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Thursday 6 June 2024
Ghost Gun and Ammunition Land Convicted Felon Back in Prison for 65 MonthsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Mark Harris, 27, a previously convicted felon from Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 65 months in prison for possessing three different firearms between June 1 and November 2, 2023, one which was an untraceable “ghost gun,” and more than 150 rounds of ammunition. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police.
Harris, aka “Romilli,” pleaded guilty on February 29, 2024, to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered Harris to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on May 23, 2023, law enforcement learned of an Instagram live stream posted by Harris in which he produced a black handgun and stated something to the effect of “crack a (explicit) head with this joint.” Based on the post, Harris’s prior felony conviction and his location in the District at the time of the posting, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his residence.
On June 1, 2023, law enforcement executed the search warrant. In Harris’s bedroom under the mattress, law enforcement seized a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with no serial number (a privately manufactured firearm or “ghost gun”) and an extended magazine with 12 rounds of ammunition and one bullet in the chamber. Inside a closet, law enforcement recovered a Palmetto PA-15 multi-caliber semi-automatic rifle with a 42-round capacity magazine. In addition, they found more than 133 rounds of assorted silver and bronze ammunition; ammunition in four boxes under the bed; 10 bottles of promethazine, and two bags of white powdery substance in a small safe.
Despite the execution of the search warrant on June 1, by June 30 Harris again went on Instagram to post images of additional firearms in his possession. On October 4, 2023, Harris publicly posted to his Instagram account a YouTube music video for his song “Add It Up,” in which he is depicted holding a firearm with an extended magazine and a “giggle switch” used to convert the weapon into a fully automatic machine gun. On November 2, 2023, law enforcement again executed a search warrant at Harris’s residence. This time, they found Harris in his bedroom, where they recovered: a stolen black .40 caliber Glock 22 pistol with a 15-round capacity magazine containing 14 rounds and one round in the chamber; 10 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition from a dresser drawer; various prescription forms contained within a bag on the floor; and two empty promethazine bottles next to the bed. Law enforcement arrested Harris and he has remained in custody since his arrest.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration- Washington Division and the Metropolitan Police Department with valuable assistance from the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Gaelin Bernstein of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sitara Witanachchi of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses of the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Washington D.C. Valuable assistance was provided by former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Crosby.
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Galvion to Pay $2,495,000 to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Galvion, Ltd. (Galvion) has agreed to pay $2,495,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act through the knowing sale of non-conforming parts to the United States Department of Defense.
Galvion is headquartered in Montreal, Canada with three production facilities located in the United States, including one in Newport, Vermont. Galvion manufactures protective head systems for use by law enforcement and military personnel, including the United States military. Among the company’s products is the modular suspension system (MSS), a helmet insert.
Through prime vendors, the company sold MSS products to the United States under the Defense Logistics Agency’s Special Operational Equipment Tailored Logistic Support (SOE TLS) Program, which requires that textiles be sourced from the United States in accordance with the Berry Amendment. The government’s investigation revealed that between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019, the company used a non-domestic source of pads in the MSS products sold through the SOE TLS program, as well as a foreign source of nets and harnesses for some orders.
Galvion has acknowledged that employees with oversight of material sourcing, product operations, and/or product sales during this period were aware that certain components in these orders needed to be sourced from the United States and that non-compliant components nevertheless were used. The government alleges that these acts violated the False Claims Act, a civil fraud statute that prohibits the knowing submission of false claims to the government.
“Fraud by government contractors and subcontractors is a serious issue and can erode the integrity of government programs,” said United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest. “By selling improperly sourced products to the military, the company placed profits over compliance with clear regulations. This settlement demonstrates that the United States Attorney’s Office will continue to root out fraud among companies who do business with the government.”
“The introduction of non-compliant materials into the military supply chain poses a significant risk to our nation’s service members,” stated Brian J. Solecki, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office. “We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice, to ensure that individuals and companies who engage in fraudulent activity, at the expense of the Department of Defense, are held accountable for their actions.”
“This settlement further demonstrates the resolve of Army CID, and our law enforcement partners to protect and defend the assets of the United States Army,” stated Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly, of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office.
During the period in question, the MSS was a product of Revision Military Ltd (Revision); in September 2019, Revision’s owner sold the company and certain product lines but retained the protective head system business, which thereafter operated as Galvion.
To resolve the claims against it, Galvion has agreed to pay to the United States a total of $2,495,000. This amount reflects Galvion’s acceptance of responsibility, cooperation with the government investigation, and compliance measures Galvion implemented after 2019.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Almquist Lively handled this matter for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. Investigative support was provided by the United States Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
This investigation stemmed from a complaint made to the DLA Hotline related to the origin of materials used in the company’s MSS products. The government encourages individuals with information on potential fraud to report it, as complaints and hotline tips often play a key role in holding companies accountable. To report fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement impacting DLA, contact the DLA Hotline by completing the online form at https://www.dla.mil/Inspector-General/Hotline-Form/. You can also report concerns to [email protected] or call 1-800-411-9127. Requests for confidentiality will be honored to the full extent allowed by law.
The settlement agreement between the United States and Galvion is available at this link:
Galvion Settlement Agreement.
Four Men Charged with Carjacking and Kidnapping Resulting in Death of A South Florida WomanRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Jordanish Torres Garcia (28, Orlando), Kevin Ocasio Justiniano (27, Orlando), Giovany Crespo Hernandez (27, Orlando), and Dereck Alexis Rodriguez Bonilla (21, Orlando),with carjacking resulting in death, kidnapping resulting in death, and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing the death of K.A. If convicted on all counts, Torres Garcia, Ocasio Justiniano, Crespo Hernandez, and Rodriguez Bonilla face a minimum mandatory of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
According to the indictment, on April 11, 2024, Torres Garcia, Ocasio Justiniano, Crespo Hernandez, and Rodriguez Bonilla aided and abetted each other and others to carjack and kidnap K.A, resulting in the death of K.A. While committing the carjacking, Torres Garcia, Ocasio Justiniano, Crespo Hernandez, and Rodriguez Bonilla aided and abetted each other in the use of a firearm during and in relation to the carjacking causing the death of K.A.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, St. Cloud Police Department, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Marshal Service. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie McNeff and Dana Hill.
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.
Video statement from U.S. Attorney Handberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEz8M45kGqE
Former Vice President and employee of Florida aircraft parts broker sentenced to prison for aircraft parts fraudRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 28, Daniel Navarro, 50, of Miami Lakes, Florida, the former Vice President of Sofly Aviation Services (Sofly), an aviation parts distribution company, and Jorge Guerrero, 71, of Hialeah, Florida, a Procurement & Asset Management Specialist for Sofly, were sentenced to federal prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
U.S. District Senior Judge Federico A. Moreno sentenced Navarro to 30 months in prison, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release; and sentenced Guerrero to 12 months and 1 day in prison, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release. Navarro and Guerrero were ordered to pay no less than $204,055 in joint and several restitution. A $93,309.22 forfeiture order was placed on Navarro’s property.
According to court records, beginning in 2012 and continuing into 2019, Navarro and Guerrero purchased “as removed” aircraft parts and resold them using certificates that falsely claimed the parts to be airworthy under the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The fraudulent approval tags represented those “as removed” parts to be overhauled, tested/inspected or repaired, which misled their buyers into believing them to be airworthy. Most often, Navarro and Guerrero would use an FAA approved repair station’s FAA certificate number to falsely certify the part to have been overhauled, tested/inspected or repaired by that repair station, when in fact they never were. According to the court documents, those parts were sold to Canadian airlines and a U.S. Department of Defense contractor.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent-in-Charge Darrin K. Jones, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office, and Joseph Harris, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), Southern Region announced the sentences imposed.
DOT OIG conducted this investigation jointly with DCIS and with assistance from the FAA.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Keller prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Klco handled asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under Case No. 23-CR-20416.
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Former Takeda Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in $2.3 Million Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former senior level employee in the technology operations group of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) pleaded guilty yesterday to engaging in a scheme to defraud the company of at least $2.3 million.
Priya Bhambi, 40, of Brookline, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Bhambi and an alleged co-conspirator, who did not work at the company, were charged in an indictment filed on March 23, 2023.
Between approximately January 2022 and October 2022, Bhambi and her alleged co-conspirator orchestrated and executed a scheme to defraud Takeda of at least $2.3 million in payments for purported consulting services by submitting fabricated invoices on behalf of a sham consulting company.
In February 2022, the co-conspirator, in coordination with Bhambi, allegedly incorporated Evoluzione Consulting LLC (Evoluzione). Later, Bhambi created a website for Evoluzione with false information, including fabricated blog posts, to make it appear that Evoluzione was a legitimate consulting business. After incorporating Evoluzione, Bhambi, allegedly in coordination with the co-conspirator, submitted a statement of work to Takeda and caused Takeda to sign a master services agreement with Evoluzione and issue a purchase order to Evoluzione for consulting services with a total cost of $3.542 million. Then, between March and May of 2022, Bhambi and the alleged co-conspirator fabricated and submitted to Takeda five separate invoices for services that Evoluzione had not performed, each in the amount of $460,000. When questioned by Takeda employees, Bhambi and the alleged co-conspirator made false representations regarding the services purportedly provided by Evoluzione. Takeda paid all five of the invoices to business accounts allegedly opened by the alleged co-conspirator in the name of Evoluzione.
In total, Bhambi and the alleged co-conspirator defrauded Takeda of $2.3 million in payments to Evoluzione for services not provided. Bhambi and her alleged co-conspirator used the fraudulently obtained funds to purchase a Mercedes-Benz Model E; purchase a diamond engagement ring; make a down payment on a $1.875 million condominium in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood; and place a deposit on a wedding venue.
In connection with the charges, the Court issued seizure warrants for the Mercedes, over $1 million in fraud proceeds from accounts the defendants controlled, $49,985 from the wedding venue deposit and issued a restraining order to preserve the Seaport condominium for forfeiture.
The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud carry a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. 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 Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement today. Takeda has provided valuable assistance and cooperation with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie A. Wright of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit is handling the forfeiture of aspects of the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Sheriff's Deputy Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Records to Obstruct A Federal InvestigationRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Wesley Wayne Hunter, Jr. age 28, of Yukon, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in a federal investigation.
The Government’s Superseding Indictment alleged that on July 20, 2023, while on duty in his official capacity as a Canadian County Sheriff’s Deputy, Hunter purposefully deactivated the mobile tracking system on his work phone, altering and falsifying the official record of his activities. As part of his plea, Hunter admitted to deactivating the mobile tracking system while transporting a female pretrial detainee from Bryan County to Canadian County before pulling his patrol car off the transport route. Hunter further admitted he did this to conceal and impede any future investigation into his subsequent criminal misconduct.
The charges arose from investigations by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable John Russell, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Hunter will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending a presentence investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Richard Lorenz, in consultation with Trial Attorney Laura Gilson from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, represented the United States.
Former Sanger Police Officer Charged with Additional Civil Rights Violation Involving Sexual AssaultRead the Press Release
FRESNO, CALIF — A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging former Sanger police officer J. Deshawn Torrence, 40, of Corcoran, with an additional count of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law for sexually assaulting a woman with whom he interacted during the course of his duties.
Torrence was previously indicted in July 2022. At that time, he was charged with engaging in various forms of nonconsensual sexual conduct, ranging from directing a victim to remove her clothing without a legitimate law enforcement purpose to forcing his victims to engage in sex acts, all while serving as a police officer. The superseding indictment adds a charge involving an additional victim. According to the indictment, Torrence sexually assaulted the additional victim after locking her in his patrol vehicle and driving her to an isolated location.
U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge Siddhartha Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office made the announcement.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar and Special Litigation Counsel Michael Songer of the Criminal Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Torrence faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for the counts of deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury, including sexual abuse. He faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted of deprivation of rights under color of law, and he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of deprivation of rights under the color of law resulting in bodily injury. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former Public Official Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Honest Services FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Bridgette Crowell, a former public official who managed government contracts at the District of Columbia’s Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) and, before that, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), pleaded guilty today for participating in a scheme in which she reaped benefits from steering lucrative government contracts to her co-conspirators' private companies.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, Acting Inspector General Kevin B. Muhlendorf of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Office of Inspector General, and Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General.
Crowell, 39, of Laurel, Maryland, pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal Information charging her with conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya S. Chutkan scheduled sentencing for September 6, 2024.
In a related case, Obinna Ogbu, 52, of Silver Spring, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal Information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud for his conduct as an employee at WMATA and his actions with Crowell at OCP. In another matter, Ifediora Oli, 41, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was previously charged with conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
“The defendants have admitted to a corrupt scheme where government contracts were steered to companies that unlawfully paid government officials in connection with the contracts,” said US Attorney Graves. “Such corruption of our government agencies will not be tolerated. We commend the diligent work of our investigative partners who helped uncover a multiyear conspiracy to defraud WMATA, the District of Columbia, and the District’s citizens.”
“Crowell misused her position to steer lucrative contracts to private companies, and in return, she received cash payments and a new car,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott. “The FBI Washington Field Office, in coordination with our federal and district partners, worked tirelessly to unmask this scheme, and we will continue to investigate allegations of criminal activity that degrade community trust in our public servants."
“These guilty pleas highlight WMATA OIG’s commitment to investigating procurement fraud impacting WMATA activities,” said Acting Inspector General Muhlendorf. “The OIG will continue to work with our investigative partners to pursue those who violate the public’s trust for personal gain.”
“These judicial outcomes highlight the unfortunate fact that taxpayers become the victim when government employees and contractors collude to enrich themselves unjustly,” said Inspector General Lucas. “The DC OIG and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our shared commitment to hold accountable those who seek to deprive District residents of the benefits of their tax dollars.”
According to court documents, Crowell began working at the District’s Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) in 2019 as a contracting specialist. Before that, she worked at WMATA as a contract administrator. Crowell first met her co-conspirators when working at WMATA. Ogbu was a WMATA employee. Oli was an employee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but separately held himself out as the Principal of Highbury Global Group, Inc. (Highbury). By 2021, Crowell understood that her co-conspirators had orchestrated a bribery scheme in which Ogbu received things of value for misusing his position at WMATA and steering WMATA-related business opportunities to Oli and Highbury.
While at OCP, Crowell agreed to steer government contracts to Highbury and another company created by Ogbu, The Nupath Company (Nupath), in exchange for things of value. Crowell misused her official position at OCP by, among other things: alerting her co-conspirators to upcoming solicitations; providing them with non-public information about the solicitations, including information regarding contract pricing; helping Highbury and Nupath secure government contracts; and taking multiple steps to conceal her personal connections to Highbury and Nupath.
Crowell’s misconduct led to Highbury obtaining a $630,000 contract with the District to provide the District’s Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) with COVID-19 Testing Supplies; Nupath receiving a $27,000 contract to provide the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with certain equipment; and Nupath being awarded a nearly $850,000 contract to provide MPD with assistance carrying out pre-employment suitability background investigations for officer candidates. For her official actions and participation in the fraudulent schemes, Crowell received things of value from her co-conspirators, including as much as $10,000 cash per month, a new car, and assistance with closing costs for a new home.
As part of his guilty plea, Ogbu admitted that his misconduct began in 2018 and ultimately resulted in Highbury and Nupath receiving roughly $2 million in funds originating from WMATA and District contracts.
The investigation into this matter was conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with the WMATA Office of the Inspector General, and the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Visser of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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Former Postal Employee Charged with Stealing Checks from Mail; Fraud and Identity Theft OffensesRead 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 a 10-count indictment charging KIERRA BLOUNT, 34, of Stamford, with fraud, identity theft, and mail theft offenses.
The indictment was returned on March 26, 2024, and unsealed yesterday. Blount is currently being sought by law enforcement.
The indictment alleges that Blount, at times while employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Stamford, stole mail and obtained stolen mail for the purpose of obtaining checks that were payable to other individuals. In approximately November 2021, Blount opened a bank account using the name and social security number of an individual without the identity theft victim’s knowledge. Blount and others fraudulently changed the payee names on stolen checks to the name of the identity theft victim, forged the victim’s signature on the back of the checks, and deposited them into the bank account Blount opened. From November 2021 until the account was closed in April 2022, Blount and others deposited tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent checks into the account. They then used the funds for their own purposes.
The indictment charges Blount with eight count of bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on each count; one count of aggravated identity theft, an offense that carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years; and one count of unlawful possession of stolen mail, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
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 the Stamford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel.
Former Fresno Sleep Clinic Owner Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Submitting over $1.5 Million in Fraudulent Claims for Sleep Studies to Medicare and Medi-CalRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jeremy Gober, 43, of Hanford, was sentenced to 46 months in prison Wednesday for committing health care fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Gober co-owned and co-operated Got Sleep Inc., which operated sleep clinics in Fresno and Orange Counties. Sleep clinics perform diagnostic sleep studies to identify disorders like sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
From August 2016 through July 2020, Jeremy Gober caused Got Sleep to submit thousands of claims to Medicare and Medi-Cal for sleep studies that were not actually performed on patients. The claims also falsely stated that the patients had been referred for the sleep studies by physicians with whom Jeremy Gober had previously worked. This was done because Medicare and Medi-Cal will not pay for a sleep study unless the patient was referred by a physician. Gober caused more than $1.5 million in fraudulent claims to be submitted and $587,000 to be paid out by Medicare and Medi-Cal.
On March 11, 2024, Jeremy Gober’s brother, Travis Gober, was sentenced to 19 months in prison for his conviction in a similar health care fraud and aggravated identity theft scheme related to other sleep clinics in the Central Valley.
This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the California Department of Health Care Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton prosecuted the case.
Former Federal Credit Union Employee Sentenced to 54 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced defendant Jalen Craig McMillan, age 30, of Jessup, Maryland to 54 months in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, and restitution of $165,891.68.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Christina Bentham of the U.S. Secret Service – Baltimore Field Office.
According to the evidence presented at his four-day trial, McMillan used his position as a “Member Service Representative” at a federal credit union to facilitate both the opening of accounts in the names of identity theft victims and subsequent financial transactions, including assisting with loans. As detailed at trial and in court documents, co-defendant Archie Paul and his co-conspirators obtained, possessed, and used fictitious identities and the personal identifying information (“PII”) of real persons (the “victims”), which Paul and co-defendant John Fitzgerald Washington used to manufacture and procure false identification documents displaying the PII of the victims, but photographs of others. Paul, co-defendant Tiffany Rainel Williams and others then used the false identification documents to impersonate the victims and with the help of McMillan and other conspirators, open bank accounts and conduct financial transactions in their names, including making large withdrawals from the victims’ accounts.
In addition to the conspiracy and bank fraud charges, McMillan was convicted of aggravated identity theft for providing the identifying information of a bank customer to Paul, knowing that it would be used to facilitate the fraud. Specifically, the evidence proved that McMillan used his special access to the bank’s customer database to steal confidential PII belonging to Victim 5, a customer at the bank. McMillan provided that information to Paul. A co-conspirator subsequently opened a bank account using Victim 4’s PII and Victim 5’s banking information. McMillan serviced the transaction and assisted the co-conspirator in obtaining a $10,000 loan in Victim 4’s name, which the co-conspirator immediately withdrew in cash.
Trial evidence proved that the conspirators intended to fraudulently obtain more than $400,000 from the bank and successfully defrauded the bank of more than $150,000.
Co-defendants Archie Paul, a/k/a “Carter Hill” and “Zion Davis,” age 31, of Laurel, Maryland; John Fitzgerald Washington, age 52, of Waldorf, Maryland, and Tiffany Rainel Williams, age 37, of Glenarden, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and have been sentenced.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron praised the U.S. Secret Service for its work in the investigation and thanked the City of Laurel Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Bijon Mostoufi and Ranganath Manthripragada, who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Former Director at New York City Mayor’s Office Arrested for Participating in Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of TOMMY LIN in connection with a scheme to steal millions of dollars from financial institutions, which resulted in the theft of over $10 million. LIN was arrested this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. LIN was charged in a Superseding Indictment along with ZHONG SHI GAO, a/k/a “George,” and FEI JIANG, a/k/a “Jeffrey,” a/k/a “Brother Fei,” who were previously arrested in November 2023. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Tommy Lin allegedly participated in a complex bank fraud scheme while also serving as a Director in the New York City Mayor’s Office and Senior Advisor to the NYPD’s Asian Advisory Council. Leveraging his connections to law enforcement, he allegedly leaked personal identifying information to members of the scheme, ran background checks for them, and even arranged for federal immigration authorities to arrest an individual in exchange for $20,000 in cash. I thank the career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners for their persistence in investigating this fraudulent and corrupt scheme.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Tommy Lin, a former director in the Mayor’s Office, allegedly participated in a scheme to defraud more than a dozen financial institutions of at least $10 million by submitting illegitimate fraud reports to force the banks to reimburse them. To facilitate this conspiracy, Lin allegedly assisted members of the scheme in running background checks and accepted a significant cash bribe to arrange the arrest of a slighted accountholder by immigration authorities. Those in municipal offices are expected to conduct themselves with rectitude and obedience to the law, not engage in the purposeful manipulation of our economic infrastructure. The FBI is committed to ensuring all citizens, especially those in positions of authority, adhere to financial regulations and will investigate individuals who seek to profit from fraudulent plots.”
According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]
LIN previously served as the Director of Constituent Services in the Community Affairs Unit for the New York City Mayor’s Office between in or about 2014 and in or about 2019. As part of his responsibilities in the New York City Mayor’s Office, LIN served as a Senior Advisor to the New York City Police Department’s Asian Advisory Council.
Between at least in or about 2018 and in or about 2022, LIN participated in a scheme with GAO, JIANG, and others to steal millions of dollars from banks by causing transfers of funds between accounts they controlled, then falsely and fraudulently reporting that the transfers were unauthorized, which induced the financial institutions to credit them the amount of the transfers. The scheme was responsible for over $10 million in actual losses to nearly a dozen banks.
LIN participated in the bank fraud conspiracy by, among other things: providing names and dates of birth for potential accountholders to be used in the scheme, running background checks on members of the scheme to ensure that law enforcement was not investigating them, and accepting approximately $20,000 in cash in exchange for arranging for a Deportation Officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest a disgruntled accountholder who had previously participated in the scheme.
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LIN, 41, of Forest Hills, New York, is charged with one count of bank fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Department of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General for their assistance in the investigation of this case.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Chan, James Ligtenberg, and Ni Qian are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
Former California Police Officer Charged with Sexually Assaulting Multiple Women While on DutyRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Fresno, California, returned a superseding indictment charging former Sanger, California, Police Department officer DeShawn Torrence with deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law for sexually assaulting four women with whom he interacted during the course of his duties.
Torrence was previously indicted in July 2022. At that time, he was charged with engaging in various forms of nonconsensual sexual conduct, ranging from directing a victim to remove her clothing without a legitimate law enforcement purpose to forcing his victims to engage in sex acts, all while serving as a police officer. The superseding indictment adds a charge involving an additional victim. According to the indictment, Torrence sexually assaulted the additional victim after locking her in his patrol vehicle and driving her to an isolated location.
Five of the counts charged in the superseding indictment carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. One count carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison. The remaining counts each carry a maximum statutory penalty of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert for the Eastern District of California and Special Agent in Charge Siddhartha Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Sacramento Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar for the Eastern District of California 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.
Felon Who Threatened Gas Station Employees with Gun Sentenced to 100 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry Edward Autrey on Wednesday sentenced a convicted felon who threatened employees of a St. Louis, Missouri gas station with a gun to 100 months in prison.
Richard Skinner, 45, pleaded guilty in December to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted being caught by police with a semi-automatic pistol on March 27, 2023, after a dispute with employees of a gas station in the 1100 block of South Kingshighway Boulevard in St. Louis. The employees told police Skinner threatened them with the gun during a confrontation. They restrained him after a struggle.
Skinner has prior convictions that include a cocaine conspiracy charge, forgery and robbery, a sentencing memo says.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Goeke is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce 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.
Federal Jury Convicts North Port Man of Producing and Possessing Videos of Minors Engaged in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Raul Colon-Ocasio (32, North Port) guilty of producing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and possessing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Colon-Ocasio faces a maximum penalty of up to 70 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2024. Raul Colon-Ocasio was indicted on April 5, 2023.
According to evidence presented at trial, in September 2022, a mother called the police to report her minor child was missing. While trying to locate the child, the police observed social media communications between Colon-Ocasio and the child that were sexual in nature. The child was located by the police and returned home. In October 2022, an FBI Task Force Officer assumed the social media account of the child and began communicating with Colon-Ocasio. On October 18, 2022, instead of Colon-Ocasio meeting with the child, he was instead met by the police and his cellphone was seized.
A subsequent forensic analysis of Colon-Ocasio’s cellphone revealed numerous videos that he had produced of two minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct that he had saved and collected on his cellphone.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office that assisted in this investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava.
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.
Federal Inmate Sentenced to Serve Four Additional Years in Federal Prison after Assaulting a Federal Corrections OfficerRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – REYES LUIS HOLGUIN, 31, of Phoenix, Arizona, has been sentenced to serve an additional 48 months in federal prison for assaulting a federal corrections officer, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public record, in August 2023, Holguin was an inmate at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City, when he entered a federal corrections officer’s office without permission. Holguin slammed the door shut and told the officer, “You are not leaving the office.” Holguin then assaulted the officer before quickly being subdued by the same officer. The officer sustained minor injuries. As a result of this incident, on November 7, 2023, a federal grand jury charged Holguin with assault on a federal officer involving physical contact.
On February 1, 2024, Holguin pleaded guilty, and admitted to physically assaulting the federal corrections officer.
At the sentencing hearing on June 5, 2024, U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones sentenced Holguin to serve 48 months in federal prison to be served after his existing sentence—a 10-year sentence for distribution of fentanyl in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona—followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, the Court noted the serious nature of Holguin’s assault on the officer, his criminal history, and the need to deter Holguin and other federal inmates from engaging in similar conduct.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Federal Inmate Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Assaulting and Causing Bodily Injury to Three Federal Corrections OfficersRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Thomas Waters, age 37, a federal prison inmate, was sentenced on June 5, 2024, by United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 168 months’ imprisonment for three counts of assaulting a federal officer.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the evidence presented at a three day trial held in January 2024 revealed that on January 18, 2023, while an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan (“USP Canaan”), in Wayne County, PA, Waters assaulted three federal corrections officers, causing bodily injury to each man. More specifically, the evidence showed that while being counseled for a rule violation, Waters repeatedly struck one corrections officer in the head with his fists. Then, during this assault, Waters disarmed the officer of his service baton and used it to strike the officer in the head. When additional corrections officers responded to assist, Waters bit two other corrections officers.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Mannion ordered that Waters’ 168-month sentence run consecutively to the federal sentence that Waters was already serving at the time of the assault.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Special Investigative Services component within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffery St John and Tatum R. Wilson prosecuted the case.
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Edgerton Man Sentenced to a Year for Straw Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Lorenzo Lacey, 27, Edgerton, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to one year and one day in federal prison for inducing and causing another person to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer. Lacey pleaded guilty to this charge on March 7, 2024. The prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Lacey induced and caused co-defendant Irene Johll, 23, Oregon, Wisconsin, to falsely state on firearms purchase forms that she was the actual purchaser of three handguns, when in fact Lacey was the actual purchaser. The practice of lying to a firearms dealer about the identity of the actual purchaser is commonly referred to as a “straw purchase” and it is illegal.
At Lacey’s sentencing, Judge Conley was troubled by Lacey’s actions in this case, stating that there were many red flags indicating the severity of his conduct. Judge Conley noted that dangerous shootings are too common in Madison, and that many of the firearms used in those incidents are illegally obtained.
On March 26, 2024, Johll pleaded guilty to three counts of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. She is participating in a deferred sentencing agreement.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting ‘straw purchase’ cases” said U.S. Attorney Timothy O’Shea. “I am grateful for the strong partnership we have with the Fitchburg Police Department. Our office will continue to work closely with ATF and local law enforcement partners to reduce gun violence by holding accountable those who use guns in crime and those who provide guns to criminals.”
Lacey is currently charged in Dane County Circuit Court in connection with a shooting that allegedly involved one of the firearms purchased for him by Johll. That case is still pending, and Lacey is presumed innocent in that case unless proven guilty.
The federal charges against Lacey were the result of an investigation conducted by the Fitchburg Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan prosecuted this case.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
District Teen Indicted on Multiple Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery and Related Charges from August 2023 Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Zakyh Samuel, 16, of Washington, D.C., was indicted on May 30, 2024, on charges stemming from an August 24, 2023, crime spree throughout the District, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Samuel was charged as an adult by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in a 16-count indictment. Samuel was charged with two counts of armed carjacking, five counts of armed robbery, and assault with intent to rob while armed, along with possession of a firearm during each of those crimes of violence.
Samuel was arraigned on May 31, 2024, before the Honorable Jason Park.
According to the government’s evidence, Samuel and his accomplices used a stolen burgundy Jeep Grand Cherokee to traverse around the District and prey on members of the community from about 1:30 a.m. to 5:15 a.m., flanking their victims, brandishing firearms, demanding property, and then fleeing, in each offense. DNA testing and surveillance footage later linked Samuel to the spree of offenses.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Distributor of “Pedo Lives Matter” child pornography chatroom sent to prisonRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 35-year-old Spring resident has been sentenced for distributing, receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Oscar Barrios pleaded guilty Nov. 30, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett has now sentenced Barrios to 144 months for the distribution and receipt of child pornography counts and 120 months for the possession of child pornography count, respectively. They will run concurrently for a total 144-month term of imprisonment. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted Barrios violated a position of trust as a father with minor children in the household. Barrios was further ordered to pay $20,500 in restitution to the victims and will serve five years life on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Barrios will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
Barrios distributed and received child pornography on multiple messaging applications such as Kik and Discord. He participated in chatrooms, including one named “Pedo Lives Matter,” where members engaged in trading child pornography. In these chatrooms, Barrios made statements proclaiming sexual interest in a minor female relative.
During a search of his electronic devices, law enforcement uncovered 66 videos and one image of child pornography.
Barrios will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebekah Saunders and Christine Lu are prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Daughter who stole more than $700,000 from elderly mother in Lewistown while serving as caregiver sentenced to four and one-half years in prisonRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A woman who forged checks to steal more than $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown while purporting to serve as her caregiver was sentenced today to four and one-half years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
The defendant, Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, pleaded guilty in January to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court also ordered Lewis-Stella to pay $725,145 restitution.
“It shocks the conscience that after a lifetime of love from her mother, Lewis-Stella, when her vulnerable mom needed her most, stole so much of her money that her mom had to sell her home to move into an assisted living facility. Every case involving elder fraud and abuse is repulsive, but it is particularly odious when it is done by a family member. Whether the perpetrator is a family member or stranger, we will continue intensifying our efforts to fight elder fraud and abuse to protect the generations who came before us,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.
The government alleged that from November 2021 to July 2023, Lewis-Stella, under the guise of serving as caregiver for her mother, forged approximately 70 of her mother’s checks to steal her fortune. In one instance, Lewis-Stella attempted to cash a forged check for $500,000. Lewis-Stella also reused checks by altering numbers and depositing them twice. To conceal her crimes, Lewis-Stella called the banks and impersonated her mother and intercepted mailed bank statements before her mother could see them. In addition, Lewis-Stella stole and pawned a 100-ounce silver bar from her mother, used her father’s credit cards after his death to accumulate $14,000 in charges for her personal expenses and stole and forged a $12,505 life insurance check written to her husband’s son. Lewis-Stella used the money for clothes, travel, entertainment, restaurants, online shopping, cosmetic procedures and tattoos.
In addition, the government alleged that Lewis-Stella’s mother was a vulnerable victim because of her advanced age and because she relied almost entirely on her daughter for care. After the thefts were discovered, Lewis-Stella’s mother was forced to sell her home and move into an assisted living facility.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karla E. Painter and Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI, Fergus County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Adult Protective Services conducted the investigation.
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Cumberland County Men Indicted for Firearms and Drug-Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marty Robinson, age 46, and Jordan Brown, age 35, both of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2024, on charges of firearms and drug trafficking offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Robinson and Brown for conspiring to make a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm and aided and abetted by each other, making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on or about June 5, 2023, Brown bought a firearm for Robinson in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and lied to a licensed dealer of firearms about being the actual buyer and transferee.
The indictment also charges Robinson with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine; possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person on June 7, 2023, in Cumberland County.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Carlisle Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce 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 also prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the indicted offenses against Robinson is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. The maximum penalty under federal law for the indicted offenses against Brown is 15 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Crips Gang Member Sentenced to 11 Years for Drug Trafficking and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Daquan Rosenboro, age 24, of Grifton, a validated member of the Crips gang, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison for nine separate charges related to trafficking methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm by a felon. Roseboro pled guilty to the charges earlier this year.
“Trafficking high-purity meth with a toddler in the car and brandishing guns and dope in hype videos with small children - it’s a level of recklessness we rarely see,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “The Craven County Sheriff’s swift action ensures this validated Crips gang member won’t put kids at risk again anytime soon.”
Sheriff Chip Hughes stated, “This prosecution represents our emphasis on investigating and convicting high-priority gang related drug dealers. We appreciate the cooperation of our local and Federal law enforcement partners and the work of the U.S. Attorney's Office in putting this dangerous felon behind bars.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Rosenboro after learning that he was trafficking drugs in and around Craven County. Between December 6, 2022, and January 26, 2023, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of high-purity methamphetamine from Rosenboro, including a controlled purchase of 54 grams of methamphetamine where a toddler was in the rear of the vehicle occupied by Rosenboro at the time of the sale. Rosenboro also sold a SAR 9mm handgun to someone working at the direction of law enforcement. Rosenboro had a prior felony conviction, which prohibited him from owning a handgun. Rosenboro was arrested on January 26, 2023. Following his arrest, a search of his residence uncovered various illegal drugs, a loaded .22 caliber rifle with a large capacity magazine, and 27 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition.
During the investigation, agents discovered videos of Rosenboro with suspected methamphetamine. The videos show him dancing with an AR-style pistol tucked into his waistband and holding cash while small children can be seen in the background. Law enforcement determined that one of the $100 bills Rosenboro held in the video was part of the government funds utilized in an undercover purchase from him.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle presided over the sentencing. ATF, the Craven and Lenoir County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Kinston, Grifton, and New Bern Police Departments investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-CR-00010-BO-BM.
Court Sentences Grand Bay Man to 100 Months Imprisonment in Multi-Defendant Interstate Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – On June 5, 2024, United States District Court Judge Callie V. S. Grande sentenced David Willis Hale to 100 months imprisonment for his role in a multi-defendant interstate methamphetamine drug trafficking conspiracy.
Documents filed with the Court established that Hale was involved with five other persons to transport and distribute methamphetamine from Texas to Mobile County, Alabama. Hale served as a drug courier in the organization. On numerous occasions Hale transported methamphetamine from Lafayette, Louisiana, where he met another courier (co-defendant Daniel Castillo Garcia) working for the Texas supplier (co-defendant Christopher Perales). Hale would then transport the methamphetamine back to Mobile for David Eric Crumpton and Heather Jeanean Boone.
On August 3, 2020, Hale was stopped in Hancock County, Mississippi with $8,000 in U.S. currency, given to him by Boone to purchase approximately one pound of methamphetamine from Perales. On December 28, 2020, Hale was stopped in Harrison County, Mississippi, with approximately 300 grams of crystal methamphetamine that he was in the process of delivering to Crumpton in Mobile. Crumpton had ordered the methamphetamine from Perales and then directed Hale to meet Castillo-Garcia in Lafayette, LA to obtain the methamphetamine. Crumpton, Castillo Garcia and another member of the conspiracy, Julie Alesia Roberts, have already been sentenced by the Court. Perales and Boone will be sentenced in the future.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mobile Police Department, Narcotics Unit, the Harrison and Hancock County, Mississippi, Sherriff’s Offices and the Galveston County Texas Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Trafficking Firearms from Alabama to MassachusettsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court for illegally transporting dozens of firearms from Alabama into Massachusetts.
Jahquel Pringle, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In February 2024, Pringle pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to illegally transport firearms; two counts of illegal transportation or receipt in state of residency of firearm purchased or acquired outside of state of residency; and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pringle was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022 along with co-defendants Brandon Moore, Jarmori Brown and Kobe Smith.
Pringle, Brown, Moore and Smith conspired to obtain at least 24 firearms from Alabama, where Moore lived, and then transport them to Boston. In two separate trips in July and August 2020, Pringle traveled from Boston to Alabama on a commercial bus to pick up the firearms from Moore and then transported the firearms, concealed within luggage, back to Boston by bus. At least seven of the firearms have been recovered from the streets of Boston and surrounding communities. Pringle was captured on video firing one of the firearms in Alabama. Pringle is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction.
In July 2023, Brown was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy. Moore’s case was transferred to the Middle District of Alabama where he has since pleaded guilty. Smith pleaded guilty in March 2024 and will be sentenced on June 12, 2024.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. This case was prosecuted by the Major Crimes Unit.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 12 Years for Distribution of CocaineRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Avery Jones-Neal (29, Dunedin) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine. Jones-Neal entered a guilty plea on February 21, 2024.
According to court documents, Jones-Neal sold cocaine to a confidential informant on July 25, July 26, and July 31, 2023. On July 26, 2023, Jones-Neal also sold a firearm, which he was prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon. A search warrant was executed on the residence where the sales took place and law enforcement located additional cocaine inside that residence. Jones-Neal was subject to enhanced sentencing penalties since he had two prior convictions for narcotics distribution.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
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.
Convicted Felon Arrested for Avionics Equipment TheftRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Mario Mercier Hernandez (59, New Port Richey) with five counts of interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted, Mercier faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Mercier that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture for proceeds obtained from the offense.
According to court documents, beginning around 2019, Mercier embarked on a string of thefts of avionics equipment from more than two dozen airports across the United States, including airports in Florida, Tennessee, New Jersey, Maryland, and South Carolina. Mercier entered each airport, broke into airplanes, and stole valuable electronics equipment from the planes. After each theft, Mercier transported the stolen equipment to the Middle District of Florida.
Mercier owned and operated JWG International and JWG Aviation in the Middle District of Florida. These companies purported to provide aid to impoverished children in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Mercier used these companies to sell the stolen avionics equipment on various websites to unsuspecting purchasers around the United States.
Mercier’s thefts continued until May 23, 2024, when he was arrested while stealing equipment from aircraft at the Caldwell Executive Airport in Caldwell, Idaho. In 2008, Mercier was convicted for transportation of stolen property in the Middle District of Florida, relating to a similar scheme to steal and resell avionics equipment.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation Officer of Inspector General, St. Mary's Sheriff's Office (Lexington Park, Maryland), Canyon County Sheriff's Office and Caldwell Police Department (Caldwell, Idaho), Wilkes County Sheriff's Office (Wilkesboro, North Carolina), McClain County Sheriff's Office (Purcell, Oklahoma), Concord Police Department (Concord, North Carolina), Baxter County Sheriff’s Office (Mountain Home, Arkansas), Moore County Sheriff's Office (Carthage, North Carolina), Hillsborough Township Police Department (Hillsborough, New Jersey), Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina), Statesville Police Department (Statesville, North Carolina), Dorchester County Sheriff's Office (Summerville, South Carolina), Asheboro Police Department (Asheboro, North Carolina), Oconee County Sheriff's Office (Walhalla, South Carolina), Nashau Police Department (Nashau, New Hampshire), Citrus County Sherriff's Office (Inverness, Florida), Greenwood County Sheriff's Office (Greenwood, South Carolina), Lane County Sheriff's Office (Eugene, Oregon), Ontario County Sheriff's Office (Canandaigua, New York), Stow Police Department (Stow, Massachusetts), Burke County Sheriff's Office (Morganton, North Carolina), Iredell County Sheriff's Office (Mooresville, North Carolina), Charles County Sheriff's Office (Waldorf, Maryland), Thomasville Police Department (Thomasville, Georgia), Clarksville Police Department (Clarksville, Tennessee), Macon County Sheriff's Office (Franklin, North Carolina), Lincoln County Sheriff's Office (Lincolnton, North Carolina), McMinn County Sheriff's Office (Athens, Tennessee), Robertson County Sheriff's Office (Springfield, Tennessee), Lumberton Police Department (Lumberton, New Jersey), Bedminster Police Department (Bedminster, New Jersey), Spanish Fork Police Department (Spanish Fork, Utah), and Vancouver Police Department (Vancouver, Washington). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Schmidt and Karyna Valdes.
- Commercial fisherman pleads guilty to falsifying fishing records and taking an endangered sperm whale
Charges Announced in Connection with April 2023 Mass Poisoning in Kalamazoo CountyRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced multiple drug charges against James Smith, aka “Yola,” of Kalamazoo County in connection with an April 2023 mass poisoning event in Kalamazoo County. That event resulted in at least 6 deaths linked to fentanyl.
“What Kalamazoo experienced in April 2023 is a snapshot of the crisis we confront across America: more deaths than ever, driven by fentanyl, and snatching the lives of even first-time users with no idea they’re consuming this deadly poison,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “While we’ll never prosecute our way out of this crisis, today marks an important first step toward justice. This investigation is ongoing, and I encourage anyone with information to come forward. Now is the time.”
This past Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a multi-count indictment, which is attached to this press release. The indictment charges Smith with 8 counts.
- Count 1 charges Smith with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances Resulting in Death. In particular, the indictment alleges that Mr. Smith conspired to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and that the use of the fentanyl resulted in the death of D.M., one of the individuals who died during the April 2023 mass poisoning event in Kalamazoo County. This crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a maximum of life.
- Counts 3-9 charge Smith with Distribution of Cocaine, each count representing a separate distribution event that allegedly occurred between August 10, 2023, and February 6, 2024. These crimes carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
In addition, Count 2 charges Patrick Martin with Use of a Communication Facility to Commit a Drug Felony. In particular, the indictment alleges that on April 12, 2023, in Kalamazoo County, Patrick Martin used a cell phone to facilitate Count 1, that is the drug distribution that resulted in the death of D.M. This crime carries a maximum sentence of 4 years in federal prison.
Smith was arrested yesterday, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and had his initial appearance in federal court in Grand Rapids that same day. Mr. Smith is currently being detained and his arraignment, detention hearing, and initial pretrial conference is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. Mr. Martin will have his arraignment and initial pretrial conference on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 11 a.m.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to the April 2023 mass poisoning event in Kalamazoo County is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety through the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) at 269-337-8880. You may also submit an anonymous tip through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.
“We are pleased that we were able to work with our federal partners in this investigation and that we were able to bring forward charges and make an arrest for those who were responsible for that tragic day in our community,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen. “The actions of a few had life changing results for many. This investigation and arrest re-affirm my unwavering commitment to protecting our community from the dangers of drug trafficking. We hope that this arrest will result in more information being brought forward to assist with this ongoing investigation.”
“Fatal drug poisonings caused by deadly drugs like fentanyl are a significant threat across the United States,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene. “Today’s enforcement actions demonstrate our resolve to bring those responsible for this erosion and destruction of our communities to justice. This investigation is a clear demonstration of the strength of partnerships throughout the region and our commitment to protecting west Michigan from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (see here), in 2023 at least 107,543 people died from drug poisoning across the United States, which is near the all-time high of 111,029 deaths in 2022. In Michigan, at least 2,931 people died from drug poisoning in 2023. Approximately 75% of the 2023 drug poisoning deaths across the United States were due to fentanyl.
The following services are available for people experiencing addiction, or their friends and loved ones:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, www.samhsa.gov/find-support/in-crisis.
- Cope Network (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties), 269-580-8290, www.copenetwork.org.
- The Grand Rapids Red Project (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Kent and Muskegon Counties), 616-456-9063 (Kent County), 231-563-6865 (Muskegon County), www.redproject.org.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a webpage that identifies county-by-county services.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Portage Department of Public Safety, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the Michigan State Police.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Campbell County Man Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Newport, Ky., man, Tyjuan Eugene Crossty, 41, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 188 months, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
According to his plea agreement, on March 24, 2023, Crossty was traffic stopped by law enforcement in Covington, where law enforcement smelled marijuana, located a small amount of marijuana, and uncovered a loaded handgun in the glove compartment. Law enforcement utilized DNA evidence collected from the firearm located in the glove department and it showed to be a match with Crossty’s DNA. After obtaining a search warrant for Crossty’s Covington residence, on June 9, 2023, law searched his residence and discovered 32.7 grams of crack cocaine, 3.898 grams of actual methamphetamine, and items that were consistent with manufacturing crack cocaine and with distributing both crack and crystal methamphetamine.
Crossty admitted to law enforcement that he distributed large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine, and further admitted that he was distributing pressed fentanyl pills, in amounts of 2500-3500 pills at a time, as a middleman on multiple occasions.
Crossty was previously convicted of aggravated robbery, in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 2000.
Under federal law, Crossty must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon release from prison, Crossty will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; Director Scott Hardcorn; Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force; and Chief Brian Valenti, Covington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, and the Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Campbell County Man Sentenced for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Newport, Ky., man, Derrick Buchanan, 31, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 87 months, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to his plea agreement, law enforcement made a controlled purchase of marijuana from Buchanan at his residence in Newport, and the informant reported that Buchanan had a gun openly displayed during the drug transaction. Thereafter, law enforcement searched Buchanan’s residence, finding 2.66 kilograms of marijuana, $2,010 in cash, and a loaded handgun, which matched the description of the informant. Buchanan admitted that one of the reasons he possessed the firearm was to protect himself, his drugs, and his proceeds from robbery.
Buchanan was sentenced had previously been convicted of trafficking in marijuana in Campbell County Circuit Court in 2021, and he was aware that conviction and that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Under federal law, Buchanan must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Director Scott Hardcorn, Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by DEA and Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, U.S. Attorney Shier coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
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Campbell County Inmate Sentenced for Trafficking in Fentanyl Resulting in Two OverdosesRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – An inmate at the Campbell County Detention Center, Jonathan Bernard Stanley, Jr., 39, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 264 months, for distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious physical injury.
Stanley had recently been convicted and sentenced to a term of 51 months in federal prison, for conspiring to distribute heroin, by the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky in 2018. He was ultimately released from custody in July 2022, and began an eight-year period of supervised release.
According to court documents, on November 8, 2022, Stanley was arrested for a violation of his supervised release and was lodged at the Campbell County Detention Center. Thereafter, on November 15, 2022, Campbell County Detention Center staff were notified of an issue inside of one of the cells. Specifically, one of the inmates was unconscious and not breathing, and the other was also exhibiting signs of a suspected drug overdose. EMTs administered naloxone to both inmates, retrieved the remainder of the substance, and transported both inmates to the hospital. Both inmates eventually recovered.
The second inmate told law enforcement that they both consumed the same substance, which was supplied to them by Stanley in exchange for money to be deposited into his jail account. Hospital records and testing of the substance confirmed that the two inmates each overdosed from fentanyl. Jail surveillance video and other inmate interviews also confirmed that Stanley had distributed the substance that caused the two overdoses.
Under federal law, Stanley must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; James Daley, Campbell County Jailer; and Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division, jointly announced the sentences.
The investigation was conducted by the Campbell County Detention Center and DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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California Man Found Guilty of Sending Threatening Emails to FBI that Included Threats to Bomb Its L.A. Field OfficeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a California man for sending threatening emails to the FBI, including ones in which he threatened to bomb the FBI Los Angeles Field Office and referenced the notorious “Unabomber.”
Mark William Anten, 52, of Sun Valley, was found guilty of two counts of threats by interstate communication. He has been in federal custody since December 2023.
According to evidence presented at a three-day trial, from July 2023 to December 2023, Anten sent a series of increasingly threatening communications to the FBI, culminating in two threats to bomb the FBI field office in Westwood.
"This verdict should make clear that the Justice Department has no tolerance for threats of violence against the FBI,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The men and women of the FBI are courageous public servants who do their work with integrity and skill, and we will stop at nothing to hold accountable those who threaten them with violence."
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our community safe and therefore deserve our thanks and respect,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Those who threaten the FBI and other law enforcement officers ignore the daily sacrifices these officers make to protect us and undermine the rule of law. We will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners.”
These emails included repeated references to Theodore John Kaczynski, also known as “The Unabomber,” whose 20-year bombing campaign killed three people and injured nearly two dozen more. Kaczynski was convicted of federal crimes, spent the bulk of his prison sentence in the Supermax federal prison in Colorado and died in a different federal prison last year.
On Nov. 20, 2023, two FBI task force officers interviewed Anten in front of his residence. During the interview, Anten admitted to sending the previous communications and the officers admonished him to stop contacting agents, the affidavit states. Despite the admonition, Anten’s conduct escalated.
On Dec. 5, 2023, Anten sent to FBI agents an email in which he wrote, “I AM THE UNABOMBER” and “I WILL UNABOMB THE LOS ANGELES FBI HQ.”
The next day, Anten wrote to FBI agents, “I can go on a mass murder spree. In fact it would be very explainable by your actions.” He concluded the email with, “[y]ou ain’t getting away with this one,” and signed the email, “SuperMax or Death.”
Anten also sent FBI agents an email, which attached a photograph depicting the results of an internet search for “how to make a dirty bomb.”
Later that day, Anten visited the FBI Los Angeles Field Office and later emailed agents that he visited their building and would continue to do so. Surveillance footage confirmed Anten’s presence there.
Anten was convicted of two counts of threats by interstate communication. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 13 and faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Clifford D. Mpare and Kedar S. Bhatia for the Central District of California are prosecuting this case.
Brooklyn, New York Man Arrested for Fentanyl Trafficking in BurlingtonRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Kajuan Woods, 35, of Brooklyn, New York has been charged by criminal complaint with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute in Burlington, Vermont in January 2024. Woods was arrested in connection with this complaint on June 4, 2024. Woods’s initial appearance in court is scheduled for June 6, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle in Burlington.
According to court records, on January 19, 2024, Woods was one of six individuals located inside 195 St. Paul Street, Apartment A, Burlington, where law enforcement executed a search warrant as part of a drug trafficking investigation. Woods was wearing a satchel at the time, and within the satchel was nearly ten grams of fentanyl, including some fentanyl containing xylazine, drug packaging materials, and over $1,100 in U.S. currency. Within the apartment, law enforcement found seven handguns, three of which had previously been reported stolen. In the apartment over 22 grams of pure methamphetamine, over 48 grams of cocaine base, and approximately 17 grams of fentanyl were found.
Then, in the early morning hours of May 12, 2024, officers from the South Burlington Police Department encountered Woods and a woman apparently passed out in a running vehicle. Woods provided a false name to officers. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed over 28 grams of suspected cocaine, a partially loaded 9-millimeter Glock magazine, a stolen Apple MacBook Pro, and over $2,400 of stolen clothing.
On June 4, 2024, after responding to reports of a male threatening a woman with a firearm on Pearl Street, Burlington Police Department officers located Woods and a woman in a vehicle and attempted to detain them. Woods was momentarily compliant, then ran from police, leading them on a foot chase through multiple backyards. After Woods was apprehended, officers learned his identity and arrested him pursuant to an active federal arrest warrant. A search of Woods’s person revealed over 34 grams of suspected cocaine and a bullet in his pocket. Within the vehicle that Woods had been driving, officers found a fanny pack on the floorboard of the driver’s seat that contained a Glock 17 Gen4 9-millimeter pistol, suspected cocaine base, ten wax folds of suspected fentanyl, and empty wax folds. Also, over $3,200 in U.S. currency was located in the vehicle.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Woods is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Woods faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment if convicted of the current charge in the complaint. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts and hard work of the Burlington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and also thanked the South Burlington Police Department.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Cate. Woods is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Attica Man Sentenced to 120 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – James Venable, 63 years old, of Attica, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Venable was sentenced to 120 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
According to documents in the case, on or about September 13, 2022, Venable possessed child pornography while having a previous conviction for possession of child pornography.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Unit, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Morgan.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Albuquerque Man Convicted of Federal Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque was convicted by a federal jury, after less than 30 minutes of deliberation, of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between February and June 2022, Mike Tomasaour sold an undercover detective with the Albuquerque Police Department methamphetamine and fentanyl. Most of the transactions took place at the Court John Motel in Northwest Albuquerque.
On June 28, 2022, DEA agents planned a larger buy from Tomasaour at the motel and then executed a search warrant on the motel room. Agents planned to buy five pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 2,000 fentanyl pills. Prior to the buy, agents set up surveillance on the motel. While waiting for the agreed upon time, agents observed Robert Grado enter Tomasaour’s motel room with a purple bag. Shortly thereafter, Tomasaour texted the agent that the "groceries” were ready. Agents moved in to make the arrests and execute a search.
A search of Tomasaour's motel room yielded a loaded firearm, which was stolen, 92.6 grams of methamphetamine, 101 grams of fentanyl, and $760 in cash. During the search, Tomasaour threw the purple bag out the motel room window. The bag contained 2316.4 grams of meth and 278.5 grams of fentanyl. A search of Grado's vehicle yielded 2 additional guns, 65 grams of fentanyl pills, and 149.5 grams of meth.
The Court ordered that Tomasaour remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Tomasaour faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to a term of life followed by a minimum of 5 years of supervised release.
Grado pled guilty to conspiracy, aiding and abetting, possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon on May 9, 2024. At sentencing, Grado faces not less than 15 years in prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, made the announcement today.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Albuquerque Police Department jointly investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaymie L. Roybal and Louis Mattei prosecuted the case.
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Ahoskie Man Convicted on Federal Charges Relating to His Shooting at Hertford County Sheriff’s DeputiesRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted an Ahoskie man this week on charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
“Gun violence and attacks on law enforcement officers are an attack on the rule of law itself,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “We are prioritizing any case where a felon draws, levels, or fires a gun at law enforcement. I personally met with the deputies in this case and commend their courage and poise under fire. They did their jobs honorably, and we are proud to do ours in securing this guilty verdict. The people of North Carolina should be grateful for their sacrifice and thankful they survived.”
Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes stated, “July 16 changed these deputies’ lives, today justice for that horrible day has been served. Thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our FBI partners for their time and effort they put into the case. Thank you to the Deputies who were involved in this case – they did an outstanding job on July 16, 2023, and continue to do so today.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Talametrius Kenyon Spruill, 42, possessed four cartridge casings that were left behind after he fired at Hertford County Sheriff’s Deputies in the early morning hours of July 16, 2023. Deputies responded to a call about a suspicious person after a woman reported that someone was banging on her window at 3am that morning. The first responding Deputy found Spruill sitting in the front passenger seat of the homeowner’s vehicle, holding a firearm. The Deputy ordered Spruill to put the gun away when Spruill fled to the wood line behind the residence. The second Deputy saw Spruill in the wood line as he pulled up in his squad car. The Deputy immediately exited his vehicle with his gun drawn and announced, “Sheriff’s Office, Show me your hands!” as he approached Spruill, who was now crouched in a shallow drainage ditch behind a neighboring house. Spruill did not show his hands and instead fired a Glock 19 semiautomatic handgun four times at the Deputy. The Deputy retreated and returned fire while tripping over a doghouse on the property and getting bit by the resident dog. Despite the exchange of gunfire, neither the Deputy nor Spruill was struck. Spruill managed to evade Deputies and ditch his firearm in a junkyard. On the evening of July 17, 2023, Hertford County Deputies were dispatched to call about a suspicious person four miles away in Aulander, where they found Spruill attempting to crawl under his aunt’s home. Spruill was arrested and interviewed by the FBI, where he confessed that he was at the original crime scene, ran from the police, and discharged his firearm before getting rid of it in the junkyard. A video of the pursuit may be viewed here.
Spruill faces a maximum penalty of 180 months in prison when sentenced on a future date. Spruill still faces state charges of two counts of attempted murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on government officials and possession of a firearm by a felon related to this incident.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the verdict. Hertford County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Kimberly Dixon is prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.4:23-cr-00041-M-BM.
Wednesday 5 June 2024
Year-long wiretap investigation results in four arrests and kilogram seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaineRead the Press Release
Seattle – Law enforcement teams from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Seattle Police Department and IRS Criminal Investigation executed 24 search or arrest warrants taking four people into custody who are allegedly connected to a drug trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The drug conspirators have ties to suppliers in Mexico and Colombia, and law enforcement in those countries are assisting with the investigation and search warrants.
“Whenever possible, we try to trace both the origin of drugs and the money going back to those who supply the drugs, said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “We want to ensure that those who would poison our communities – by trafficking drugs from afar – are held accountable for their actions in the United States. I am pleased with the collaborative work between law enforcement not only in the United States, but also with our partners in Colombia, whose collective efforts put a significant dent in this particular drug supply chain.”
“This cooperative effort is a win for the good guys and a tremendous example of the truly international cooperation needed to tackle this immense threat,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “I appreciate the extensive cooperation between the DEA, Seattle Police Department, Internal Revenue Service, and the Colombian National Police to create a top-to-bottom success by indicting Mexican cartel members, Colombian drug producers, and American distributors.”
“This operation is a fantastic example of collaborative police work between Seattle PD, the DEA, the IRS, and the Colombian National Police,” said Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr. “This case highlights how Seattle PD will work tirelessly with its law enforcement partners domestically and internationally to make our community safer.”
"Following the money has taken this investigation to places both close and far from home, allowing us to disrupt this large-scale drug trafficking chain from end-to-end,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “Teamwork and collaboration are indispensable to investigations this far-reaching, and we are proud to be working with some of the most dedicated law enforcement partners here in the U.S. as well as internationally. We are committed to keeping our communities safe from the scourge of illicit drugs, no matter where these investigations may take us.”
Four people were arrested today in the Western District of Washington and District of New Jersey, and they will have initial appearances and detention hearings over the next few weeks. Those arrested include:
- Ramon Duarte Garcia, 37, a citizen of Mexico residing in Kent, Washington.
- Humberto Lopez Rodriguez, 30, a citizen of Mexico, formerly of Renton, Washington, currently imprisoned at Federal Correctional Institution Lompoc, California
- Curtis McDaniel, 55, a U.S. citizen residing in Tukwila, Washington.
- Manuel Garcia Hernandez, 39, a citizen of Mexico, residing in Renton, Washington.
- Jose Luis Villafañe Osorio, 35, a citizen of Colombia, residing in Plainfield, New Jersey
Duarte Garcia was identified as a significant drug supplier when law enforcement stopped him driving back to the Pacific Northwest with 12 pounds of methamphetamine in his vehicle, along with a stolen firearm and $10,000 in drug trafficking proceeds.
Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized 84,000 fentanyl pills, more than a kilogram of fentanyl powder, 32 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of methamphetamine nearly three kilograms of heroin, nine firearms and $71,000 in drug proceeds. Today alone they recovered nine guns, including an AK-47, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, and a pound of methamphetamine.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The investigation is being led by the DEA and Seattle Police Department. The IRS Criminal Investigation and OCDETF Auditor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office are conducting the financial investigation that is focused on the money launderers responsible for the transfer of significant sums of drug trafficking proceeds to sources of supply in Mexico and Colombia. Additional assistance was provided by Renton Police Department, Centralia Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General (HUD OIG), Washington State Patrol, Pierce County and Valley SWAT teams.
The Colombian National Police (CNP) and Colombian Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalia General) partnered with U.S. law enforcement on this investigation. The Justice Department’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá provided critical assistance.
The cases from this investigation are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joe Silvio and C. Andrew Colasurdo in the Western District of Washington.
Windham Man Faces 5+ Years in Federal Prison for Possession, Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Windham man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to distribution and possession of child pornography.
According to court records, in October 2023, Cote Noonan, 33, using the username “Femboy Cassidy,” sent an undercover FBI agent three child sexual abuse material videos using the instant messaging application TeleGuard. The videos showed the sexual abuse of young victims, including an infant. The agent also observed “Femboy Cassidy” share similar photos and videos on two other occasions in a trading room for child sexual abuse material. During the investigation, Noonan admitted to operating the “Femboy Cassidy” account and informed law enforcement that they would find child sexual abuse material on his devices. The FBI seized several devices from Noonan’s residence, four of which contained thousands of known child sexual abuse material images and videos. Many of these images and videos showed the sexual abuse of toddlers and infants.
Noonan faces no less than five years and up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the distribution of child pornography charge, to be followed by five years to life of supervised release. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, to be followed by five years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.
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Watertown Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Watertown, South Dakota, man convicted of Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on June 3, 2024.
Ted Jeffrey Hurkes, age 46, was sentenced to 30 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. Upon his release from federal prison, Hurkes must register as a six offender.
Hurkes was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 4, 2023.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on October 2, 2022, when Hurkes used his cell phone to take pictures and make video recordings of a partially unclothed minor female while she was asleep. The child was unaware of the images being created by Hurkes.
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, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.
Hurkes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Washington woman pleads guilty to using fake documentation to obtain over a hundred Virginia driver’s licensesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Washington woman pled guilty today to aiding and abetting the unlawful production of identification documents after charging people hundreds of dollars to help them fraudulently obtain Virginia driver’s licenses.
According to court documents, from at least May 2022 through Aug. 21, 2023, Ashya Janai Harley, 30, charged people for her services to help them obtain Virginia driver’s licenses for which they did not qualify. Harley used falsified documents to fraudulently obtain her own Virginia commercial driver’s license, which she used to gain employment as a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) bus driver. Harley was employed as a WMATA bus driver in training from July 22, 2022, through Oct. 18, 2022, when WMATA terminated Harley during the training phase of her employment for reasons unrelated to her license. Two other people Harley assisted in fraudulently obtaining Virginia commercial driver’s licenses were employed as WMATA drivers.
While not altering identities, Harley would electronically alter driving transcripts and proof of residency documents required by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue driver’s licenses.
Harley often reused many of the same documents, usually her own bank or AT&T statements, when altering proof of residency documents. Harley used the same AT&T statement for more than 54 fraudulent license applications. She also reused her own driver’s transcripts many times. Harley used her mother’s address in Alexandria on more than 67 proof of residency documents that she used to fraudulently assist others in obtaining the Virginia licenses. A Virginia DMV customer service agent noticed the repetition, alerting DMV Law Enforcement. DMV’s Law Enforcement Division began an investigation that ultimately led to Harley’s arrest.
Harley advertised her services for obtaining licenses on her Instagram accounts and buyers were also referred to Harley by her friends, family, and prior customers. Harley charged most buyers approximately $300 for securing driver’s licenses and $450 for commercial driver’s licenses. Overall, Harley aided and abetted in the acquisition of at least 124 Virginia driver’s licenses, 30 of which were commercial driver’s licenses, for individuals who were not qualified to receive them. Virginia DMV immediately cancelled all 124 licenses.
Harley is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 26 and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Matthew Stohler, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Washington Field Office; Gerald F. Lackey, Virginia DMV Commissioner; and Joseph Hill, Chief of DMV’s Law Enforcement Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Robeson and Katherine Rumbaugh are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-104.
United States Files Forfeiture Action to Recover over $5M of Funds Traceable to Business Email Compromise Scheme Targeting Massachusetts Workers UnionRead the Press Release
The Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture action today to recover approximately $5,315,746.29 of funds alleged to be proceeds of a business email compromise (BEC) scheme and property involved in the subsequent laundering of the proceeds.
According to the complaint, in January 2023, a workers union based in Dorchester, Massachusetts, was defrauded out of $6.4 million after it received a spoofed email, which appeared to be from its investment manager. The email allegedly changed the beneficiary bank account of the $6.4 million payment. The complaint alleges that the email had the intended effect of misleading the workers union into transferring funds to a bank account controlled by someone other than the intended recipient.
The complaint further alleges that the fraudulently obtained funds were then transferred through a series of intermediary bank accounts, with some funds transferred, or attempted to be transferred, to a cryptocurrency exchange or to various bank accounts located in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Nigeria. Investigators were able to trace proceeds of the scheme to seven domestically held bank accounts, the contents of which were subsequently seized.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts; and Special Agent in Charge William Mancino of the U.S. Secret Service made the announcement.
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Jasmin Salehi Fashami and Adrienne E. Rosen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lyons for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the forfeiture.
A BEC scheme is a type of sophisticated fraud scheme targeting businesses that use wire transfers as a form of payment. BEC schemes affect large global corporations, governments, and individuals, with current global daily losses estimated at approximately $8 million. Criminals compromise legitimate business email accounts through various hacking schemes, including social engineering and the use of malware. Once a business email account is compromised, a fraudulent email is sent directing the recipient of the email to unwittingly transfer funds to an illicit account. Alternatively, criminals create “spoofed” email domain names to trick people into thinking they know the sender. An email domain name is the part of an email address that comes after the “@” symbol. In email spoofing, one character in an email address is often changed or missing, thereby tricking the recipient. Criminals obtain and use privileged information to convince BEC email recipients that the transfer instructions are legitimate.
To avoid becoming the victim of a BEC scheme, verify that sender email addresses are accurate when checking mail on a cellphone or other mobile device before you open any attachments or follow any instructions, and never make any payment changes without verifying with the intended recipient by phone or in person. If you think you have been a victim of a BEC scheme, 1) immediately contact your bank to request a recall or reversal as well as a Hold Harmless Letter or Letter of Indemnity; and 2) file a detailed complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. The Internet Crime Complaint Center is run by the FBI and serves as the country’s hub for reporting cybercrime. Visit www.ic3.gov for updated information regarding BEC trends as well as other cyber fraud schemes.
A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation. The United States bears the burden of proving that the funds in question are subject to forfeiture in a civil forfeiture proceeding.
ComplaintUnited States Files Forfeiture Action to Recover over $5 Million from Business Email Compromise Scheme Targeting Massachusetts Workers UnionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The United States filed a civil forfeiture action today to recover approximately $5,315,746 alleged to be proceeds of a business email compromise (BEC) scheme targeting a Massachusetts workers union, as well as property involved in money laundering.
The complaint alleges that in January 2023, a workers union located in Dorchester received an email requesting a change of payment information from someone it believed worked at an investment consulting firm. The complaint also alleges that the email came from what initially appeared to be the consulting firm’s true email address but was in fact a spoofed email address that had been changed by one letter. The spoofed email instructed the workers union to make a $6,400,000 transfer to a different bank account than had been previously arranged, which the workers union did, in fact, do. The spoofed email, however, was a fraudulent communication intended to mislead the workers union into unwittingly transferring funds to an account controlled by someone other than the intended recipient.
The fraudulently-obtained funds were then allegedly transferred through a series of intermediary bank accounts – with some funds sent, or attempted to be sent, to a cryptocurrency exchange and various bank accounts located in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Nigeria. Investigators were able to trace proceeds of the scheme to seven domestically held bank accounts, the contents of which were subsequently seized by U.S. authorities.
“BEC fraud schemes present a serious threat to businesses and individuals nationwide, causing significant financial and emotional harm to victims by exploiting trusted communication channels they rely upon every day. Today’s civil forfeiture action demonstrates that when victims report such misconduct to the authorities there may be steps we can take to recover stolen funds. We hope today’s action helps restore some level of stability and justice for those impacted by fraud,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. The civil forfeiture action is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Lyons of the Asset Recovery Unit along with Trial Attorneys Jasmin Salehi Fashami and Adrienne E. Rosen of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section.
Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime – including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams and business email compromise (BEC) fraud scams – should contact [email protected].
The accusations in the complaint, and the description of the complaint, constitute only allegations that certain property is subject to forfeiture. The United States must prove, by a standard of preponderance of the evidence, that the property is subject to forfeiture. If the United States prevails, the court will order all interests of any potential claimant forfeited.
United States Department of Energy Employee Agrees to Pay $96,757.95 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Regarding Her Submission of False Claims to Obtain Economic Injury Disaster LoanRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. Department of Energy employee Lisa Phillips, of Owings Mills, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $96,757.95 to resolve allegations that she violated the federal False Claims Act by submitting false claims to the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to obtain an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) and EIDL advance during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The civil settlement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, and Inspector General for the Department of Energy, Teri L. Donaldson.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Administration provided EIDLs and EIDL Advances to small businesses to be used for working capital and other normal operating expenses. On July 10, 2020, Phillips signed and submitted a Loan Authorization and Agreement for an EIDL in the amount of $26,200.00. The United States contends that in her this EIDL application, the defendant made several material misrepresentations including, among other things, that, in 2019, her business had four employees, a gross annual revenue of $150,500, and $90,000 in cost of goods expenses. Phillips also stated that her business opened on January 25, 2017, and that the business was in the Educational Services industry. These misrepresentations were knowingly false; Phillips knew that she did not own or operate a business in the Educational Services industry, that she did not have any employees, and that she had neither the revenue nor cost of goods as stated in the application. In addition to the $26,200 Loan, Phillips received a $4,000 advance. The civil investigation was opened by the United States Attorney’s Office based upon a referral from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners are committed to zealously pursuing cases involving COVID-19 fraud, including fraud related to the EIDL program,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron.
“We are going to continue to hold those who steal from the government accountable for their actions,” said Teri L. Donaldson, Inspector General, Department of Energy. “Pandemic funds were designed to help the public during a difficult time and taking advantage of this program for personal gain will not be tolerated.”
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations. The settlement is not an admission of liability by Phillips nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well-founded.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Inspector General, for its work in this investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Shea, who handled the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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U.S. Secret Service Conducts School Violence Prevention Seminars in Brandon and BiloxiRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – United States Attorney Todd Gee announced today that his office joined the U.S. Secret Service, the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Department of Education, the Brandon Police Dept., the Biloxi Police Dept., and law enforcement and education professionals from across the state for School Violence Prevention seminars this week at the Brandon Civic Center in Brandon, and the Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi.
For over 20 years, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) has conducted research on the thinking and behaviors of those who commit acts of targeted school violence in an effort to prevent future tragedies. These seminars highlighted past incidents as well as relevant findings and recommendations from NTAC’s latest research on targeted school violence and interrupted school plots in the United States. It also focused on how communities can use a multidisciplinary approach to identify, assess, and intervene with students exhibiting concerning or threatening behaviors as early as possible. This event was attended by law enforcement, school personnel, and other public safety professionals throughout the state of Mississippi.
“School shootings are a tragedy that can be prevented in some situations with good training on how to recognize and resolve potential threats,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee. “The U.S. Secret Service has substantial experience assessing and preventing violence, and we were glad to work with our federal, state, and local partners to make this training available in Mississippi.”
“The U.S. Secret Service and National Threat Assessment Center endeavors to ensure its findings proactively address the areas where we all should feel safe, such as where we work, where we learn, and where we worship,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis of the U.S. Secret Service Birmingham Field Office.
“The U.S. Secret Service and National Threat Assessment Center have cultivated powerful partnerships across our state, and this is never more important than when we are responding to events of targeted violence,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “It was an honor to join these great partners today as we continue to work towards a safer Mississippi.”
Additional information on the U.S. Secret Service NTAC can be found here: https://www.secretservice.gov/protection/ntac
U.S. Attorneys to Host Financial Crimes ConferenceRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - Financial professionals throughout West Virginia will gather next week to learn about the latest trends in economic crimes and how to prevent them from occurring.
United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld of the Northern District and United States Attorney Will Thompson of the Southern District will host the Mountain State Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Conference on Tuesday, June 11. Federal prosecutors and agents will make presentations during the day-long event about romance schemes, elder financial abuse, and how drug traffickers and human traffickers launder money.
“Criminals use our nation’s financial systems to move the money generated by their illegal acts,” said United States Attorney Ihlenfeld. “This conference will provide those on the frontlines with the information needed to identify suspicious activity and with guidance on how to respond.”
“West Virginia has one of the nation’s oldest populations per capita and we tend to be trusting and take others at their word. That makes the state a target-rich environment for financial scams,” said United States Attorney Thompson. “This is an excellent opportunity to educate financial professionals so they can recognize fraudulent schemes and financial abuse and help us prevent this form of harm to West Virginians.”
The conference will take place at WesBanco Bank in Wheeling, City National Bank in Charleston, and virtually on WebEx. It is open to all employees of financial institutions subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, including banks, credit unions, casinos, securities dealers, and money service businesses. Registration is required and may be completed by emailing [email protected] on or before June 7.
U.S. Attorneys to Host Financial Crimes ConferenceRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Financial professionals throughout West Virginia will gather next week to learn about the latest trends in economic crimes and how to prevent them from occurring.
United States Attorney Will Thompson of the Southern District and United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld of the Northern District will host the Mountain State Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Conference on Tuesday, June 11. Federal prosecutors and agents will make presentations during the day-long event about romance schemes, elder financial abuse, and how drug traffickers and human traffickers launder money.
“West Virginia has one of the nation’s oldest populations per capita and we tend to be trusting and take others at their word. That makes the state a target-rich environment for financial scams,” said United States Attorney Thompson. “This is an excellent opportunity to educate financial professionals so they can recognize fraudulent schemes and financial abuse and help us prevent this form of harm to West Virginians.”
“Criminals use our nation’s financial systems to move the money generated by their illegal acts,” said United States Attorney Ihlenfeld. “This conference will provide those on the frontlines with the information needed to identify suspicious activity and with guidance on how to respond.”
The conference will take place at WesBanco Bank in Wheeling, City National Bank in Charleston, and virtually on WebEx. It is open to all employees of financial institutions subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, including banks, credit unions, casinos, securities dealers, and money service businesses.
Registration is required and may be completed by emailing [email protected] on or before June 7.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Agreement with Rutherford County Restaurant to Ensure Parking Accessibility to Disabled CustomersRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that federal prosecutors have reached an agreement with the owners of the Carolina Cafe in Forest City, N.C. The agreement requires the owners of the Carolina Cafe to make reasonable modifications to its parking lot to create accessible parking spaces for customers with disabilities.
The Justice Department is responsible for enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and implementing its regulations. The ADA prohibits the failure to make reasonable modifications where those modifications are necessary to make services available to individuals with disabilities. Under the ADA and its regulations, businesses are required to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities by creating designated accessible parking spaces.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation following a complaint filed with the Justice Department, claiming that Carolina Cafe violated the ADA by failing to provide clearly marked and designated accessible parking for individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires that state or local governments, businesses, or non-profit organizations that provide parking lots or garages, must provide accessible parking spaces for disabled individuals. Accessible parking spaces are different than traditional parking spaces. They have specific features that make it easier for people with disabilities to access programs, goods, or services. As such, accessible parking spaces must be located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance; must be marked to discourage other drivers from parking in them; and must adhere to the ADA guidelines in terms of the number of spaces, dimensions, and presence of an access aisle. A full list of requirements is available in the 2010 ADA Standards of Accessible Design. Upon learning of the complaint, the owners of Carolina Cafe cooperated with the investigation and agreed to remedy the violation and immediately began to work on creating the accessible parking spaces.
“Ensuring the ADA’s enforcement and safeguarding civil rights within this District is a paramount commitment of my Office,” said U.S. Attorney King, who also leads the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights. “Individuals with disabilities have a right to unhindered access to businesses, free from barriers such as inadequate parking or navigating through congested areas. I want to thank the concerned customer for bringing this matter to our attention, and I'm pleased that Carolina Cafe has agreed to the terms and has taken immediate action to ensure that individuals with disabilities will be fully accommodated in accordance with federal law moving forward.”
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Janice Powers and Investigator Neil Power of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. AUSA Powers also serves as the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil-Civil Rights Coordinator.
Individuals who believe they have been victims of discrimination may file an ADA complaint online at https://www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-833-610-1264 (TTY).
Two Partners of Westchester Accounting Firm Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Thomas M. Fattorusso, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced that GEORGE SANOSSIAN and JACK N. SARDIS pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the IRS, on May 29 and June 5, 2024, respectively, in White Plains federal court. SANOSSIAN’s sentencing before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel is scheduled for September 24, 2024. SARDIS’s sentencing before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román is scheduled for September 26, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As they admitted in court, the defendants, both certified public accountants, conspired to fraudulently reduce the tax liability of clients of their accounting firm. This case serves as a reminder to all Americans that they are required to truthfully report their earnings and that criminal penalties could await those who fraudulently deceive the IRS, as George Sanossian and Jack Sardis have learned. My Office will continue to hold to account those who scheme to impede the lawful functions of the IRS.”
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso said: “Schemes to conceal and reduce federal income and payroll tax liability, such as those utilized by Sardis and Sanossian, are unfair to every taxpayer who obeys the law and pays their fair share. The prosecution of individuals who intentionally conceal income and evade taxes is a key step in the IRS’s enforcement strategy. These guilty pleas place the defendants a step closer to realizing the consequences of their actions.”
According to the Informations, to which SARDIS and SANOSSIAN pled guilty, and statements made court:
SARDIS and SANOSSIAN were certified public accountants and partners in an accounting firm in Scarsdale, New York, that provided accounting and income and payroll tax services to clients, including nine businesses in the construction industry (the “Clients”). From in or about 2012 through at least on or about April 15, 2018, SARDIS and SANOSSIAN agreed with Clients to scheme to: (i) fraudulently reduce the income tax liability of the Clients; (ii) conceal wages paid to employees by the Clients and, thereby, fraudulently reduce the Clients’ payroll tax liability; and (iii) conceal personal income of the Clients. The defendants advised the Clients to participate in a scheme to reduce their federal income and payroll tax liability, pursuant to which the Clients issued checks made payable to a shell company and gave the checks to SARDIS and SANOSSIAN, who then caused the checks to be cashed at a check cashing service and returned the cash, minus a fee, to the Clients. Some Clients used the cash to pay employees without reporting the cash wages on their IRS Forms 941, thereby evading both their employer contributions to Social Security and Medicare and their obligation to withhold income tax on those wages, which permitted the employees to evade federal and state income tax. The owners and managers of some Clients took the cash for personal use without reporting the income on their personal federal and state tax returns. SARDIS and SANOSSIAN caused checks to be cashed in this manner for Clients in a total amount exceeding $2 million.
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SARDIS, 66, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and SANOSSIAN, 70, of Scarsdale, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. SARDIS and SANOSSIAN have agreed to pay restitution to the IRS and New York State, representing the additional tax due and owing as a result of their conduct, in the total amount of $652,883.60.
The maximum potential sentence in these cases is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the IRS-CI in this case.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey C. Coffman and James McMahon are in charge of the prosecution.
Two Baltimore Area Men Convicted After Trial of Abductions Involving Kidnappings, Carjackings and Related ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – After a three-week trial, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts today convicting Dennis Allen Hairston, age 34, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, and Donte Davon Stanley, age 33, of Rosedale, Maryland, on federal charges of kidnapping and robbery conspiracies; kidnapping; carjacking; robbery affecting commerce. Hairston was also convicted of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The guilty verdict was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Robert McCullough of the Baltimore County Police Department; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; and Harford County State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey.
“My office will not tolerate carjackings,” stated U.S. Attorney Barron. “We’re collaborating with our partners to prosecute these crimes and hold offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“There’s no question these criminals belong behind bars, and their conviction guarantees that will happen,” said Special Agent in Charge William DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “Hairston and Stanley’s actions are disturbing and will not be tolerated. FBI Baltimore is determined to ensure brazen individuals willing to use inconceivable violence for financial gain are brought to justice.”
Hairston and Stanley were each convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and conspiracy to affect commerce by robbery. Hairston was convicted of counts relating to the first and second abduction, and Stanley was convicted of counts relating to the first abduction and acquitted on counts relating to the second abduction. Both defendants were acquitted of conduct relating to a third abduction.
Evidence at trial established that from May 3, 2021, through August 26, 2021, the defendants planned and organized the kidnapping of three victims. Two of the victims were employees of check cashing businesses. According to trial testimony, defendants committed the crimes with the goal of robbing the check cashing businesses where two of the victims worked, and to steal cash and other items of value from the third victim. Evidence at trial also established that the defendants planned and organized the carjackings of two of the victims’ vehicles.
According to trial testimony, the victims were surveilled prior to the abductions, including attaching tracking devices to their vehicles. The defendants then abducted the victims by posing as police officers by wearing police vests, police badges, and using a police-style light bar to stop the victims and their vehicles. Trial evidence revealed that the defendants brandished firearms, bound, and blindfolded each victim and forcibly put them into a vehicle operated by the defendants. At trial, the victims testified that the defendants used a blowtorch to burn two of the victims during the course of the kidnappings.
As to the first victim, trial evidence established that, on May 5 to May 6, 2021, the defendants followed the victim from the check cashing business where she worked and, posing as law enforcement officers, used the police-style light bar to pull over her vehicle. According to trial testimony, defendants wore police vests and badges, and brandished firearms to remove the victim from her vehicle. Trial testimony further established that the defendants handcuffed the victim’s hands behind her back, zip-tied her feet, blindfolded her by placing a mask and duct tape around her face, and forcibly placed her into the rear of a vehicle operated by the defendants. While driving with the victim, defendants Hairston and Stanley, burned the victim with a blowtorch in an attempt to obtain information from her to access the check cashing business where she worked, with the intent to remove all of the cash from the business.
As to the second victim, trial evidence established that, on May 15 to 16, 2021, Hairston and others approached the victim in his vehicle in Edgewood, Maryland. Trial evidence proved that the Hairston again used a police-style light bar to pull over the second victim. Wearing police vests and badges, the evidence revealed that Hairston kidnapped the second victim and forcibly placed him into the rear of a vehicle operated by the conspirators. After placing a mask over his face and duct-taping his face and stealing his vehicle, the second victim was burned with a blow torch in an effort to obtain cash and other items from him.
The defendants each face a maximum sentence of life in prison for the kidnapping conspiracy and for each count of kidnapping; a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the robbery conspiracy and for each count of attempted robbery; a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for each count of carjacking. Hairston also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and up to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence relating to the first abduction. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson has not set a date for sentencing.
Davonne Tramont Dorsey previously pled guilty to his role in the offenses, and sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2024. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson has scheduled sentencing for Dorsey for August 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Franklin Jay Smith also previously pled guilty to his role in the offenses. Judge Hurson has not set a date for sentencing for Smith.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Spencer Todd of the Civil Rights and Special Victims Section are prosecuting this case. U.S. Attorney Barron also commended the work of the office’s professional staff, including the victim-witness unit, for their work on this difficult case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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