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales. During the inspection of her vehicle, approximately 453,000 fentanyl-laced pills and one kilogram of fentanyl powder were discovered in the spare tire.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force operation. The OCDETF Strike Force Initiative identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney David Petermann, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR 23-00692-TUC-JCH
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-073_Mendoza-Castro# # #
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.Three Peoria Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of a Confidential InformantRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – Three Peoria men were sentenced this week for robbing a confidential informant of $1,200 at gunpoint during a federal firearms investigation in May 2023.
Hunter Coombs, 24, of the 1600 block of North Delaware Street in Peoria, Illinois pleaded guilty to robbery of currency of the United States in October 2023 and was sentenced on June 3, 2024, to 46 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Germaine R. Hill, Jr., 26, of the 2700 block of West Rohmann Avenue, West Peoria, Illinois pleaded guilty in November 2023 to robbery of currency of the United States and was sentenced on June 5, 2024, to 46 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Rashon J. Miller, 25, of the 500 block of Vine Street, Peoria, Illinois pleaded guilty in December 2023 to robbery of currency of the United States and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Miller was sentenced on June 5, 2024, to a total of 84 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
At the sentencing hearings before U.S. District Judge Joe B. McDade, the government established that Hill, Miller, and Coombs acted together to rob a government informant at gunpoint. Hill told the victim that he had a handgun for sale that was equipped with an auto-sear, enabling it to fire as a fully automatic machinegun. Coombs drove Hill and Miller to meet with the buyer. Instead of selling a machinegun, Miller pointed a loaded gun at the victim and took the $1,200 purchase money. After the robbery, members of the Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force apprehended all three men, recovered the stolen money, and recovered two loaded semi-automatic firearms from the passenger compartment of the getaway car. All three men admitted that they discussed and planned the robbery prior to meeting with the informant.
A complaint was filed in federal court in early June 2023 against all three defendants, followed by an indictment a few weeks later in June 2023. All defendants have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since May 2023.
The statutory penalties for robbery of money of the United States is not more than 25 years’ imprisonment, with a possible $250,000 fine. Use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence carries a sentence of seven years to life imprisonment, to be served consecutively to the sentence for the violent crime. Each count carries up to five years of supervised release following imprisonment.
The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Corrections; and the Illinois State Police, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Tampa Man Indicted for Possessing A Firearm and Ammunition as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Jermonte Jerome Thornton (42, Tampa) with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Thornton faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
The indictment also notifies Thornton that the United States intends to forfeit a Diamondback firearm and ammunition used in the commission of the offense.
According to the indictment, on or about January 3, 2024, Thornton was in possession of a Diamondback firearm and two rounds of ammunition. Prior to possessing the firearm and ammunition, Thornton had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault or battery, and false imprisonment.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Tahlequah Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm ConvictionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Billy Eugene Shepard, Jr., age 42, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 49 months in prison for one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The charges arose from investigations by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On November 1, 2023, Shepard pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. As part of the plea, Shepard admitted to knowingly possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been previously convicted a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Shepard will remain in 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 Edith Singer represented the United States.
Susquehanna Township Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Role in Multi-Million Dollar Marijuana RingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Laboy, age 40, of Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 9 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for his role in a multi-million dollar marijuana ring.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Laboy previously entered a guilty plea to being a part of a group that received marijuana shipped from sources in California and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The drug trafficking group operated out of Fastlane Auto Sales located on Paxton Street in Harrisburg. Over that time, hundreds of parcels full of marijuana were shipped from California to Harrisburg. The group mailed cash back to California. They used a sophisticated system of GPS tracking devices, which they placed in their parcels, to keep track of their drugs and money.
The Fastlane Group learned that a postal employee was stealing their marijuana as it was being secretly shipped through the U.S. Mail. To stop the suspected thief, they shot at a car in Harrisburg, at a home Susquehanna Township, and at home in Steelton. They also robbed and assaulted the postal employee at gunpoint.
Judge Wilson found that Laboy was responsible for trafficking between 100 and 400 kilograms of marijuana from 2017 to May 2020. Judge Wilson noted that Laboy was not responsible for the violence associated with the Harrisburg drug trafficking group.
Co-defendant Christopher Texidor, age 36 of Harrisburg, had a jury trial and was convicted in May 2024 of drug trafficking and weapons offenses. He is awaiting sentencing.
Co-defendant William Kuduk, age 37 of Harrisburg, pled guilty to marijuana trafficking and cocaine trafficking associated with the Fastlane Group. Co-defendant Justin Laboy, age 36, of Harrisburg, pled guilty to marijuana trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to use a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. Co-defendant Julio Arellano, age 33, of Harrisburg, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to traffic marijuana and conspiracy to use a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. They are all awaiting sentencing.
Co-defendant Jonathan Cobaugh, age 25, of Harrisburg, pled guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and wire fraud related to a pandemic related fraud scheme. He was sentenced to 63 months in prison on May 29, 2024. Co-defendant Jamie Valenzuela, age 32 of Santa Ana, California, pled guilty to being a source of marijuana from California for the conspiracy. He was sentenced to 57 months in prison on February 8, 2024.
These cases were investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Susquehanna Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the cases.
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Suburban Chicago Man Charged in Federal Court with Stealing More Than $9.5 Million in Interstate ShipmentsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man has been charged in federal court with stealing more than $9.5 million in goods, including liquor and commercial-grade copper, from interstate shipments.
According to an indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, AIVARAS ZIGMANTAS used various aliases to falsely pose as a representative of real and fictitious carriers and brokers involved in transporting shipments across state lines. After fraudulently inducing individuals and entities to release shipments of goods to him, Zigmantas and others diverted the shipments from their intended destinations and stole the goods, the indictment states. As part of the fraud scheme, Zigmantas used aliases to open bank accounts and UPS Store mailboxes, and he created email addresses and websites in the names of fake individuals and entities, the indictment states.
The indictment alleges that Zigmantas and others intended to steal at least $13.5 million in goods, and successfully stole more than $9.5 million.
Zigmantas, 39, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., is charged with six counts of wire fraud, five counts of bank fraud, and two counts of theft of interstate shipments. He was arrested on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling. A detention hearing is scheduled for June 10, 2024.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, and LaFonda Sutton-Burke, Director of the Chicago Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations participated in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Misty N. Wright.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Each count of bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison. Each count of wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years, while each theft count is punishable by up to ten years.
Zigmantas indictmentSt. Charles Parish Man Sentenced for Fentanyl DistributionRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AMARYD DOWNING (“DOWNING”), age 38, of Hahnville, Louisiana, was sentenced on June 5, 2024 by United States District Judge Susie E. Morgan to one hundred twenty months imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and $300.00 in mandatory special assessment fees after pleading guilty to distribution of a quantitymixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on May 8, May 11, and May 22, 2023, St. Charles Parish detectives conducted an investigation during which they made controlled purchases of gram quantities of drugs from DOWNING in the Hahnville area. The drugs from each purchase tested positive for both fentanyl and heroin. After making the last of the controlled purchases, detectives arrested DOWNING.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.
Seminole Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announces that John Arthur Dennis, age 24, of Seminole, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for illegal possession of two firearms.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department; and the Ardmore Police Department.
On November 2, 2023, Dennis pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm. According to investigators, on November 14, 2021, Dennis knowingly possessed two firearms after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the sentencing hearing. Dennis will remain in 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 T. Cameron McEwen represented the United States.
Saratoga County Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bruce Bochette, age 67, of Charlton, New York, pled guilty today to evading taxes on about $825,000 in business income.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Division, made the announcement.
Bochette operates a commercial painting business. In pleading guilty, he admitted that for tax years 2017 through 2021, he evaded income taxes by depositing checks, and portions of checks, into his personal account that were payments from his company’s commercial painting clients. Bochette did not report this income to the IRS, on either his company’s tax returns or his personal tax returns, and did not pay taxes on this income. Bochette admitted to not reporting $825,719.56 in business income, and to evading the assessment and payment of $219,706 in taxes.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Bochette faces up to 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum $100,000 fine. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
IRS-CI investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting this case.
Sanostee Man Sentenced for Assaulting Jail GuardRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Sanostee man was sentenced to 19 months in prison for assaulting a jail guard and violating the terms of his supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on October 11, 2017, Zachariah Nez, 25, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for voluntary manslaughter. Upon his release from prison, Nez was placed on three years of supervised release.
On September 3, 2023, Nez was arrested for violating the conditions of his supervised release and was detained. While in custody, Nez punched a jail guard at Core Civic in Cibola County. The guard was uninjured.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Nez will be required to serve three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The United States Marshal Service investigated this case with assistance from Core Civic. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Spindle is prosecuting the case.
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Sac County Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
A man who possessed methamphetamine and illegally possessed a firearm was sentenced June 7, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.
Edwin Diaz, 34, from Odebolt, Iowa, was convicted of two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm on February 9, 2024. Diaz was previously convicted of felony theft, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance, which prohibit a person from possessing firearms.
At the plea and sentencing hearings, evidence showed that in the early morning hours on December 31, 2022, an Ida County Sheriff’s Deputy, stopped to check on an oddly parked vehicle, finding defendant and another in the vehicle. The deputy seized a baggie with 45 grams of methamphetamine and another bag with 35 grams of marijuana. Evidence further showed that days later, in the early morning hours of January 4, 2023, Diaz and his girlfriend coaxed the person with Diaz on December 31 into a vehicle. Then Diaz forced this person to sign a note, written by Diaz, saying the methamphetamine seized from Diaz’s vehicle on December 31, was this person’s and not Diaz’s. During the execution of a search warrant at Diaz’s residence, agents seized evidence of Diaz’s conduct in obtaining the false letter, including handcuffs and the false note. Diaz’s conduct constituted obstruction of justice. Agents also seized approximately ½ ounce of methamphetamine, a small quantity of marijuana, various pills, drug distribution paraphernalia, a Ruger .22 rifle with a loaded magazine and 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Diaz was sentenced to 185 months’, 27 days’ imprisonment and must serve a term of four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Diaz is being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Ida County Sheriff’s Office, Sac County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 23-4012.
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Repeat Offender Pleads Guilty to Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday to distributing methamphetamine hydrochloride (“crystal meth”).
Vincent Lambert, 41, pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. In June 2023, Lambert was indicted by a federal grand jury. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Sept. 3, 2024.
In August 2022, Lambert was identified as a supplier of crystal meth in the Boston area by a cooperating source. Lambert distributed 24 grams of crystal meth to the cooperating source in Boston on Feb. 15, 2023. On March 2, 2023, Lambert distributed another 110 grams of crystal meth in Cambridge to the cooperator. On April 4, 2023, Lambert distributed another 83 grams of crystal meth in Dorchester to the cooperator.
On June 7, 2023, 1,102 grams of crystal meth, 4,437 grams of butanediol, 100 grams of fentanyl, 43 grams of ketamine, 39 grams of cocaine, and 25 grams of MDMA were seized during a search of Lambert’s residence.
In 2017, Lambert was sentenced to 18 months in prison for drug charges out of the West Roxbury District Court. In 2019, Lambert was sentenced to one year in prison for drug charges out of the Cambridge District Court. Later in 2019, Lambert was also sentenced to 3.5-5 years in prison for additional drug charges out of the Suffolk Superior Court.
The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Readout of the Reproductive Rights Task Force MeetingRead the Press Release
On Thursday, June 6, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer convened the Justice Department’s Reproductive Rights Task Force (RRTF) to discuss the Department’s ongoing work to protect reproductive freedoms under federal law. The RRTF, which is chaired by Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer, was created in July 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
“Protecting access to lawful reproductive care is central to the Justice Department’s responsibility to defend the civil rights of everyone in our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am grateful to the members of the Justice Department’s Reproductive Rights Task Force for their tireless efforts to ensure those protections. We will continue to vigorously defend the reproductive rights guaranteed to all Americans under federal law.”
“Dobbs dealt a devastating blow to reproductive freedom, and every day we continue to see that decision’s terrible consequences unfold,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer. “We established the Reproductive Rights Task Force to bring a whole-of-department approach to protecting access to reproductive health care following Dobbs. I am deeply proud of the work of the task force, which works tirelessly every day to protect and advance reproductive rights for women in this country.”
During the meeting, the Attorney General and the Acting Associate Attorney General discussed the RRTF’s recent work to protect access to reproductive health care. RRTF members briefed the Attorney General and the Acting Associate Attorney General on litigation by the Civil Division and the Office of the Solicitor General to protect lawful access to reproductive services, including cases defending the Food and Drug Administration’s expert decisions regarding the safety and efficacy of the abortion drug mifepristone, ensuring that women receive the emergency care to which they are entitled under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, and protecting the constitutional right to travel. The RRTF also discussed the work of the Office of Legislative Affairs to assist Congress in drafting legislation to codify reproductive rights, and the Civil Rights Division’s ongoing enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE, Act. Of particular note, since January 2021, the Department has brought 25 cases involving a total of 57 defendants accused of criminal FACE Act-related violations.
The Attorney General and the Acting Associate Attorney General thanked RRTF Executive Director Jodie Morse for her day-to-day leadership of the task force, thanked all RRTF members for their continued hard work, and reaffirmed the Department’s ongoing commitment to defending reproductive freedoms.
Readout of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division's Meeting with Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian and Hindu Community StakeholdersRead the Press Release
The Justice Department convened a quarterly interagency meeting yesterday with Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian and Hindu community stakeholders. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division outlined relevant enforcement efforts across the Department and highlighted actions to prevent and combat discrimination and hate crimes.
This convening occurred at a time when hate and threats of violence against these communities remain concerningly high, particularly since Oct. 7, 2023. Representatives from the Civil Rights Division, FBI, Criminal Division, Community Relations Service, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties and Office of Community Oriented Policing Service heard from attending organizations about campus safety and civil rights protections for student protestors as well as concerns about employment discrimination. Representatives from other federal government agencies also participated, including Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Departments of Education, Labor, Transportation and State.
Combating hate crimes and addressing discrimination claims are among the department’s top priorities. Yesterday’s meeting represents the department’s latest efforts to engage with organizations and stakeholders on issues affecting Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, Sikh, Hindu, and South Asian communities. In March, the department hosted a community safety briefing for Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian community stakeholders, during which the department released resource documents designed to help the public better understand federal civil rights laws, including laws that prohibit violence and discrimination on the basis of religion and national origin, discrimination in public accommodations, and protections afforded by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
The department has also continued to aggressively investigate and prosecute hate crimes, including recent cases involving a Texas man who threatened employees of a Sikh nonprofit organization; a Texas man who carried out a mass shooting targeting Muslims at a car repair shop in Dallas in which one person was killed, and four others were seriously injured; a New Jersey man who broke into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University during the Eid holiday and destroyed property, including prayer stones, items with inscriptions of the Quran, and a Palestinian flag; a Florida man who assaulted a Muslim woman postal worker by pulling her out of her truck and grabbing her neck while attempting to pull off her hijab and threatening her; and a Florida man who threatened a Michigan-based Muslim civil rights nonprofit.
If you believe that you or someone else experienced religious or national origin discrimination, report a civil rights violation online at civilrights.justice.gov. If you believe you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime, report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip at tips.fbi.gov. Learn more about the department’s work on hate crimes here.
Possession of Machinegun Conversion Device Lands Oklahoma City Man in Federal Prison for Two YearsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – ANTHONY DEWAYNE TAYLOR, 20, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 24 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a machinegun, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On September 5, 2023, a federal grand jury charged Taylor with unlawful possession of a machinegun. According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, on April 6, 2023, Bethany Police Department officers pulled Taylor over for a traffic violation. When asked to provide a license and vehicle registration, Taylor handed the officer a learner’s permit that had been cut in half. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, law enforcement located under the driver’s seat a handgun that had been modified with a conversion device. This conversion device is commonly known as a “switch,” which converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic machinegun. Taylor also attempted to flee on foot during the traffic stop but, after a brief pursuit, was apprehended and arrested.
On December 12, 2023, Taylor pleaded guilty, admitting that he possessed the “switch” and knew that it turned the firearm into a fully automatic machinegun.
At the sentencing hearing on June 6, 2024, U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Taylor to serve 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge DeGiusti noted the seriousness of Taylor’s actions and the danger posed by conversion devices.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bethany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Connolly 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. This case is also part of “Project Switch Off,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s local implementation of PSN. “Project Switch Off” targets illegal machinegun conversion devices to address the significant danger these illegal devices present and to remove them from our streets. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Portland High School Teacher Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice and Coerce a Minor OnlineRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A high school teacher from Portland was sentenced to federal prison today after he traveled to Bend, Oregon, in hopes of meeting a 15-year-old child he met online.
Edward Hernandez-Corchado, 27, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and 10 years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in November 2022, as part of an ongoing investigation into online child exploitation, a police officer from Bend, Oregon set up and began using a Snapchat account to pose as a 15-year-old child. As the investigation continued, the officer, posing as the child, met an individual online who was later determined to be Hernandez-Corchado. Over the next several days, Hernandez-Corchado engaged in sexually explicit communication with the officer, who he still believed was a child, and developed a plan to meet the child in Bend.
On November 11, 2022, Hernandez-Corchado traveled to Bend to meet the child and was intercepted and arrested by law enforcement. Following his arrest, Hernandez-Corchado admitted to regularly engaging in sexually explicit communications with underage girls online, possessing child pornography, and previously meeting and engaging in sexual conduct with two minors in the Salem, Oregon area.
On November 19, 2022, Hernandez-Corchado was charged by criminal complaint with enticing a minor. Later, on January 12, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Hernandez-Corchado with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and, on January 8, 2024, he pleaded guilty to the single charge.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bend Police Department. It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, they re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.
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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Plankinton Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Plankinton, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet. The sentencing took place on June 5, 2024.
Kody William Konechne, age 23, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Konechne must register as a sex offender upon release from federal prison.
Konechne was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2023. He pleaded guilty on February 27, 2024.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on March 5, 2023, when Konechne used his cell phone to attempt to coerce a 14-year-old female he met on Facebook to engage in sexual activity. The girl, however, was an undercover agent. Konechne was arrested when he arrived at the location where he thought he would be meeting the girl.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations – Sioux Falls, the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Konechne was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pine Hill Man Sentenced for Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Pine Hill man was sentenced to 48 months in prison for sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on May 28, 2022, Tony Jake Jr., 75, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, approached seven-year-old Jane Doe as she played outside a church she attended with her grandmother. Jake separated Doe from other children playing nearby and put his hand down the front of her pants.
Around this time, Doe's grandmother noticed she was not with the other children and began looking for her, eventually finding her with Jake. Shortly after, Doe's mother picked her up from her grandmother. Doe told her mother what Jake had done to her, and Doe's mother rushed her to the hospital.
Doe underwent an examination and later a forensic interview where she described in detail Jake's abusive actions.
Jake admitted his conduct to an FBI agent when questioned and later pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Jake will be required to serve 5 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Bell is prosecuting the case.
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Peoria Felon Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois man, Christopher J. Melahn, 35, of the 1400 block of North Rhodora Avenue, has been sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon. Co-defendant Jamarcus J. Hollingsworth, 30, was sentenced in January 2024 to 57 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release on the same charge.
At the sentencing hearing before Senior U.S. District Judge Joe B. McDade, the government
established that in May 2023, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives received information that Hollingsworth, a felon, was in possession of firearms and was offering to sell a pistol in Peoria. The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of Hollingsworth at a hotel on West War Memorial Drive. During the arrest, agents found both Hollingsworth and Melahn, also a felon, in possession of a firearm.
A federal criminal complaint was filed against Melahn and Hollingsworth in May 2023 and an indictment followed in June 2023. Hollingsworth pleaded guilty in September 2023, and Melahn plead guilty in October 2023. Melahn and Hollingsworth have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since their arrests in May 2023.
The statutory penalties for possessing a firearm as a felon are up to 15 years’ imprisonment and up to three years of supervised release.
The Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force, comprised of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Peoria Police Department; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department; Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois State Police, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna represented the government in the prosecution.
The case against Melahn 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.
Penn Hills Resident Sentenced to over Three Years in Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 6, 2024, to 37 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of federal supervised release, following his federal drug trafficking conviction, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Jose Santiago Hernandez, 32. In February, Hernandez pleaded guilty to attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
According to information presented to the Court, on June 28, 2021, Hernandez attempted to take possession of two parcels that contained a collective weight of over 5,000 grams of cocaine. Hernandez was attempting to pick up these parcels from an apartment complex in Monroeville when he was apprehended by law enforcement.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Conti emphasized the serious nature of Hernandez’s conduct, noting the harm to the community that could have resulted but for law enforcement’s intervention. She also expressed concern regarding the quantity of cocaine Hernandez attempted to possess.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Postal Inspection Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hernandez.
Owner of Boston Pizzeria Chain Convicted of Forced LaborRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of Stash’s Pizza, a pizzeria chain in Massachusetts, was convicted today following a nine-day jury trial of forced labor charges. The defendant forced or attempted to force six victims to work for him and comply with excessive workplace demands through violent physical abuse; threats of violence and serious harm; and repeated threats to report the victims to immigration authorities for deportation.
Stavros Papantoniadis, a/k/a “Steve Papantoniadis,” 48, of Westwood, Mass., was convicted of three counts of forced labor and three counts of attempted forced labor. Chief U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Sept. 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Papantoniadis has remained in custody since his arrest on March 16, 2023.
“Today’s guilty verdict sends a powerful message to abusive employers that exploiting employees through fear and intimidation will never be tolerated. I hope that this verdict also alerts others who may be victims of exploitation and harm by employers, that the federal government will not sit idly by. We will vigorously investigate and prosecute any employer who thinks they are above the law and physically and mentally abuses employees, withholds wages due, or threatens and intimidates workers,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Papantoniadis preyed on the desperation of those without immigration status, subjecting them to violence and threats of deportation. Forced labor is a serious violation of human rights, and no one in the United States should live in fear of abuse and coercion in their workplace. I commend the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners who worked collaboratively to bring this defendant to justice.”
Papantoniadis forced or attempted to force five men and one woman to work for him through violent physical abuse, threats of abuse, and repeated threats to report victims to immigration authorities to have them deported. According to evidence introduced at trial, Papantoniadis thinly staffed his pizza shops, and purposely employed workers without immigration status to work behind the scenes, for 14 or more hours per day and as many as seven days per week. To maintain control of those undocumented workers, he made them believe that he would physically harm them or have them deported. He monitored the workers with surveillance cameras, which he accessed from his cell phone, and constantly demeaned, insulted and harassed them. When Papantoniadis learned that one victim planned to quit, he violently choked him, causing that victim to flee the pizza shop and run to safety in the parking lot. When other victims separately expressed their intentions to quit, Papantoniadis told one victim that he would kill him and call immigration authorities; and he threatened another worker by telling him he knew where the victim lived. When another worker tried to leave and drive away from one of Papantoniadis’ pizza shops, Papantoniadis chased the victim down Route 1 in Norwood, Mass., and falsely reported the victim to the local police in an effort to pressure the victim to return to work at the pizza shop.
“Stavros Papantoniadis instilled fear in his employees. He underpaid and threatened them, some with fear of arrest and many with physical abuse. Today, the jury saw the indignities his employees were subjected to and have found Papantoniadis guilty of forced labor violations,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect – especially those who place their trust in their employer. HSI is committed to ensuring those who violate forced labor laws are held accountable and brought to justice.”“The jury’s verdict affirms the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General’s commitment to prioritize and investigate allegations of labor trafficking by individuals who enrich themselves through coercion or force. Stavros Papantoniadis used threats of arrest, deportation, reprisals, and physical violence to ensure his employees continued to work for wages lower than required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate those who engage in labor trafficking,” said Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Papantoniadis is the owner and operator of Stash’s Pizza, a chain of pizzerias which has locations in Dorchester and Roslindale, and previously had pizzerias in Norwood, Norwell, Randolph (d/b/a Boston Pizza Company), Weymouth (d/b/a Pacini’s Italian Eatery), and Wareham, Mass.
The charges of forced labor and attempted forced labor each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution. 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.
Members of the public who believe they are a victim of labor trafficking or have information about labor trafficking, please call 888-221-6023, Option 5 or send an email with contact information to [email protected].
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, HSI SAC Krol and DOL-OIG SAC Mellone made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, the Boston Police Department, and the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy E. Moran, Chief of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit, and Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit are prosecuting the case.
Orlando Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza has sentenced Charles Bernard Long (44, Orlando) to six years and six months in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Long to forfeit a laptop computer which was used during the commission of the offense. Long entered a guilty plea on January 26, 2024.
According to court documents, on May 20 and June 1, 2023, investigators used a file-sharing program to download multiple files of child sexual abuse material from a particular device traced to Long. During a subsequent interview with FBI agents, Long admitted that he had been using the online file-sharing program for the past year to collect child sexual abuse material. Long advised the agents that he had viewed the images and videos because he was curious.
Multiple digital devices were removed from Long’s home and were analyzed. Specifically, Long’s laptop computer contained approximately 22 images and 238 videos depicting child sexual abuse material. Much of the material had been deleted but was recovered using a forensic tool.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel S. Lyons.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Orlando Man Sentenced to More Than 24 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza has sentenced Sean Calvin Ellixson (30, Orlando) to 24 years and 5 months in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Ellixson to forfeit digital media devices used during the commission of the offense. Ellixson entered a guilty plea on February 6, 2024.
According to court documents, on September 10, 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Orlando received information regarding online communications between an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl in an online chatroom and Ellixson. Ellixson contacted the individual he believed to be a 13-year-old and engaged in sexually explicit conversation with that person over the course of several days. During the conversations, Ellixson sent three videos of child sexual abuse material.
On September 11, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Ellixson’s residence. During the search, Ellixson agreed to speak with investigators and stated he had two cellphones and confirmed that the phone number used to communicate with the undercover agent belonged to him. Ellixson admitted to having child sexual abuse material on the phone and showed law enforcement where it was located. Ellixson further stated that he had been talking to various people he believed were minor children to receive child sex abuse material. He also stated that he had attempted to purchase child sexual abuse material by purchasing a gift card and sending it to an unidentified individual. Ellison stated that this person was supposed to send him a link which contained child sexual abuse material.
“The sentencing of Sean Ellixson serves as a stark reminder that HSI will remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our children from exploitation and abuse,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Pezzutti. “This outcome, achieved through the dedicated efforts of HSI Orlando and our law enforcement partners with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, underscores our unwavering resolve to hold perpetrators of child exploitation accountable for their actions and to ensure justice for their victims.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel S. Lyons.
This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
North Carolina Man Sentenced to 240 months for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Preston Buie was sentenced by a federal judge to a total of 240 months incarceration after a January 2024 jury conviction for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Illegally Possessing a Firearm.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in January 2023, a deputy with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office stopped Preston Buie on Interstate 10 around the Grand Bay exit in Mobile County. Following an alert by a drug detection dog, law enforcement searched Buie’s vehicle and located 12 kilograms of cocaine and a 9mm pistol in Buie’s possession. Buie was previously convicted of several federal offenses including bank robbery and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
U.S. Attorney Sean Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tandice Blackwood, Kacey Chappelear, and Beth Stepan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Norman Man to Serve Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – ANDREW LINTON SAWYERS, 60, of Norman, has been sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On August 16, 2023, a federal grand jury charged Sawyers with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the public record, on October 30, 2022, Norman Police Department (NPD) officers responded to a welfare check at an apartment, where they learned that Sawyers had pointed a pistol at his girlfriend. Although Sawyers had left the residence before authorities arrived, he was arrested a short time later by NPD officers, who found a pistol in his waistband. At that time, Sawyers had been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including Florida convictions for armed home invasion and kidnapping, and Oklahoma convictions for possession of firearms after a felony conviction and endangering others while eluding or attempting to elude a police officer.
On October 23, 2023, Sawyers pleaded guilty to illegally possessing the firearm, despite his criminal record.
At Sawyers’ sentencing hearing on June 3, 2024, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Sawyers to serve 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Wyrick noted the circumstances of the offense and Sawyers’ criminal history. At sentencing, the government also introduced evidence that, in July 2023, Sawyers had threatened to kill a state prosecutor.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Norman Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Walters prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime. In October 2017, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop crime-reduction strategies that incorporate lessons federal law enforcement has learned since the program’s launch in 2001. This case is also part of “Operation 922,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of PSN, which prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DATAYNA HOWARD (“HOWARD”), age 22, of New Orleans, was sentenced on June 5, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to 122 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, along with a $400 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D), and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).
According to court documents, on January 19, 2022, HOWARD was arrested at the Oakwood Shopping Center in Gretna, Louisiana, in possession of fentanyl, marijuana, drug trafficking supplies, and two loaded handguns. On June 8, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at HOWARD’s residence in New Orleans. HOWARD possessed over 700 tapentadol pills, marijuana, drug trafficking supplies, three handguns, and additional ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Jersey Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud Kickback Conspiracy and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Juller Perez Salcedo, age 45, of Garfield, New Jersey, was sentenced today to three years of probation, including 6 months of home detention, for conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud, and for tax evasion.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Jenifer L. Piovesan, Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Field Office of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Perez Salcedo admitted that from at least 2015 to 2019, he co-owned a trucking company in New Jersey that transported products as a third-party contractor for a bedding company with a distribution facility in West Coxsackie, New York. As part of the fraudulent scheme, Perez paid kickbacks to the transportation manager of the bedding company, Leonard Hummel, in exchange for the use of the bedding company’s trucks and drivers to transport merchandise from West Coxsackie to Perez’s truck yard in Clifton, New Jersey, which allowed Perez to avoid certain transportation costs. Perez then fraudulently invoiced and received payment from the bedding company as if his trucking company had transported and delivered the merchandise from West Coxsackie when Perez and his trucking company did not in fact transport the merchandise from West Coxsackie. As a result of the scheme, Perez caused $422,170.86 in losses to the bedding company.
Perez also evaded taxes between January 2014 and April 2018 by cashing gross receipts checks on behalf of his trucking business, providing false and incomplete information to tax preparers and omitting the cashed checks, and filing false federal income tax returns. Perez Salcedo evaded a total of $477,090 in taxes.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Perez to pay $422,170.86 in restitution to the bedding company, and $477,090.00 to the IRS, and separately ordered forfeiture of a money judgment totaling $422,170.86 in proceeds derived from the fraud.
Hummel previously pled guilty and was sentenced on May 17, 2024, to two years of probation for conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud. Judge D’Agostino also ordered Hummel to pay $161,784 in restitution to the bedding company and ordered forfeiture of a money judgment totaling $17,000.
The FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the case.
New Haven Man Charged with Operating Illegal Money Transmitting BusinessRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging WILLIAM McNEILLY, 55, of New Haven, with operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
The indictment was returned on June 5, 2024, and McNeilly was arrested yesterday. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $50,000 bond.
The indictment alleges that McNeilly owned and operated Global Income Marketplace LLC (“GIM”) from a storefront in West Haven. According to its Connecticut state registration, GIM was engaged in “website builders programming tech computer repairs and upgrades.” McNeilly and another individual also operated Global NuMedia LLC (“GNM”), a limited liability company registered in Delaware. McNeilly, who never obtained a license from the Connecticut Department of Banking to engage in the business of money transmission, opened up several bank accounts in the names of GIM and GNM, and a cryptocurrency exchange account in the name of GNM, and used the accounts to operate a business through which he exchanged customers’ cash, checks, and money orders for cryptocurrency, charging a fee for the service.
Between approximately July 2019 and June 2022, McNeilly exchanged more than $1 million in U.S. currency for cryptocurrency on behalf of customers throughout the U.S. McNeilly knew that some of the funds involved in his illegal business were derived from fraud schemes, and the investigation revealed that cashiers checks from victims of romance fraud schemes were mailed to GIM and deposited into GIM accounts.
It is further alleged that, in February 2021, McNeilly was contacted by TD Bank and told that a $10,000 wire transfer to GNM was reported as fraudulent, and that he needed a license to operate a money transmission business. Despite the warning, and that TD Bank closed the GIM and GNM accounts, McNeilly continued to operate his money transmission business through other GIM and GNM bank accounts.
The indictment charges McNeilly with one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with three counts of making illegal money transactions, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.
New Bedford Man Charged with Stealing over $450,000 in Veterans’ Disability BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man has been charged with stealing over $450,000 in disability benefits issued by the United States Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) intended for a 20-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Joseph Smith, 71, was charged with one count of theft of government benefits and one count of conspiracy to steal government benefits. Smith is currently in custody on unrelated charges and will appear in federal court in Boston at 12:30 p.m. on June 11, 2024.
According to the charging documents, shortly after the victim’s ALS diagnosis in August 2015, the VBA approved the victim’s application for disability benefits and awarded him approximately $8,318 in monthly payments. The VBA began issuing payments in September 2015 via monthly checks mailed to the victim’s former residence in New Bedford, where he had resided with Smith’s relative and others prior to hospitalization.
It is alleged that between approximately 2015 and 2020, while the victim was hospitalized for ALS, Smith and others received monthly VBA disability checks intended for the victim and deposited those checks into bank accounts they controlled. Smith allegedly first deposited the disability checks into a bank account in his own name and then began depositing the checks into a bank account that he and others fraudulently opened in the name of victim. Shortly after depositing the disability checks, Smith allegedly withdrew the funds in cash and used the money for personal expenses.
In total, between in or around 2015 and 2020, Smith and others allegedly stole more than $450,000 in VBA disability benefits intended for the victim.
“80 years ago this week, incredibly brave members of our military stormed the beaches of Normandy to save Europe. Every citizen owes a debt of gratitude to the veterans who have served our country. It is beyond the pale to steal disability payments that were intended for a 20-year military veteran facing a life-threatening disease, as is alleged here. The immorality exposed by the criminal justice system is, at times, simply stunning,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“It is difficult to imagine a financial crime more despicable than one alleged to have targeted a vulnerable member of our community. But targeting a vulnerable person who proudly served our nation is exactly that ‘difficult to imagine’ offense. The Postal Inspection Service, working with our law enforcement partners is committed to identifying these predators and bringing them to justice,” said Ketty D. Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
“Our office is committed to holding accountable those who allegedly steal VA benefits intended for veterans with disabilities,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their excellent work in pursuing justice in this case.”
“We will continue to pursue those who misuse the Social Security number and identities of others for their own personal and selfish gain,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “I thank our law enforcement partners for working with us in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in prosecuting this case and holding this individual accountable for their alleged conduct.”
The charge of theft of government benefits provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to steal government benefits provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, USPIS INC Larco-Ward, VA-OIG SAC Algieri and SSA IG Ennis made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Securities Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Muskogee Resident Sentenced for Federal Firearm ConvictionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jesse Lee Fish, age 34, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The charges arose from investigations by the Muskogee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On October 31, 2023, Fish pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition. According to court documents, on April 4, 2023, Fish knowingly possessed a rifle and ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Fish will remain in 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 Edith Singer represented the United States.
Mexican International Man Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Mexican International man who crossed into New Hampshire was arrested on a complaint charging federal child pornography offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Jose Rodriguez-Garcia, 26, was charged with one count of transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and one count of possessing CSAM. Rodriguez-Garcia is scheduled to appear in federal court in Concord later today.
According to the charging documents, on June 6, 2024, Rodriguez-Garcia and another man were observed by U.S. Border Patrol agents after having apparently just crossed from Canada into New Hampshire over Hall Stream in Pittsburg. The men were detained and brought to the Beecher Falls Border Station for processing. At that point, a search of Rodriguez-Garcia’s person and property yielded several electronic media, including a thumb drive on which depictions of apparent CSAM were found.
The charge of transporting CSAM provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years. Both charges provide a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and mandatory restitution. 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.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations within the United States Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau 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.
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Memphis Men Indicted in String of 2023 Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee recently returned a multi-count indictment charging four men with conspiracy to commit bank robberies, and the commission of six bank robberies in the Memphis area. Robert Haley, 44, Devin Hinds, 34, Courtney Trenell, 32, and Monterrio Trenell, 28, were all indicted by a federal grand jury in April. All four men have been arrested. United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz announced the unsealing of the indictment today.
The four men are charged in connection with the robberies of:
- First Horizon Bank, N. Watkins Street, on April 27, 2023
- Truist Bank, Poplar Avenue, on August 11, 2023
- First Horizon Bank, N. Germantown Parkway, on October 20, 2023
- Bank of Bartlett, Trinity Road, on October 20, 2023
- First Horizon Bank, N. Watkins Street, on October 25, 2023
- Independent Bank, Union Avenue, on December 22, 2023
United States Attorney Kevin Ritz said: “The alleged crimes in this indictment are serious, and they carry serious penalties. Our office will continue to work with law enforcement partners to double down on fighting violent crime with the federal tools available to us.”
“These indictments are a testament to the collaborative efforts between all levels of law enforcement to bring to justice those who perpetrate crimes in our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the Memphis Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “It is the shared resolve of the FBI and our partners to keep our community safe and to continue to pursue those who commit crimes.”
If convicted on all counts, Hinds and Haley are facing sentences of up to life in prison and up to five years of supervised release; Courtney Trenell and Montarrio Trenell face sentences of five years in prison and up to three years of supervised release. All defendants face up to a $250,000 fine. This case is pending before Senior United States District Judge Jon P. McCalla in Memphis, Tennessee.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Memphis Police Department. Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
Assistant United States Attorney Greg Wagner and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Aaron Henricks with the Violent Crime Initiative are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Man Who Assaulted His Paramour is Sentenced to 15 Years on Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Barrington Hart, 36, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 180 months in prison for two assaults on his romantic partner in July 2023. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Hart was sentenced today by Superior Court Judge Jason Park to 15 years in prison, and five years of supervised release, for two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of obstruction of justice, one count of threats, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction), one count of simple assault, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The sentence followed a trial by the court where Judge Park found Hart guilty of these charges on March 15, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, Hart and the victim were in a previous romantic relationship, broke up, and then reunited for four days when, on July 27, 2023, they got into an argument over the victim’s phone. Hart accused the victim of cheating on him and wanted to look through her phone. After she refused, he became angry, retrieved a black and yellow gun, and hit the victim on the head with it, causing a laceration. Instead of taking her to a hospital for her injury, Hart made the victim come with him to a job interview while her head was still bleeding. She later went to the hospital alone and had the wound treated with nine staples to the top of her head. On August 4, 2023, less than a week after the victim reported the assault to the Metropolitan Police Department, the victim called the police again and reported that the night before, Hart started an argument about her seeing other people, slapped her, and pointed the same black and yellow firearm at her. Police arrested Hart on August 4, 2023, and he has been detained since that date.
After arrest, Hart continued to attempt to control the victim. He instructed her, twice, over Department of Corrections Video Visits, to refrain from testifying in the grand jury. Also, while incarcerated, Hart threatened the victim via numerous text messages, calling her names and using profanity.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Han, Paralegal Tiffany Jones, Victim/Witness Advocate Tracey Hawkins, and Victim/Witness Service Coordinator Shanika McCullough. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Domestic Violence unit, Callie Hyde and Katharine Yaske, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Lookout Mountain Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - On June 5, 2024, a federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a three-count indictment against James C. Thompson, 71, of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, for transporting minors with the intent to engage in sexual activity. Thompson appeared in court today before the Honorable United States Magistrate Judge Christopher H. Steger and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. He is in custody pending trial, which has been set for August 12, 2024, in United States District Court, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before the Honorable Travis R. McDonough, United States District Judge.
The indictment alleges that Thompson transported minors in interstate commerce intending to engage in sexual activity with them in November and September 2000.
If convicted, Thompson faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison, up to a $350,000 fine, and 3 years on supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
The FBI believes there may be additional victims and is attempting to identify them. Potential victims most likely include males who were between the ages of 10 and 15 and may have been involved in various youth wrestling programs or youth hunting organizations. They or anyone else who believes that they were victimized by Thompson, or anyone who may have information about potential victims fitting this description can contact the Chattanooga FBI Office at 423-265-3601 or report it at tips.fbi.gov.
This indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jackson County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office, and the Lookout Mountain, Tennessee Police Department.Assistant U.S. Attorney James Brooks represents the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc or for more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Lafayette Man Sentenced to Imprisonment term and ordered to pay $127,667 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Yesterday, Tyrus Veals, 30, of Lafayette, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to Access Device Fraud, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Veals was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. He was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $127,667 to the victims of the offense.
According to documents filed in the case, Veals used stolen debit card information to fraudulently obtain at least $127,667 from a bank account belonging to a retired Arizona couple. Veals connected the victims’ debit card to certain online gambling accounts he owned or controlled, enabling him to make regular withdrawals from the victims’ account over the course of approximately 6 months. Veals then moved the stolen funds out of his online gambling accounts in the form of cash withdrawals and deposits into a personal bank account. He ultimately spent the stolen funds on personal expenses including vacation travel and other big-ticket purchases. Veals’ conduct depleted the retirement savings of the victims, one of whom had retired after 40 years of public service.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Indiana Gaming Commission and the Purdue University Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.
Justice Department Launches Access DOJRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced the launch of Access DOJ, a new and innovative Department-wide initiative led by the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) that will use human-centered design to improve access to Justice Department programs and services for all communities and stakeholders.
“The Access DOJ Initiative will provide a path for us to make the Justice Department’s services more accessible, effective, and efficient at meeting the needs of the diverse communities we serve,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “It will ensure that the Department, for the first time, has a localized hub of expertise focused on assisting components broadly with human-centered design practices.”
The Access DOJ Initiative will:
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Annually conduct high-impact projects in partnership with offices across the Justice Department to improve and streamline access to programs, services, and resources for the public;
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Provide resources, trainings, and hands-on coaching and support in methods like usability testing and writing with plain language; and
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Chair a newly launched community of practice with representatives from across the Justice Department to share successes and challenges and identify solutions to advance the work together.
“Access to Justice includes Access to the Department of Justice. In our public-facing materials, we must prioritize what makes sense for the people we serve, above technical nuances,” said ATJ Director Rachel Rossi. “This will require that lawyers and subject matter experts work with designers to get feedback from the public. We cannot be the judge of whether our materials are accessible and effective — only the people using our services can do that.”
Setting the groundwork for the launch of Access DOJ, ATJ has been partnering with Justice Department offices to employ human-centered design practices to simplify access to programs and services. This includes working with the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney to revise the form people use to request a presidential pardon after finishing their sentence to restore their civil rights, regain their standing in the community, or improve their employment opportunities. The revisions were based on feedback from the public, usability testing, best practices in design, and access to justice research with the goal of reducing burdens on everyone involved — applicants and Justice Department staff — to promote both trust in government and fiscal responsibility.
The Access to Justice team also worked with the Office of the U.S. Trustees Program (USTP) to gather feedback on newly piloted virtual bankruptcy meetings. The partnership included engagement with legal aid providers in the pilot region who work with low-income and rural communities, leading to plans for development of a series of short videos of mock meetings to give people a preview of the meetings, demystify them, explain them in plain language, and reduce the psychological costs of going through the process unprepared.
ATJ hosted an event for Justice Department components to launch the initiative and encourage participation across the department. Additional Justice Department officials delivered remarks, including Director Steve Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), USTP Director Tara Twomey, and Deputy Pardon Attorney Kira Gillespie. The event also featured external experts who discussed their work using human-centered design and customer experience methodologies in other federal agencies as well as with state and local legal service organizations. This included Executive Director for Customer Experience Dana Chisnell of the Department of Homeland Security, the Executive Director of the Legal Design Lab at Stanford Law School Margaret Hagan, and the Managing Director of Contact Center and Customer Experience in the General Services Administration Centers of Excellence Lashanda Hodge.
The event also included a gallery walk with case studies and resources to further illustrate the concepts.
Access DOJ’s next high-impact project will focus on making it easier for communities to report actionable tips about crime or other violations of law to the department. Access DOJ will review reporting portals across the Department to ensure all communities can more effectively report crime to the department when necessary.
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Jury Convicts Man of Trafficking in Fentanyl and CarfentanilRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Lexington man, Eugene Laron Fishback, aka “Geno,” 32, was convicted Thursday, by a federal jury sitting in Lexington, of five counts of drug trafficking.
Following a four-day trial and approximately 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Fishback guilty of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 10 grams or more of carfentanil. Fishback was also convicted of two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to testimony at trial, between July 1, 2022 and December 7, 2023, Fishback conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil. On October 11, 2023, Fishback and his girlfriend, Tedi Hawkins, were evicted from their Lexington apartment. During a court ordered eviction, Fayette County Constables and members of the Lexington Police Department found plastic bags in the apartment, which contained over 7,000 fentanyl tablets, and four semi-automatic pistols, ammunition, and large capacity clips. Fishback and Hawkins later relocated to another apartment complex and came under DEA and Lexington Police Department investigation.
A federal search warrant was executed on the new residence, in December 2023. Execution of that warrant resulted in the seizure of more than 1,000 additional fentanyl tablets and a quantity of carfentanil. Fishback was later arrested from his vehicle, which contained another 1,000 fentanyl tablets and more than 10 grams of carfentanil.
After Hawkins had entered a guilty plea, Fishback attempted to convince her to withdraw that guilty plea, during a recorded jail call.
At the time of his indictment on these federal charges, Fishback had four pending state felony indictments in Fayette County. Additionally, Fishback has a number of prior felony convictions.
“Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous drug, which is involved in approximately 80% of all overdose deaths in Kentucky,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “And as awful as that is, carfentanil is far, far worse. Carfentanil is approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl; this powerful opioid is actually designed for large mammals like elephants. It is no overstatement to say that removing these dangerous drugs from our streets will save lives. The dedicated work of our law enforcement partners in this case has unquestionably done that.”
United States Attorney Shier; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the jury’s verdict.
The investigation was conducted by DEA and Lexington Police Department, with assistance from the Fayette County Constable’s Office Third District. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roger West and Brittany Baker are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Fishback is scheduled to appear for sentencing on September 20, 2024. He faces up to life in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing its sentence.
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Jefferson Parish Man Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act ViolationRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that COREY ESQUERRE (“ESQUERRE”), age 50, a resident of Jefferson Parish, pled guilty on June 6, 2024 before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter, to violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
Specifically, ESQUERRE pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A).
According to court documents, on July 31, 2023, Gretna Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a search of ESQUERRE’s apartment. Agents discovered ESQUERRE had 3.5 lbs. of methamphetamine in bags in a toolbox in his bedroom. The DEA Laboratory confirmed that the contents of the bags found in ESQUERRE’s bedroom contained 1880.1 grams of pure methamphetamine.
ESQUERRE faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. ESQUERRE’s sentencing is set for September 19, 2024.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gretna Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit oversees the prosecution.
Jackson County Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A known Jackson County drug dealer was sentenced to federal prison today after law enforcement located distribution quantities of drugs, including fentanyl, and a firearm in his abandoned vehicle.
Anthony Ross Minneci, 36, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in January 2019, following his release from prison for drug trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm, Minneci resumed selling drugs throughout Southern Oregon. From early 2019 to March 2022, Minneci was charged in multiple cases in Jackson and Josephine County Circuit Courts for drug trafficking, illegally possessing firearms, and eluding police.
On January 1, 2022, a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle failing to stop at an intersection and driving at a high rate of speed. The deputy identified Minneci as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle and pursued him briefly before Minneci got away. Later that evening, investigators found the vehicle unoccupied in a rural area, but were unable to locate Minneci.
On January 5, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant on the vehicle and located fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine, as well as a firearm, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. Investigators also found items identifying Minneci, including a driver’s license. On March 15, 2022, Minneci was arrested in Siskiyou County, California, following another attempt to elude police. At the time of his arrest, Minneci was found in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and two firearms.
On May 5, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Minneci with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon, and possessing firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
On February 26, 2024, Minneci pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.
The cases against Minneci were investigated by the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE) with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team (RADE), Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, Medford Police Department, and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Marco A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
MADGE is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. MADGE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and is composed of members from the Medford Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, the Jackson County Community Corrections, FBI, and HSI.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared recently before U.S. District or Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Great Falls before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris and pleading not guilty on June 6 was:
Melody Rose Bernard, 49, of Box Elder, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bernard faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charges and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearms charge. Bernard was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Rocky Boy’s Police Department, Hill County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office and Havre Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-46.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on June 5 was:
Lori Pauline Whiteshield, 44, of Lame Deer, on charges of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a person under 16. If convicted of the most serious crime, Whiteshield faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Whiteshield was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-62.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on May 30 was:
Todd Schannen Pearson, 54, of Indianapolis, Indiana, on charges of transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Pearson faces a mandatory minimum of five years to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to a lifetime of supervised release. Pearson was detained pending further proceedings. The Bozeman Police Department and Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-09.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Hot Springs Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms PossessionRead the Press Release
HOT SPRINGS – A Hot Springs man was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on one count Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person – Felon. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.
According to court documents, in June of 2020, an Officer with the Hot Springs Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being operated by Carl Lee Tate, Sr, age 44. The Officer determined that Tate was a convicted felon on parole through the State of Arkansas and that Tate had a search waiver on file. The Officer searched Tate’s vehicle and located, among other things, a loaded handgun, methamphetamine, and digital scales.
This case was investigated by the Hot Springs Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case for the Western District of Arkansas.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.