Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
Tuesday 7 May 2024
Bay St. Louis Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute over 68 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, MS – A Bay St. Louis man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 68.5 grams of methamphetamine.
Charles Jamaal Nichols, 37, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.
According to court documents, On July 13, 2023, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in Bay St. Louis on a vehicle driven by Nichols. Nichols led agents on a foot chase and agents observed him throwing things as he ran. Agents recovered large shards of methamphetamine on the trail where Nichols ran. The methamphetamine was scattered throughout the grass, within gutters that were laying behind a business, and along the fence line. Agents were able to recover 68.5 grams of what was sent to the lab and confirmed to be 97% pure methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose prosecuted the case.
Bakersfield Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jesus Antonio Munoz, 26, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty yesterday to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a federal drug search warrant at a stash house in Bakersfield following an undercover purchase of 4 pounds of methamphetamine from co-defendant Ramon Maldonado, 32, of Bakersfield. During the execution of the search warrant, Munoz was found in the living room in possession of firearm. Maldonado was found in one of the bedrooms of the residence where officers also located a large quantity of controlled substances and another firearm. Munoz is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions for assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a loaded firearm without registration.
Maldonado is scheduled for a status conference on May 29, 2024. The charges against Maldonado are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Munoz is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on July 29, 2024. Munoz faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will 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 case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.
Arizona Man Sentenced to 10.5 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl in PocatelloRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – Larry James Little, 58, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced to 126 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, in August 2022, BADGES Task Force officers received reliable information that Little and his co-defendant, Adrianne Anderson, 44, also of Phoenix, were distributing fentanyl in Pocatello. After a four-month-long investigation, Anderson and Little were stopped by BADGES Task Force officers after they returned to Idaho from Arizona. BADGES Task Force officers searched the vehicle and located approximately 287 fentanyl pills and a firearm. Another firearm was recovered during a search warrant at a storage unit rented by Little and Anderson. BADGES Task Force officers also intercepted a package that Little and Anderson sent through the U.S. Postal Service that contained two ounces of methamphetamine.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also sentenced Little to three years of supervised release after the completion of his prison term. On January 31, 2024, Judge Winmill sentenced Anderson to five years in federal prison for her role in the offense. Anderson’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Idaho State Police, the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, the Pocatello Police Department, and the Chubbuck Police Department, which participated as part of the HIDTA BADGES Task Force. The United States Postal Inspection Service also assisted with this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane prosecuted the case.
This case was investigated through the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. HIDTA is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the BADGES Task Force.
The BADGES Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that focuses primarily on drug trafficking crimes in Bannock County and throughout the region.
###
Monday 6 May 2024
五大联邦部门携手司法部重申，维护民权法律并推进环境正义Read the Press Release
司法部民权司、卫生与公众服务部 (HHS) 民权办公室、交通部 (DOT) 部级民权办公室、环境保护局 (EPA) 外部民权合规办公室、国土安全部 (DHS) 民权和公民自由办公室以及住房与城市发展部 (HUD) 公平住房和平等机会办公室的官员今日共同重申，将共同维护民权法律，推进美国各社区的环境正义。
司法部民权司首席检察官助理 Kristen Clarke 表示，“司法部致力于全面落实联邦民权法，解决美国环境种族歧视和对有色人种社区投资不足的遗留问题。自 2021 年以来，我们已加大力度协调联邦政府各部门的关键执法工作，并将在受援方使用数十亿美元的新基础设施拨款时继续协调。我们将努力让政府各部门参与其中，继续推进美国的环境正义。”
环境保护局环境正义和外部民权办公室负责项目实施的副助理署长 Marianne Engelman-Lado 表示，“环境保护局继续以公正、公平和民权融合为使命，为未能从其数十年来的各种环境保护措施、政策中受益的社区提供支持，并将落实民权法，解决环境不公的问题。环境保护局将继续支持民权执行计划，将民权融入战略计划和日常运营，增加这一关键工作的资金和人员配备。”
卫生与公众服务部民权办公室主任 Melanie Fontes Rainer 表示，“环境正义是公共卫生问题，我们的民权法律应确保所有社区（无论种族和所在地区）都受到公平对待，不受环境危害的影响。遗憾的是，有色人种社区在历史上一直遭受环境不公的对待，联邦政府应通过执行相应法律来给予充分关注，使其免受歧视。”
交通部部级民权办公室主任 Irene Marion 表示，“除了运送人员和货物外，交通还对个人和环境健康起着关键作用。尽管美国的交通基础设施是共享资产，但从历史上看，并非所有社区都能完全从中受益。交通部致力于利用其权力和物力来改善这一情况，确保所有人都能够使用安全、高效、便捷的交通系统。”
国土安全部民权和公民自由办公室官员 Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia 表示，“通过教育、技术援助以及严格执行长久存在的民权法律，可以推进环境正义。我们致力于与受援方和社区合作，实现环境正义。”
住房与城市发展部 (HUD) 公平住房和平等机会办公室首席副助理部长 Demetria McCain 表示，“住房与城市发展部致力于执行公平住房和民权法律，推进环境正义，使所有社区成为健康、安全、有活力的地方，让居民能够成长。受保护阶层已经承受了太长时间环境危害带来的过重负担，必须改变这种现状。”
这些机构在声明中重申，将积极落实所有适用的民权法律（包括《1964 年民权法》第六章），推进环境正义，并积极与州、地区和地方政府以及所有享受联邦基金的其他实体合作，确保遵守这些重要法律。联合声明还提醒受援方，民权义务与受援方的其他义务（包括遵守联邦、州、地区和地方环境法律的义务）是分开的。有关民权司民权维护工作的更多信息，请访问 justice.gov/crt。如发现歧视行为，可登录民权司互联网报告门户网站 civilrights.justice.gov 进行投诉 。
五個聯邦部門加入司法部，重申支持民權法律和促進環境正義的共同承諾Read the Press Release
司法部民權司和衛生與公眾服務部 (HHS) 民權辦公室、交通部 (DOT) 民權部門辦公室、環境保護局 (EPA) 外部民權合規辦公室、國土安全部 (DHS) 民權和公民自由辦公室，以及住房和城市發展部 (HUD) 公平住房和平等機會辦公室的官員今天共同重申，他們將一起致力於支持民權法律和促進美國各社區的環境正義。
「司法部致力於全面執行聯邦民權法律，以解決我國長期存在的環境種族主義和對有色人種社區投資不足的問題。」司法部民權司助理檢察長 Kristen Clarke 說道。「自 2021 年以來，我們已加緊努力，在整個聯邦政府中協調這些重要的措施，我們已撥款數十億美元進行新的基礎建設，讓許多人受惠，並且會持續這樣做。我們將努力讓各政府部同心協力，持續為國內的環境正義永不止息地奮鬥。」
「環境保護局將繼續推行我們的核心任務，為全國各地的社區爭取正義、公平和民權，讓環境保護局數十年來的進步可以整合到各社區中，使大家都能充分受益。我們致力於實施民權，以解決環境不公的問題。」環保局環境正義和外部民權辦公室負責計畫實施的副助理首長 Marianne Engelman-Lado 說道。「環保局將繼續加強我們的民權實施計畫，例如：將民權納入我們的策略計畫和日常運作，以及為這項重要工作增加資金和人員。」
「環境正義是一個公共衛生問題，無論種族或住處，我們的民權法律應確保所有社區都安全無虞，不受環境危害。」 HHS 民權辦公室主任 Melanie Fontes Rainer 說道。「遺憾的是，有色人種社區在過去以來一直受到環境不公的對待，聯邦政府應該透過實施法律給予充分關注，避免他們遭受歧視。」
「除了人員和貨物的運輸，在個人部分和環境衛生方面，交通也扮演了重要的角色。」 交通部民權辦公室主任 Irene Marion 說道。「儘管我們國家的交通基礎建設是一項共享資產，但從歷史上來看，並非所有社區都能充分享受它的優點和好處。交通部承諾透過利用其職權和資源來糾正這個偏差，以確保交通系統的安全、效率和便利。」
「透過教育、技術的協助和加強實施存在已久的民權法律，可以促進環境正義。」國土安全部民權與公民自由辦公室官員 Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia 表示。「我們致力於與受援者和社區合作，以實現環境正義。」
「住房和城市發展部致力於執行促進環境正義的公平住房和民權法律，好讓所有街區和社區成為健康、安全和適應力強的地方，讓居民能夠茁壯成長。」住房和城市發展部公平住房和平等機會辦公室副助理秘書長 Demetria McCain 說道。「因為環境危害帶來的過重負擔，那些受保護的階層已經承受了太久的時間，這種情況必須改變。」
在聲明中，這些機構重申了他們的承諾，亦即積極利用所有適用的民權法律（包括 1964 年的《民權法案》第六章）來促進環境正義，並主動與各州、地區和地方政府以及所有其他接受聯邦資助的實體合作，以確保遵守這些重要法律。聯合聲明中也提醒受援者，民權義務與受援者的其他義務（包括遵守聯邦、州、地區和地方環境法律的義務）是分開、不相同的。有關民權司支持和保護公民權利的業務的更多資訊，請前往 justice.gov/crt 網站。若要投訴歧視行為，可透過民權司的網路檢舉入口網站 civilrights.justice.gov 進行檢舉。
Woman who allegedly assaulted toddler on flight from Mexico to Seattle charged and detained after passengers reported the assaults and tried to interveneRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 33-year-old resident of Sacramento, California was ordered detained today in U.S. District Court in Seattle on a misdemeanor charge of Assault in a special aircraft jurisdiction, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Breanna R. Mistler was arrested at Sea-Tac Airport when the Delta flight from Puerta Vallarta, Mexico arrived on May 1, 2024. Today, Magistrate Judge Brian Tsuchida ordered Mistler detained pending trial noting that the 2-year-old child victim was particularly vulnerable.
According to the criminal complaint, multiple passengers on the flight observed Mistler abuse the child. One reported that the child was in the window seat and Mistler in the aisle seat. The child woke-up Mistler, who then turned and allegedly kicked the child. At another point in the flight a witness reported Mistler allegedly shook the child “like a rag doll.” Despite interventions from passengers, Mistler allegedly persisted in the abuse.
Customs and Border Protection officers detained Mistler at the airport and noted bruises in multiple places on the toddler. The Port of Seattle Police and the FBI took over the investigation.
The child was cared for by a victim witness specialist. Child Protective Services (CPS) is involved with placing the child with a relative.
In ordering Mistler detained today at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Judge Tsuchida said he was concerned about the safety of the child “because (Mistler) had committed the assaults in front of so many people on a lengthy plane trip.” The Judge said he had an independent duty to protect the victim.
The next hearing scheduled in the case is a preliminary examination scheduled for May 16, 2024.
The charges contained in the misdemeanor complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn Forstein. Assistant United States Attorney Mike Dion assisted with the detention hearing.
Waukee Man Sentenced to 25 years in Prison for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – A Waukee man was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for production and possession of child pornography.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Michael Alan Jagim, 52, created and produced child pornography, using secreted video recording devices. On December 14, 2021, after receiving a cyber-tip, law enforcement officers conducted a search of Jagim’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices. A forensic analysis of these devices found multiple videos of child sex abuse material, including videos created by Jagim, for a total of 3,620 images. Jagim was also ordered to pay $28,123 in victim restitution.
After completion of his prison term, Jagim will be required to serve ten years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Jagim was also ordered to pay $10,200 in special assessments.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Waukee Police Department, the Urbandale Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.
This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nationwide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.
Washington Sentenced to Life for MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Tanner Dean Washington, age 29, of Ada, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in prison for the 2019 murder of his girlfriend, Faith Lindsey.
The charges arose from investigations by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the District 22 District Attorney Drug and Violent Crime Taskforce, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Pauls Valley Police Department, the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the Chickasaw Nation Emergency Management.
On August 31, 2022, Washington pleaded guilty to one count of Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree. As part of the plea, Washington admitted to murdering 17-year-old Faith Lindsey on October 27, 2019. According to investigators, on October 29, 2019, Lindsey’s family called the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to report Lindsey as a missing person. During the investigation, law enforcement officers uncovered evidence of blood in two of Washington’s automobiles as well as on a pair of sunglasses found in one of the vehicles. Law enforcement interviewed witnesses who reported that on the night Lindsey went missing, Washington admitted Lindsey “was dead” and “it was his fault.” The crime occurred in Pontotoc County, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Despite an extensive investigation and exhaustive search efforts, Lindsey’s body has yet to be found.
“The defendant’s life sentence is part of our effort to seek justice and accountability for the tragic murder of an innocent young woman, who had a long and vibrant life ahead of her,” said FBI Oklahoma City Acting Special Agent in Charge Sonia Garcia. “I am grateful for the unwavering work of our investigators and our law enforcement partners in this case – may it bring some measure of peace to the victim’s family.”
“The OSBI, along with other law enforcement agencies, continues to search for Faith Lindsey,” said OSBI Public Information Manager Hunter McKee. “We appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication in arresting and prosecuting the suspect responsible for this heinous crime. We will continue our search for Faith and will not give up our efforts until she is brought home.”
“I applaud the great work of the Eastern District U.S. Attorney’s Office for the successful prosecution of Tanner Washington,” said District Attorney Erik Johnson for District 22 comprising Pontotoc, Seminole, and Hughes Counties. “This case has left holes in a lot of hearts in Pontotoc County, and I’m glad to see that Tanner Washington will spend the rest of his days in federal prison.”
“The Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department recognizes the valuable partnership between the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the District 22 District Attorney Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, the Seminole and Pontotoc County Sheriff's Offices, and the Pauls Valley Police Department for their work to bring resolution to this case,” said Charles C. Palmer, Chief of the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department. “The combined efforts to seek justice for a Chickasaw citizen within the Chickasaw Nation highlights the continued working relationship of law enforcement within Indian Country.”
“The sentence imposed was a direct result of the defendant’s heinous crime and—despite pleading guilty—his callous refusal to provide the location of the victim’s body,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “I commend the work of state, county, tribal, and federal law enforcement in identifying Washington as the suspect and of our federal prosecutors in advocating for a life sentence.”
The Honorable Ada E. Brown, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee. Washington will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and Georgia Department of Public Health to Host Opioid Prevention and Recovery FairRead the Press Release
ROME, Ga. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District, will host a community gathering designed to increase awareness of and connect residents to local resources available to help prevent opioid use, overdoses, and deaths. This free, family-friendly event, “Spring Into Wellness: An Opioid Prevention and Recovery Community Resource Fair,” takes place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Champions Center at LakePoint Sports, 261 Stars Way, Emmerson, Georgia. Anyone wishing to attend may register at https://shorturl.at/gmJS4, but registration is not required.
“The opioid epidemic continues to bring immeasurable destruction to communities and devastation to families who have endured the tragic loss of a loved one,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our office is resolute in our commitment to engage with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who threaten our communities with poisons, as well as with our community partners to promote public health and safety and spread awareness of resources for those struggling with substance abuse.”
“Opioid overdose deaths are preventable,” says Dr. Gary Voccio, Health Director for the ten-county Northwest Health District. “The best way to prevent them is to continue to improve opioid prescribing to reduce exposure to opioids, prevent abuse, and stop addiction. Resources at this community event can help accomplish this.”
Concerns about Bartow County’s 32 opioid deaths in 2022 (the most recent annual data available) and the county’s 29.9 age-adjusted opioid death rate – compared to just 18.6 for the state of Georgia – led the organizers of this community event to prioritize this public gathering of stakeholders and concerned citizens. Local public health officials have also noted recent, alarming nationwide increases in illicit fentanyl exposures in children younger than six years old as cause for critical concern.
The event organizers have outlined several goals: (1) to increase community awareness of and access to prevention and recovery resources; (2) to share inspirational stories from local community members who have overcome opioid-misuse disorder; and (3) to learn about fentanyl overdose-prevention strategies for youth and families. Organizers expect several dozen opioid-overdose prevention resources to participate and provide information to the public.
U.S. Attorney Buchanan, Dr. Voccio, and several Bartow County officials will also welcome attendees and speak briefly at the event.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Releases Fentanyl Awareness Day PSARead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – In recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah joins state, local, federal, Tribal, and community partners to raise awareness and educate the public about the lethal dangers of fentanyl. Watch PSA here.
According to the DEA, fentanyl has saturated the drug market in Utah. It is cheaper, more potent, and more widely available than ever before. According to the CDC, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States. Over 150 people die every day from synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Last month the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the DEA, announced the first Utah Drug Overdose Task Force to combat fentanyl and other illicit drugs in the beehive state. The task force is made up of 10 state, local and federal law enforcement offices throughout the Wasatch Front. For more information on the task force, click here.
For more information about the dangers of fentanyl and facts, visit CDC.gov or DEA.Gov/FentanlyAwareness
U.S. Attorney Hurwit Releases Public Service Announcement Warning Against Possession of Machinegun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
BOISE – Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, released a public service announcement, available here, designed to raise awareness on the dangers of illegal machinegun conversion devices, sometimes known as “switches” or “auto-sears.”
A machinegun conversion device is a device that, when integrated with a semiautomatic firearm, will convert it to fire in fully automatic capacity. This conversion of a Glock pistol with a “switch” machinegun conversion device, for example, will result in a rate-of-fire of approximately 1,100 – 1,200 rounds per minute, making these devices exceptionally lethal.
“Glock switches and similar conversion devices are simple to manufacture and are easy to install. They turn regular firearms into machineguns capable of inflicting a tremendous toll in a few split seconds,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “We will not tolerate the proliferation of the devices on our streets and will use all of our resources to hold accountable anyone who would distribute these deadly and illegal devices.”
“These switches are illegal and serve no safe or useful purpose to a firearms owner,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “We will investigate those who possess these devices. In the past five years alone, ATF has recovered more than 31,000 of these switches.”
The PSA features a trained law enforcement agent demonstrating how these illegal devices turn a firearm into a machine gun that is essentially impossible to control. In the PSA, U.S. Attorney Hurwit also explains that simply possessing a switch can result in significant penalties—up to 10 years in federal prison.
Anyone with information about switches or other federal gun crimes can call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).
###
Two Men Indicted on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a multifaceted criminal conspiracy involving the trafficking of counterfeit pills containing narcotics and other counterfeit items.
Christopher Chase, 43, of Lynn, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, with more than 500 grams of methamphetamine attributable to him as part of the conspiracy; one count of trafficking in counterfeit drugs; and one count of possession with intent to distribute counterfeit postage stamps. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester on May 2, 2024, Chase was detained pending a hearing scheduled for May 8, 2024.
Francis Wyatt, 42, of Lawrence, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute a die set. A die set is a metal tool that, in conjunction with a pill press, is used to manufacture counterfeit pills. Wyatt was detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester on May 3, 2024 pending a hearing scheduled for May 8, 2024.
According to court documents, Chase was previously convicted in federal court in New Hampshire in connection with conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering. It is alleged that Chase and his co-conspirators used a pill press to manufacture counterfeit pills, including counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, and counterfeit Xanax pills containing clonazolam. Additionally, Chase or others acting at his direction allegedly purchased over 100 kilograms of pill binding agent (used as the inactive ingredient in counterfeit pressed pills) between 2020 and 2022. It is alleged that, in communications with a co-conspirator, Chase likened himself to drug kingpin “El Chapo.”
According to court documents, at Chase’s behest, Wyatt was sent to retrieve a package from China containing a die set to be used in manufacturing counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
It is further alleged that Chase also was a significant distributor of counterfeit stamps over public websites such as eBay. In February 2024, counterfeit U.S. postage stamps were recovered during a search of Chase’s residence. Chase acquired the counterfeit stamps from China. Preliminary estimates indicate that the stamps are valued at approximately $250,000.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute the quantity of methamphetamine alleged in the indictment provides for a mandatory minimum term of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of trafficking counterfeit drugs provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. The charge of possession of a die set provides for a sentence of up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute counterfeit stamps provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case,
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New England Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Middlesex District Attorney and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tahlequah Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nathan Quinn Harrington, age 30, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to a one count violation of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.
The Indictment alleged that on January 23, 2024, Harrington, having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, and knowing of that conviction, possessed a .22 caliber, semi-automatic pistol and ammunition which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Tahlequah Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea, and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Harrington will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Sumali ang Limang Kagawaran ng Pederal sa Kagawaran ng Katarungan sa Muling Pagtitibay ng Ibinahaging Pangako para Itaguyod ang Mga Batas sa Mga Karapatang Sibil at Isulong ang Hustisyang PangkapaligiranRead the Press Release
Ang Dibisyon ng Mga Karapatang Sibil ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan at mga opisyal mula sa Opisina ng Karapatang Sibil ng Kagawaran ng Health and Human Services (HHS); Opisina ng Kagawaran sa Mga Karapatang Sibil ng Department of Transportation (DOT); Opisina ng Pagsunod sa Mga Eksternal na Karapatang Sibil ng Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Opisina ng Department of Homeland Security (DHS) para sa Mga Karapatang Sibil at Kalayaang Sibil; at Opisina ng Patas na Pabahay at Pantay na Oportunidad ng Kagawaran ng Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ay magkasamang muling pinagtibay ngayong araw ang kanilang ibinahaging pangako na itaguyod ang mga batas sa karapatang sibil at isulong ang hustisyang pangkapaligiran sa mga komunidad sa buong Estados Unidos.
“Nakatuon ang Kagawaran ng Katarungan na ganap na ipatupad ang mga pederal na batas sa karapatang sibil para tugunan ang legasiya ng ating bansa sa rasismo sa kapaligiran at kakulangan sa pamumuhunan sa mga komunidad ng kulay,” sabi ni Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke ng Dibisyon ng Karapatang Sibil ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan. “Mula 2021, pinaigting pa namin ang aming mga pagsisikap na i-coordinate ang mga kritikal na pagsisikap sa pagpapatupad na ito sa buong pederal na pamahalaan at patuloy itong gagawin habang gumagamit ng bilyun-bilyong dolyar ang mga recipient sa mga bagong gawad sa imprastraktura. Patuloy naming itutulak ang isang buong-pwersa ng-gobyerno na diskarte sa patuloy na pakikibaka para sa hustisyang pangkapaligiran sa ating bansa.”
“Patuloy na isinisentro ng Environmental Protection Agency ang aming misyon sa pag-integrate ng hustisya, pagkakapantay-pantay at mga karapatang sibil para sa mga komunidad sa buong bansa na hindi pa nakatanggap ng buong benepisyo mula sa mga dekada ng pag-usad ng EPA. Nakatuon kami sa pagpapatupad ng mga karapatang sibil para tugunan ang kawalan ng hustisya sa kapaligiran,” sabi ng Deputy Assistant Administrator para sa Pagpapatupad ng Programa na si Marianne Engelman-Lado ng Opisina ng Hustisyang Pangkapaligiran at Mga Eksternal na Karapatang Sibil ng EPA. “Mula sa pag-integrate ng mga karapatang sibil sa aming Estratehikong Plano at pang-araw-araw na operasyon, hanggang sa pagtaas ng pondo at kawani para sa kritikal na trabahong ito, patuloy na papalakasin ng EPA ang aming programa sa pagpapatupad ng mga karapatang sibil.”
“Ang hustisyang pangkapaligiran ay isang isyu sa kalusugan ng publiko, at dapat tiyakin ng ating mga batas sa karapatang sibil na ang lahat ng komunidad—anuman ang iyong lahi o zip code—ay ligtas at malaya mula sa mga panganib sa kapaligiran,” sabi ni Direktor Melanie Fontes Rainer ng Opisina para sa Mga Karapatang Sibil ng HHS. “Sa kasamaang-palad, ang mga komunidad ng kulay ay dating napapailalim sa kawalan ng hustisya sa kapaligiran at karapat-dapat sa buong atensyon ng pederal na pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng ating mga batas para maging malaya sa diskriminasyon.”
“Higit pa sa paggalaw ng mga tao at kalakal, may mahalagang papel ang transportasyon sa ating personal at pangkapaligiran na kalusugan,” sabi ni Direktor Irene Marion ng Opisina ng Kagawaran ng Mga Karapatang Sibil ng DOT. “Bagaman isang shared asset ang imprastraktura ng transportasyon ng ating bansa, hindi na-enjoy ng lahat ng komunidad ang buong pakinabang at benepisyo nito ayon sa kasaysayan. Nakatuon ang DOT sa pagwawasto sa kursong ito sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng awtoridad at resources nito para matiyak na ang mga sistema ng transportasyon ay ligtas, episyente at naa-access ng lahat."
“Pwedeng mangyari ang pagsusulong ng hustisyang pangkapaligiran sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon, teknikal na tulong at mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng mga matagal nang batas sa karapatang sibil,” sabi ni Officer Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia ng Opisina para sa Mga Karapatang Sibil at Kalayaang Sibil ng DHS. “Nakatuon kami sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga recipient at komunidad tungo sa pagkamit ng hustisyang pangkapaligiran.”
“Nakatuon ang Kagawaran ng Housing and Urban Development sa pagpapatupad ng patas na pabahay at mga batas sa karapatang sibil na nagsusulong ng hustisyang pangkapaligiran para ang lahat ng kapitbahayan at komunidad ay malusog, ligtas at matatag na mga lugar kung saan pwedeng lumagaw ang mga residente," sabi ng Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary na si Demetria McCain ng Opisina ng Patas na Pabahay at Pantay na Oportunidad ng HUD.. “Hindi dapat pasanin ng mga pinoprotektahang klase ang hindi magkatimbang na pasanin sa mga panganib sa kapaligiran, kahit na napakatagal na nilang mayroon nito.”
Sa pahayag, muling pinagtibay ng mga ahensya ang kanilang pangako na mahigpit na gagamitin ang lahat ng naaangkop na batas sa karapatang sibil, kabilang ang Title VI ng Civil Rights Act of 1964, para isulong ang hustisyang pangkapaligiran at aktibong makipagtulungan sa estado, teritoryo at lokal na pamahalaan at lahat ng iba pang entidad na tumatanggap ng pederal na pagpopondo para matiyak ang pagsunod sa mahahalagang batas na ito. Nagpapaalala rin sa mga recipient ang pinagsamang pahayag na ang mga obligasyon sa karapatang sibil ay hiwalay at naiiba sa iba pang obligasyon ng mga recipient, kabilang ang mga obligasyon na sumunod sa mga batas pangkapaligiran ng pederal, estado, teritoryo at lokal. Ang karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa trabaho ng Dibisyon ng Mga Karapatang Sibil para itaguyod at protektahan ang mga karapatang sibil ay available online sa justice.gov/crt. Maaaring iulat ang mga reklamo tungkol sa mga gawaing may diskriminasyon sa Dibisyon ng Mga Karapatang Sibil sa pamamagitan ng internet reporting portal nito sa civilrights.justice.gov.
Serial Fraudster Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Multiple Fraud Schemes Totaling over $2 MillionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Hampton man was sentenced today in federal court for multiple fraud schemes, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Anthony Silva, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 84 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On February 15, 2024, Silva pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Silva was ordered to pay restitution, and forfeit funds held at Citizens Bank, Stride Bank, Fidelity, Green Dot, PNC Bank, Bancorp, and TD Bank totaling approximately $830,000.
“The defendant is a serial fraudster who used dozens of stolen identities to enrich himself,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “He did not merely steal funds from state and federal governments. Rather, he fleeced pools of funds which were designed specifically to serve as a lifeline to millions of Americans during the worst public health crisis in a century. I thank our law enforcement partners for their diligent work in unraveling the defendant’s sophisticated fraud schemes.”
“Anthony Silva collected over a million dollars to which he knew he wasn’t entitled. This repeat fraudster stole the identities of dozens of victims and blatantly defrauded government programs meant to keep small businesses and workers afloat,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Today’s sentence makes it clear that defrauding the government is a bad idea, and the FBI and our partners will continue to pursue anyone bold enough, and foolish enough, to do so.”
“Today’s sentencing should give fair warning that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will aggressively investigate and seek prosecution of individuals like Anthony Silva, who swindled over a million dollars from funds that were designated to support fellow Americans and small businesses during the pandemic,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Postal Inspectors, alongside our federal law enforcement partners, uncovered the elaborate fraud schemes employed by Silva to conceal his activities and line his pockets. We will continue to support and collaborate with our federal law enforcement partners to stop those who are engaged in these types of schemes.”
“Anthony Silva defrauded the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and the Vermont Department of Labor by using stolen identities to obtain unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Today’s sentencing affirms the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to safeguard Department of Labor programs designed to help those who struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Silva orchestrated four separate fraud schemes using stolen identities. Specifically, Silva used stolen names, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers, and other identifiers to fraudulently obtain (1) unemployment insurance benefits from Vermont, (2) unemployment insurance benefits from Massachusetts, (3) American Express credit cards, and (4) CARES Act funds. The fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits and CARES Act funds were deposited either by check or direct deposit into dozens of accounts Silva controlled at multiple banks. Many of these accounts were in the names of individual victims or fictional organizations, such as the “Peaceful Protesters Bail Fund,” “BLM New England Trust,” and “Anti-Drumpf League.”
Silva obtained more than $450,000 from Vermont, over $175,000 from Massachusetts, and $600,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration. In addition, the fraudulently-obtained credit cards were used to make over $50,000 in purchases from retailers such as Victoria’s Secret, Home Depot, and Walmart. Silva also unsuccessfully attempted to obtain additional CARES Act funds. The total intended loss was approximately $2.1 million, and the actual loss was approximately $1.2 million.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Secret Service led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and John J. Kennedy prosecuted the case.
During the early part of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act included multiple relief provisions to help the millions of Americans and many small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Private lenders could participate in the PPP. The loans, which were supposed to be used for payroll, were fully guaranteed by the government. If borrowers used the PPP loans for payroll and other approved expenses as intended, they could apply for loan forgiveness. The CARES Act also opened up the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. As with PPP loans, EIDL loans were supposed to be used for payroll and other business expenses such as rent and mortgage.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
###
San Felipe Man Charged with Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A San Felipe man was indicted for engaging in sexual acts and sexual contact with a child under the age of 12 years.
The indictment alleges that Vernon Chavez, 61, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of San Felipe, engaged in a sexual act with Jane Doe, a child who had not then attained the age of 12 years between May 2016 and September 2017, and engaged in sexual contact with Jane Doe between August 1 and August 15, 2022.
Chavez is charged with one count each of aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact A federal judge detained Chavez pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
If convicted of the current charges, Chavez faces a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case.
Read the IndictmentAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
# # #
24-165
St. Croix Man Pleads Guilty to Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that on April 23, 2024, Edward Saldana, 37, of St. Croix, entered a guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Emile Henderson III to a drug conspiracy charge.
According to court documents, on January 23, 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a phone call from an officer of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Henry E Rohlsen Airport (HERA) on St, Croix. The officer relayed that two travelers were detained during the inspection process on suspicion of drug smuggling. Travelers Edward Saldana and Bianca Torres had presented themselves for inspection at the HERA attempting to board a Spirit Airlines flight to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During inspection of Torres’ carry-on bag, X-rays revealed an anomaly. Further inspection revealed four kilograms of cocaine. Saldana’s bags were also inspected, and an additional four kilograms of cocaine were recovered. The investigation also revealed that Saldana had provided Torres with the cocaine earlier that day. Torres was to be paid $3,000 by Saldana for smuggling the cocaine to Florida.
Torres pleaded guilty on February 12, 2024. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2024. Saldana’s sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by HSI and CBP. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
Riverside Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Pounds of Methamphetamine from Mexico into Inland EmpireRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A Riverside County man who is the lead defendant in a criminal case involving an outfit that trafficked pound quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico into the Inland Empire was sentenced today to 252 months in federal prison.
Timoteo Gomez, 51, of Riverside, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal. Gomez has been in federal custody since his June 2021 arrest in this case.
Gomez pleaded guilty in January 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
From at least April 2020 until August 2020, Gomez and others purchased methamphetamine from their suppliers in Mexico as well as Los Angeles and Riverside counties. Other members of the conspiracy further distributed methamphetamine in the Inland Empire.
In April 2020, Gomez and others smuggled 46.6 pounds (21.2 kilograms) of methamphetamine from Mexico across the U.S. port of entry at Calexico and into Riverside County. In May 2020, another co-conspirator attempted to drive a load of 90.4 pounds (41 kilograms) of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico through the San Ysidro port of entry.
In total, law enforcement seized more than 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of methamphetamine and $31,035 in cash during this investigation.
Federal prosecutors have secured 16 convictions so far in this case.
The FBI’s Inland Empire Safe Streets Task Force investigated this matter. The Task Force is a joint federal and state gang task force that includes the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; IRS Criminal Investigation; the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department; and the Riverside Police Department. The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force received assistance during the investigation from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the United States Marshals Service.
The investigation leading to these federal charges focused on the criminal activities of the Riverside-based Casa Blanca Rifa criminal street gang to combat drug trafficking and associated violence in Riverside and the surrounding community.
Assistant United States Attorney Eli A. Alcaraz of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.
Red Lake Woman Charged with Murder, Arson, and Child NeglectRead the Press Release
DULUTH, Minn. – A Red Lake woman has been charged with murder, arson, and child neglect following the death of two young children on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, Jennifer Marie Stately, 35, attacked and killed Minor A and Minor B. Stately slashed at Minor A and Minor B with a knife or other sharp object and then set fire to the residence. Stately fatally stabbed Minor A in the chest. Minor B suffered non-fatal stab wounds but ultimately died from smoke inhalation due to the fire Stately started. Stately fled the scene in her vehicle with Minor C. Later that night around 9:00 p.m., an AMBER Alert was issued. A motorist spotted Stately’s vehicle and contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement located and stopped Stately’s vehicle and recovered Minor C, who was suffering from visible signs of child neglect.
The indictment charges Stately with one count of premeditated murder, one count of murder in the course of committing child abuse, one count of murder in the course of committing arson, one count of arson, and one count of felony child neglect. Stately appeared today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois. Judge Brisbois ordered Stately to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
“This tragic case demonstrates the importance of close working relationships between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our state, federal and tribal law enforcement partners. Together, we are able to bring charges swiftly in cases such as this on behalf of the most vulnerable among us,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger.
“This case is another example of how AMBER Alerts save lives. They get critical information out quickly to millions of Minnesotans willing to step up to help rescue a child in mortal danger,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said. “We are grateful to the Minnesotan who acted quickly and bravely in this case, and to all Minnesotans who join in the search when a child needs them most.”
“The loss of innocent lives demands swift and decisive action,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Through seamless collaboration with our state and local counterparts along with the invaluable support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are steadfast in our resolve to pursue justice for the victims. We stand united in seeking closure and healing for the affected family and their community.”
AMBER Alert is a system designed to send alert messages to the public about abducted children that are in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. Information about DOJ efforts to support the improvement of AMBER Alert in Indian Country is available on-line.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Todd County Sheriff’s Office, the Long Prairie Police Department, and the Red Lake Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel L. Kraker and Garrett S. Fields are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to Additional Prison Time for Possessing Contraband as InmateRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to an additional five months of incarceration on his conviction of possession of contraband by an inmate, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States Chief District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Lajwan McMillan, 31.
According to information presented to the Court, three days after being sentenced to 18 months’ incarceration for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release and being sent back to prison, McMillan was found in possession of a cellular phone by officials at the Butler County Jail. Inmates in federal custody are prohibited by federal law from possessing cellular phones, and this criminal conduct is punishable by additional, consecutive time in prison.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Marshals Service, Butler County Detective Bureau, and officials at the Butler County Jail for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of McMillan.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 130 Months in Prison for Possession with the Intent to Distribute over 50 Grams of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, Miss. – A Philadelphia, Mississippi man was sentenced to 130 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine near the Pearl River Community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Darrell McBeath, 39, was sentenced in U.S. District Court on May 3, 2024.
In September of 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Darrell McBeath for his role in the distribution of methamphetamine. On December 14, 2023, McBeath entered a plea of guilty to the charge.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi, Regional Agent in Charge Whitney Woodruff of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Choctaw Police Department of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin J. Payne and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Burns.
Operation Smoke and Mirrors Update: Sentencing of Charleston Man Marks Major Milestone in Takedown of Methamphetamine Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The recent sentencing of Jasper Wemh, 39, of Charleston, to 16 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, marks a significant milestone in a four-indictment drug trafficking organization (DTO) case that yielded the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history.
Wemh is among 27 of 32 defendants who have pleaded guilty in the case and among 20 sentenced to prison. The case is the result of a major drug trafficking investigation dubbed Operation Smoke and Mirrors in which law enforcement seized well over 400 pounds of methamphetamine as well as 40 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of fentanyl, 19 firearms and $935,000 in cash.
The Court cited the “dedicated and relentless” work of law enforcement in the case when sentencing Wemh. The Court also said the case represents an aggressive and ongoing effort by law enforcement to target traffickers of such “incredibly damaging” drugs as methamphetamine.
“This case is a great example of what happens when you put an outstanding team of law enforcement together,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “Cases such as this are made possible by everyone working together on the same team.”
“This is a clear testament to the power of collaboration between the FBI and our federal, state, and local partners. These individuals threaten the safety of our community whether it be from bringing in these poisonous drugs or from the violence often associated with the drug trade,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “We’re proud of the work our investigators conducted to seize a record amount of illegal drugs. The FBI and our partners stand committed to keeping these drugs, and those peddling them, off our streets and out of our communities.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, Wemh is responsible for over 85 pounds of methamphetamine distributed by the DTO in 2022. Wemh routinely completed transactions involving multiple pounds at a time, and sold over 20 pounds of methamphetamine during a single night on December 4, 2022.
Wemh obtained methamphetamine from his out-of-state supplier on consignment, distributing the methamphetamine to multiple customers and paying his supplier from the proceeds from distributing the supplier’s methamphetamine. Wemh made payments totaling $250,000 to a runner working on behalf of his supplier to repay his methamphetamine debts. Wemh often provided methamphetamine to his customers on consignment, knowing they were redistributing the methamphetamine he sold them.
Wemh also admitted to conspiring with other people to distribute cocaine base, also known as “crack,” that he received from his supplier on occasions prior to December 3, 2022. Wemh stored quantities of methamphetamine, crack and cocaine at a Greenbrier Street residence in Charleston. Wemh admitted that he frequently obtained these drugs from a safe in the residence, and that a pistol was kept in that safe as well.
Wemh is the lead defendant in one of the four indictments in the case, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He was sentenced on May 2, 2024. Wemh has a long criminal history that includes a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on March 7, 2011. The Court cited Wemh’s criminal history at sentencing.
Among the other defendants sentenced to prison in the case:
- Michael Allen Roberts Jr., 41, of St. Albans, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on March 6, 2024, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.
- Justin Allen Bowen, 41, of Charleston, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison on August 31, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Perry Johnson Jr., 30, of Dunwoody, Georgia, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison on April 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
- Todd Tyler Snead, 58, of Waynesboro, Virginia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on September 6, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Ryan Keith Kincaid, 47, of South Charleston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on December 8, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
- Telisa Rene McCauley, 32, of Charleston, was sentenced to nine years in prison on November 9, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Les Van Bumpus, 35, of Charleston, was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison on January 22, 2024, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Indictments against five defendants are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard Counter Drug program, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Chief United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe 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 Nos. 2:23-cr-4 (Wemh et al.), 2:23-cr-31 (Jeffries et al.), 2:23-cr-33 (Estep et al.) and 2:23-cr-32 (Gonzalez et al.).
###
A video of the press conference announcing this update is located on the YouTube Channel for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVBu0jOOkCk.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of a ChildRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ollie Holman, 58 years of age, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 3, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for sexual exploitation of a child. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Homan to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Holman’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Holman was also ordered to pay $3,100.00 in special assessments.
Between July 11, 2021, and August 27, 2021, while in Nebraska, Holman sent electronic messages to a minor female using Facebook. In the messages, Holman repeatedly offered the minor female cash to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos of herself. On multiple occasions Holman met the minor female in Omaha and paid her cash for images and videos received. When Holman began requesting sexually explicit images and videos from the minor female, the minor female was 15 years old.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as part of the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Năm Bộ Liên Bang Cùng Bộ Tư Pháp Tái Khẳng Định Cam Kết Chung để Duy Trì Luật Dân Quyền và Thúc Đẩy Công Lý Môi TrườngRead the Press Release
Phòng Dân Quyền của Bộ Tư Pháp và các viên chức từ Văn Phòng Dân Quyền của Bộ Y Tế và Dịch Vụ Nhân Sinh (Department of Health and Human Services, HHS); Văn Phòng Dân Quyền của Bộ Giao Thông Vận Tải (Department of Transportation, DOT); Văn Phòng Tuân Thủ Dân Quyền Bên Ngoài của Cơ Quan Bảo Vệ Môi Trường (Environmental Protection Agency, EPA); Văn Phòng Dân Quyền và Tự Do Dân Sự của Bộ An Ninh Nội Địa (Department of Homeland Security, DHS); và Văn Phòng Nhà Ở Công Bằng và Cơ Hội Bình Đẳng của Bộ Gia Cư và Phát Triển Đô Thị (Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD) ngày hôm nay đã cùng nhau tái khẳng định cam kết chung để duy trì luật dân quyền và thúc đẩy công lý môi trường tại các cộng đồng trên khắp Hoa Kỳ.
“Bộ Tư Pháp cam kết thực thi đầy đủ luật dân quyền liên bang để giải quyết vấn nạn quốc gia về phân biệt chủng tộc trong môi trường và thiếu đầu tư vào cộng đồng da màu,” Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng Tư Pháp thuộc Phòng Dân Quyền của Bộ Tư Pháp, bà Kristen Clarke cho biết. ”Kể từ năm 2021, chúng tôi đã tăng cường nỗ lực điều phối các nỗ lực thực thi chủ chốt này trong toàn chính quyền liên bang và sẽ tiếp tục nỗ lực khi bên nhận sử dụng hàng tỷ đô la vào khoản tài trợ cơ sở hạ tầng mới. Chúng tôi sẽ tiếp tục thúc đẩy giải pháp trên toàn chính phủ trong cuộc đấu tranh đang diễn ra vì công lý môi trường trong cả nước.”
“Cơ Quan Bảo Vệ Môi Trường tiếp tục đặt trọng tâm sứ mệnh của chúng tôi vào việc mở rộng thực thi công lý, bình đẳng và dân quyền cho các cộng đồng trên khắp đất nước, những cộng đồng chưa được hưởng đầy đủ lợi ích từ những tiến bộ trong nhiều thập kỷ của EPA. Chúng tôi cam kết thực thi dân quyền để giải quyết tình trạng bất công về môi trường," bà Marianne Engelman-Lado, Phó Trợ lý Giám Đốc Triển Khai Chương Trình thuộc Văn Phòng Công Lý Môi Trường và Dân Quyền Bên Ngoài của EPA cho biết. “Từ việc mở rộng thực thi dân quyền trong cơ cấu Kế Hoạch Chiến Lược và các hoạt động hàng ngày của chúng tôi, đến việc gia tăng ngân quỹ và nhân sự cho công việc chính yếu này, EPA sẽ tiếp tục thúc đẩy chương trình thực thi dân quyền.”
“Công lý môi trường là một vấn đề sức khỏe công cộng và luật dân quyền của chúng ta phải đảm bảo rằng tất cả các cộng đồng – không phân biệt chủng tộc hay mã bưu chính của quý vị – đều được an toàn và không gặp phải các mối nguy hiểm về môi trường," bà Melanie Fontes Rainer, Giám đốc Văn phòng Dân Quyền của HHS chia sẻ. “Điều đáng tiếc là các cộng đồng da màu trong quá khứ đã phải chịu sự bất công về môi trường và đáng được chính phủ liên bang quan tâm đầy đủ thông qua việc thực thi pháp luật để không bị phân biệt đối xử.”
“Ngoài việc vận chuyển người và hàng hóa, vận tải còn đóng một vai trò quan trọng đối với sức khỏe của con người và môi trường”, bà Irene Marion, Giám đốc Văn phòng Dân Quyền của DOT cho biết. “Mặc dù cơ sở hạ tầng giao thông vận tải của quốc gia là tài sản chung, nhưng trong lịch sử, không phải mọi cộng đồng đều được hưởng đầy đủ lợi thế và lợi ích từ đó. DOT cam kết điều chỉnh hướng đi này bằng cách tận dụng thẩm quyền và nguồn lực của bộ để đảm bảo cung cấp hệ thống giao thông an toàn, hiệu quả và dễ tiếp cận cho tất cả người dân.”
Bà Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, Cán Bộ Văn Phòng Dân Quyền và Tự Do Dân Sự của DHS cho biết: “Việc thúc đẩy công lý môi trường có thể diễn ra thông qua giáo dục, hỗ trợ kỹ thuật và thực thi mạnh mẽ các luật dân quyền đã có từ lâu. “Chúng tôi cam kết làm việc với bên nhận và các cộng đồng để đạt được công lý môi trường.”
Bà Demetria McCain, Phó Trợ Lý Bộ Trưởng thuộc Văn phòng Nhà Ở Công Bằng và Cơ Hội Bình Đẳng của HUD chia sẻ: “Bộ Gia Cư và Phát Triển Đô Thị cam kết thực thi luật dân quyền và nhà ở công bằng nhằm thúc đẩy công lý môi trường để tất cả các khu dân cư và cộng đồng đều là nơi lành mạnh, an toàn và có khả năng phục hồi, nơi người dân có thể phát triển. "Các tầng lớp được bảo vệ không phải chịu gánh nặng quá mức trước các mối nguy hiểm về môi trường, mặc dù họ đã phải chịu trong thời gian dài.”
Trong tuyên bố, các cơ quan tái khẳng định cam kết của họ trong việc áp dụng mạnh mẽ tất cả các luật dân quyền hiện hành, bao gồm Tiêu Đề VI của Đạo Luật Dân Quyền (Civil Rights Act) năm 1964, để thúc đẩy công lý môi trường và tích cực làm việc với chính quyền tiểu bang, khu vực và địa phương cũng như tất cả các tổ chức khác được nhận tài trợ của liên bang để đảm bảo tuân thủ các luật quan trọng này. Tuyên bố chung cũng nhắc nhở bên nhận rằng nghĩa vụ về dân quyền là riêng biệt và khác biệt với các nghĩa vụ khác của bên nhận, bao gồm nghĩa vụ tuân thủ luật môi trường của liên bang, tiểu bang, khu vực và địa phương. Thông tin bổ sung về công tác duy trì và bảo vệ dân quyền của Phòng Dân Quyền được đăng tải trực tuyến trên justice.gov/crt. Quý vị có thể báo cáo các khiếu nại về hành vi phân biệt đối xử với Phòng Dân Quyền thông qua cổng thông tin báo cáo trên Internet tại địa chỉ civilrights.justice.gov.
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LEON THOMPSON, age 39, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on May 2, 2024 to one (1) count of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and (b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, on March 16, 2023, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s deputies learned that THOMPSON was delivering methamphetamine and other drugs to a residence in Buras, Louisiana, the following morning. In anticipation of THOMPSON’s arrival at the residence, officers conducted surveillance and located THOMPSON. Officers observed THOMPSON drive to and enter a fisheries plant in Plaquemines Parish where he remained for about ten minutes. After leaving the plant, he headed to the Buras residence. When THOMPSON arrived and saw the officers, he threw a cellophane bag containing 21.61 grams of methamphetamine to the ground. Deputies seized the methamphetamine and arrested THOMPSON. The officers also seized 1.13 grams of fentanyl from his vehicle. In a post-arrest statement, THOMPSON told the officers that he stored drugs at his place of employment, and he identified the locations at the plant where he stored the drugs. Officers entered THOMPSON employment location and seized 17.99 grams of fentanyl and a digital scale from the areas that THOMPSON identified as his drug storage locations.
For the methamphetamine charged, THOMPSON faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and maximum term of imprisonment of forty years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and a mandatory minimum term of supervised release of four years. For the fentanyl charged, THOMPSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of three years. THOMPSON also faces a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. THOMPSON’s sentencing is set for August 15, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys André Jones and Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.
Nashua Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Nashua man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Brian Eric Hynes, 34, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for August 15, 2024.
In August 2021, law enforcement reviewed chat rooms being used to exchange CSAM on an app called Viber. Law enforcement learned that an individual with the username “John ketg” was present in chat rooms where CSAM was posted and traced the username back to the defendant.
In February 2022, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s electronic devices. When executing the warrant, law enforcement saw the defendant sitting in his vehicle. The defendant initially did not comply with law enforcement’s commands to exit the vehicle and was seen swiping up on his phone. Although the defendant eventually exited the vehicle, he continued to swipe the phone. Law enforcement was able to secure the phone, and the recently used video player application displayed CSAM. A forensic examination of the phone recovered approximately 1,150 CSAM images. The web history further showed that the defendant had visited websites associated with CSAM, and he had saved bookmarks to websites with phrases and words indicative of CSAM.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison for possession of CSAM. The maximum sentence is 20 years in prison if the CSAM depicts a prepubescent minor or minor younger than 12. In addition, if a defendant has a qualifying prior offense, the charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. 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.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Kasey Weiland are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
###
Mobile Men Sentenced for Making Threats to Police OfficerRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Two Mobile, Alabama, men were sentenced last week after pleading guilty to making online threats to injure an officer of the Mobile Police Department. Jamarcus Manuel, 21, was sentenced to serve twelve months of imprisonment and Justin Gorman, 22, was sentenced to time-served after pleading guilty to Interstate Communication of Threats to Injure. Both men will be subject to three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, in April of 2023 Mobile Police Officers executed a traffic stop on a vehicle in Mobile, Alabama. One of the passengers of the vehicle live-streamed the interaction on Instagram. Manuel and Gorman posted comments on the video threatening to injure the officer conducting the traffic stop.
“Using social media, the internet, or any other communication channel to make threats is unacceptable,” said Sean P. Costello, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. “This is especially true when threats are made to those merely doing their jobs, like the men and women in law enforcement. We take any threat seriously, and will investigate and prosecute the criminals who violate federal laws by doing so.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasee S. Heisterhagen prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Michigan Man Sentenced for a Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Nathan Cortez Duncan, age 43, of Highland Park, Michigan, was sentenced today to 117 months for the acquisition of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, officers were conducting a search at a home when Duncan fled from a first-story window. When Duncan was apprehended, he was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm pistol. A search of the home also resulted in the seizure of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, additional firearms, ammunition, and cash.
Duncan will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
###
Mexican Citizen Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shair Rodriguez-Mora, age 20, and a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty on Friday, May 3 to possession of child pornography.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office; and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, made the announcement.
Rodriguez-Mora admitted to possessing 27 videos and 46 images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his cell phone when he illegally entered the United States from Canada on July 28, 2023. Border Patrol arrested Rodriguez-Mora illegally entering the United States and during that investigation, discovered the child pornography on his phone. Rodriguez-Mora previously pled guilty to improper entry by an alien and was sentenced to 25 days in jail for that offense.
Rodriguez-Mora will be sentenced on September 6, 2024, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Under the terms of Rodriguez-Mora’s plea agreement, the parties have jointly recommended that Rodriguez-Mora receive a prison term of between 24 and 36 months. Rodriguez-Mora also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. He must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison, and also faces removal from the United States.
HSI and Border Patrol investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer is prosecuting the case 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.
Marion County Woman Sentenced for Federal Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Rachel Sara Hardesty, age 39, of Fairmont, West Virginia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for the unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, West Virginia Parole officers were conducting a home visit for Hardesty, who was on parole supervision. A .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol was found during a search. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were also found. Hardesty is prohibited from having firearms because of prior felony convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
###
Maine Man Sentenced to 72 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Distribution Conspiracy in Connection with Approximately 30 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Maine man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for a conspiracy to distribute approximately 14 kilograms (30 pounds) of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Brian Strout, 46, of Turner, Maine, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty to 72 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Strout previously pleaded guilty on January 29, 2024. Strout’s co-defendant, Tara Christian, was sentenced on March 14, 2024.
“The sheer quantity of methamphetamine in this case is staggering,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Those who use New Hampshire as a pass-through while enroute to traffic dangerous drugs to other states will be apprehended at our border and prosecuted in federal court. I commend our law enforcement partners for stopping the defendants before they distributed this large amount of methamphetamine in the Granite State and throughout New England.”
“DEA stands committed to keeping highly addictive drugs like methamphetamine off the streets of New Hampshire,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen P. Belleau. “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Strout accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are contributing to the drug crisis in New England. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
On July 7, 2022, investigators received information that Strout and his spouse were obtaining a supply of methamphetamine while at a casino in Everett, Massachusetts for distribution in New Hampshire. Investigators conducted surveillance at the casino and located Strout and his co-defendant spouse loading bags into their vehicle and driving north toward New Hampshire on Interstate 93. When investigators stopped the vehicle, the defendant had 2.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that a FedEx package containing even more methamphetamine was enroute to the defendant in Maine. Agents located and searched the package and seized an additional 11.2 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, New Hampshire State Police, Maine State Police, and Everett (Massachusetts) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad Hodes prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
###
Louisville Woman Sentenced for Armed Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Louisville, Ky., woman, Katharine Richardson, 36, was sentenced on Wednesday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, to 126 months in prison, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court proceedings, on August 26, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Richardson was the front seat passenger. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and found a backpack containing methamphetamine, a digital scale with drug residue, plastic baggies, two stolen firearms and ammunition. An additional firearm was found in the vehicle’s trunk, and $2,526.17 was found on Richardson. She admitted to possessing the firearms and that she possessed one or more of the firearms in furtherance of distributing the methamphetamine.
Under federal law, Richardson must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Detroit Field Division; and Sheriff Robert “Bud” Webster, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department jointly announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Gallatin Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
— END —
Lincoln County Man Sentenced to 27 Years for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Wednesday sentenced a man who recorded his sexual abuse of two young girls to 27 years in prison.
In addition to recording the abuse, Christopher C. Parker, 32, shared recordings and discussed his abuse of the victims with others online.
Parker’s uploading of the images of child sexual abuse triggered multiple tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which notified the FBI on March 21, 2023. Agents obtained a search warrant and searched Parker’s home in the village of Fountain N' Lakes in Lincoln County, Missouri, the next day. They found child sexual abuse material on electronic devices including a laptop and cell phones. Parker then admitted abusing the girls, his plea agreement says.
Parker pleaded guilty in January to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of distribution.
The FBI, the St. Charles County Cyber Crime Task Force and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
La Cañada Flintridge Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Murder-for-Hire Plots and Committing Arson to Apartment BuildingRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A San Gabriel Valley man was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison for hiring a hitman in an attempt to kill two men – his former lawyer and a long-time litigation opponent – and for hiring someone to burn a North Hollywood apartment complex he owned to force its low-income residents to leave.
Arthur Raffy Aslanian, 55, of La Cañada Flintridge, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal, who also ordered Aslanian to pay $15,371 in restitution and fined him $200,000.
At the conclusion of a five-day trial, a jury in July 2023 found Aslanian guilty of one count of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, one count of conspiracy to commit arson, one count of attempted arson, and one count of arson of a building used in interstate commerce.
“This defendant thought he could get away with murder by financing a murder plot against two of his rivals,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “He will now serve a well-deserved lengthy prison sentence. This case should serve as a cautionary tale to those who would resort to violence to settle their disputes: You will be caught and the consequences will be severe.”
Aslanian conspired with Sesar Rivera, 41, of North Hollywood, to hire a hitman to murder two people – identified in court documents as “M.Y.” and “S.E.”
M.Y. was a lawyer who represented Aslanian in a bankruptcy proceeding in which Aslanian had prevailed but then refused to pay more than $261,000 in legal fees and expenses to M.Y.’s law firm. In April 2022, M.Y. sent a demand letter to Aslanian requesting to mediate the dispute and stating he was prepared to sue Aslanian if the mediation failed.
S.E. was a litigant who defeated Aslanian in court after Aslanian tried to take possession of the Brentwood home in which S.E.’s parents lived.
In April 2022, Rivera – Aslanian’s then-employee – met with an individual who was a gang member and convicted felon. Rivera told the individual that a real estate businessman named “Arthur” wanted to pay him to kill M.Y. and S.E.
In July 2022, Rivera again met with the individual and said “Arthur” wanted the killing done as soon as possible. Rivera showed the individual information about M.Y. The individual secretly recorded a portion of this July 2022 in-person meeting on his phone and provided a copy of the recording to law enforcement. Rivera also promised the individual that Aslanian would pay $20,000 for the murder once Rivera had photographic proof the murder had been committed.
On August 10, 2022, Rivera again met with the individual and told him to focus on murdering S.E. before killing M.Y. On August 19, 2022, Rivera used the Facebook Messenger application to send the individual a multimedia message with a screenshot of victim S.E.’s Facebook profile, including S.E.’s picture and business name, to assist the individual in locating and murdering S.E.
Law enforcement contacted and warned M.Y. and S.E. of the murder plots.
On September 7, 2022, law enforcement detained and questioned Rivera, who later agreed to cooperate with them.
Aslanian was arrested shortly after a September 15, 2022, meeting in which Rivera showed him a staged murder photograph of S.E.
“ATF saved the lives of two individuals in this case,” said Christopher Bombardiere, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division. “We will continue to work tirelessly to seek out and build cases against these violent criminals who have no moral compass and instead are driven by greed.”
In a separate incident in March 2022, Aslanian, through Rivera, paid an individual a few hundred dollars for successfully setting fire to a rental property in North Hollywood he owned so the remaining low-income tenants would be forced to leave the property. A previous attempted arson of the building in February 2022 was unsuccessful.
Rivera pleaded guilty in March 2023 to one count of conspiracy and one count of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count at his July 8 sentencing hearing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, Kevin B. Reidy of the Major Frauds Section, and Eli A. Alcaraz of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.
Justice Department Strengthens Efforts, Builds Partnerships to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous PersonsRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Totten attends May 5th MMIP Awareness Day Event in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten and the Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5, 2024, as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day.
“Today is a day of reflection and commitment as we remember the all-too-many victims of violence in our Tribal communities and the families and friends who are affected,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The Justice Department’s work to address the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort that takes many forms to strengthening the federal response to missing or murdered indigenous people. In the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, we are committed to working with our federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to swiftly investigate these cases and secure justice.”
U.S. Attorney Totten today participated in the 2024 March for MMIP at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids to bring awareness and educate the public on missing and murdered indigenous persons. The event was hosted by three local Potawatomi Tribes: Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), Pokagon and Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band and all Natives and non-Native allies and advocates against violence.
The U.S. Attorneys for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan respectively, appointed Joel Postma to serve as the MMIP Coordinator for the two districts (11 of the Tribes are in the Western District), conducting outreach with Tribal communities to understand the challenges revealed through past experience; coordinating with Tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement in the development of protocols and procedures for responding to and addressing MMIP; providing training and assistance; and promoting improved data collection and analyses throughout the state.
In recognition of MMIP Awareness Day, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle the MMIP and human trafficking crises in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and other pressing public safety challenges, like the fentanyl crisis, in Tribal communities.
“There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “In carrying out our work, we seek to honor those who are still missing, those who were stolen from their communities, and their loved ones who are left with unimaginable pain. Tribal communities deserve safety, and they deserve justice. This day challenges all of us at the Justice Department to double down on our efforts, and to be true partners with Tribal communities as we seek to end this crisis.”
“The FBI remains unwavering in our pledge to work with our law enforcement partners to address the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities and families,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the crime impacting American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”
“DEA’s top priority is protecting all communities from deadly drugs, like fentanyl, and drug related violent crime,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “We know that no community has been spared from these deadly threats and we are committed to keeping Tribal communities safe.”
Justice Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases
Last July, the Justice Department announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions.
The MMIP Regional Outreach Program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to U.S. Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People, and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022.
Not Invisible Act Commission Response
The Department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort. In March, the Departments of Justice and the Interior released their joint response to the Not Invisible Act Commission’s recommendations on how to combat the missing or murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crisis. The NIAC response, announced by Attorney General Garland during a visit to the Crow Nation, recognizes that more must be done across the federal government to resolve this longstanding crisis and support healing from the generational traumas that Indigenous peoples have endured throughout the history of the United States.
Addressing Violent Crime and the Fentanyl Crisis in Indian Country
As noted in the joint response to the NIAC, research suggests that certain public safety challenges faced by many American Indian and Alaska Native communities—including disproportionate violence against women, families, and children; substance abuse; drug trafficking; and labor and sex trafficking—can influence the rates of missing AI/AN persons.
Further, fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths are the leading cause of opioid deaths throughout the United States, including Indian county, where drug-related overdose death rates for Native Americans exceeds the national rate.
Therefore, federal law enforcement components are ramping up efforts to forge stronger partnerships with federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to address violent crime and the fentanyl crisis, which exposes already vulnerable communities to greater harm.
Accessing Department of Justice Resources
Over the past year, the Department awarded $268 million in grants to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have also gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities.
For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website.
Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons.
# # #
Justice Department Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy and Office of Environmental JusticeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today marked the second anniversary of its Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy (CEJES) and Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ). The Justice Department will be incorporating those efforts into developing an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan, as directed by the President’s Executive Order “Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All.” The new strategic plan will further address environmental justice and help develop and capture the Justice Department's vision, goals, priority actions and metrics to address and advance environmental justice. The Justice Department is organizing virtual and in-person listening sessions to obtain public input on draft goals and actions.
“The Justice Department is committed to securing relief for environmental justice communities,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “We commemorate OEJ’s two-year anniversary and appreciate OEJ’s efforts to create a new strategic plan that ensures compliance with all applicable federal laws, particularly in areas where pollution and degradation have historically been most pronounced.”
“We’re proud of how, for two years, the Justice Department’s Office of Environmental Justice and comprehensive enforcement strategy have benefited overburdened and underserved communities throughout our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Now, we’re taking another step to refine our efforts and create a new strategic plan.”
“It is an honor to lead this effort to develop an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan that builds upon the important work we have already done to implement the Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy,” said OEJ Director Cynthia Ferguson. “Our upcoming listening sessions give the public an opportunity to provide input to help shape the development and implementation of the new strategic plan.”
The draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan includes goals to prioritize cases, meaningfully engage with impacted communities, increase education and collaboration and assess and evaluate environmental justice in the Justice Department’s climate adaptation efforts. The strategic plan will be discussed at virtual and in-person listening sessions. The two virtual listening sessions will be held on:
- May 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET and
- May 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.
To attend one of the virtual sessions, please visit OEJ’s website and register by May 23 to receive a link. To find out if there will be an in-person listening session near your area, visit OEJ’s website where the dates and locations will be posted once they are confirmed. Listening sessions will start with an overview of the draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan goals and objectives followed by an opportunity for the public to provide feedback. Each virtual and in-person listening session will cover the same material. The public may also provide written comments on the draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan by emailing [email protected], completing the online survey on OEJ’s website or mailing the Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, D.C. 20044-7611.
The Justice Department launched OEJ on May 5, 2022, along with the CEJES. Last year marked the first anniversary of OEJ and the first-ever CEJES annual report. Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, in conjunction with five other federal agencies, released an interagency statement reaffirming their commitment to upholding civil rights laws including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and furthering environmental justice initiatives.
Draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan One-Pager (English Version).pdf Draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan One-Pager (Spanish Version).pdf Draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan Virtual Listening Sessions Flyer (English Version).pdf Draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan Virtual Listening Sessions Flyer (Spanish Version).pdfJury Returns Guilty Verdicts Against District Man Who Threatened to Shoot People at an Auto Repair ShopRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Rashaud Williams, 30, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a Superior Court jury of assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm) and related charges following a trial before the Honorable Errol Arthur, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The jury also found Williams guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and threatening to injure or kidnap a person. The verdict was returned on May 3, 2024. Judge Arthur scheduled sentencing for June 28, 2024. Williams faces a five-year mandatory minimum term of incarceration for these crimes.
According to the government’s evidence, Williams brought his car into a Petworth area auto shop for repairs on August 1, 2023. Later in the day, the shop owner called the defendant’s mother to tell her that the car would not be ready until the next day, after they obtained a needed part. A short time later, Williams went to the auto shop and threatened to “shoot up” the entire establishment. The repairman’s girlfriend was there and tried to calm Williams down. Williams then turned the gun on her and threatened to shoot her, then pointed the gun at the owner before leaving.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Emmanuel Hampton, Erica Rudolf, and Kathryn Bartz.
Jamestown man arrested, charged with drug possessionRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Willie C. Graham, 43, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna M. Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in September 2023, Jamestown Police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle that had pulled out of a known drug house in Jamestown. A search of the vehicle recovered what appeared to be methamphetamine, along with numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Officers also recovered a glass bubble pipe from Graham’s waist area. Graham and the other two occupants were then taken to the Jamestown City Jail, at which time Graham indicated that he was experiencing chest pains and could not breathe. Before Graham was transported for medical attention, officers discovered suspected fentanyl on his person. On March 2, 2024, Graham was a passenger in a vehicle that fled from officers attempting to initiate a traffic stop. A search of the vehicle recovered 11.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, other drug paraphernalia, and $1,134.00 cash. Graham and the other two occupants were taken to the Jamestown City Jail, where Graham informed officers that he had eaten “dope” prior to being arrested and was overdosing. He was given one dose of NARCAN and transported for medical attention.
Graham made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is detained pending a detention hearing on May 7, at 11:30 a.m.
The complaint is a result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
# # # #
Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Tyson Davis II, 28, of Huntington, was sentenced today to nine years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 8, 2021, Davis sold approximately 52 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant inside a vehicle on the 1600 block of Doulton Avenue in Huntington. Davis admitted to that transaction and further admitted to selling approximately 27 grams of methamphetamine to the confidential informant on November 3, 2021, in Huntington.
On November 9, 2021, law enforcement officers conducted a search of Davis’ vehicle and Fourth Street West residence in Huntington and seized approximately 399 grams of fentanyl and a loaded Glock 9mm pistol. Davis admitted that he possessed and intended to distribute the seized fentanyl.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-241.
###
Harris County resident charged in scheme to steal $1M worth of Jeeps and other vehiclesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 29-year-old Houston man is charged with orchestrating a scheme to steal more than 25 vehicles worth over $1 million, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Kenneth Dwayne Westbrook is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Christina Bryan at 2 p.m.
According to the charges, Westbrook recruited individuals through Instagram by promising to pay them money to rent vehicles for him. Instead of returning the vehicles, he allegedly picked up the vehicles, had them driven to Mexico and ignored renters’ calls and messages imploring him to return them. The charges allege Westbrook repeated this scheme with more than 25 vehicles causing a loss of over $1 million.
If convicted, Westbrook faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count in the indictment.
The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler White and Michael Chu are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Gore Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kelly Don Girty, Jr., age 30, of Gore, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to a one count violation of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The Indictment alleged that on January 7, 2024, Girty, having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, and knowing of that conviction, possessed a .22 caliber, bolt action rifle which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. Girty will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.
Forum provides best practices and resources to prevent and respond to hate crimes that target religious institutionsRead the Press Release
In an effort to prevent hate crimes that target religious institutions, and to prepare faith-based leaders and congregation members with strategies for responding when faced with such security issues, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relation Services (“CRS”) Midwest Regional Office, and the Cleveland Field Office of the FBI is facilitating a free event, “Protecting Places of Worship,” held on Wednesday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 3290 E. 126th St., Cleveland, OH 44120. Registration is open to the public by calling the Public Affairs Officer of the United States Attorney’s Office at 216-622-3807.
“Protecting Places of Worship” is a half-day forum that will provide information about religion-focused hate crimes; how to best report such incidents; federal and state hate crimes laws; law enforcement threat assessments; ways to protect places of worship from potential hate crimes and other threats of violence; and other strategies for combatting hate and extremism. This program brings together federal and local law enforcement, federal and local prosecuting attorneys, civil rights organizations, and community organizations to discuss these issues. The forum’s goal is to share strategies and other information to help communities of faith effectively address and respond to bias incidents and hate crimes that affect their places of worship.
Discussion topics include:
- Existing federal and state hate crime statutes, and increasing public awareness of hate crimes reporting procedures and prosecutions.
- Analysis of hate crime data and trends, including recent examples of hate crimes targeting places of worship.
- Strategies for responding to active-shooter incidents.
- Best practices for assessing the physical security of places of worship and identifying potential security concerns, along with competitive grant opportunities and other strategies to address those concerns.
- Interfaith panel discussion to foster dialogue and collaboration among diverse religious communities, and to share strategies these organizations have used to address bias incidents.
All sessions will be followed by Q & A.
Featured speakers include those from the following organizations: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio; FBI, Cleveland Field Office; Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office; Anti-Defamation League Cleveland; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Panelists include leaders from Cleveland’s Islamic, Sikh, and Hindu communities, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The Mount Pleasant Ministerial Alliance is hosting this event.
This event is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s United Against Hate initiative. For questions or more details about the event, contact Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Feran at 216-622-3709 or [email protected].
About CRS
Established by Title X of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, CRS’ expanded its services under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. As a component of the United States Department of Justice, CRS serves as “America’s Peacemaker,” offering support to communities experiencing tension or conflict due to differences of race, color, natural origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability. Through its services, CRS enhances the ability of community members to independently and collaboratively prevent and resolve future conflicts by fostering knowledge, understanding and communication.CRS Programs
The primary objectives of all CRS programs are to assist parties in conflict by fostering understanding of various perspectives, facilitating the exchange of information regarding resources and best practices, and aiding communities as they identify and implement solutions. CRS conciliation specialists maintain impartiality and refrain from taking sides among disputing parties. Instead, they facilitate the process, empowering those involved to develop their own mutually agreeable solutions.Fort Myers Man Sentenced to 45 Years’ Imprisonment in Murder-For-Hire SchemeRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Marvin Harris, Jr., aka “Mesh,” (25, Fort Myers) to 45 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire. Harris, Jr.’s co-defendant, Latrel Jackson, aka “Kobe,” (26, Chicago, Illinois), is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2024, and faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment.
According to court documents, in November 2019, Harris, Jr. hired two individuals, Latrel Jackson and unindicted co-conspirator D.S. (deceased), to travel from the Chicago-area to Fort Myers to commit murder in exchange for $10,000. Harris, Jr.’s motive was to retaliate against individuals he believed had robbed a Fort Myers residence from which he and others associated with him sold drugs. The individuals Harris, Jr. suspected of committing the robbery belonged to a Fort Myers gang known to law enforcement as “Bucktown.”
With the agreement to retaliate against Bucktown in place, Jackson and D.S. traveled to Fort Myers from Chicago aboard a commercial airline on October 28, 2019. Upon their arrival, Harris, Jr. picked Jackson and D.S. up from the Southwest Florida International Airport and provided them with partial payment for the planned murder, as well as firearms to accomplish their task. Initially, Jackson and D.S. stayed at Harris, Jr.’s “trap house” (a residence used primarily to distribute drugs from) in Fort Myers but later moved to a local motel on Palm Beach Boulevard. During that time, Jackson, D.S., and others attempted to find members of Bucktown to murder in the retaliatory scheme.
On November 2, 2019, Harris, Jr. obtained a vehicle for Jackson and D.S. to use during the commission of a murder. Jackson and D.S. proceeded to a known Bucktown hangout in Fort Myers and observed the victim, K.U., standing in front of the residence near the curb of the street. Jackson and D.S. quickly circled the block and, at close range, opened fire on K.U., killing him in front of the residence via a gunshot wound of the head.
After the shooting, Harris, Jr. paid Jackson and D.S. the remaining sum of money owed for completing the murder-for-hire scheme. Jackson and D.S. were also left in possession of the firearms used to commit the murder. Jackson and D.S. then returned to the Chicago area via commercial bus on November 3, 2019.
During a search of Jackson’s Chicago-area home on November 21, 2019, law enforcement recovered two firearms from an attic space in Jackson’s room. Expert testing and examination of the firearms by ATF confirmed that both matched shell casings recovered from the murder scene and the murder vehicle, and that one of the firearms had fired the bullet which had been recovered from K.U.’s head during his autopsy.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Myers Police Department, with the assistance of the Joliet (Illinois) Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.
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.
Fort Myers Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Loaded FirearmRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Jonnetric Devonte Ivey (30, Fort Myers) to 21 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Ivey to forfeit the firearm and ammunition he possessed during the offense. Ivey pleaded guilty on January 23, 2024.
According to court documents, on March 22, 2023, Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a traffic stop on a scooter being driven by Ivey. Prior to complying with the deputies’ demand to stop the scooter, Ivey made a throwing motion. In the same area where the throwing motion was made, deputies located a loaded Taurus pistol. DNA evidence later linked Ivey to the loaded pistol.
Ivey is a convicted felon; therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.
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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Former Tennessee Corrections Officer Sentenced for Using Excessive Force Against Inmate and Writing False Report to Cover It UpRead the Press Release
A former Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) tactical officer, Javian Griffin, 38, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for using excessive force against an inmate and writing a false report to cover it up.
Griffin pleaded guilty to the offense on Oct. 11, 2023. His co-defendant, another former TDOC tactical officer, Sebron Hollands, pleaded guilty on Oct. 2, 2023, to writing a false report.
“The defendant pledged to protect and serve but instead he abused his authority as a corrections officer, violently punching a man in the head and breaking his jaw,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant made matters worse by trying to cover up his tracks with a false report. This sentence sends a clear message that the Justice Department will hold accountable any official inside our jails and prisons who violates an inmate’s civil rights.”
“No correctional officer is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “The defendant assaulted an inmate and then tried to cover it up. This office’s National Security and Civil Rights Unit will continue to prioritize the prosecution of public employees who violate the civil rights of others.”
“When correctional officers abuse their authority, it not only violates our civil rights laws, it undermines the criminal justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office. “The FBI makes it a priority to bring to justice any law enforcement officer who violates the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect.”
According to court documents entered in connection with the guilty plea, Griffin, without justification, punched an inmate in the head, breaking the inmate’s jaw. The inmate did not resist or pose a threat justifying the defendant’s use of force. After the incident, Griffin wrote a false report to cover-up the assault. Griffin’s co-defendant, Hollands, assisted with the cover up by providing false information in his official use of force report to obstruct the investigation of the incident.
The FBI Memphis Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Matthew Tannenbaum and Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Updated May 6, 2024
Topic
CIVIL RIGHTS
Components
Civil Rights Division
Civil Rights - Criminal Section
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
USAO - Tennessee, Western
Press Release Number: 24-576
Former Tennessee Corrections Officer Sentenced for Using Excessive Force Against Inmate and Writing False Report to Cover It UpRead the Press Release
A former Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) tactical officer, Javian Griffin, 38, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release for using excessive force against an inmate and writing a false report to cover it up.
Griffin pleaded guilty to the offense on Oct. 11, 2023. His co-defendant, another former TDOC tactical officer, Sebron Hollands, pleaded guilty on Oct. 2, 2023, to writing a false report.
“The defendant pledged to protect and serve but instead he abused his authority as a corrections officer, violently punching a man in the head and breaking his jaw,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant made matters worse by trying to cover up his tracks with a false report. This sentence sends a clear message that the Justice Department will hold accountable any official inside our jails and prisons who violates an inmate’s civil rights.”
“No correctional officer is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “The defendant assaulted an inmate and then tried to cover it up. This office’s National Security and Civil Rights Unit will continue to prioritize the prosecution of public employees who violate the civil rights of others.”
“When correctional officers abuse their authority, it not only violates our civil rights laws, it undermines the criminal justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office. “The FBI makes it a priority to bring to justice any law enforcement officer who violates the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect.”
According to court documents entered in connection with the guilty plea, Griffin, without justification, punched an inmate in the head, breaking the inmate’s jaw. The inmate did not resist or pose a threat justifying the defendant’s use of force. After the incident, Griffin wrote a false report to cover-up the assault. Griffin’s co-defendant, Hollands, assisted with the cover up by providing false information in his official use of force report to obstruct the investigation of the incident.
The FBI Memphis Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Matthew Tannenbaum and Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Former Korean Air Lines Guam Office Manager Sentenced to 41 Months Imprisonment for Bank Fraud and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Sung Peel Hwang a.k.a. Don Sung Peel Hwang, age 39, from the Republic of Korea and naturalized citizen of the United States, was sentenced to serve 41 months imprisonment. He was charged with Bank Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344(1) and Money Laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957. The Court also ordered 5 years of supervised release, restitution of $615, 271.51 and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee.
Beginning in September 2015 and continuing until December of 2018, Defendant Hwang engaged in a scheme to defraud his employer and to embezzle over $600,000.00. Hwang was an administrator in the Korean Air Lines (KAL) Guam office at the Guam International Airport. KAL operated commercial passenger flights between Guam and South Korea. All airlines operating out of GIAA are required to report the number of passengers on their flights and to pay a corresponding Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) to GIAA. As an administrator at the Guam KAL office, Hwang’s duties included reporting the number of passengers and paying the corresponding PFC, procuring, and paying for other office supplies and services, and acting as one of two co-signatories on KAL Guam’s business checking account at the Bank of Guam. As one part of his scheme, Defendant Hwang underreported the PFC owed to GIAA and kept the difference between the actual PFC owed and the PFC paid for himself. Over the course of the three-year scheme Defendant Hwang deposited over $3.5 million in KAL funds into his personal bank account and diverted over $600,000.00 in KAL funds to his own personal use.
“Hwang cheated his employer and GIAA out of a substantial sum of money,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Fortunately, GIAA’s auditing procedures eventually revealed this scheme. The sentence imposed by the Court is a strong message of accountability and deterrence. I applaud our federal law enforcement partners for their hard work in bringing Hwang to justice.”
“The FBI is focused on addressing financial crimes that have an impact on our communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill. “This sentence should give pause to others who consider engaging in similar criminal conduct.”
“Mr. Hwang’s greed may have netted him a temporary windfall, but at great cost to those he stole from and to the detriment of his community,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes. “Today’s sentencing shows that CI is committed to fighting financial crime, and making sure that fraudsters pay the just cost for those crimes.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Guam Resident Agency and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division. This case was prosecuted by Benjamin K. Petersburg, Assistant United States Attorney, District of Guam.
Former Felon Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison Following Shooting of a Lenoir County Deputy and Carjacking Victim and Multi-Day Man HuntRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Kinston man was sentenced today to 720 months in prison after shooting a Lenoir County Sheriff’s Deputy and leading law enforcement on a multi-day man hunt before shooting a neighbor and being apprehended with a loaded semi-automatic weapon with the safety set to fire. On October 16, 2023, Robert Lee Strother pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carjacking, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
“Robert Strother was one-man crime spree – shooting a Lenoir County deputy in the neck with an assault rifle, leading law enforcement on a multi-day manhunt, and carjacking a neighbor at gunpoint before shooting him,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “I personally met with the victims in this case and know the toll it has taken on them and their families. They are remarkable people who are lucky to be alive. We won’t tolerate violent carjacking or attacks on law enforcement in Eastern North Carolina. These cases will always be among our highest priorities – our cops and our communities deserve no less.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Strother, 34, was standing in the driveway of a residence in La Grange when Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of a woman being held against her will during the evening hours of November 19, 2020. As Deputy Steven Key exited his patrol vehicle and approached the residence, Strother, who was wearing a tactical vest, reached into a parked vehicle, retrieved an AR-style rifle, and fired a round at Deputy Key, striking him in the neck. The bullet then traveled through the deputy and into a residence through a bedroom where a child was sleeping, through the living room and into a pantry. Strother then fled on foot and a multi-day, multi-agency manhunt followed.
The next morning, deputies searching for Strother heard multiple gunshots fired in the same residential area, and Lenoir County dispatchers received a 911 call notifying them that a man had been shot outside his residence and that his truck had been stolen. The victim would later describe to investigators that Strother rushed out of the woods with a high-powered rifle, demanded his truck, and shot him multiple times in the abdomen and hand as he was surrendering control of the vehicle. Following the shooting, deputies found a tactical vest similar to what Strother had been seen wearing when he shot Deputy Key. The vest contained Strother’s identification card from the Case Turkey Plant and three AR-style thirty round magazines loaded with ammunition.
The following day, dispatchers received another 911 call reporting that Strother had been seen with a firearm in the yard of a Kinston residence. Law enforcement responded to the residence and observed Strother attempt to flee the area while carrying an AR-style rifle. Strother turned and raised the rifle towards law enforcement vehicles and personnel. Officers fired multiple rounds, striking Strother, and causing him to drop the rifle. Strother was taken into custody and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel reported that Strother tried to head butt one of the EMS personnel as they tried to treat him. Officers processed the scene where Strother was arrested and collected his prison ID card and a DPMS, caliber 7.62X39MM, model A-15 semiautomatic rifle with a round loaded in the chamber, a loaded magazine with 14 rounds and the safety switch set to fire. Ballistics testing by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation later confirmed that the shell casings from the shootings of Deputy Key and Mr. Goff matched Strother’s rifle. At the time of these shootings, Strother was on post-release supervision in the state of North Carolina for a 2014 conviction for felony assault on a law enforcement officer.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charity Wilson and Caroline Webb prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:20-CR-119-D.
Former Bridgeport City Councilman Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Charge Related to Primaries and Election in 2017 and 2018Read the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL DeFILIPPO, 37, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to a civil rights offense related to DeFilippo’s run for Bridgeport City Council in 2017 and 2018.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from June 2018 until July 2021, DeFilippo was a member of the Bridgeport City Council representing the 133rd District, which is near the Sacred Heart University campus. DeFilippo also owned several rental properties that he leased to students at Sacred Heart University. Although Bridgeport’s City Council elections are typically held in odd-numbered years, because of repeated absentee ballot irregularities in the Democratic primary for the 133rd District, the September 2017 primary was re-run in November 2017, and re-run again in April 2018, and the general election took place in June 2018. On April 10, 2018, DeFilippo was selected as one of the two Democratic nominees for the 133rd District and, on June 26, 2018, he was elected to the Bridgeport City Council.
In the 2017 and 2018 primaries and the 2018 general election, DeFilippo stole and falsified Voter Registration Applications (“VRAs”) and absentee balloting documents, forged signatures, and submitted fraudulent election documents to election officials in the name of some of his tenants who resided in the 133rd District. DeFilippo’s conduct caused Bridgeport and Connecticut election officials acting under color of law to deprive DeFilippo’s tenants of their right to vote (by counting stolen ballots), and to deprive all 133rd District voters of their right to have their votes fully counted (by diluting election results with fraudulent registrations and ballots).
DeFilippo pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law. At sentencing, which is not scheduled, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000. DeFilippo is released on bond pending sentencing.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and Heather L. Cherry.
Florida Hospital System Agrees to Pay $1.5 Million to Resolve Liability Relating to Self-Disclosure of Improper DiscountsRead the Press Release
Baptist Health System Inc. (Baptist Health), located in Florida, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing its subsidiaries to offer discounts to patients to induce them to purchase or refer Baptist Health services reimbursed by federal health care programs. In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that Baptist Health took significant steps entitling it to credit for cooperating with the government’s investigation.
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits parties who participate in federal healthcare programs from knowingly and willfully paying or receiving any remuneration in return for referring an individual to, or arranging for the furnishing of, any item or services for which payment is made by the federal healthcare programs. The United States alleged that Baptist Health subsidiaries provided discounts of up to 50% or more on patient cost sharing obligation balances for certain categories of Medicare beneficiaries, chosen by Baptist Health, without regard to any financial need consideration, during the period from Jan. 1, 2016, through Aug. 15, 2022. The United States contends that Baptist Health subsidiaries provided these discounts in exchange for the beneficiaries’ purchase or referral of services by certain categories of Medicare beneficiaries from Baptist Health subsidiaries.
Baptist Health voluntarily self-disclosed this conduct to the United States. In addition, Baptist Health cooperated with the government’s investigation and took remedial measures, including discontinuing its discount policy, conducting an internal compliance review and providing the United States with a detailed disclosure statement and other supplemental information to assist the United States in its investigation.
“The department will continue to rely on the False Claims Act to address the use of prohibited remuneration to induce federal healthcare business,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We encourage providers to mitigate the consequences of prior improper conduct by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with our investigations and adopting enhanced compliance procedures.”
“This settlement is a great example of our office’s commitment to protecting and preserving taxpayer-funded healthcare programs,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Self-disclosures like this not only help crucial federal healthcare programs to recoup funds, but are also in the best interests of healthcare providers themselves.”
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, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.
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).
Trial Attorney Michael Hoffman of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Tapie for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Settlement