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Friday 24 May 2024
Former Commonwealth’s Attorney Sentenced for Honest Services Wire Fraud and Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The former Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties, Ronnie Goldy, 51, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves. Goldy was sentenced to 41 months, after previously being convicted of honest services wire fraud, use of an interstate facility with the intent to carry on unlawful activity, and bribery concerning a program that receives federal funds.
According to evidence presented, Goldy maintained a personal relationship with a woman that was sexual in nature, and included encounters and solicitations and acceptance of sexually explicit images and videos of the woman. On multiple occasions during the scheme, Goldy used his position as the Commonwealth’s Attorney to perform official actions, or to exert pressure and influence on other public officials to perform official actions, benefiting the woman. Goldy knew these sexually explicit images and periodic sexual encounters were provided in exchange for his willingness to perform, or pressure others to perform, official actions benefitting the woman with whom he had the relationship.
In February, Goldy was convicted by a federal jury of all 14 counts in the indictment.
“Instead of doing the job he was elected to do, Mr. Goldy chose to abuse his authority and to pressure other officials to advance his corrupt personal interests,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When those entrusted with enforcing the law blatantly abuse their authority, it demands accountability. This was a disgraceful betrayal of the public trust and it undermined public safety and law enforcement. Through the hard work of committed law enforcement, he now faces that accountability.”
“Goldy’s sentencing should serve as a warning to corrupt officials throughout the Commonwealth that the FBI will not standby when allegations of abuse of power come to our attention,” said Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office. “We will rigorously investigate such claims and follow the facts wherever they lead, ultimately bringing those that violate federal law to justice.”
United States Attorney Shier and Special Agent in Charge Stansbury jointly announced the sentencing.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Boone.
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Former CIA Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit EspionageRead the Press Release
Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 71, of Honolulu, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to gather and deliver national defense information to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
According to court documents, Ma and a blood relative of his (identified as co-conspirator #1 or CC #1) were naturalized U.S. citizens who were born in Hong Kong and Shanghai, respectively. Both Ma and CC #1 worked for the CIA — CC #1 from 1967 until 1983, Ma from 1982 until 1989. As CIA officers, both men held top secret security clearances that granted them access to sensitive and classified CIA information, and signed non-disclosure agreements that required them to maintain the secrecy of that information.
As Ma admitted in the plea agreement, in March 2001, when he no longer worked for the CIA, at the request of intelligence officers employed by the PRC’s Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB), Ma convinced CC #1 to meet with SSSB intelligence officers in a Hong Kong hotel room. Over the course of three days, Ma and CC #1 provided the SSSB with a large volume of classified U.S. national defense information. At the conclusion of the third day, the SSSB intelligence officers provided CC #1 with $50,000 in cash, which Ma counted. Ma and CC #1 also agreed at that time to continue to assist the SSSB.
As detailed in the plea agreement, in March 2003, while living in Hawaii, Ma applied for a job as a contract linguist in the FBI Honolulu Field Office. The FBI, aware of Ma’s ties to PRC intelligence, hired Ma, as part of an investigative plan, to work at an off-site location where his activities could be monitored and his contacts with the PRC investigated. Ma worked for the FBI from August 2004 until October 2012.
Ma further admitted that in February 2006, during this monitored employment by the FBI in Honolulu, Ma convinced CC #1 to provide the identities of at least two individuals depicted in photographs that were provided to Ma by SSSB intelligence officers. The individuals’ identities were and remain classified U.S. national defense information. Ma confessed that he knew that this information, and the information communicated in March 2001, would be used to injure the United States or to benefit the PRC, and he deliberately engaged in the criminal conspiracy with CC #1 and the SSSB anyway.
Under the terms of the parties’ plea agreement, Ma must cooperate with the United States, including by submitting to debriefings by U.S. government agencies. The plea agreement, if accepted by the Court, calls for an agreed-upon sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Sept. 11.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii, Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Kevin Vorndran of the FBI, and Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill of the FBI Honolulu Field Office made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson conducted the change of the plea hearing.
The FBI Honolulu and Los Angeles Field Offices investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ken Sorenson and Craig Nolan for the District of Hawaii, and Trial Attorneys Scott Claffee and Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
Florida businessman Daniel Hurt to pay over $27 million for Medicare fraud in connection with cancer genomic testsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Daniel Hurt, who owned and/or operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, has agreed to pay over $27 million to resolve allegations that he and his companies conspired with others to violate the False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting false claims to, and receiving payments from, Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and were procured through illegal kickbacks. Hurt, Fountain Health, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics, First Choice and Sonoran Desert Pathology also agreed to be excluded by the Department of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) from Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Hurt previously pleaded guilty to criminal healthcare fraud for these offenses. The civil settlement is based on Hurt’s ability to pay.
The United States alleged that Hurt, his companies and others conspired to knowingly submit false claims for CGx tests that were not medically necessary to treat or diagnose a condition, and that Hurt received and paid kickbacks in exchange for Medicare referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). In particular, the United States alleged that, from January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“Our office is committed to pursuing those who threaten our government healthcare programs by submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services that are tainted by unlawful payments to marketers,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “As these schemes become more complex and cross district lines, we will continue to work and coordinate with our law enforcement partners and other districts to ensure vigorous enforcement of the law.”
“We will not tolerate those who prey on older Americans to defraud Medicare,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As this settlement reflects, we will use our available resources to protect federal health care programs and the beneficiaries they serve.”
“Unnecessary medical services and false claims for medical services threaten patients and our public health programs,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This civil settlement demonstrates our commitment to protecting patients from unnecessary testing and our healthcare institutions from fraudulent billing.”
“Medicare and Medicaid are two vitally important health care programs that provide critical services to millions of Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “Schemes that seek to siphon money from these programs with unnecessary medical tests are especially egregious. We will do everything we can to protect the public and the services they need, and to hold accountable those who try to bilk the system.”
“Submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services to Medicare and Medicaid jeopardizes the integrity of vital health care programs, and we, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to make sure those who attempt to do so are held accountable,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Investigations Christian J. Schrank of HHS-OIG. “This substantial settlement underscores our steadfast dedication to safeguarding federal health care programs.”
This settlement includes the resolution of allegations brought in three cases filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA, including an action filed by Robert Gerstein, a minority owner of Sonoran Desert Pathology, where he worked for Hurt, running the billing operations for CGx tests. Under the FCA, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Under today’s resolution, Relator Gerstein will receive up to $4.7 million or 17% of the government’s recovery.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosaline Chan for the Southern District of Florida, Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Fraud Section, Trial Attorneys Augustus Curtis and Andrew Warner of the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Bloor for the Middle District of Florida and David Dauenheimer for the District of New Jersey and the Miami Regional Office of HHS-OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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.
Settlement
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Florida Businessman Daniel Hurt to Pay over $27 Million for Medicare Fraud in Connection with Cancer Genomic TestsRead the Press Release
Daniel Hurt, who owned and/or operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, has agreed to pay over $27 million to resolve allegations that he and his companies conspired with others to violate the False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting false claims to, and receiving payments from, Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and were procured through illegal kickbacks. Hurt, Fountain Health, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics, First Choice and Sonoran Desert Pathology also agreed to be excluded by the Department of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) from Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Hurt previously pleaded guilty to criminal healthcare fraud for these offenses. The civil settlement is based on Hurt’s ability to pay.
The United States alleged that Hurt, his companies and others conspired to knowingly submit false claims for CGx tests that were not medically necessary to treat or diagnose a condition, and that Hurt received and paid kickbacks in exchange for Medicare referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). In particular, the United States alleged that, from January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“We will not tolerate those who prey on older Americans to defraud Medicare,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As this settlement reflects, we will use our available resources to protect federal health care programs and the beneficiaries they serve.”
“Unnecessary medical services and false claims for medical services threaten patients and our public health programs,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This civil settlement demonstrates our commitment to protecting patients from unnecessary testing and our healthcare institutions from fraudulent billing.”
“Our office is committed to pursuing those who threaten our government healthcare programs by submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services that are tainted by unlawful payments to marketers,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “As these schemes become more complex and cross district lines, we will continue to work and coordinate with our law enforcement partners and other districts to ensure vigorous enforcement of the law.”
“Medicare and Medicaid are two vitally important health care programs that provide critical services to millions of Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “Schemes that seek to siphon money from these programs with unnecessary medical tests are especially egregious. We will do everything we can to protect the public and the services they need, and to hold accountable those who try to bilk the system.”
“Submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services to Medicare and Medicaid jeopardizes the integrity of vital health care programs, and we, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to make sure those who attempt to do so are held accountable,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Investigations Christian J. Schrank of HHS-OIG. “This substantial settlement underscores our steadfast dedication to safeguarding federal health care programs.”
This settlement includes the resolution of allegations brought in three cases filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA, including an action filed by Robert Gerstein, a minority owner of Sonoran Desert Pathology, where he worked for Hurt, running the billing operations for CGx tests. Under the FCA, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Under today’s resolution, Relator Gerstein will receive up to $4.7 million or 17% of the government’s recovery.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Fraud Section, Trial Attorneys Augustus Curtis and Andrew Warner of the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Bloor for the Middle District of Florida, Rosaline Chan for the Southern District of Florida and David Dauenheimer for the District of New Jersey and the Miami Regional Office of HHS-OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
SettlementFlorida Businessman Daniel Hurt to Pay over $27 Million for Medicare Fraud in Connection with Cancer Genomic TestsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Daniel Hurt, who owned and/or operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, has agreed to pay over $27 million to resolve allegations that he and his companies conspired with others to violate the False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting false claims to, and receiving payments from, Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and were procured through illegal kickbacks. Hurt, Fountain Health, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics, First Choice and Sonoran Desert Pathology also agreed to be excluded by the Department of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) from Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Hurt previously pled guilty to criminal healthcare fraud for these offenses. The civil settlement is based on Hurt’s ability to pay.
The United States alleged that Hurt, his companies and others conspired to knowingly submit false claims for CGx tests that were not medically necessary to treat or diagnose a condition, and that Hurt received and paid kickbacks in exchange for Medicare referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). In particular, the United States alleged that, from January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to CMS.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“Medicare and Medicaid are two vitally important health care programs that provide critical services to millions of Americans. Schemes that seek to siphon money from these programs with unnecessary medical tests are especially egregious. We will do everything we can to protect the public and the services they need, and to hold accountable those who try to bilk the system.”
“We will not tolerate those who prey on older Americans to defraud Medicare,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As this settlement reflects, we will use our available resources to protect federal health care programs and the beneficiaries they serve.”
“Submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services to Medicare and Medicaid jeopardizes the integrity of vital health care programs, and we, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to make sure those who attempt to do so are held accountable,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Investigations Christian J. Schrank for HHS-OIG. “This substantial settlement underscores our steadfast dedication to safeguarding federal health care programs.”
This settlement includes the resolution of allegations brought in three cases filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA, including an action filed by Robert Gerstein, a minority owner of Sonoran Desert Pathology, where he worked for Hurt, running the billing operations for CGx tests. Under the FCA, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Under today’s resolution, Relator Gerstein will receive up to $4.7 million or 17% of the government’s recovery.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Dauenheimer (D.N.J.), Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Fraud Section, Trial Attorneys Augustus Curtis and Andrew Warner of the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Bloor (M.D. Fla.) and Rosaline Chan (S.D. Fla.), and the Miami Regional Office of HHS-OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
settlement.pdfFitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in Worcester federal court for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Satron Pridgen, 46, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 22, 2024. In November 2023, Pridgen was indicted by a federal grand jury.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2023, Pridgen was outside of Mill City Pub in Fitchburg. An altercation ensued between two men. During the altercation, Pridgen approached a third man from behind, grabbed him and held him around the neck in a chokehold, then pulled out a loaded pistol which he used to beat the man in the head multiple times. When law enforcement intervened, Pridgen ran off and attempted to discard the firearm by a dumpster before being apprehended.
Pridgen is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to numerous prior convictions out of Worcester Superior Court including: a November 1999 conviction of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon for which he was sentenced to 9 to 10 years in state prison; an October 2011 conviction of armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a career criminal for which he was sentenced to 10-12 years in state prison; and an October 2011 conviction of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of cocaine, for which he was sentenced to 9 to 10 years in state prison.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division; and Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest F. Martineau made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office 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.
Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Angel Valencia-Avendano, 20, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, was sentenced last week by United States Chief District Judge G. Murray Snow to 84 months in prison. Valencia-Avendano pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.
On March 6, 2023, Valencia-Avendano was arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking. On that day, investigators were conducting surveillance in Phoenix near 78th Avenue and west McDowell Road. Valencia-Avendano was pulled over for a traffic violation and the vehicle was searched. In the duffle bag in the back of the car investigators found approximately 27 kilograms of pills containing fentanyl (approximately 280,000 pills). Investigators later searched Valencia-Avendano’s apartment, where they located a handgun, another 3 kilograms of fentanyl, as well as drug ledgers, and $83,500 in cash. Both the handgun and the cash were forfeited to the United States.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarthy, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-00397-PHX-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-068_Valencia-Avendano# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Federal Jury Finds Minneapolis Man Guilty of Kidnapping, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury found a Minneapolis man guilty of kidnapping, bank fraud, and identity theft after robbing two women at gunpoint and stealing from another, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to evidence presented at trial, on September 13, 2022, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Raphael Raymond Nunn, 52, approached a woman in Arden Hills who had just parked her vehicle. Nunn, who was wearing a mask, gloves, and carrying a handgun, forced the victim at gunpoint to drive him to an ATM in Minneapolis and withdraw cash for his own benefit. Nunn then ordered the victim to drive to Matthews Park, where he then ordered her to give him her keys so he could get away.
According to court documents, Nunn was later captured on surveillance videos from surrounding businesses and seen exiting the victim’s vehicle, removing his hood and mask, and entering a nearby corner grocery store. Four days later, Nunn returned to the store driving a vehicle registered in his name which led to the discovery of his address.
A search of his residence recovered evidence from the kidnapping and revealed Nunn had stolen from a second victim and robbed a third at gunpoint before fraudulently using the victims’ stolen credit cards to obtain money from their bank accounts.
Nunn was arrested on September 22, 2022, at his Minneapolis residence.
Following a four-day trial before Judge Eric C. Tostrud, Nunn was found guilty yesterday on one count of kidnapping, two counts of bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Oak Park Police Department, and the Hudson Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albania Concepcion and Lauren O. Roso tried the case.
Federal Inmate Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of CellmateRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced a federal inmate, David Lee Bishop (50, Ocala), to life in prison based upon his conviction for second degree murder. Bishop pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024, three days before his federal jury trial was scheduled to begin.
According to court documents, on February 3, 2019, Bishop strangled his cellmate to death at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex using a torn bedsheet. Bishop called his mother shortly after the murder, telling her that he had “messed up.” When his mother asked if there had been an accident, Bishop responded that “it was totally and utterly on purpose” and that he was “just waiting on them to find ‘it.’” When prison guards discovered his cellmate’s body, Bishop immediately admitted to the murder. At the time of the offense, Bishop was already serving a life sentence.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Belkis H. Crockett, Tyrie K. Boyer, Robert E. Bodnar, Jr., and Michael P. Felicetta.
El Sobrante Resident Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.1 Million in Pandemic-Relief Funds in 2020 and 2021Read the Press Release
OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Contra Costa County man with wire fraud and other crimes relating to a scheme in which he fraudulently obtained more than $1.1 million in government-backed COVID-19 relief funds, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp; and Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Western Region.
According to the indictment filed this week, Lane Jenkins, 53, of El Sobrante, California, was president of a company called A & L Investments LLC (A&L), which was founded in 2016, headquartered in El Sobrante, and purported to purchase, renovate, and sell distressed properties. The indictment alleges that, in February 2021 and April 2021, Jenkins applied for and received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling more than $1 million on the basis of false and fraudulent representations that A&L had dozens of employees and hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly payroll expenses. In fact, A&L had zero employees and no monthly payroll. In December 2021, Jenkins applied for and received forgiveness of the first of those two loans, falsely certifying he had used the PPP funds to make payroll for A&L’s nonexistent employees. In fact, Jenkins had used the money for personal expenses and to pay off personal debts.
The indictment also states that, in July 2020, Jenkins applied for and received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of nearly $95,000 for a maid and cleaning service he said he operated as a sole proprietor. The application falsely stated that Jenkins had 10 employees and gross revenues of $241,353. In fact, he had no employees and no revenues. Rather than use the EIDL funds he received on approved business expenses, Jenkins used that money to enrich himself.
The PPP was administered by the SBA as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 to provide billions of dollars in emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPP provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other qualified business expenses. PPP funds were disbursed by SBA-approved third-party lenders.
The EIDL program is also administered by the SBA. It provides low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. As relevant here, the CARES Act authorized the SBA to make EIDL loans of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. EIDL funds are disbursed directly by the SBA.
The Indictment charges three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of submitting false writings to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3).
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Jenkins faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the three counts of wire fraud and a maximum statutory sentence of 5 years in prison on the fourth count, which charges him with submitting false writings to a government agency. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Jenkins has not yet appeared in court to face the charges against him.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Chambers is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and SBA-OIG.
2024-05-23_-_1_indictment_4-24-cr-00283-amo_v.1.pdfDominican Republic Native Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Rodriguez-Ortiz, age 36, native and citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for distribution of fentanyl and illegal reentry by a previously deported alien following an aggravated felony conviction. Rodriguez-Ortiz will again face deportation following his term of imprisonment.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Rodriguez-Ortiz was previously deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic in 2013. He illegally reentered the United States again sometime after December 2013 and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Investigators made two separate purchases of fentanyl from Rodriguez-Ortiz and then obtained a search warrant for Rodriguez-Ortiz’s residence, where several bundles of fentanyl, several thousand dollars in cash, packaging material, multiple cell phones, packaged pills, edibles, and multiple firearms, including some with obliterated serial numbers, were found. At the time of the fentanyl sales and Rodriguez-Ortiz’s arrest, he was using an alias.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Dodge County Nurse Pleads Guilty to Opioid DiversionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Dodge County woman has pleaded guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Jennifer Lee Garrison, 40, was employed as a post-anesthesia care nurse at a hospital. Garrison had access to controlled and uncontrolled substances stored within an automated dispensing cabinet (ADC). The ADC in Garrison’s unit stored multiple medicines, including oxycodone and oxybutynin. Beginning in August 2022, the defendant began diverting oxycodone pills for her own use instead of giving it to her patients. By July 2023, the defendant was diverting up to six oxycodone pills per day.
Garrison carried out her diversion scheme using two primary means. At times, patients were prescribed two oxycodone pills. The defendant would withdraw both pills from the ADC but would give the patient only one pill. The defendant would keep the other pill for her own use and falsified patient pain reports to cover up her scheme. On other occasions, Garrison would enter a transaction on the ADC for oxybutynin. When the drawer for oxybutynin opened, the defendant would remove an oxybutynin pill. She would then cancel the transaction on the ADC, making it appear that she had simply accessed the wrong drawer by accident. With the ADC still accessible, the defendant then opened a drawer for oxycodone and removed an oxycodone pill. The defendant kept the oxycodone pill for herself and gave the patient oxybutynin.
Garrison pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting the case.
Doctor Convicted of $70M Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Texas doctor today for causing the submission of over $70 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces and genetic tests ordered through a telemarketing scheme.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, David M. Young, M.D., 61, of Fredericksburg, signed thousands of medical records and prescriptions for orthotic braces and genetic tests that falsely represented that the braces and tests were medically necessary and that he diagnosed the beneficiaries, had a plan of care for them, and recommended that they receive certain additional treatment. Young prescribed braces and genetic tests for over 13,000 Medicare beneficiaries, including undercover agents posing as different Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom he did not see, speak to, or otherwise treat. Young’s false prescriptions were then used by brace supply companies and laboratories to bill Medicare more than $70 million. Young was paid approximately $475,000 in exchange for signing the fraudulent prescriptions.
The jury convicted Young of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and three counts of false statements relating to health care matters, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region; and Chief William Marlowe of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement.
HHS-OIG and MFCU investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Brynn Schiess and Trial Attorney Ethan Womble of the Texas Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
District Woman Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft Following Theft from CVS Store in NortheastRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Bianca Jackson, 40, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on April 18, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
A grand jury indicted Jackson on May 22, 2024. Arraignment is not yet scheduled.
According to the government’s evidence, on April 18, 2024, Jackson went into a CVS located in Northeast Washington, D.C., loaded a wagon with store merchandise, and left without paying. Jackson was located and arrested shortly after Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call for service at that location.
Jackson has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for her alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for the count of theft for which she is indicted.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Limb.
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.
District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Stealing from a Northwest CVS and Threatening a Store EmployeeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Sahid Sesay, 36, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft and one count of misdemeanor threats stemming from events occurring on January 16, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
A grand jury indicted Sesay on May 22, 2024. Arraignment is scheduled for May 29th.
According to the government’s evidence, on January 16, 2024, Sesay took several pieces of merchandise without paying from the CVS store located in Northwest Washington, D.C. Just before stealing these items, Sesay, chased a CVS employee around the store, jumped on the cashier counter, and threatened the CVS employee. Sesay was quickly located and arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sesay has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Couce.
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.
Deportation Officer convicted at trial of flight interference after attempting to film up a flight attendant’s skirtRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 22, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Officer was convicted at trial of interference with the flight crew, after he filmed a flight attendant and attempted to take photographs up the victim’s skirt.
Billy Olvera, 48, of Laredo, Texas, was convicted at trial of interfering with a flight crew. Olvera was traveling from Dallas, Texas to Miami, Florida on Nov. 6, 2023, in his official capacity as a Deportation Officer while transporting an individual for removal. A flight attendant noticed Olvera holding his phone in the aisle, aimed towards the ceiling, each time she walked by him. The victim notified another flight attendant who then filmed Olvera the next time the victim walked by him. Olvera could be seen attempting to film up the skirt of the victim. The victim stopped performing her assigned duties that required her to be present in the aisle of the main cabin, and the flight attendants notified the pilot who had the flight attendants change shifts, and delayed taxing until law enforcement could meet the flight at the gate. A federal search warrant of Olvera’s phone revealed numerous images and videos taken of the victim and pictures and videos that attempted to capture a vantage point up the victim’s skirt.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16 before Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga. Olvera faces up to 20 years in prison. The federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Valenzuela for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility (ICE OPR), made the announcement.
This was a joint investigation by the DHS OIG Miami Field Office and ICE OPR, with assistance from the DHS OIG Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey Pence Tomanelli and Brooke Latta prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Raemy Charest-Turken is handling 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 number 24-cr-20034.
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Delaware County Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Register Email AddressRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael J. Frascatore, age 59, of Treadwell, New York, was sentenced today to 18 months’ imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to failing to register and update his registration as a sex offender, and to violating the terms of his supervised release for a prior sex offense conviction. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.
In pleading guilty previously, Frascatore admitted that he was designated as a Level I sex offender in New York after he was convicted in federal court in 2008 for distributing child pornography. Frascatore knew that as a registered sex offender he was required to report, among other things, all email addresses he used. Despite this requirement, he created an email address in April 2019, using his own name and home address, which he maintained for approximately four years without disclosing as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Frascatore was on supervised release at the time of this offense, and he also did not disclose his email address to U.S. Probation. In addition to pleading guilty to violating SORNA, Frascatore admitted that he violated the terms of his supervised release by using an unauthorized, internet-capable phone; maintaining the undisclosed email account; and knowingly communicating with minors online, including by sending explicit photos of himself to minors and requesting nude photos in return.
Frascatore’s sentence includes 8 months’ imprisonment on the new criminal charge followed by a consecutive term of 10 months’ imprisonment on the supervised release violation. Frascatore will also serve 10 years on supervised release as part of his sentence.
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Perry as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Del City Man Convicted of Arson and Making Threats over Cell PhoneRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal jury has convicted ALLEN JAMES BULLOCK, 42, of Del City, of interstate transmission of threatening communication and arson, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On March 19, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Superseding Indictment against Bullock, charging him with interstate transmission of threatening communication and arson. On May 21, 2024, a federal jury found Bullock guilty on both counts.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that in the early morning hours of November 14, 2023, the Del City Fire Department extinguished a fire at a nearby apartment complex. The fire was contained to the entrance of the apartment and did not spread further. The tenant of the apartment was not home at the time and told authorities he believed Bullock may have started the fire. The victim worked with Bullock’s wife and claimed that just hours before the fire, Bullock called and threatened the victim several times because the victim gifted a shirt to Bullock’s wife. Cell phone records show that Bullock did call the victim multiple times the night of the fire, and an analysis of surveillance footage shows Bullock arriving at the victim’s apartment complex shortly before the fire was set. Surveillance footage also shows that Bullock visited a nearby gas station to purchase $.50 of gasoline minutes before the fire, and expert testimony at trial confirmed that debris samples from the fire tested positive for the presence of gasoline.
Following his conviction, Bullock faces not less than 5 years and up to 25 years in federal prison and fines totaling up to $500,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Del City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stan J. West and Matthew Dillon are prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
D.C. Woman and Maryland Man Indicted for Conspiring to Launder Stolen Government FundsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A three-count indictment was unsealed yesterday in U.S. District Court charging a District woman and a Maryland man with conspiring to launder proceeds from a scheme to steal government benefit funds provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other government funds.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration (SSA) - Office of Inspector General (OIG) Philadelphia Field Division, and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police.
Roliat Abosede Owosho, aka “Rolash,” 48, was arrested yesterday and Afeez Olamide Lawal, aka “Fizzy,” 43, was arrested May 22, 2024, and were released following their initial appearances in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to the indictment, Owosho and Lawal conspired to launder both stolen government SSA benefit funds intended for social security recipients as well as additional stolen government funds derived from a scheme in which conspirators caused the money to be directed to accounts controlled by the co-conspirators. As alleged, Lawal and Owosho laundered proceeds from the scheme to defraud from at least January 1, 2018, through about January 31, 2021. Lawal and Owosho received the stolen funds into their personal accounts. They either used the stolen funds for their personal use or further transferred the stolen funds to others without authority from the intended recipients. The two received more than $148,667 in SSA, unemployment payments, and tax refunds that did not belong to them.
The indictment further charged Owosho with using her bank accounts to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business in the District and conducting money transmissions without a license. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Owosho transferred funds on behalf of others through her accounts without registering as a money transmitting business with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), did not obtain a money transmitting license in the District of Columbia, and/or was otherwise involved in transmitting funds known to have been derived from a criminal offense or were intended to be used to promote or support unlawful activity.
This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) - Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the U.S. Capital Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with valuable assistance provided by Paralegal Specialist Lisa Abbe.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Court Sentences Prior Felon for Possessing Firearm, Firing at Customer in Liquor Store Parking LotRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Julius Robinson, Jr., 27, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 97 months and three years’ supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In sentencing Robinson, U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney noted, “It is a miracle no one was hurt…Mr. Robinson represents a very, very significant risk to the law abiding public and the community needs to be protected for a long time.”
“Julius Robinson is a menace to his community and Kalamazoo is a safer place because of today’s lengthy sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “In communities that experience gun violence, only a few individuals are responsible for driving that violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan is laser-focused on using our resources – and the lengthy federal sentences we often bring to the table – to incapacitate active shooters like Robinson.” He continued: “I’m thankful no one was harmed and grateful to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the FBI who tracked Robinson down and brought him to justice.”
While buying drinks from the Bronco Liquor Mart at 5036 W KL Avenue in Kalamazoo, Robinson got into an argument with another customer who was annoyed at the length of time Robinson was taking to complete his transaction at the check-out counter. Still inside the store, Robinson said to the other customer: “I’ll kill you in here, bro.” Robinson’s threat was not idle: he illegally possessed a .40 caliber Glock pistol with an extended magazine capable of housing 30 bullets. Robinson then followed the other customer out of the store into the parking lot. As the other customer walked away, got into his car, and drove away, Robinson fired four shots at the man, missing his target. The other customer did not pose a threat in any way prior to Robinson firing his gun.
Members of the FBI’s Western Michigan Violent Crime Task Force identified Robinson through diligent forensic analysis of the evidence at the scene and review of the security footage at the store. Their investigation led to a search of Robinson’s home where they recovered the gun, still loaded, in Robinson’s bedroom.
While in jail for the shooting and possessing the firearm, Robinson phoned his girlfriend, who was present at the scene of the crime and drove the car as Robinson fled the liquor store. Robinson repeatedly directed his girlfriend to lie so he would escape justice for his crime.
Furthermore, ballistics evidence from the gun indicated that Robinson fired the gun two weeks earlier in the same liquor store parking lot. This case is Robinson’s fourth firearm-related conviction.
The court increased Robinson’s sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm on two grounds: his assault with intent to commit murder and his attempt to obstruct justice by instructing his girlfriend to lie on his behalf.
“Mr. Robinson intended to cause harm and must be held accountable for placing everyone present that day in danger,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Today's sentencing would not have been possible without the strong partnerships between our office, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. We are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding our communities by eliminating violent offenders who believe they can terrorize our communities with illegally possessed firearms.”
“The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office works proudly with local, state, and federal partners, in continued efforts to reduce gun violence in Kalamazoo County and surrounding communities,” said Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller. “The effort in this case by investigators, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office shows the commitment at every level to make Kalamazoo a safer community for all.”
Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have slightly declined since 2021, they remain high. Resources and information on the safe storage of firearms can be found by reviewing the U.S. Department of Justice Safe Storage of Firearms guide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives pamphlet. Anyone who possesses a gun must follow all local, state, and federal laws.
This case was investigated by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and FBI. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Convicted felon sentenced to federal prison for possessing firearms, including one with a Glock switchRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Fort Worth man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Malando Bates, 24, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on March 9, 2023. U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant’s sentence of 120 months was an upward departure from the recommended guideline range. In his ruling, Judge Mazzant noted that Bates had a history of firearm related offenses, that he possessed a Glock with a Glock switch attached, and that, by Bates’ own admission, he had possessed multiple fully automatic pistols. Judge Mazzant further stated that a sentence of 120 months would serve to protect society.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 24, 2021, law enforcement encountered Bates after hearing gunshots. Initially, Bates falsely identified himself as his brother and claimed he was a U.S. Marine. Bates subsequently admitted to law enforcement that he lied about his identity because he was a convicted felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Bates was found to be in possession of several firearms including a Glock pistol with a Glock switch, also known as a machine gun conversion device (MCD) converting the firearm to a fully automatic weapon, a fully loaded 30 round magazine, and two AR style rifles with loaded magazines. Glock switches are devices that are attached to the slide of a Glock handgun that convert the semi-automatic pistol into a pistol capable of fully automatic fire.
“Possession of firearms by convicted felons is inherently dangerous for society,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “But that danger increases exponentially when prohibited individuals possess firearms containing switches that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, which, within a matter of a few seconds, can fire multiple rounds with a single squeeze of the trigger. Today’s sentence should send a clear message that anyone who manufactures, sells, or possesses a machine gun conversion device will be prosecuted federally and face serious consequences.”
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Highland Village Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey M. Batson.
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Convicted Murderer Gets 23 Years in Prison for Memorial Day Killing in 2022 Near Dupont CircleRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – James Jackson, 30, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was sentenced today in Superior Court to 23 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Christian Monje, 29, of Fairfax, Virginia, in D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Jackson pleaded guilty, in February 2024, to one count of second-degree murder while armed.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 30, 2022, at approximately 4:30 a.m., officers of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District responded to the 1700 block of Rhode Island Ave NW in response to the sounds of gunshots. Officers located Mr. Monje on the steps of St. Matthew’s Cathedral suffering a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to the hospital and died from his injuries a few weeks later.
Detectives recovered surveillance footage from nearby cameras which showed an individual approaching Mr. Monje while he sat on the steps of the church. Cameras also captured the individual fleeing down a nearby alley and ducking behind a dumpster. Detectives searched the area around the dumpster and located a 9mm Polymer80 “ghost gun” that was later determined to be the murder weapon.
The case remained unsolved, without a suspect, for months until detectives received a CODIS hit from a DNA profile obtained from the 9mm Polymer 80’s magazine. The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a national DNA database run by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that contains DNA profiles from various sources. The CODIS hit in this case was a match with a profile that was submitted by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division in reference to a prior arrest of the defendant. Using that investigative lead, detectives were able to confirm the defendant’s identity as the murderer using DNA and cell site evidence.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Mabry Johnson and Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Miles Janssen, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Illegal Firearms and Multiple Machine Gun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jean-Robert Jean-Baptiste, Jr., 33, a previously convicted felon, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for illegally possession of a total of four firearms, nine machine gun conversion devices, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and multiple large capacity magazines—followed by, only weeks later, illegally carrying a loaded Glock 9mm firearm that was equipped with a machine gun conversion device and a large-capacity magazine in his Benning Terrace neighborhood in Southeast Washington D.C.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Baptiste pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on January 3, 2024, to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and two counts of possession of a machine gun. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan ordered Baptiste to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on October 19, 2022, MPD officers executed a search warrant at Baptist’s residence and recovered numerous firearms and ammunition from his bedroom. MPD officers seized a Micro Draco semiautomatic pistol with drum magazine and four rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition; a 30-round 7.62 caliber magazine; a 60-round 7.62 caliber magazine; a Glock box with .40 caliber Glock 23 pistol loaded with 14 rounds; a Glock box with 10mm Glock 20 pistol loaded with 16 rounds; a 10mm Glock 29 pistol with an obliterated serial number with 14 rounds in a 15-round magazine; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; nine Glock switch machine gun conversion devices; and 16 assorted 9mm, 10mm, .40 caliber, and 7.62 caliber magazines.
Baptiste was arrested on November 26, 2022, after MPD officers patrolling near the 4400 block of F Street SE observed him toss a firearm to the ground. The firearm was a Glock Model 19X 9mm, that was loaded with one round in the chamber and 30 additional rounds of ammunition in a 31-round capacity magazine. In addition, the firearm was equipped with a machine gun conversion device.
During a subsequent search of Baptist’s cell phone recovered at his arrest, the FBI found photographs of numerous firearms and pricing information, firearms with machine gun conversion devices, and screenshots of conversations about Glock switch machine gun conversion devices.
Baptiste previously was convicted of conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon in D.C. Superior Court for which he was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment in May 2013.
This case was investigated by the MPD as part of Project Safe Neighborhood and the ATF Washington Field Division.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Long, Allison McGuire, and Thomas Strong.
Chicago Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Rory Divaughn Spells, 36, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced today to eleven years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 28, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence near Beckley. Officers found quantities of fentanyl, a substance containing methamphetamine and $8,245. Spells admitted that he was mixing and preparing fentanyl for distribution in the residence’s kitchen at the time the search warrant was executed. Spells further admitted that the cash represented proceeds of previous drug trafficking activity.
Co-defendant Lorenzo B. Herbert, 34, of Beckley, was sentenced on March 14, 2024, to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), FBI Chicago, and the Chicago Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-72.
California woman sentenced to prison for making anti-Semitic phone threats to former Executive Director of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life SynagogueRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Melanie Harris, 59 of Riverside, California, was sentenced yesterday to 32 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to knowingly and intentionally transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce. Harris was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman during a hearing in Miami, Florida.
“Defendant Melanie Harris’s anti-Semitic threats terrorized a Jewish family,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Her hate-filled telephone calls and voicemails were abhorrent. No one should live in fear of threats, harassment, and hate-fueled violence. There is simply no place in our society for anyone who threatens Jews or anyone else in our diverse South Florida community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our FBI partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those that threaten our safety and security, while seeking justice for the victims impacted by these vile crimes.”
“Melanie Harris sent threatening communications to a Jewish family using vile and inflammatory language. The nature of her threats of violence towards the victims and their faith were clearly meant to evoke a climate of fear and intimidation. Such conduct cannot be tolerated,” said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami Field Office. “Violence through words or actions is unacceptable and the FBI will continue to do everything we can to identify, arrest, and bring to justice those who engage in similar conduct.”
According to the facts admitted at the change of plea, on Oct. 3, 2022, Harris made multiple calls to Victim 1’s cell phone, and left four separate threatening voicemails, with the intent to communicate a true threat and with the knowledge that the communications would be seen as true threats. In one of these four October 3 voicemails, Harris stated in relevant part: “I’ll cut your f------ head off kiker.” The term “kike” has long been used as an anti-Semitic slur aimed at Jews.
Neither Victim 1 nor his wife, Victim 2, knew the identity of the person (Harris) calling Victim 1 with these threatening and harassing calls and voicemails. Nor did they know where the calls were coming from because Harris concealed her phone number using the *67 feature. However, all of these calls originated from the Riverside, California area, where Harris lived at the time, and were received by Victim 1’s phone in the Southern District of Florida.
Yesterday’s sentencing hearing and related court filings referenced additional information regarding Harris’ criminal conduct. As was addressed in court, for over four years, Harris harassed and threatened three victims by making over two-hundred and forty calls to Victim 1, leaving messages and engaging in conversations where she unleashed anti-Semitic hate and direct threats against Victim 1, his family, and Jews in general. In these calls and voicemails, Harris made incessant references to the congregants murdered in the October 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In these calls and voicemails Harris repeatedly referred to Victim 3 by their first name, in anti-Semitic and violent terms. Harris also made vile references to Anne Frank being murdered by the Nazis, Jews going back to Auschwitz, and in one voicemail, played for the Court at the sentencing hearing, she repeatedly screamed “Seig Heil, Kill Kikers” over and over before hanging up.
Harris’ four-year onslaught of harassment and threats of the victims was compounded by the fact that until July 2018, Victim 1 had been the Executive Director of the Tree of Life for over 20 years, while his wife, Victim 2, and her adult child, Victim 3, were all long-time members of, and closely associated with, the Tree of Life.
During the course of her calls, Harris blocked her phone number from being detected by Victim 1’s caller identification system, leaving the victims bereft of any knowledge of who the harasser was or where the person might be, putting them in constant fear for their lives until Harris’s arrest in March 2023. In addition, on the same day in February 2019 that Harris began her calls to Victim 1, she also began calling the Tree of Life leaving virtually identical hate-filled anti-Semitic messages referencing the deaths of the elderly worshippers.
The FBI's Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which also investigates civil rights violations, investigated the case. FBI Pittsburgh, FBI Los Angeles Riverside Resident Agency, and the Riverside Police Department in California, provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward N. Stamm and Nardia Haye prosecuted the case, which was indicted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr.
In Sept. 2022, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland started the United Against Hate program to convene local forums that connect community groups to federal, state, and local law enforcement to increase community understanding and reporting of hate crimes; build trust between law enforcement and communities; and create and strengthen alliances between law enforcement and other government partners and community groups to combat unlawful acts of hate. The United Against Hate program represents a “whole of government” approach to combating hate crimes. To learn more visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes and https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/spotlight/united-against-hate.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, FBI, and other South Florida law enforcement partners are United Against Hate. The on-going collective mission is to prevent, investigate, and prosecute threats and hate crimes through education, outreach, and the justice system. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Public Service Announcement (PSA) can be viewed at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/video/united-states-attorneys-office-southern-district-florida-hate-crimes-psa. You can learn more about the Southern District of Florida’s prevention and enforcement efforts by visiting https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/hate-religious-crimes.If you have information about a possible threat or believe you are a victim of or a witness to a hate crime, contact your local law enforcement agency (911), then the FBI at www.fbi.gov/tips or 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225- 5324).
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-60050.
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California Man Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges for Allegedly Swindling Suburban Chicago Resident out of $2 MillionRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A California man has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly swindling a suburban Chicago resident out of $2 million.
RAYMOND ECHAVEZ VILLAMOR, 60, of Newport Beach, Calif., is charged with five counts of wire fraud in an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Villamor pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Monday before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hasten.
The officials noted that the investigation remains ongoing.
According to the indictment, Villamor operated a company called Rainbowork, LLC. Over the course of six months last year, Villamor fraudulently solicited, obtained, and retained an investment of approximately $2 million from an individual residing in Glenview, Ill., the indictment states. Villamor made false representations about the performance and value of the investment, and falsely promised to repay all of it – with an added return – within a specified period of time, even though he knew he did not have the capability to do so, the indictment states.
Villamor misappropriated the victim’s money to pay for personal expenses, including vehicle purchases, the indictment states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Villamor indictmentCalifornia Man Arrested for Making Violent Threats Against North CaroliniansRead the Press Release
A Huntington Beach, California, man was arrested today on federal charges relating to sending threats to individuals and knowingly making false bomb threats. Kevin Dunlow, age 62, is charged in a complaint unsealed today in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina following his arrest in California. He will have his initial appearance today, and his detention hearing will be set at a later date.
“Hate-fueled, violent threats endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant is accused of making explicit and detailed threats, ranging from making a bomb threat against the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, to threatening an elected official, to telling a Rabbi, ‘I am coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.’ The Justice Department will prosecute anyone who makes illegal threats motivated by antisemitism or bias of any kind.”
“We will not normalize violent threats in America, whether targeting law enforcement, elected officials, or average citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The complaint alleges the defendant made violent threats against people of faith, cops, and public servants. These cases will always receive our highest attention.”
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Dunlow made numerous threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, and several synagogues located in North Carolina, while residing in California at the time the threats were made. On or about May 7, Dunlow allegedly stated, “Jews didn’t deserve to live. Jews didn’t deserve to be on this earth. I’m going to kill the Jews. I’m coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.”
In addition, Dunlow allegedly made a false bomb threat to the Wake County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office.
Dunlow is charged with illegally using any form of communication to send a threat to harm or kidnap another person intentionally, and he is charged with illegally knowingly making false reports about bombs. If convicted, Dunlow faces five years in prison for each charge.
U.S. Attorney Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Los Angeles Field Office and the Justice Department's National Security Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Diaz for the Eastern District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
California Man Arrested for Making Violent Threats Against North CaroliniansRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Huntington Beach, California, man was arrested today on federal charges relating to sending threats to individuals and knowingly making false bomb threats. Kevin Dunlow, age 62, is charged in a complaint unsealed today in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina following his arrest in California. He will have his initial appearance today, and his detention hearing will be set at a later date.
“Hate-fueled, violent threats endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant is accused of making explicit and detailed threats, ranging from making a bomb threat against the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, to threatening an elected official, to telling a Rabbi, ‘I am coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.’ The Justice Department will prosecute anyone who makes illegal threats motivated by antisemitism or bias of any kind.”
“We will not normalize violent threats in America, whether targeting law enforcement, elected officials, or average citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “The complaint alleges the defendant made violent threats against people of faith, cops, and public servants. These cases will always receive our highest attention.”
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Dunlow made numerous threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, and several synagogues located in North Carolina, while residing in California at the time the threats were made. On or about May 7, 2024, Dunlow allegedly stated, “Jews didn’t deserve to live. Jews didn’t deserve to be on this earth. I’m going to kill the Jews. I’m coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.”
In addition, Dunlow allegedly made a false bomb threat to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
Dunlow is charged with illegally using any form of communication to send a threat to harm or kidnap another person intentionally, and he is charged with illegally knowingly making false reports about bombs and faces five years in prison, on each charge, if convicted.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Diaz is prosecuting it.
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and the Department of Justice’s National Security Section assisted with the case
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:24-MJ-1651-BM.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Bombmaking Instructor Who Taught How to Kill Law Enforcement Sentenced to 25 YearsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Christopher Arthur, 40, was sentenced today to a total of 300 months’ imprisonment for teaching another individual how to make and use an explosive knowing that the individual intended to use that instruction in the murder or attempted murder of federal law enforcement. In July 2023, he was convicted by a jury on that crime and eight additional counts, including receiving and possessing unregistered devices including a short-barreled rifle, a silencer, three improvised hand grenades, and an improvised claymore mine.
“Violence directed towards police, judges, and public servants will never be tolerated in a free society,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant’s property was wired with IEDs, the same design he sold to help others kill American law enforcement. Anyone teaching bombmaking to target American heroes gets a lesson today - 25 years in federal prison.”
“At a time when law enforcement officers are being feloniously killed at an alarming rate, it is appalling to know what Christopher Arthur did. He made a living training people how to kill or injure those who proudly wear the badge. Now he will spend time in federal prison for his dangerous and deadly lessons,” said Robert M DeWitt, FBI Special Agent in Charge.
During his sentencing hearing, the court heard how Arthur and his company trained individuals to fight “the greatest threat” – a threat he identified as a militarized force like law enforcement’s Special Warfare and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Also, evidence was presented related to a three-part, how-to video series about how to overthrow the government. During one of those videos, an image reads “Start with your LOCAL Government” and “Set the Standard -> Traitors get HUNG” over the image of a noose. Based on that and Arthur’s teaching of bombmaking to an individual knowing that they intended to use that instruction to murder or attempt to murder federal law enforcement, the court applied the terrorism enhancement for sentencing. Relying on this evidence and that presented at trial, the court imposed a maximum sentence on each of the nine counts of conviction.
The investigation into Arthur began after another individual died in a May 2022 shootout with police in New York. Search warrants related to that event resulted in the location of numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and firearms along with multiple “Tackleberry Solutions” tactical instructional manuals which named Christopher Arthur as the author. A review of the individual’s cell phone revealed Arthur had trained him in Mount Olive, North Carolina, for multiple days in March 2020.
On March 19, 2021, a confidential source (CS) working with the FBI requested training from Arthur. After receiving introductory training materials, the CS attended training on explosives at Arthur’s Mount Olive home in May 2021. During discussions between the CS and Arthur, the CS specifically informed Arthur that he needed such training because the ATF had visited his home and he expected them to return. Arthur introduced the CS to a concept Arthur called “the spiderweb,” which he described as a “freaking deathbox.” Over the course of a two-and-a-half-hour training, Arthur walked the CS through how to create IEDs and how to place them to create “fatal funnels,” which could be used to maim or murder anyone entering the CS’s home. During that instruction, Arthur also showed the CS how to create an electric initiator for homemade grenades and bombs and how to make a homemade trip wire. Once he was finished demonstrating how to make the components, Arthur provided them to the CS and explained how to use an old shotgun to create a “thumper” that could launch homemade grenades.
A search warrant was executed at Arthur's home in January 2022. During the search, officers found an IED placed on the front porch with wires leading to a 9-volt battery powered switch located within the home. Additionally, three IED grenades co-located with a striker plate intended to assist in detonating the IEDs, an illegally altered short barrel rifle with an attached unserialized suppressor (i.e., “silencer”) and a fifth IED were recovered.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever, III. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Barbara Kocher and Logan Liles.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-cr-00005-D.
Berwick Woman Pleads Guilty to Yearslong Fraud to Obtain BenefitsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Berwick woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to Social Security fraud.
According to court records, from about December 2008 to February 2020, Suzanne Hercock, 46, lied to the Social Security Administration (SSA) about the presence of her husband, the children’s father, in the household, to fraudulently collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on behalf of her children.
In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Hercock falsely represented to the SSA that she and her husband lived separately. She failed to disclose her husband’s presence and income despite knowing that she was required to and that it would affect her eligibility to receive benefits.
Hercock faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release. The Court may also order Hercock to pay restitution to the SSA. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
SSA’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
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Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brandon Bartley, age 26, of Albany, pled guilty today to drug and gun crimes in connection with his trafficking of large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and his possession of more than 30 firearms.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
Bartley pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Bartley admitted that he engaged in a conspiracy to distribute, and that he possessed with intent to distribute, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, from his apartment on Western Avenue in Albany. On May 23, 2023, law enforcement searched his apartment and found 34 firearms, including a loaded Glock on his bed that he used to protect his drugs and drug proceeds, and other firearms, as well as more than 400 grams of fentanyl pills, more than 7,000 grams of pills containing methamphetamine, and more than 700 grams of cocaine.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 12, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Bartley faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life, to begin he finishes his prison term. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The following defendants have been charged in connection with this investigation:
- Anthony Luizzi pled guilty to drug and gun crimes on March 18, 2024, and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16, 2024.
- Jabree Jones was charged with a violation of the terms of his federal supervised release on May 23, 2023, and has been detained pending the resolution of the supervised release violation petition.
- Devon Newsome was charged by criminal complaint on December 11, 2023, with a firearms trafficking-related offense, and has been released with conditions.
The charges against Jones and Newsome are merely accusations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The DEA and the ATF are investigating the case, with assistance from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Henry County Police Department in Georgia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Aguadilla Man Indicted and Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Aaron Scott Byrns, 46, of Aguadilla, PR, for child exploitation.
According to court documents, from December 15, 2023, through on or about April 15, 2024, Aaron Scott Byrns, using a cellular phone, produced, and attempted to produce images of female minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, to include the lascivious exhibition of the genital area. The defendant captured and attempted to capture these images of the private areas of the female minors without their consent at a federal school campus.
Aaron Scott Byrns is facing one count of production of child pornography; one count for possession of child pornography; and one count of video voyeurism.
The defendant had his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López-Soler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto. The detention/bail hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. If convicted for the charges of production of child pornography the defendant faces up to 30 years in prison; for possession of child pornography, he faces up to 10 years; both followed by a term of supervised release of no less than 5 years up to life; and for video voyeurism he faces up to one year in prison; followed by a term of up to one year of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, and Rebecca González Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Juan made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case with the collaboration of the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Emelina Agrait Barreto of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information about this or any other federal crime are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500, or to submit tips through the FBI’s internet complaint portal at Tips.FBI.gov.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians; and to report suspicious activities call 787-729-6969.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Thursday 23 May 2024
법무부, 콜로라도 주 체리크릭 학군 내 가족을 위한 언어 장벽 해결을 위한 합의서 확보Read the Press Release
미국 법무부는 오늘 콜로라도 주에서 가장 큰 학군 중 하나인 체리크릭 교육구(CCSD)와 영어가 미숙한 학부모들을 위한 언어 접근 서비스를 크게 개선하기 위한 합의에 도달했다고 발표했습니다. 이 합의는 학군이 이러한 학부모와 이해할 수 있는 언어로 소통하지 않아 자녀 교육에 관한 중요한 정보를 제공하지 않았다는 불만을 해결합니다.
미국 법무부 민권 부서의 크리스틴 클라크 법무부 차관보는 "어떤 학부모도 자녀의 교육에 대해 어둠 속에 방치되어서는 안 됩니다." 라고 말합니다. "영어가 미숙한 학부모를 포함하여 학교와 학부모 간의 개방적이고 효과적인 의사소통은 학생들의 교육 기회에 대한 평등한 접근을 보호하는 데 필수적입니다. 미국 법무부는 학부모가 자녀 교육에 온전히 참여하지 못하게 하는 언어 장벽을 극복할 수 있도록 학군을 계속 지원할 것입니다."
콜로라도 지구 콜 피네건 연방검사는 "영어가 미숙한 학부모들은 공립학교가 어떻게 운영되는지 이해하는 데 어려움을 겪습니다." 라고 말했습니다. "이 합의는 체리크릭 학군이 학군내의 모든 학부모들이 자녀 교육에 의미 있게 참여할 수 있는 정책과 관행을 시행하도록 하기 위한 것입니다. 우리는 콜로라도 주의 모든 학군들이 영어가 미숙한 학부모들에게 언어 지원 서비스를 제공해야 하는 의무를 준수하고 있는지 확인하기 위해 관행을 검토할 것을 촉구합니다."
CCSD(체리크릭 학군)은 부모들이 150개 이상의 언어를 사용하는 약 53,000명의 학생들에게 서비스를 제공합니다. 콜로라도 지구 연방 검찰청은 학군이 적절하고 효과적인 언어 지원 서비스를 제공하지 않아 영어가 미숙한 학부모들이 중요한 학교 프로그램과 활동에 의미 있게 참여할 수 없었다는 여러 건의 불만을 접수했습니다. 예를 들어, 불만 사항에는 학군이 영어가 미숙한 학무모들이 자녀를 학군의 학교에 등록할 때 통역 및 번역 서비스를 제공하지 않았고 퇴학 청문회 및 기타 징계 절차 중에 그러한 서비스를 제공하지 않았다는 주장이 담겨 있습니다.
연방 검찰청은 법무부 민권 부서와 협력하여 1974년 교육 기회 균등법에 따라 불만 사항을 조사했습니다.
교육부의 조사를 해결하기 위해 학군은 다음과 같은 중요한 영역에서 의사소통을 개선하기로 합의했습니다:
- 등록: 교육구는 영어가 미숙한 자녀를 학군 내 학교에 등록시키려는 학부모들을 파악하여 선호하는 의사소통 언어를 문서화하고 등록 절차를 이해하는 데 도움이 되는 언어 지원 서비스를 제공할 것입니다.
- 학생 징계 절차: 학군은 정학 및 퇴학과 관련된 서신을 영어가 미숙한 학부모가 선호하는 언어로 번역하고 정학 또는 퇴학으로 이어질 수 있는 징계 절차 중에 언어 지원 서비스를 제공합니다.
- 영어가 미숙한 학부모와의 소통: 교육구에서는 영어가 미숙한 학부모의 의사소통 요구를 더 잘 이해하기 위해 12개 이상의 언어로 설문조사를 실시하고의견을 청취할 예정입니다.
1974년 제정된 교육 기회 균등법의 시행은 민권 부서의 최우선 과제입니다. 민권 부서에 대한 자세한 정보는 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt 에서 확인할 수 있으며, 교육 기회 부서의 업무에 대한 자세한 정보는 웹사이트 www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section 에서 확인할 수 있습니다.
민권 부서에 민권 침해 가능성을 신고하려면 www.civilrights.justice.gov/ 을 방문하세요. 미국 법무부의 민권 집행 프로그램에 대한 추가 정보는 https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement 에서 확인할 수 있습니다.
司法部达成协议，解决科罗拉多州樱桃溪学区家庭的语言障碍问题Read the Press Release
美国司法部今天宣布与科罗拉多州最大的学区之一樱桃溪学区（Cherry Creek School District，CCSD）达成和解协议，大幅改善为英语水平有限的家长提供的语言使用服务。该协议解决了关于学区未能用这些家长能听懂的语言与他们沟通，从而剥夺了他们获得子女教育重要信息的权利的指控。
司法部民权司助理司法部长克里斯汀·克拉克（Kristen Clarke）说：“任何家长都不应该被蒙在鼓里，不了解自己孩子的教育情况。学校与家长（包括英语水平有限的家长）之间开放而有效的沟通对于保障学生平等获得教育机会至关重要。”司法部将继续确保学区采取措施，帮助家长克服妨碍他们充分参与子女教育的语言障碍。”
科罗拉多州地区联邦检察官科尔·费根（Cole Finegan）说：“英语水平有限的家长在了解公立学校如何运作方面面临障碍。本协议旨在确保樱桃溪学区实施相关政策和措施，使学区的所有家长都能有意义地参与子女的教育。我们敦促科罗拉多州的所有学区审查其做法，以确保他们履行为英语能力有限的家长提供语言援助服务的义务。”
樱桃溪学区为大约 5.3 万名学生提供服务，这些学生的父母讲 150 多种语言。科罗拉多州地区联邦检察官办公室收到多起投诉，称英语水平有限的家长无法有意义地参与学校的重要项目和活动，因为校区没有为他们提供适当有效的语言援助服务。例如，投诉称学区没有为英语水平有限的家长在子女入学时提供口译和笔译服务，也没有在开除听证会和其他纪律处分程序中提供此类服务。
美国联邦检察官办公室与司法部民权司协调，根据 1974 年《平等教育机会法》对投诉进行了调查。
为解决该部门的调查问题，该学区已同意改进其在关键领域的沟通，包括:
- 入学：学区将识别英语水平有限且希望子女就读学区学校的家长，记录他们首选的交流语言，并为他们提供语言协助服务，帮助他们了解入学程序。
- 学生纪律处分程序：学区将把涉及停学和开除的信件翻译成英语水平有限的家长喜欢的语言，并在可能导致停学或开除的纪律处分程序中提供语言协助服务。
- 与英语水平有限的家长接触：学区将用十多种语言开展调查并举行倾听会，以更好地了解英语水平有限的家长的沟通需求。
执行 1974 年《平等教育机会法》是民权处的首要任务。有关民权处的更多信息，请访问其网站 www.justice.gov/crt ，有关教育机会科工作的更多信息，请访问 www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section。
要向民权处报告可能存在的侵犯民权行为，请访问 www.civilrights.justice.gov/。有关美国联邦检察官办公室民权执法计划的更多信息，请访问www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement。
የፍትህ መምሪያ በቼሪ ክሪክ፣ ኮሎራዶ፣ የትምህርት ወረዳ ውስጥ ላሉ ቤተሰቦች የቋንቋ እንቅፋቶችን ለመፍታት ስምምነትን አረጋግጧልRead the Press Release
የፍትህ መምሪያ በኮሎራዶ ውስጥ ካሉት ትልቁ የት/ቤት ዲስትሪክቶች አንዱ ከሆነው ከቼሪ ክሪክ ትምህርት ቤት ወረዳ (CCSD) ጋር የመቋቋሚያ ስምምነት ማግኘቱን ዛሬ አስታውቋል፣ ይህም ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ላላቸው ወላጆች የቋንቋ ተደራሽነት አገልግሎትን በእጅጉ ለማሻሻል ነው። ስምምነቱ ዲስትሪክቱ ከእነዚህ ወላጆች ጋር ሊረዱት በሚችሉት ቋንቋ ግንኙነት ማድረግ አለመቻሉን፤ በዚህም የልጆቻቸውን ትምህርት ጠቃሚ መረጃ እንዳያገኙ አድርጓል የሚለውን ክስ የሚፈታ ነው።
የፍትህ መምሪያ የሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ረዳት ዋና አቃቤ ህግ ክሪስቲን ክላርክ “ማንኛውም ወላጅ በልጃቸው ትምህርት እንዳያውቁ ተደርገው መተው የለበትም” ብለዋል። "በትምህርት ቤቶች እና በወላጆች መካከል ግልጽ እና ውጤታማ ግንኙነት፣ ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ያላቸው ወላጆችን ጨምሮ፣ ይህም ለተማሪዎች የእኩል የትምህርት እድሎች ተጠቃሚነት አስፈላጊ ነው። የፍትህ መምሪያ ወላጆች በልጆቻቸው ትምህርት ሙሉ በሙሉ እንዳይሳተፉ የሚከለክሏቸውን የቋንቋ እንቅፋቶችን ለመፍታት የትምህርት ወረዳዎች እርምጃዎችን እንዲወስዱ ማረጋገጡን ይቀጥላል።’’
የዩ.ኤስ የኮሎራዶ ወረዳ ጠበቃ ኮሌ ፊንጋን “ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ያላቸው ወላጆች የሕዝብ ትምህርት ቤቶች እንዴት እንደሚሠሩ ለመረዳት እንቅፋት ይገጥማቸዋል” ብለዋል። “ይህ ስምምነት በወረዳው ውስጥ ያሉ ሁሉም ወላጆች በልጆቻቸው ትምህርት በተገቢው መልኩ እንዲሳተፉ ለማድረግ የቼሪ ክሪክ ትምህርት ቤት ወረዳ ፖሊሲዎችን እና ልምዶችን መተግበሩን ለማረጋገጥ ያለመ ነው። በኮሎራዶ የሚገኙ ሁሉም የትምህርት ቤት ወረዳዎች የተገደበ የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ላላቸው ወላጆች የቋንቋ እርዳታ አገልግሎቶችን የመስጠት ግዴታቸውን መወጣታቸውን ለማረጋገጥ ተግባሮቻቸውን እንዲገመግሙ እናሳስባለን።”
CCSD ወላጆቻቸው ከ150 በላይ ቋንቋዎች የሚናገሩ ወደ 53,000 ለሚሆኑ ተማሪዎች አገልግሎት ይሰጣል። የኮሎራዶ ወረዳ የዩ.ኤስ አቃቤ ህግ ቢሮ ብዙ ቅሬታዎችን የተቀበለ ሲሆን ይህም የእንግሊዝኛ ቋንቋ ችሎታቸው ውስን የሆኑ ወላጆች በአስፈላጊ የትምህርት ቤት ፕሮግራሞች እና እንቅስቃሴዎች ላይ ትርጉም ባለው መልኩ መሳተፍ አልቻሉም ምክንያቱም ወረዳው ተገቢ እና ውጤታማ የቋንቋ እርዳታ አገልግሎቶችን አልሰጠም። ቅሬታዎቹ፣ ለምሳሌ፣ ወረዳው የእንግሊዝኛ ቋንቋ ችሎታቸው ውስን ለሆኑ ወላጆች ልጆቻቸውን በወረዳው ትምህርት ቤቶች ሲያስመዘግቡ የአስተርጓሚ እና የትርጉም አገልግሎት እንደማይሰጡ እና በማባረር ችሎቶች እና በሌሎች የዲሲፕሊን ሂደቶች ላይ እንደዚህ ያሉ አገልግሎቶችን አልሰጡም የሚል ነው።
የዩ.ኤስ አቃቤ ህግ ቢሮ ከፍትህ መምሪያ የሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ጋር በመተባበር በ1974 እኩል የትምህርት እድል ህግ ስር ያሉትን ቅሬታዎች መርምሯል።
የመምሪያውን ምርመራ ለመፍታት ወሳኝ በሆኑ ጉዳዮች ላይ ያለውን ግንኙነት ለማሻሻል ተስማምቷል ከነዚህም ውስጥ፡-
- ምዝገባ፡ ወረዳው የተገደበ የእንግሊዘኛ ችሎታ ያላቸውን እና ልጆቻቸውን በወረዳ ትምህርት ቤቶች ለማስመዝገብ የሚፈልጉ ወላጆችን ይለያል፣ የመረጡትን የመገናኛ ቋንቋ ይመዘግባል፣ እና የምዝገባ ሂደቱን እንዲረዱ የቋንቋ እገዛ አገልግሎቶችን ያቀርብላቸዋል።
- የተማሪ የዲሲፕሊን ሂደቶች፡ ወረዳው መታገድ እና መባረርን የሚያካትቱ ደብዳቤዎችን የተገደበ የእንግሊዘኛ ቋንቋ ችሎታ ላላቸው ወላጆች ወደ መረጡት ቋንቋዎች ይተረጉማል እና በዲሲፕሊን ሂደቶች ጊዜ ወደ መታገድ ወይም መባረር ሊያመራ የሚችል ጉዳይ ላይ የቋንቋ እገዛ አገልግሎት ይሰጣል።
- ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ካላቸው ወላጆች ጋር መስተጋብር ማድረግ፡ ወረዳው ውስን የእንግሊዝኛ ችሎታ ያላቸው ወላጆችን የግንኙነት ፍላጎቶች የበለጠ ለመረዳት የዳሰሳ ጥናቶችን ያካሂዳል እና ከደርዘን በላይ በሆኑ ቋንቋዎች የማዳመጥ ክፍለ ጊዜዎችን ያካሂዳል።
የ1974 እኩል የትምህርት እድሎች ህግ አፈፃፀም የሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ከፍተኛ ቅድሚያ የሚሰጠው ጉዳይ ነው። ስለ ሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ተጨማሪ መረጃ በድረ-ገፁ በ www.justice.gov/crt ላይ ይገኛል፣ እና ስለ ትምህርታዊ እድሎች ክፍል ስራ ተጨማሪ መረጃ በ www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section ላይ ይገኛል።
የዜጎችን የመብት ጥሰት ለሲቪል መብቶች ክፍል ሪፖርት ለማድረግ፣ እባክዎ www.civilrights.justice.gov/ ን ይጎብኙ። ስለ የዩ.ኤስ አቃቤ ህግ ቢሮ የሲቪል መብቶች ማስፈጸሚያ ፕሮግራም ተጨማሪ መረጃ በ www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement ላይ ማግኘት ይቻላል።
وزارة العدل تتوصل لاتفاقية لمعالجة العوائق اللغوية للعائلات في منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية في كولورادوRead the Press Release
أعلنت وزارة العدل اليوم أنها توصلت إلى اتفاقية تسوية مع منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية، وهي إحدى أكبر المناطق التعليمية في كولورادو، لتحسين الخدمات اللغوية بشكل كبير لأولياء الأمور من ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية، تقدم الاتفاقية حلًا للادعاءات القائلة بأن المنطقة أخفقت في التواصل مع أولياء الأمور هؤلاء بلغة يمكنهم فهمها، مما يمنع حقهم في معرفة معلومات مهمة حول تعليم أطفالهم.
صرحت مساعد المدعي العام كريستين كلارك من قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل: "لا ينبغي أن يبقى أي ولي أمر جاهلًا بتفاصيل تعليم أبنائه، فالتواصل المفتوح والفعال بين المدارس وأولياء الأمور، بما في ذلك أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية، يعد أمرًا ضروريًا لضمان حصول الطلاب على فرص تعليمية متساوية، وستواصل وزارة العدل التأكد من اتخاذ المناطق التعليمية خطوات عملية لمساعدة أولياء الأمور في التغلب على الحواجز اللغوية التي تمنعهم من المشاركة الكاملة في تعليم أبنائهم.
صرّح المدعي العام لمقاطعة كولورادو كول فينيجان: "يواجه أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية تحديات في فهم الكيفية التي تعمل بها المدارس العامة، حيث تهدف هذه الاتفاقية إلى ضمان قيام منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية بتنفيذ سياسات وممارسات تمكّن جميع أولياء الأمور في المنطقة من المشاركة بشكل هادف في تعليم أبنائهم. ونحن نحث جميع المناطق التعليمية في كولورادو على مراجعة ممارساتها للتأكد من امتثالها للالتزام بتقديم خدمات المساعدة اللغوية لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية."
تخدم منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية حوالي 53 ألف طالب يتحدث أولياء أمورهم أكثر من 150 لغة، وقد تلقى مكتب المدعي العام الأمريكي عن مقاطعة كولورادو شكاوى متعددة تزعم أن أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية لا يمكنهم المشاركة بشكل هادف في البرامج والأنشطة المدرسية المهمة لأن المنطقة لم توفر لهم خدمات المساعدة اللغوية المناسبة والفعالة؛ فقد زعمت الشكاوى، على سبيل المثال، أن المنطقة لم توفر مترجمين فوريين أو خدمات الترجمة لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية عندما قيامهم بتسجيل أبنائهم في مدارس المنطقة ولم تقدم مثل هذه الخدمات أثناء جلسات الطرد والإجراءات التأديبية الأخرى.
قام مكتب المدعي العام الأمريكي، بالتنسيق مع قسم الحقوق المدنية بوزارة العدل، بالتحقيق في الشكاوى بموجب قانون تكافؤ الفرص التعليمية لعام 1974.
لإنهاء التحقيق الذي تجريه وزارة العدل، وافقت المنطقة التعليمية على تحسين اتصالاتها في المجالات الهامة، بما في ذلك:
- التسجيل: ستحدد المنطقة التعليمية أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية والذين يسعون إلى تسجيل أطفالهم في مدارس المنطقة، وتوثّق لغة التواصل المفضلة لهم، وتزوّدهم بخدمات المساعدة اللغوية لمساعدتهم على فهم عملية التسجيل.
- الإجراءات التأديبية للطلاب: ستقوم المنطقة بترجمة الرسائل التي تتضمن التعليق والطرد إلى اللغة المفضلة لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية وتوفير خدمات المساعدة اللغوية أثناء الإجراءات التأديبية التي قد تؤدي إلى الإيقاف أو الفصل.
- التعامل مع أولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية: ستقوم المنطقة بعمل استطلاعات رأي وعقد جلسات استماع بأكثر من اثنتي عشرة لغة لفهم احتياجات التواصل لأولياء الأمور ذوي الكفاءة المحدودة في اللغة الإنجليزية بشكل أفضل.
يعد تطبيق قانون تكافؤ الفرص التعليمية لعام 1974 أولوية قصوى لقسم الحقوق المدنية. تتوفر معلومات إضافية حول قسم الحقوق المدنية على موقعه على الإنترنت على العنوان التالي: www.justice.gov/crt، ومعلومات إضافية حول عمل قسم الفرص التعليمية متاحة على www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.
للإبلاغ عن انتهاك محتمل للحقوق المدنية، يرجى زيارة الموقع www.civilrights.justice.gov/. يمكن العثور على معلومات إضافية حول برنامج إنفاذ الحقوق المدنية التابع لمكتب المدعي العام الأمريكي على الموقع www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement.
Министерство юстиции заключило соглашение об устранении языковых барьеров для семей в школьном округе Черри-Крик, штат КолорадоRead the Press Release
Сегодня Министерство юстиции объявило о заключении мирового соглашения со школьным округом Черри-Крик (CCSD), одним из крупнейших школьных округов штата Колорадо, с целью заметного улучшения услуг языковой поддержки для родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка. Соглашение разрешает вопрос обвинений в том, что округ не мог общаться с отдельными родителями на понятном им языке, не донося им важную информацию об образовательном процессе их детей.
«Ни один родитель не должен испытывать трудности в понимании процесса получения своим ребенком образования», — отмечает помощница генерального прокурора в Отделе по гражданским правам Министерства юстиции Кристен Кларк. «Открытая и результативная коммуникация между школами и родителями — включая родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка — крайне важна для обеспечения учащимся равного доступа к образовательным возможностям. Министерство юстиции продолжит следить за принятием соответствующих мер для того, чтобы школьные округа эффективно помогали родителям преодолеть языковые барьеры, мешающие им полноценно участвовать в образовательном процессе своих детей».
«Родители с ограниченным знанием английского языка сталкиваются с серьезными преградами в понимании принципов работы государственных школ», — добавляет прокурор округа Колорадо Коул Финеган. «Это соглашение гарантирует, что школьный округ Черри-Крик реализует политику и практику, позволяющую всем родителям в округе принимать значительное участие в образовании своих детей. Мы призываем все школьные округа Колорадо пересмотреть свои методы работы, чтобы достичь соблюдения своих обязательств по предоставлению языковой поддержки родителям с ограниченным знанием английского языка».
В CCSD учится около 53 000 детей и подростков, чьи родители говорят более чем на 150 языках. Прокуратура США по округу Колорадо получила несколько жалоб, где утверждалось, что родители с ограниченным знанием английского языка не могут полноценно участвовать в важных школьных программах и мероприятиях, поскольку округ не предоставил им соответствующих эффективных услуг языковой поддержки. Так, в жалобах утверждалось, что округ не предоставлял услуг устной и письменной помощи родителям с ограниченным знанием английского языка, когда они оформляли своих детей в школы округа, а также не предоставлял таких услуг во время посвященных исключению собраний и других дисциплинарных разбирательств.
Прокуратура США в сотрудничестве с Отделом по гражданским правам Министерства юстиции расследовала жалобы в соответствии с Законом о равных возможностях получения образования 1974 года.
Для разрешения вопросов, поднятых во время расследования департамента, округ планирует улучшить процесс коммуникации в особо важных направлениях, в том числе, в следующих.
- Оформление Округ будет выявлять родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка, которые хотят оформить своих детей в школы округа, отмечать в документации предпочитаемый ими язык общения и предоставлять им услуги языковой помощи, чтобы они могли понять процесс зачисления.
- Дисциплинарные разбирательства в отношении учащихся Округ обязуется переводить письма, связанные с отстранением от занятий и исключением, на язык, предпочитаемый родителями с ограниченным знанием английского языка, а также предоставлять услуги языковой поддержки во время дисциплинарных разбирательств, которые могут привести к отстранению или исключению.
- Взаимодействие с родителями с ограниченным знанием английского языка Чтобы лучше понять коммуникационные потребности родителей с ограниченным знанием английского языка, округ обязуется проводить опросы и собрания на более чем 12 языках.
Обеспечение соблюдения Закона о равных возможностях получения образования 1974 года является основным приоритетом Отдела по гражданским правам. Дополнительная информация об Отделе по гражданским правам содержится на веб-сайте по адресу www.justice.gov/crt, а больше информации о работе Отдела образовательных возможностей изложено по адресу www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.
Вы можете сообщить о случаях нарушении гражданских прав в Отдел по гражданским правам, посетив веб-сайтwww.civilrights.justice.gov/. Дополнительная информация о программе Прокуратуры США по обеспечению соблюдения гражданских прав изложена на веб-сайте по адресу www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement.
Youth Gymnastics Photographer Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DETROIT — David Eric Yellen, 59, of Royal Oak, Michigan pleaded guilty in federal district court to distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.
Yellen’s involvement with child pornography came to light after the FBI discovered that he was distributing images of child pornography over the internet, using peer-to-peer file-sharing software. The FBI determined that Yellen had worked as a photographer and videographer at multiple youth female gymnastics events in the past several years. When the FBI searched Yellen’s house, they found that Yellen possessed hundreds of files of child pornography on his electronic devices, and that Yellen had taken at least 200 photographs of the bare feet of the children who attended the gyms and gymnastic events where Yellen worked.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Yellen will face a sentence of between five and 20 years in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. Yellen entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sean F. Cox.
“Yellen’s child pornography conduct was aggravated because of his position of trust in the gymnastics community with youth gymnasts and their parents,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office will continue to make the prosecution of child pornography crimes a top priority in order to keep our community and our children safe.”
"Yellen, a well-known figure in the Michigan gymnastic community, was found to be distributing child sex abuse material and to have other questionable photos on his devices directly involving some of the gymnasts he worked alongside," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "Adults who work with and around our children are entrusted with the highest level of trust, and Yellen's conduct demonstrated his disregard for their protection. The FBI will continue to dedicate our resources to removing these individuals who lurk in the shadows and bringing them to justice."
This investigation was conducted by the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Rawsthorne, Ann Nee, and Sarah Alsaden.
Wanblee Man Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Wanblee, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault on a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on May 17, 2024.
Chad Doyle Jr., 22, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Doyle was indicted for two counts of Assault on a Federal Officer by a federal grand jury in January of 2024. He pleaded guilty to one count of Assault on a Federal Officer on March 11, 2024.
The case stemmed from Doyle assaulting an Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety patrol officer in December of 2023. During the assault, Doyle kicked and attempted to punch the officer.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because officers employed with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety are federal law enforcement officers.
This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.
Doyle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Visalia Man Indicted for Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Shawn Saesee, 20, of Visalia, charging him with unlawful transfer of firearms in violation of the National Firearms Act and dealing and manufacturing firearms without a license, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Saesee sold an undercover agent eight firearms, including five machine guns on four separate occasions. Saesee sold firearms despite being told by the undercover agent he could not legally possess firearms.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Saesee faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case 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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Virginia Beach man pleads guilty to downloading massive amounts of child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man pled guilty today to receiving images and videos depicting sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, in March 2021, the FBI began an investigation of hundreds of requests between October 2020 and May 2021 for suspected images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) at a specific IP address in Virginia Beach. Investigators determined the IP address belonged to Kevin Javon Taylor, 51.
On June 6, 2021, the FBI executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence. During the search, a preliminary review of Taylor’s electronic devices revealed indications of possible CSAM. Agents found file names and file paths with titles synonymous with CSAM. Agents also discovered three physical binders containing printed CSAM.
A review of the electronic devices seized from Taylor’s residence contained approximately 14,100 images of CSAM, 642 videos of CSAM, and over 90,000 images of child erotica. These files were stored across thirty-three different electronic devices as well as physical copies.
Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum penalty 20 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, and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-36.
United States Reaches over $310 Million Settlement with Norfolk Southern to Address Harms Caused by East Palestine Train DerailmentRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement valued at over $310 million with Norfolk Southern Railway Company holding the company accountable to address and pay for the damage caused by the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. If the settlement is approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Norfolk Southern will be required to take measures to improve rail safety, pay for health monitoring and mental health services for the surrounding communities, fund long-term environmental monitoring, pay a $15 million civil penalty and take other actions to protect nearby waterways and drinking water resources.
Together with other response costs and rail safety enhancements, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination and other harms caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations.
In the hours following the derailment, EPA personnel arrived on site and they have remained there to ensure that the people of East Palestine are protected and have the most up-to-date information. In those early days, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan promised that Norfolk Southern would be held accountable for its actions. Since then, as EPA and the Justice Department pursued a strong enforcement action to deliver on that commitment, EPA has continued to stay engaged in the community, directing cleanup activities, collecting air, water and soil samples and participating in community meetings. The Administration has led a robust, multi-agency effort – including the Department of Transportation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services – to fulfill the President’s commitment to “supporting the people of East Palestine and all those affected in surrounding areas of Ohio and Pennsylvania every step of the way.”
“The President issued an executive order which promised to address the disaster’s long-term effects and to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for its train derailing and the burning of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine. This settlement helps fulfill that promise,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Importantly, those who will most directly benefit from this settlement are those who were most directly affected by the disaster. And the rail safety commitments will help prevent future catastrophic railway events.”
“No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again. Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer, and waterways will be cleaner.”
“The human cost from the Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster was high and continues today,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “That is why we worked to include funding in this agreement for a community health program. Notably, this settlement also secures significant resources to complete cleanup in and around East Palestine as well as measures to detect and address potential rail safety risks.”
“Norfolk Southern’s train derailment and massive chemical spill onto East Palestine’s grounds and into its waterways jeopardized the safety and health of residents, damaging their homes, their lives and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “That is why the Department of Justice diligently worked to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for this disaster by quickly filing suit and negotiating a resolution that protects residents’ interests. This settlement requires Norfolk Southern to fund a community health program that monitors and treats individual medical needs stemming from the disaster. It also requires the company to fund the clean-up efforts, to restore the region’s waterways and habitats, and to monitor the drinking water system to ensure it is safe. And it requires them to implement numerous additional safety measures throughout the United States in an effort to prevent another railway community from suffering losses like those East Palestine experienced. While these remedies cannot fully address the impact of this disaster, they are a positive step toward healing and recovery.”
Today’s settlement follows a complaint filed by the United States against Norfolk Southern in March 2023 for unlawful discharges of pollutants and hazardous substances caused by the train derailment. In February 2023, EPA issued a unilateral administrative order, holding Norfolk Southern accountable for the damage done to the community. The order required cleanup of spilled substances and impacted soils, as well as payment of all costs to the U.S. government. EPA also issued an order under the Clean Water Act to clean up oil spilled into the surrounding waterways. Since then, EPA has been directing and overseeing the extensive cleanup activities.
In total, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations. The amount includes this settlement with the United States valued at over $310 million, as well as around $780 million in environmental response costs incurred by Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs since the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements, including those required by this settlement.
To help ensure that no community goes through what East Palestine residents have faced, the settlement also requires Norfolk Southern to improve coordination with government officials and other stakeholders during emergency responses. Specifically, Norfolk Southern will create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with first responders and government officials, where appropriate, before restoring and reopening tracks for use after a derailment involving spilled hazardous material. Norfolk Southern will also create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with government officials and other stakeholders in advance of any vent and burn proposed by the company.
Under the settlement, Norfolk Southern has agreed to:
- Spend an estimated $235 million for all past and future cleanup costs, so that cleanup efforts can continue and the company, rather than taxpayers, covers the cost.
- Pay $25 million for a 20-year community health program that includes medical monitoring for qualified individuals, mental health services for individuals residing in affected counties as well as first responders who worked at the site and a community facilitation plan to assist community members in using the benefits of the program.
- Spend approximately $15 million to implement long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water for a period of 10 years.
- Pay $15 million for a private drinking water monitoring fund that will continue the existing private drinking water well monitoring program for 10 years.
- Implement a “waterways remediation plan,” with an estimated budget of $6 million, for projects in Leslie Run and Sulphur Run that will prioritize addressing historical pollution, reducing non-point source pollution through infrastructure upgrades and stormwater management projects and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat.
- Pay a $15 million civil penalty to resolve the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act
- Pay $175,000 for natural resource damages, to be used by the United States to restore, rehabilitate, replace or acquire the equivalent of the natural resources injured as a result of the derailment.
In addition, the consent decree requires Norfolk Southern to undertake projects to improve the safety of transporting hazardous materials by rail, which will include installation of additional devices to detect overheated wheel bearings early enough to prevent derailments like the one that happened in East Palestine. All told, Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs dating from the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements.
The proposed settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio by the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. It is subject to a minimum 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The details of today’s settlement are available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Additional Background
EPA is committed to protecting the health and safety of East Palestine and surrounding communities. EPA personnel have been on site since the initial hours of the train derailment, and the agency continues to provide residents the most up-to-date information via the website, welcome center, community meetings, newsletters and more.
Immediately following the train derailment, EPA established a 24/7 air monitoring and sampling network. EPA also began coordinating with state and local officials to monitor environmental impacts on the community. Over the course of the response, EPA has collected over 115 million air monitoring data points and over 45,000 air, water and soil samples, giving the agency confidence in the safety of air, water and soil in the community. Since the evacuation was lifted, no sustained chemicals of concern have been found in the air.
To date, more than 177,000 tons of contaminated soil and more than 69 million gallons of wastewater have been removed from the community and work continues to remove contamination from area creeks and soil sampling at the derailment site to ensure all contamination has been remediated.
United States Reaches over $310 Million Settlement with Norfolk Southern to Address Harms Caused by East Palestine Train DerailmentRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement valued at over $310 million with Norfolk Southern Railway Company holding the company accountable to address and pay for the damage caused by the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. If the settlement is approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Norfolk Southern will be required to take measures to improve rail safety, pay for health monitoring and mental health services for the surrounding communities, fund long-term environmental monitoring, pay a $15 million civil penalty and take other actions to protect nearby waterways and drinking water resources.
Together with other response costs and rail safety enhancements, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination and other harms caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations.
In the hours following the derailment, EPA personnel arrived on site and they have remained there to ensure that the people of East Palestine are protected and have the most up-to-date information. In those early days, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan promised that Norfolk Southern would be held accountable for its actions. Since then, as EPA and the Justice Department pursued a strong enforcement action to deliver on that commitment, EPA has continued to stay engaged in the community, directing cleanup activities, collecting air, water and soil samples and participating in community meetings. The Administration has led a robust, multi-agency effort – including the Department of Transportation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services – to fulfill the President’s commitment to “supporting the people of East Palestine and all those affected in surrounding areas of Ohio and Pennsylvania every step of the way.”
“The President issued an executive order which promised to address the disaster’s long-term effects and to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for its train derailing and the burning of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine. This settlement helps fulfill that promise,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Importantly, those who will most directly benefit from this settlement are those who were most directly affected by the disaster. And the rail safety commitments will help prevent future catastrophic railway events.”
“No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again. Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer, and waterways will be cleaner.”
“The human cost from the Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster was high and continues today,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “That is why we worked to include funding in this agreement for a community health program. Notably, this settlement also secures significant resources to complete cleanup in and around East Palestine as well as measures to detect and address potential rail safety risks.”
“Norfolk Southern’s train derailment and massive chemical spill onto East Palestine’s grounds and into its waterways jeopardized the safety and health of residents, damaging their homes, their lives, and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “That is why the Department of Justice diligently worked to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for this disaster by quickly filing suit and negotiating a resolution that protects residents’ interests. This settlement requires Norfolk Southern to fund a community health program that monitors and treats individual medical needs stemming from the disaster. It also requires the company to fund the clean-up efforts, to restore the region’s waterways and habitats, and to monitor the drinking water system to ensure it is safe. And it requires them to implement numerous additional safety measures throughout the United States in an effort to prevent another railway community from suffering losses like those East Palestine experienced. While these remedies cannot fully address the impact of this disaster, they are a positive step toward healing and recovery.”
Today’s settlement follows a complaint filed by the United States against Norfolk Southern in March 2023 for unlawful discharges of pollutants and hazardous substances caused by the train derailment. In February 2023, EPA issued a unilateral administrative order, holding Norfolk Southern accountable for the damage done to the community. The order required cleanup of spilled substances and impacted soils, as well as payment of all costs to the U.S. government. EPA also issued an order under the Clean Water Act to clean up oil spilled into the surrounding waterways. Since then, EPA has been directing and overseeing the extensive cleanup activities.
In total, Norfolk Southern estimates that it will spend more than $1 billion to address the contamination caused by the East Palestine derailment and improve rail safety and operations. The amount includes this settlement with the United States valued at over $310 million, as well as around $780 million in environmental response costs incurred by Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs since the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements, including those required by this settlement.
To help ensure that no community goes through what East Palestine residents have faced, the settlement also requires Norfolk Southern to improve coordination with government officials and other stakeholders during emergency responses. Specifically, Norfolk Southern will create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with first responders and government officials, where appropriate, before restoring and reopening tracks for use after a derailment involving spilled hazardous material. Norfolk Southern will also create and adopt a procedure for coordinating with government officials and other stakeholders in advance of any vent and burn proposed by the company.
Under the settlement, Norfolk Southern has agreed to:
- Spend an estimated $235 million for all past and future cleanup costs, so that cleanup efforts can continue and the company, rather than taxpayers, covers the cost.
- Pay $25 million for a 20-year community health program that includes medical monitoring for qualified individuals, mental health services for individuals residing in affected counties as well as first responders who worked at the site, and a community facilitation plan to assist community members in using the benefits of the program.
- Spend approximately $15 million to implement long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water for a period of 10 years.
- Pay $15 million for a private drinking water monitoring fund that will continue the existing private drinking water well monitoring program for 10 years.
- Implement a “waterways remediation plan,” with an estimated budget of $6 million, for projects in Leslie Run and Sulphur Run that will prioritize addressing historical pollution, reducing non-point source pollution through infrastructure upgrades and stormwater management projects and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat.
- Pay a $15 million civil penalty to resolve the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act
- Pay $175,000 for natural resource damages, to be used by the United States to restore, rehabilitate, replace or acquire the equivalent of the natural resources injured as a result of the derailment.
In addition, the consent decree requires Norfolk Southern to undertake projects to improve the safety of transporting hazardous materials by rail, which will include installation of additional devices to detect overheated wheel bearings early enough to prevent derailments like the one that happened in East Palestine. All told, Norfolk Southern has estimated its costs dating from the derailment will exceed $200 million in rail safety enhancements.
The proposed settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio by the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio. It is subject to a minimum 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The details of today’s settlement are available on the Justice Department’s website: www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
Additional Background
EPA is committed to protecting the health and safety of East Palestine and surrounding communities. EPA personnel have been on site since the initial hours of the train derailment, and the agency continues to provide residents the most up-to-date information via the website, welcome center, community meetings, newsletters and more.
Immediately following the train derailment, EPA established a 24/7 air monitoring and sampling network. EPA also began coordinating with state and local officials to monitor environmental impacts on the community. Over the course of the response, EPA has collected over 115 million air monitoring data points and over 45,000 air, water and soil samples, giving the agency confidence in the safety of air, water and soil in the community. Since the evacuation was lifted, no sustained chemicals of concern have been found in the air.
To date, more than 177,000 tons of contaminated soil and more than 69 million gallons of wastewater have been removed from the community and work continues to remove contamination from area creeks and soil sampling at the derailment site to ensure all contamination has been remediated.
Ukrainian National Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charge Stemming from Attempt to Export Dual-Use High Precision Jig Grinder to RussiaRead the Press Release
STANISLAV ROMANYUK, 39, a citizen of Ukraine last residing in Estonia, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a money laundering charge stemming from his role in a scheme to violate United States export laws and regulations by attempting to smuggle a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Michael Khoo Directors of Task Force KleptoCapture; Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tambrini of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Division; and Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, made the announcement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, Romanyuk, who operated Estonia-based BY Trade OÜ, conspired with Vadims Ananics and Eriks Mamonovs, both citizens of Latvia who operated CNC Weld, a Latvia-based corporation, and with individuals in Russia and a Russian company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations to smuggle a 500 Series CPWZ Precision Jig Grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia.
A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries, but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. Romanyuk and his co-conspirators knew that the jig grinder could not be exported from the U.S. to Russia or any country outside the European Union, and they did not apply for, receive, or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security.
In April 2019, Romanyuk brokered the sale of the jig grinder from By Trade OÜ to a Russian company using funds wired to it from the Russian company to purchase the jig grinder from Sapphire Universal, LLP, a company in Latvia. Sapphire Universal, which Romanyuk knew was in the business of obtaining dual use items from the U.S. for sale in Russia, used CNC Weld as the claimed recipient and end-user of the jig grinder because no license was required to export the jig grinder to Latvia from the U.S. In August 2019, to finalize the purchase of the jig grinder, Ananics and others traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where Ananics informed the sellers that the jig grinder was being purchased for the benefit of CNC Weld. In September 2021, Romanyuk provided a false statement to Estonian authorities about the jig grinder transaction in order to cover up his involvement in this scheme.
U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. Approximately $826,000 in funds involved in the purchase of the jig grinder were subsequently forfeited, and a substantial portion of the forfeited funds were transferred to Estonia to provide aid to Ukraine.
Romanyuk was arrested on June 13, 2022, in Latvia. He has been detained since his arrest.
Romanyuk pleaded guilty to international money laundering conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
Ananics and Mamonovs pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by HSI field offices in New Haven and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston and Portland, Oregon; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and the Latvian State Police have assisted the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman, and Stephanie Levick of the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs has provided valuable assistance.
The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program and is being supported by OCDETF’s International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
USPS Mail Carrier Arrested for Targeting Victims on Mail Route in Fraud and Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Matthew Modafferi, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), announced today that TAMEKA BABULAL, a/k/a “Tameka Williams,” a/k/a “Sharniece Williams,” a/k/a “Meek Williams,” a United States Postal Service (“USPS”) mail carrier in Mount Vernon, New York, was arrested for stealing credit cards, checks, and identities from the mail in order to carry out a scheme and conspiracy to fraudulently steal money from individuals and financial institutions. TAMEKA BABULAL, along with her husband JOEL BABULAL, a/k/a “Joel Nical Babulal,” were arrested this morning in Hempstead, New York, this morning and appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The charges against the defendants reflect this Office’s continued commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the U.S. mail system. As alleged, Tameka Babulal abused her position as a mail carrier, targeted victims on her mail route, and stole their identities to carry out an extensive and calculated scheme to line her and her co-conspirators’ pockets. When those entrusted to deliver mail abuse their position to corrupt our mail system from within, this Office will hold them responsible for their conduct.”
USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi said: “U.S. Postal Service employees who betray the American Public’s trust by using their position for personal gain will be thoroughly investigated by the Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. The dedicated work of Postal Service employees should never be overshadowed by those who compromise their integrity. Our agency values all of our relationships in the law enforcement community, and we would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York for their continued support.”
As alleged in the Complaint:[1]
TAMEKA BABULAL is a mail carrier who delivers mail to and from residents and businesses with mail going through the USPS Processing and Distribution Center in Mount Vernon, New York. She, however, did not perform the role entrusted to her and, instead, used her position to steal mail in furtherance of a fraud and identity theft scheme aimed at illicitly benefitting herself and her co-conspirators, including JOEL BABULAL.
TAMEKA BABULAL’s alleged actions include stealing checks mailed from victims, stealing credit cards mailed to victims and then attempting to use those cards for personal gain, depositing altered checks that were stolen from victims throughout the U.S. into personal financial accounts, and coordinating with co-conspirators to obtain the personal identifying information of victims she targeted on her mail route so that she and her co-conspirators could open fraudulent accounts in the victims’ names. As detailed in the Complaint, the evidence obtained during the course of law enforcement’s investigation includes photographs from TAMEKA BABULAL’s cloud storage account connected to her phone, emails and telephone calls she made to financial institutions, fraudulent credit card applications, and messages between her and her co-conspirators in furtherance of their fraud scheme and conspiracy. JOEL BABULAL is alleged to have participated in the conspiracy.
When law enforcement conducted a search of TAMEKA BABULAL and JOEL BABULAL’s residence this morning, officers recovered, among other things, dozens of credit cards and checks in other people’s names, including “washed” checks; several bundles of undelivered mail, including from financial institutions, destined for addresses on TAMEKA BABULAL’s mail route in Mount Vernon, New York; several social security cards and tax documents in other people’s names; and 17 phones, including phones alleged to have been used in the fraud scheme and conspiracy.
As a result of these allegations, TAMEKA BABULAL’s employment with USPS will be suspended indefinitely pending resolution of these charges.
* * *
TAMEKA BABULAL, 36, of Hempstead, New York, is charged with one count of theft of mail by a postal worker, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count each of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison.
JOEL BABULAL, 36, of Hempstead, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
The mandatory minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and 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 Northeast Area Field Office of the USPS-OIG. Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its continued involvement in this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Reyhan Watson is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint 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 Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah Commends the Release of Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah commends the announcement of the Department of Justice’s new resource for prosecutors, “Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen Our National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Involving Adult Victims.”
The announcement was made Monday in Dallas, TX at the Conference on Crimes Against Women by Rosemarie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The guide, written by prosecutors for prosecutors, sets out five principles that, if implemented, will lead to better outcomes for victims, safer communities, and greater accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence.
“The framework announced today reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to justice for all survivors, who deserve respect and the right to be heard,” said the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Director Rosie Hidalgo. “Enhancing the prosecution response to sexual assault and domestic violence in a trauma-informed manner is a key piece in ending gender-based violence, as part of a broader coordinated community response that includes services and support for survivors, and can have a real, immediate impact on the safety of survivors and entire communities.”
Declinations of meritorious allegations may result from misconceptions about how crimes involving sexual assault and domestic violence are committed and reported, how victims give their accounts, and the evidence required to prove their accounts. This guide equips prosecutors to build provable cases by: (1) relying on the evidentiary value of the victim’s account to frame the investigation; (2) meeting with victims and working with investigators and victim specialists to do so; (3) using the law and evidentiary rules effectively; (4) being thoughtful about what justice and accountability look like; and (5) sustaining a productive, healthy, and committed workforce by redefining success– all of which are rooted in a prosecutor’s primary obligation to seek the truth and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law.
More than 120 state, Tribal, military, and federal prosecutors, as well as advocates, academics, and investigators from an array of jurisdictions were consulted in developing this guide. This guide is designed to encourage prosecutors with all levels of experience to implement its principles when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting allegations involving sexual assault and domestic violence. In conjunction with this guide, OVW launched a new webpage with resources designed to assist prosecutors in implementing the guide and its principles. This guide further serves as a complement to the Justice Department’s 2022 updated guidance on Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias.
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW funds national training and technical assistance and undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska Commends the Release of Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr commends the announcement of the Department of Justice’s new resource for prosecutors, “Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen Our National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Involving Adult Victims,”
The announcement was made today in Dallas, TX at the Conference on Crimes Against Women by Rosemarie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The guide, written by prosecutors for prosecutors, sets out five principles that, if implemented, will lead to better outcomes for victims, safer communities, and greater accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence.
“The framework announced today reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to justice for all survivors, who deserve respect and the right to be heard,” said the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Director Rosie Hidalgo. “Enhancing the prosecution response to sexual assault and domestic violence in a trauma-informed manner is a key piece in ending gender-based violence, as part of a broader coordinated community response that includes services and support for survivors, and can have a real, immediate impact on the safety of survivors and entire communities.”
The District of Nebraska routinely prosecutes sexual assault and domestic violence offenses occurring on the Omaha Nation, Winnebago, and Santee Sioux Nation Reservations in the District of Nebraska. “We are committed and dedicated to pursuing justice in those cases, partnering with law enforcement, victim specialists, and the Tribes to ensure a trauma-informed approach is used in that pursuit,” said U.S. Attorney Lehr.
Declinations of meritorious allegations may result from misconceptions about how crimes involving sexual assault and domestic violence are committed and reported, how victims give their accounts, and the evidence required to prove their accounts. This guide equips prosecutors to build provable cases by: (1) relying on the evidentiary value of the victim’s account to frame the investigation; (2) meeting with victims and working with investigators and victim specialists to do so; (3) using the law and evidentiary rules effectively; (4) being thoughtful about what justice and accountability look like; and (5) sustaining a productive, healthy, and committed workforce by redefining success– all of which are rooted in a prosecutor’s primary obligation to seek the truth and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law.
“The District of Nebraska will continue to prioritize public safety on the Reservations and this guide is a great step in helping all of the stakeholders recognize the unique challenges in prosecuting such cases and that those challenges should not be a barrier to ensuring offenders are held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Lehr. She went on to say, “The victims in those cases are some of the District’s most vulnerable, underserved people and we welcome this step in continuing to secure their safety and well-being.”
More than 120 state, Tribal, military, and federal prosecutors, as well as advocates, academics, and investigators from an array of jurisdictions were consulted in developing this guide. This guide is designed to encourage prosecutors with all levels of experience to implement its principles when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting allegations involving sexual assault and domestic violence. In conjunction with this guide, OVW launched a new webpage with resources designed to assist prosecutors in implementing the guide and its principles. This guide further serves as a complement to the Justice Department’s 2022 updated guidance on Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Commends the Release of Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam of the Middle District of Pennsylvania commends the announcement of the Department of Justice’s new resource for prosecutors, “Framework for Prosecutors to Strengthen Our National Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Involving Adult Victims.”
The announcement was made on May 20, 2024, in Dallas, TX, at the Conference on Crimes Against Women by Rosemarie Hidalgo, Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The guide, written by prosecutors for prosecutors, sets out five principles that, if implemented, will lead to better outcomes for victims, safer communities, and greater accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic violence.
“Our office remains steadfast in strengthening our commitment to support victims and pursue criminals who commit crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “The new framework released yesterday will allow our prosecutors and victim specialists to take a more trauma-informed approach and thoroughly investigate and prosecute such heinous crimes.”
“The framework reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to justice for all survivors, who deserve respect and the right to be heard,” said the Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Director Rosie Hidalgo. “Enhancing the prosecution response to sexual assault and domestic violence in a trauma-informed manner is a key piece in ending gender-based violence, as part of a broader coordinated community response that includes services and support for survivors, and can have a real, immediate impact on the safety of survivors and entire communities.”
Declinations of meritorious allegations may result from misconceptions about how crimes involving sexual assault and domestic violence are committed and reported, how victims give their accounts, and the evidence required to prove their accounts. This guide equips prosecutors to build provable cases by: (1) relying on the evidentiary value of the victim’s account to frame the investigation; (2) meeting with victims and working with investigators and victim specialists to do so; (3) using the law and evidentiary rules effectively; (4) being thoughtful about what justice and accountability look like; and (5) sustaining a productive, healthy, and committed workforce by redefining success– all of which are rooted in a prosecutor’s primary obligation to seek the truth and uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law.
More than 120 state, Tribal, military, and federal prosecutors, as well as advocates, academics, and investigators from an array of jurisdictions were consulted in developing this guide. This guide is designed to encourage prosecutors with all levels of experience to implement its principles when evaluating, investigating, and prosecuting allegations involving sexual assault and domestic violence. In conjunction with the release of the new framework, OVW launched a new webpage with resources designed to assist prosecutors in implementing its principles. The framework further serves as a complement to the Justice Department’s 2022 updated guidance on Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias.
# # #
OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies, and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW funds national training and technical assistance and undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.
U.S. Attorney, Federal and Local Laws Enforcement Partners Announce Multiple Arrests of Alleged Fentanyl Traffickers in Ongoing D.C. Violence Reduction EffortsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Multi-agency law enforcement actions, targeting armed drug trafficking networks in the District, resulted in 23 arrests in the past nine days, plus an additional person already in custody. This morning, law enforcement arrested nine defendants in connection with a Trinidad-based drug trafficking investigation. Three of the arrestees are alleged crew members who were charged in a 13-count indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and heroin, and firearms offenses. Two additional defendants were arrested this morning in connection with a separate 13-count indictment on fentanyl distribution and firearms charges. These arrests follow another law enforcement action, a week ago, in which 15 people were arrested, 10 of whom are named in a 17-count indictment as alleged members of a drug trafficking crew operating near 21st Street and Maryland Avenue, NE, and who are charged with participation in a fentanyl and cocaine distribution conspiracy and additional firearms counts. Today’s action follows a surge in additional law enforcement tools and resources announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to fight violent crime in Washington, D.C.
The indictments were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, FBI Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, Special Agent in Charge Troy Springer of the National Capital Region of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
“In January, the Justice Department surged law enforcement resources to the District of Columbia to further our efforts to target the individuals and organizations driving violent crime in the nation’s capital,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Over the past nine days, as a result of a multi-agency investigation, we have arrested 24 individuals we allege have fueled drug trafficking and community violence in Washington, D.C. The Department will continue to leverage our partnerships, our resources, and our investigative and prosecutorial tools to reduce violent crime and keep communities safe.”
“The data tells us that a relatively small group of people in our community are the primary drivers of gun violence and that the bulk of the gun violence is clustered in a relatively few blocks of our city,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “For years, we and our law enforcement partners have been focused on developing effective strategies for how we can best build cases against these relatively few people driving violence because we know that proactively removing these people from our streets is the most significant thing we can do as prosecutors to impact violent crime trends.”
Today’s arrests grew out of an investigation into an open-air drug market around the 1100 block of Raum Street, NE, in the Trinidad neighborhood that was commenced in summer 2023 in response to 59 violent crime incidents and 119 bursts of gunfire occurring in the area from January to July 2023. Agents conducted numerous controlled buys of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, cocaine base, and firearms in connection with this investigation.
Law enforcement executed 14 residential search warrants today in connection with the Trinidad investigation in the District and Maryland and seized approximately 15 firearms, approximately $126,000 in cash currency, and significant quantities of drugs, including suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and xylazine. At least three of the defendants arrested today have been indicted on firearms charges.
“Many Washingtonians have raised concerns about local drug trafficking crews that have been taking over their neighborhoods through violence and the distribution of fentanyl and other illegal drugs,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Forget. “Drug trafficking and violence are undeniably connected, and we are addressing this issue directly by taking a strong stance and implementing strict measures to combat the illegal manufacture and distribution of drugs, as well as removing firearms from the streets. Whether it's through increased law enforcement efforts, educational programs, or providing support for those struggling with substance misuse, we are confronting this problem head-on to restore the communities to the residents.”
“Through relentless collaboration, the FBI and our federal and local partners dismantled two violent drug trafficking organizations that were based less than a mile from each other,” Scott said. “We vow to continue to work together to protect communities from crews who peddle drugs and wield illegal firearms.”
“The success of these operations would not have been possible without the collaboration, dedication, and support of the officers, investigators, and detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department, our federal partners at the FBI and DEA, and the United States Attorney's Office. The unwavering commitment to upholding the law and protecting our communities is truly commendable,” said MPD Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll. “To those who continue to engage in violent crimes, drug sales and the illegal possession and use of firearms: let this serve as a clear message. Your actions bring tremendous harm to our communities, and they will not be tolerated. Operations like these will continue, our investigations are ongoing, and our resolve is steadfast.”
Last week’s arrests of crew members whose drug operations were based near 21st Street and Maryland Avenue NE in the Carver Langston area included search warrants for 21 residences, nine vehicles, and 14 individuals in the District and Maryland. In the course of executing the arrests, law enforcement seized approximately 20 firearms, additional ammunition feeding devices, more than 150 cartridges of ammunition, over $23,000, and significant quantities of suspected fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and liquid PCP.
During the course of these investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with federal and local law enforcement, identified the members of these networks, developed evidence of the illegal conduct, and obtained indictments charging the defendants. The investigations remain ongoing.
In January, the Attorney General directed additional resources to the District of Columbia to help combat violent crime. As part of that direction, the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice joined the Trinidad drug trafficking investigation. Their participation helped to complete this investigation faster, and they will be full partners on these now-charged cases.
While the U.S. Attorney’s Office has conducted a number of investigations targeting corners or blocks that crime data showed to be magnets for gun violence (including Lincoln-Westmoreland, MLK- Mellon, 7th & O Sts., and Kennedy St.), these indictments represent the first time that the Office has simultaneously targeted multiple alleged crews in this fashion. Crews in these two areas, which are separated by less than a mile, have historically feuded with one another. This year, alone, we have seen mass shootings and homicides in the areas in which crews from these neighborhoods have historically operated.
Both cases mentioned today are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The Trinidad fentanyl trafficking investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, the Narcotics Enforcement Unit of the Violent Crime Suppression Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section, and Trial Attorney Gerald Collins of the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Valuable assistance was provided by Criminal Division Trial Attorneys Christina Taylor and Gaelin Bernstein.
The Carver-Langston fentanyl trafficking investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Violent Crime Investigations Team of the Violent Crime Suppression Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross-Border Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Duvall and Solomon Eppel of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Recognizes Public Servants and Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld honored 22 public servants and law enforcement officials today for their exceptional work. The annual United States Attorney Awards were held today in Wheeling to recognize outstanding criminal investigations and community service work in the Northern District of West Virginia. Through their service and dedication, the recipients have made a transformational impact in the communities they serve.
Those recognized and honored were as follows:
Distinguished Law Enforcement Lifetime Achievement Awards
Scott Smith, Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney, Wheeling, WV,
George Swartwood, Chief (retired), Martinsburg, Police Department, Martinsburg, WV,
Dean Olack, Sergeant (retired), West Virginia State Police, Martinsburg, WV,
U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Leadership
Clayton Amsler, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, FBI, Clarksburg, WV,
U.S. Attorney’s Champion of Children Award
Wesley Frederick, Deputy U.S. Marshal, United States Marshals Service, Clarksburg, WV,
Outstanding Community Volunteer
Jody Miller, Wheeling WV,
Outstanding Investigative Effort
Ellen Duffy, Special Agent, FBI, Martinsburg, WV,
Outstanding Drug Investigations
Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, Wheeling WV,
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Adkins, Canonsburg, PA,
Marshall County Drug Task Force, Moundsville, WV,
Jeffrey H. Cisar, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, FBI, Martinsburg, WV,
U.S. Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Firearms Trafficking Investigations
Seth Cox, Special Agent, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Martinsburg, WV,
Outstanding Identity Theft Investigation
Dale Forrester, Assistant Inspector, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Washington, D.C.,
Salman Farooqui, Special Agent, IRS-Criminal Investigations, Los Angeles, CA,
Victor Vanacore, Special Agent, IRS-Criminal Investigations, Los Angeles, CA,
Outstanding Hate Crime Investigation
Matthew Messich, Special Agent, FBI, Wheeling, WV,
Grant Polson, Special Agent, FBI, Pittsburgh, PA,
Madisyn Moore, Special Agent, FBI, Pittsburgh, PA,
Stephanie Sikinger, Intelligence Analyst, FBI, Pittsburgh, PA,
Outstanding Elder Fraud Investigation
Dontuwee Boykin, Supervisory Special Agent, IRS-Criminal Investigations, Bridgeport, WV,
J.W. Smith, Corporal (retired), West Virginia State Police, Clarksburg, WV,
Loretta Phillips, Des Moines, WA.