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14 June 2024
Registered Sex Offender sentenced to 5+ years in prison for possession of images of child sexual abuseRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 59-year-old Shoreline, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 66 months in prison for possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Bruce Arthur Williamson came to the attention of federal law enforcement in October 2019 when Williamson communicated with an undercover agent in Tennessee regarding images of child sexual abuse. Law enforcement traced the communications to a residence Williamson shared with other sex offenders in Shoreline. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones imposed 15 years of supervised release to follow the prison term.
At the sentencing hearing Judge Jones said, “Young children are not pieces of candy in a dish that you get to pick to violate… You participated in a market that makes it a dangerous place for children.” Judge Jones expressed concern that despite a prior conviction, sentencing and treatment, Williamson had failed to register as a sex offender and again sought out child sex abuse material.
The FBI executed a federal search warrant on the residence in May 2020. A forensic investigation by law enforcement determined that various electronic devices owned by Williamson contained images of child sexual abuse. Williamson fled following the search and was ultimately located living homeless in November 2023 when he came into federal custody.
Williamson pleaded guilty in February 2024. The plea to federal charges also resolves a state charge of failing to register as a sex offender.
In asking the court for the 78-month sentence Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson wrote to the court, “Those who collect and share images and videos of children being assaulted further a market that thrives on the sexual abuse of children. The collection of this material drive demand for new material and normalize horrific acts of sexual exploitation. And it subjects victims of child abuse to perpetual re-victimization, knowing that the digital record of their worst moments forever travels the globe to whet the sexual appetite of child predators. The defendant has proven by his repeated crimes against minors that he is an unapologetic child predator.”
The FBI investigated this case.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Y. Gregson.
Registered Sex Offender Indicted for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man, who is a Level 3 sex offender, was indicted yesterday in federal court in Boston for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Bryan Horgan, 58, was charged with possession of child pornography. Horgan was initially charged by complaint and arrested on April 26, 2024. He has remained in custody since that time.
According to the charging documents, Horgan was identified as the owner of a Microsoft account uploading child pornography. During a search of Horgan’s residence, it is alleged that one of his electronic devices contained several video files of child pornography depicting children as young as infants. It is further alleged that another device contained filenames with words and phrases indicative of child pornography.
Horgan was previously convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of rape of a child, assault to rape a child, indecent assault and battery on a child, disseminating obscene material to a minor, and possession of child pornography.
Due to Horgan’s prior convictions, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $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 and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit is 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.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Poteau Resident Sentenced for Murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Christian Scott Dunham, age 22, of Poteau, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison for the August 2022 killing of his neighbor.
The charges arose from investigations by the Poteau Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On February 13, 2023, Dunham pleaded guilty to Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree. According to investigators, in the early morning hours of August 20, 2022, Dunham shot and killed the victim with a .22 caliber revolver. The crime occurred in Le Flore County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Dunham 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 Joshua Satter represented the United States.
Plymouth Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison in Connection with July 2021 ShootingRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Plymouth man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon that he allegedly used to shoot a rival gang member on the afternoon of Sunday, July 25, 2021. On March 12, 2024, Melvin Donnell Gilliam, age 35, pled guilty to the charges.
“We’re meeting gun violence head on, working side by side with local law enforcement to dismantle violent gangs and get shooters off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “Many thanks to the FBI and our local partners for helping to keep our streets safe all across North Carolina. We’ll keep up the work until every community can live, work, and play in peace.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Gilliam, a member of the Nine-Trey Bloods and another individual went to a home in the White City neighborhood of Plymouth, where two members of a rival gang, the Eight-Trey Crips, were located. Gilliam engaged in a verbal altercation with the rivals and then brandished a firearm as the other man he arrived with knocked one of the rivals to the ground. Gilliam is then alleged to have opened fire at one of the rivals, striking him in the back and left thigh. When officers arrived, they discovered a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm pistol with blood on it in a trashcan in the backyard of the residence where the shooting took place. Officers also found three shell casings that matched the gun in the trashcan. The N.C. State Crime Lab tested the blood on the firearm and hypothesized that it was much more likely Gilliam’s DNA than not.
Gilliam is charged in state court with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, discharging a firearm within city limits, assault with a deadly weapon and being a habitual felon. These charges remain pending.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The FBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart 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. 2:22-CR-16-FL.
Penobscot Man Faces 10-20 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material Following Guilty VerdictRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Penobscot man was found guilty today of possession of child sexual abuse material. The verdict came after a one-and-a-half-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Bangor with Judge Lance E. Walker presiding.
According to evidence presented at trial, between May 2013 and April 2023, Kevin Lee Ross, 62, knowingly possessed child sexual abuse material. Ross was on supervised release for a 2014 conviction also for possession of child sexual abuse material when probation officers from Bangor searched his home and vehicle and found a cell phone, laptop computer, and external hard drive that contained child sexual abuse material, including both images and videos. Evidence showed that Ross had possessed the laptop and hard drive prior to serving his federal sentence and had started using the devices again where he was released from prison in 2021.
Ross faces a minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison followed by five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.
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Owners of “Empire Market” Charged in Chicago with Operating $430 Million Dark Web MarketplaceRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Two men have been charged in federal court in Chicago with operating “Empire Market,” a dark web marketplace that enabled users to anonymously buy and sell more than $430 million in illegal goods and services around the world.
THOMAS PAVEY, also known as “Dopenugget,” 38, of Ormond Beach, Fla., and RAHEIM HAMILTON, also known as “Sydney” and “Zero Angel,” 28, of Suffolk, Va., owned and operated Empire Market from 2018 to 2020, during which time they facilitated approximately four million transactions between vendors and buyers valued at more than $430 million, according to a superseding indictment returned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The indictment charges Pavey and Hamilton with conspiring with each other and others to engage in drug trafficking, computer fraud, access device fraud, counterfeiting, and money laundering. The charges in the superseding indictment are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
Pavey and Hamilton are in U.S. law enforcement custody. Arraignments in federal court in Chicago have not yet been scheduled.
The superseding indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, Ruth Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York office of Homeland Security Investigations. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melody Wells and Ann Marie Ursini.
According to the charges, Pavey and Hamilton previously worked together to advertise and sell counterfeit U.S. currency on AlphaBay, a dark web marketplace for illicit goods that was shut down in 2017. They began operating Empire Market on Feb. 1, 2018, the indictment states. Thousands of vendors and buyers accessed Empire Market through a specialized anonymizing software and the site’s address, which ended in “.onion.” Vendors on Empire Market offered to sell various illicit goods and services, including controlled substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and LSD, as well as counterfeit currency and stolen credit card information, the indictment states. Buyers could browse the available goods and services by category, including “Fraud,” “Drugs & Chemicals,” “Counterfeit Items,” and “Software & Malware,” among others, the indictment states. After transactions were completed using cryptocurrency, buyers could review and rate their purchases on multiple criteria, including “stealth,” the indictment states.
During the investigation, federal law enforcement seized cryptocurrency valued at $75 million at the time of the seizures, as well as cash and precious metals.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Pavey et al superseding indictmentOmaha Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Bogar Mendez-Marquez, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced June 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Chief United State District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Mendez-Marquez to 87 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mendez-Marquez is released from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
Between July 18, 2022, through February 27, 2023, Mendez-Marquez reached an agreement to distribute over 50 grams of actual meth to others within the District of Nebraska. Mendez-Marquez voluntarily and intentionally joined this agreement and knew the purpose of the agreement was to distribute meth.
On or about July 18, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in Omaha in which Mendez-Marquez was located. Officers seized 2 grams of meth from Mendez-Marquez.
Mendez-Marquez admitted that he mailed 5 pounds of meth for the drug trafficking organization.
On or about February 27, 2023, law enforcement conducted a controlled buy against Mendez-Marquez and a co-conspirator in Omaha. Law enforcement organized the drug deal with Mendez-Marquez’s co-conspirator and the co-conspirator informed the undercover agent that they needed to acquire more meth from their source of supply, which was Mendez-Marquez. The co-conspirator met with Mendez-Marquez and acquired approximately a quarter pound of meth and sold it to the undercover agent. Lab results confirmed the substance was 100.5 grams of actual meth.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Oklahoma City Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Impede Federal Tax LawsRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – KEVIN LANE BIERIG, of Oklahoma City, has pleaded guilty to corruptly endeavoring to obstruct or impede the due administration of the federal tax laws, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On April 4, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a four-count Indictment against Bierig, charging him with one count of corruptly endeavoring to obstruct or impede the due administration of the federal tax laws and three counts of failing to file a tax return. According to the Indictment, Bierig has not filed a tax return since at least 2005, despite being required to do so based on his level of income. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initiated enforcement action in 2013, which included the collection of levied funds from Bierig’s paychecks.
Court documents allege that beginning in 2017, Bierig, knowing of the IRS enforcement actions, forged the signature of an IRS revenue officer onto IRS forms, including an IRS Installment Agreement and an IRS Release of Levy, in an attempt to have levied funds paid to himself rather than be sent to the IRS.
On June 13, 2024, Bierig pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment. As part of his plea, Bierig admitted that he has earned substantial income since 2004, yet has not filed a federal tax return since that year. He further admitted that he knew the IRS had been investigating him since at least 2017, and that the IRS was attempting to collect the delinquent taxes. He admitted he forged official IRS forms and sent the fraudulent forms to his billing company in an effort to have the frozen funds sent to himself instead of the IRS.
At sentencing, Bierig faces to up three years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Brown prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Odessa Woman Indicted for Unlawfully Removing Her Children from the United StatesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Krupaben Himanshu Bhatt (37, Odessa) with international parental kidnapping. If convicted on all counts, Bhatt faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, in January of 2024, Bhatt unlawfully removed her two minor children from the United States with the intent to obstruct the parental rights of the father of the children.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.
North Dakota US Attorney’s Office Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
Information and vigilance remain key elements to preventing elder abuse.
BISMARCK: – Mac Schneider, U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota, joined national, state, local, and Tribal leaders today in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Since 2006, WEAAD has been commemorated to promote awareness and increases understanding of the many forms of elder abuse as well as the resources available to those at risk.
Highlighting the partnership between law enforcement and the public, U.S. Attorney Schneider emphasizes the importance of awareness and education. The District of North Dakota partners with North Dakota Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services, and with our local, state, federal and Tribal law enforcement partners to proactively identify possible victims of abuse, fraudulent financial scams, or other family and/or non-family financial exploitation of someone who might be a vulnerable adult.
“Criminals who target seniors aren’t just taking money, they’re often stealing the fruits of a lifetime of hard work,” Schneider said. “Whether it is a family member engaged in elder abuse or an overseas schemer, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota is committed to prosecuting those who prey on senior citizens. Outside of the courtroom, we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to educate North Dakotans on how to avoid being caught in a scam and protect their assets.”
“North Dakota Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services (APS) is dedicated to addressing the safety of vulnerable adults who are at-risk of harm due to the presence or threat of abuse, neglect or exploitation,” HHS Adult and Aging Services Assistant Director Michelle Gayette said. “We are grateful for our partners in law enforcement and multidisciplinary teams who help us address reported concerns. Information on how to file a report can be found at hhs.nd.gov/reporting. If someone is in immediate danger, contact law enforcement first before making a report to Adult Protective Services.”
Elder abuse is an act that knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older person by a family member, caregiver, or other person in a trust relationship. Such harm may be financial, physical, sexual, or psychological. The Justice Department maintains a variety of programs and initiatives to combat elder abuse.
The Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force marshals federal and state agencies working collaboratively to investigate and prosecute foreign-based schemes that target older Americans. In addition to aggressively investigating the individuals, organizations, and networks responsible for these crimes, this initiative provides the public with information to guard against both traditional scams, like tech support fraud, as well as trending schemes, such as romance scams.
Using one scam to perpetrate or conceal another, some fraudsters rely on money mules to move the proceeds of their illegal activity. Preying on the good will or financial vulnerability of their targets, scammers recruit people, many times older victims, to participate in schemes to move money in ways that avoid notice. The Money Mule Initiative identifies and addresses money mule activity to disrupt these fraud schemes, and helps people to recognize and avoid participation in perpetuating fraud.
To help older individuals and their families identify and avoid fraudulent activity, the Justice Department provides Senior Scam Alerts with information about the tactics used in specific schemes. For example, in Social Security Administration Impostor schemes, scammers impersonate government administrators and falsely reporting suspicious activity to request that the victims provide their Social Security number for confirmation. In Tech Support scams, fraudsters contact victims, sometimes through internet pop-up messages, to warn about non-existent computer problems, ask that the victim give them remote access to their computer, and identify a non-existent problem, then demand large sums of money for unnecessary services. In Lottery scams, telemarketers falsely notify victims that they have won a sweepstakes and tell them they must first pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes before they can claim their prizes.
To learn more about the department’s elder justice efforts please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.
The District of North Dakota continues to work with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners, and North Dakota Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services to investigate and prosecute elder abuse crimes. A recent prosecution of a Woman who was Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing $134,000 from Her Elderly Mother-in-law and Father-in-law can be seen here.
To report elder fraud, contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311 and visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
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Nigerian Man Admits to Role in Money Laundering and Passport Fraud ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Nigerian man, formerly of Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today to his role in separate schemes to launder criminal proceeds from fraud and obtaining a United States passport through false statements.
Chukwunonso Obiora, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of passport fraud conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy. United States District Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Oct. 8, 2024. Obiora was arrested on a complaint in October 2023 in Atlanta, Ga. and was ordered held pending trial. He was indicted in January 2024.
According to the charging documents, between at least as early as March 2021 and May 2023, Obiora and several co-conspirators agreed to receive and withdraw the proceeds of business email compromises (BECs) from bank accounts that they controlled, and to direct those funds to other co-conspirators, in exchange for a cut of the criminal proceeds.
BECs are a type of fraud scheme that targets companies that make regular business payments by wire. Cybercriminals use email to impersonate trusted parties to the payments in order to trick the victim companies into sending money to bank accounts controlled by participants in the scheme.
The defendant’s money laundering conspiracy—of which he admitted to being a leader and organizer—involved the following steps:
- obtaining individual victims’ means of identification and using that information to create fake driver’s licenses, incorporate businesses and open bank accounts in the victims’ names;
- providing the bank accounts to co-conspirators involved in the BEC schemes as accounts to which victims could be tricked into sending wires;
- withdrawing money quickly from the bank accounts once the wire transfers arrived, before victim companies learned that they had been tricked into sending money; and
- depositing the proceeds into other accounts, and wiring BEC scheme proceeds to the defendant and others in Nigeria, China and elsewhere.
The defendant and his co-conspirators took steps to conceal the existence of the conspiracy, including by forging business invoices and writing false memos on checks to suggest that the BEC scheme proceeds deposited into Destination Accounts were legitimate business revenues; and by making false statements to banks regarding the nature of the BEC scheme proceeds that were deposited into Destination Accounts.
The defendant and his U.S.-based co-conspirators shared at least as much as 40 percent of the deposited BEC scheme proceeds as payment for their roles in the conspiracy. Across just two-plus years, the defendant and his co-conspirators engaged in at least $6.5 million in financial transactions involving the proceeds of BEC schemes.
After immigration authorities removed the defendant from the United States in December 2021, he agreed with a close relative who is an American citizen to obtain a U.S. passport in the relative’s name, which the defendant could use to re-enter the United States illegally. The relative reported his passport lost or stolen and, in May 2023, applied for a new passport at a U.S. Post Office in Watertown, Mass.. The sworn application had the relative’s name on it, but a picture of the defendant. The relative sent the issued passport to the defendant, who, in October 2023, used the passport to travel from Nigeria to Detroit, Mich., where the defendant presented himself as his relative at the U.S. border.
The charge of passport fraud conspiracy provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the amount of the financial transactions that were the object of the conspiracy, forfeiture and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ROBERT HALL (“HALL”), age 24, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on June 12, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk, after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court records, HALL had previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). On March 7, 2023, an officer with the New Orleans Police Department, aided by the Real Time Crime Center cameras, saw individuals with whom HALL was associating who were armed with concealed weapons. When stopped by police, HALL had a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun in his pocket. Records checks confirmed that HALL had several prior felony convictions, including convictions for robbery and being a convicted felon with a firearm.
Judge Africk sentenced HALL to 57 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
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.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking of Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 13, 2024, to a violation of federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Ryan Mendoza, 31, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on February 25, 2021, members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police recovered over 6,400 stamp bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl from a hotel room in Pittsburgh. The room had been rented by Mendoza the previous night. Mendoza was ultimately taken into custody and admitted to possession of the recovered drugs.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mendoza.
Nevada U.S. Attorney's Office Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada joins national, state, local, and Tribal leaders in increasing awareness and understanding the many forms of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
“Every year, millions of seniors experience some form of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or fraud,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Our Elder Justice Initiative brings together local, state, federal and Tribal law enforcement to share information and increase coordination in addressing elder abuse and fraud in Nevada. We know the partnership between law enforcement and the public are vital to combating these types of crimes and are important in raising awareness. We participate in community events and presentations to raise awareness on how to recognize and prevent abuse and fraud crimes against seniors.”
Elder abuse is an act that knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older person by a family member, caregiver, or other person in a trust relationship. Such harm may be financial, physical, sexual, or psychological. The Justice Department maintains a variety of programs and initiatives to combat elder abuse.
The Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force marshals federal and state agencies working collaboratively to investigate and prosecute foreign-based schemes that target older Americans. In addition to aggressively investigating the individuals, organizations, and networks responsible for these crimes, this initiative provides the public with information to guard against both traditional scams, like tech support fraud, as well as trending schemes, such as romance scams.
Using one scam to perpetrate or conceal another, some fraudsters rely on money mules to move the proceeds of their illegal activity. Preying on the good will or financial vulnerability of their targets, scammers recruit people, many times older victims, to participate in schemes to move money in ways that avoid notice. The Money Mule Initiative identifies and addresses money mule activity to disrupt these fraud schemes, and helps people to recognize and avoid participation in perpetuating fraud.
To help older individuals and their families identify and avoid fraudulent activity, the Justice Department provides Senior Scam Alerts with information about the tactics used in specific schemes. For example, in Social Security Administration Impostor schemes, scammers impersonate government administrators and falsely reporting suspicious activity to request that the victims provide their Social Security number for confirmation. In Tech Support scams, fraudsters contact victims, sometimes through internet pop-up messages, to warn about non-existent computer problems, ask that the victim give them remote access to their computer, and identify a non-existent problem, then demand large sums of money for unnecessary services. In Lottery scams, telemarketers falsely notify victims that they have won a sweepstakes and tell them they must first pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes before they can claim their prizes.
In addition to prosecuting elder abuse and fraud cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, through its Elder Justice Initiative, partners with law enforcement agencies, government entities, and community organizations to ensure that older adults, caretakers, and those who come in frequent contact with the elderly are educated on how to detect, prevent, and report elder fraud, neglect, and abuse.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
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Naval Captain Convicted by Federal Jury of Cyberstalking and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – June 14, 2024
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy Captain Theodore E. Essenfeld was convicted by a federal jury today of cyberstalking and stealing the identity of his former girlfriend.
During the four-day trial, the United States presented evidence that Essenfeld created imposter accounts with Facebook, LinkedIn, email, and cellular phone accounts using the woman’s name, biographical information, and photographs without her knowledge or consent. Posing as the victim, Essenfeld posted erotic and sexually explicit content to the Facebook account, as well as graphic media files or “memes.”
In addition to the materials posted on the imposter Facebook account, the United States presented evidence that Essenfeld joined Facebook dating groups using the imposter account and interacted with numerous other Facebook users while impersonating the victim, including “liking” other users’ posts, sending messages with kissy-face emojis, and sending group messages. Essenfeld linked the imposter Facebook and LinkedIn accounts to the victim’s prospective employer by following and engaging with the prospective employer’s social media accounts. He also linked the fake accounts to other aspects of the victim’s life by “liking” posts by her former co-workers, her university, the U.S. Navy, and fitness studios she previously attended.
Over 1,200 Facebook users ultimately became “friends” with the imposter account, including the victims’ former colleagues. The evidence showed that the victim reported the imposter account to Facebook over 400 times, but Facebook refused to take down the account because it appeared more authentic than the victim’s actual account due to the volume of images and level of Essenfeld’s engagement on the platform.
“The impact of cyberstalking can be as crushing as a physical blow,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Thanks to the persistent courage of this victim, the jury saw the damage Mr. Essenfeld inflicted in every aspect of her life – from her workplace to her gym – and today, they held him accountable for his acts of deceit and destruction.”
“Mr. Essenfeld deserves to be held to account for his cruel campaign to stalk, harass, and intimidate his victim,” said Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Carter of the NCIS Southwest Field Office. “NCIS and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting victims of cyberstalking and rooting out criminality that threatens Department of the Navy readiness.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sabrina Feve and Michael A. Deshong.
Essenfeld’s sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Robert S. Huie.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 23cr0177-RSH
Theodore E. Essenfeld Age: 52 Chula Vista, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Cyberstalking – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2261A(2)(B)
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
Count 2: Identity Theft – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1028(a)(7)
Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
Louisiana Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Shipping Firearms to Upstate New YorkRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rodell Patterson, age 52, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced today to the maximum 60 months in prison for engaging in the firearms business without a license.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed 3 years of supervised release.
Patterson previously admitted to mailing eight packages containing a total of 10 firearms from Baton Rouge to the Capital Region in 2021 and 2022. Two of those firearms were recovered in June 2022 at the Troy, New York, apartment of a man on parole. Patterson acknowledged that he knew these transfers were unlawful, and he admitted to engaging in extensive conversations with the recipient of the packages about the types of firearms and the amount of payment.
Patterson still faces an indictment in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. That charge is merely an accusation of which Patterson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of that charge, Patterson faces up to an additional 15 years in prison.
ATF’s Albany Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana and ATF’s Baton Rouge Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted the case.
Kinston Man Sentenced for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Kinston man was sentenced today to 240 months imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release for distributing child pornography following a multi-agency investigation showing that the man had possessed and/or distributed at least 132 images and 43 videos of child pornography often involving children under the age of 12. Martin Sutton, age 54, pled guilty to the charge on February 7, 2024. The defendant was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to one known victim.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Sutton was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies in June and November of 2020 after receiving reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that he had uploaded child pornography to two different Dropbox accounts. Furthermore, in February 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Utah conducted an online, covert investigation on Kik social media locating individuals trading child pornography in chat groups. They identified Sutton as being part of a group sharing child pornography. The FBI undercover agent engaged in a conversation with Sutton who ended up sending child pornography to the agent. In March 2021, a Homeland Security Task Force Officer from the Boone Police Department, engaged in an undercover operation, also located Sutton distributing child pornography in a different Kik chat group.
Arrest warrants were issued for Sutton based on the totality of the investigations, and he was arrested in June 2021. When he was arrested, Sutton denied any involvement in child sexual exploitation. He claimed someone had stolen his identity and was engaged in the criminal conduct. His cellular device was seized and searched. A forensic analysis showed images and videos of child pornography present on his phone including images of a child that had been entrusted to Sutton’s care.
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 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 Justice.gov/PSC.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II presided over the sentencing. The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security and the FBI investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson 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. 5:22-CR-55-M.
Justice Department Announces Anticipated Distribution of at Least $940M to Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism in 2025Read the Press Release
Today, Special Master Mary Patrice Brown announced that she will authorize fifth-round payments for all eligible claims in the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (the Fund) by Jan. 1, 2025. The Fund, which continues to collect deposits, anticipates that the fifth distribution will be at least $940 million. The amounts available for this distribution come from qualifying federal enforcement actions, including United States v. Binance Holdings Limited.
“The Criminal Division is proud to administer the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, which has provided more than $6 billion to victims of state sponsored terrorism since its founding. As announced today, that total will grow to nearly $7 billion in 2025,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division, through our Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section’s Bank Integrity Unit, is committed to prosecuting financial institutions and individuals whose anti-money laundering and sanctions violations threaten our financial system and national security. I’m proud of the work the section has done to hold accountable those who do business with state sponsors of terrorism and to support victims through its administration of the Fund.”
The Fund was established by Congress and is administered by the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), under the leadership of the Special Master. To date, the Fund has paid more than $6 billion to thousands of victims of state-sponsored terrorism and their families in four rounds of distributions and one round of lump-sum catch-up payments. The anticipated distribution announced today is in addition to these prior distributions. Apart from an initial appropriation of approximately $1 billion from Congress and additional Congressional appropriations for lump sum catch-up payments, funds available for distributions result from certain Justice Department prosecutions and cases and other U.S. government enforcement actions.
In November 2023, the department announced that Binance Holdings Limited (Binance) agreed to plead guilty to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, money transmitting business registration requirements, and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Bank Integrity Unit (BIU) of the Criminal Division’s MLARS, the National Security Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington led the investigation and prosecution of Binance. Binance admitted to prioritizing growth and profits over compliance with U.S. law, including by failing to register as a money transmitting business, failing to implement an effective anti-money laundering program, and failing to implement controls that would have prevented U.S. customers from transacting with customers in sanctioned jurisdictions, including Iran, which is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. Binance agreed to forfeit $898 million as a result of its violation of IEEPA. Today, the department announced that MLARS has determined that the full amount of Binance’s IEEPA forfeiture qualifies for deposit into the Fund.
The Fund continues to accept applications from potential new victim claimants. As the Special Master announced, the deadline for new claimants to submit applications to be considered for fifth-round payments is July 1. Claimants who were eligible for payments in prior rounds remain eligible for the fifth distribution and should not complete new applications.
More information about the Fund’s compensation to victims of state sponsored terrorism is available on the Fund’s website at www.usvsst.com, including application materials, frequently asked questions, and publications.
Jefferson County man charged with federal violations in connection with postal carjackingRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been charged with federal violations related to a carjacking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today.
Jody Lee Bass, 34, was named in a complaint on June 10, 2024, charging him with carjacking and assault on a federal officer. Bass appeared in federal court on June 12, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on June 8, 2024, Bass approached a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service on Avenue F in Beaumont. Bass is alleged to have used a knife to rob the mail carrier of the USPS mail delivery truck while the victim was delivering mail on his route. Bass grabbed the mail carrier and attempted to stab him. The mail carrier escaped, and Bass drove off with the mail truck.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Eastern District of Texas’ Carjacking Task Force.
If convicted of both charges, Bass faces up to 35 years in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Beaumont Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross.
A complaint or indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Jefferson County Scrap Metal Company Pays False Claims Act Damages for Receiving Brass Shell Casings from Fort DrumRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Northstar Auto and Salvage LLC, of Evans Mills, New York, has agreed to pay $45,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by receiving government property from unauthorized individuals.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Joel Kirch of the Northeast Field Office of the Department of the Army, Criminal Investigation Division made the announcement.
When the Army conducts live-fire exercises at Fort Drum, brass shell cartridges (“brass”) are collected and returned to a centralized processing facility, where the brass is prepared for sale on the open scrap metal recycling market, thereby recovering money for the Government. Northstar Auto and Salvage LLC (Northstar) purchases and processes scrap metal, but Northstar never had a contract to purchase Fort Drum brass. From 2017-2019, a Fort Drum civilian employee and two soldiers took approximately 29,000 pounds of brass from the centralized processing facility. Neither the civilian employee nor the soldiers were authorized to dispose of the brass. These individuals sold the brass to Northstar, delivering it in personally-owned pickup trucks, not military vehicles. Northstar then sold the brass on the open market, receiving $24,012 in profit. Northstar did not make any effort to verify whether the individuals were authorized to dispose of the brass, beyond accepting their verbal assurances that they were authorized.
The knowing receipt of public property from a federal employee or member of the Armed Forces who lawfully may not sell such property, including acting with deliberate ignorance, violates the False Claims Act. 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(F).
The investigation and settlement was the result of a coordinated effort among the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, and the Northeast Field Office of the Department of the Army, Criminal Investigation Division. The New York State Police provided substantial assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Moran represented the United States in this matter.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on June 11 was:
Ashley Jocelyn Cortez, 24, of Box Elder, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted of the most serious crime, Cortez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release on the drug charges, and a mandatory minimum of five years to life in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Cortez was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Havre Police Department, Hill County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Rocky Boy’s Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-46.
Brooke Olson Newton, 29, of Bainville, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of fentanyl. If convicted of the most serious crime, Newton faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Newton was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Peck Police Department and Williston, N.D., Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-35.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on June 13 was:
Kyle Thomas Ball, 22, of Billings, on charges of false statement during a firearms transaction and possession of firearm with obliterated serial number. If convicted of the most serious crime, Ball faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Ball was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department investigated the case. PACER case reference. 24-64.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Idaho U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
BOISE – Josh Hurwit, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, joined national, state, local, and Tribal leaders today in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Since 2006, WEAAD has been commemorated to promote awareness and increased understanding of the many forms of elder abuse affecting Americans, as well as the resources available to those at risk.
In a new PSA released today, U.S. Attorney Hurwit highlighted the partnership between law enforcement and the public and emphasized the importance of reporting fraud and abuse affecting older Idahoans.
“My office and the entire Department of Justice are committed to prosecuting those who abuse the elderly, including by financial exploitation, but we need help from our community,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Check-in on older adults who may be vulnerable and look for unusual financial transactions – unexplained withdrawals, purchases of gold bars or cryptocurrency, or uncharacteristic efforts to wire large amounts of money. We want to draw attention to these types of cases, as they can create devastating loss for our older population.”
Elder abuse is an act that knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older person by a family member, caregiver, or other person in a trust relationship. Such harm may be financial, physical, sexual, or psychological. The Justice Department maintains a variety of programs and initiatives to combat elder abuse.
The Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force marshals federal and state agencies working collaboratively to investigate and prosecute foreign-based schemes that target older Americans. In addition to aggressively investigating the individuals, organizations, and networks responsible for these crimes, this initiative provides the public with information to guard online fraud like tech support scams and romance scams.
Using one fraud to perpetrate or conceal another, some fraudsters rely on money mules to move the proceeds of their illegal activity. Preying on the good will or financial vulnerability of their targets, these criminals recruit people, many times older victims, to participate in schemes to move money in ways that are less likely to be notices. The Money Mule Initiative identifies and addresses money mule activity to disrupt these fraud schemes, and helps people to recognize and avoid participating in and perpetuating such fraud.
To help older individuals and their families identify and avoid fraudulent activity, the Justice Department provides Senior Scam Alerts with information about the tactics used in specific schemes. For example:
- in Social Security Administration Impostor schemes, scammers impersonate government administrators and falsely reporting suspicious activity to request that the victims provide their Social Security number for confirmation;
- in tech support scams, fraudsters contact victims, sometimes through internet pop-up messages, to warn about non-existent computer problems, ask that the victim give them remote access to their computer, and identify a non-existent problem, then demand large sums of money for unnecessary services; and
- in lottery scams, telemarketers falsely notify victims that they have won a sweepstakes and tell them they must first pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes before they can claim their prizes.
To learn more about the Department’s elder justice efforts please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.
The District of Idaho continues to work with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute elder abuse crimes.
In August, a Boise couple is scheduled to be sentenced for wire fraud and obstruction of justice relating to defrauding an elderly victim, who was a retired school teacher, out of her home. James and Jessica Dougherty both face up to 20 years in federal prison.
According to court records, James Dougherty and his wife, Jessica Dougherty, moved into a building on the elderly victim’s 46-acre ranch in Boise purportedly to provide the victim with assistance with her ranch and horses in exchange for free rent. Instead, James Dougherty stole her ranch through ostensibly legitimate estate planning documents and kicked her out of her home.
After James and Jessica were arrested in August 2022, and while in pretrial custody, Jessica Dougherty made a call from the Ada County jail and requested that an individual “flash” or “reset” a Dell laptop computer located at the ranch. Within hours, an individual followed Jessica Dougherty’s request and records relevant to the investigation involving the victim were permanently destroyed from the Dell laptop computer.
Jessica Dougherty admitted to knowingly causing the destruction of the records with the intent to obstruct the investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and prosecuting cases like this to protect older Idahoans and to seek justice for them if they fall prey to wrongdoing. These efforts depend on community members looking out for their loved ones and neighbors and reporting suspected elder fraud or elder abuse.
To report the physical abuse or neglect of elders, and contact local law enforcement or Adult Protective Services (https://aging.idaho.gov/stay-safe/adult-protection/) or 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
To report elder fraud, contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311 and visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
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Hampton felon returning to prison for federal firearm convictionRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Hampton man was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on July 9, 2023, Jerry Stull, 56, was involved in an argument with a security guard outside the Alley nightclub in Newport News. During the argument, Stull lifted his shirt, pointed at the guard, and then ran away. When the guard shouted that Stull had a gun, a nearby Newport News Police officer pursued and apprehended Stull. Stull was in possession of a 9mm handgun.
Stull has numerous previous convictions, including multiple grand larcenies, assault and battery, assault on a law enforcement officer, possession and distribution of controlled substances, child neglect, and five DUIs, and was on supervised probation when he was arrested on July 9, 2023. As a previously convicted felon, Stull cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police; and Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson C. Yates, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, prosecuted the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alyssa Levey-Weinstein and Marcus Johnson assisted in the prosecution of this case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-89.
Guilderland Man Sentenced to 85 Months for Armed Robbery of Drug DealerRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Alexander G. Madera, age 21, of Guilderland, New York, was sentenced today to 85 months in prison for robbing a marijuana dealer and brandishing a pistol in furtherance of the robbery at the dealer’s residence in Guilderland.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and Guilderland Police Chief Daniel P. McNally made the announcement.
As part of his earlier guilty plea, Madera admitted that on January 23, 2022, at about 5 a.m., he and Jorge Rosario, armed with a rifle and pistol, respectively, entered a single-family residence in Guilderland with the goal of robbing a marijuana dealer. After entering the residence, Madera robbed the dealer of $172 in drug money, at gunpoint, in the dealer’s bedroom, while Rosario remained on guard in the living room. Before they could leave the residence, however, they were attacked and disarmed by other residents of the house. They were then restrained until the police arrived and arrested them. Both have remained in custody since that time.
Rosario pled guilty and will be sentenced on July 9, 2024. Under the terms of Rosario’s plea agreement, the parties have jointly recommended that Rosario receive a prison term of between 168 and 188 months, and a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.
Chief United States District Judge Branda K. Sannes also ordered that Madera serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
ATF and the Town of Guilderland Police Department investigated this case, with the assistance of the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmet O’Hanlon and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting the case.
Groveton Man Arrested on Child Exploitation ChargeRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Groveton man was arrested on a complaint charging a federal child exploitation offense, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Brandon Couture, 38, was charged with one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Couture was arrested on June 13, 2024, and will appear in federal court in Concord later today.
According to the charging documents, Couture traveled from New Hampshire to Vermont where he picked up the minor female survivor and drove her back to New Hampshire with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with her.
The charging statute provides a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life in prison. In addition, the charging statute provides for a minimum of five years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Northumberland Police Department and the Essex County, Vermont Sheriff’s Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
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Group of Check Fraudsters Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Several defendants from Mobile were sentenced for their roles in an organized scheme to commit bank fraud. Two leaders of the scheme were each sentenced to serve eight years in federal prison.
According to court documents, Thomas Charles Bridges, 21, Errol Michael Gilyot, 22, and several codefendants committed widespread bank fraud between November 2021 and April 2023 involving checks stolen from the U.S. mail, which the defendants later altered and deposited at various financial institutions. The fraudulent checks bore the personal identifying information of numerous victim businesses and individuals in the Mobile area and elsewhere. Bridges, Gilyot, and their coconspirators used social media and other means to recruit individuals with accounts at various banks, who provided their account information, debit cards, and other support to further the scheme. Victims of the scheme suffered more than $187,000 in financial losses.
For example, in September and October 2022, bank surveillance video captured Bridges making dozens of fraudulent transactions involving counterfeited checks in the Mobile area. On October 12, 2022, police stopped Bridges and Gilyot in a vehicle after they attempted a fraudulent transaction at a bank branch in Mobile. During that stop, police seized more than $4,700 in cash and debit cards belonging to other people. Later, on October 18, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at Bridges’s house in Mobile, seizing a laptop, a printer, several counterfeited checks, and more debit cards belonging to other people.
Agents executed numerous search warrants and obtained voluminous text messages and social media communications between and among Bridges, Gilyot, their codefendants, and others discussing the scheme and recruiting others to take part in it. Additionally, latent fingerprint analysts found Bridges’s and Gilyot’s fingerprints on checks that federal law enforcement obtained from victim banks during the course of the investigation.
At sentencing, United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer reviewed evidence that Bridges and Gilyot continued committing check fraud while they were subject to the court’s release conditions. In addition to their 96-month prison terms, Judge Moorer ordered Bridges and Gilyot to serve five year terms of supervised release upon their release from prison, during which time they will be subject to credit restrictions. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Moorer ordered Bridges and Gilyot to pay $187,941.36 in victim restitution jointly and severally with their codefendants, and a total of $200 in special assessments. The court also forfeited $5,741 and several electronic devices to the United States.
For their roles in the scheme, the court sentenced Bridges’s and Gilyot’s codefendants as follows: LiJordan Alexander Lucas (60 months); Tranealius Lashun Abrams (57 months); Emerson Trevaun Striveson, Jr. (33 months); Ashir Davonte-Jovonta Hogue (24 months); and Amartinez Carson (one day). The court also ordered each of those defendants to serve supervised release terms and pay restitution and special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.The United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service, Mobile Police Department, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and Jackson Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Green Forest Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting and Abusing an 8-Year-Old FemaleRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Green Forest man was sentenced today to 360 months imprisonment without the possibility of parole on two (2) Counts of Sexually Exploiting a Minor via the Production of Child Pornography. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
Per Court documents, in February of 2023, agents and task force officers with Homeland Security Investigations received information that Terencio “Junior” Perez-Cancino, age 33, had uploaded images to Snap Chat servers showing him sexually abusing an approximately eight-year-old female. Officers and agents served a search warrant at Perez-Cancino’s home, and in a post-Miranda interview, he admitted he had created the images depicting his abuse of the minor female approximately two years prior. The minor subsequently disclosed in a forensic interview that Perez-Cancino had sexually abused her over an approximately four-year period.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the Eureka Springs Police Department, and the Green Forest Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Still prosecuted these cases on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted 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 CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
Grand jury indicts 14 members of Thug Riders Motorcycle ClubRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury here has indicted the Midwest Regional “boss” and 13 other members of the “outlaw motorcycle gang” known as the Thug Riders Motorcycle Club (TRMC). The indictment alleges that the TRMC operated a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in acts of violence like murder, arson and assault. Members also allegedly participated in extortion and identity fraud.
The indictment was returned on June 11. Federal and local law enforcement officials arrested all 14 defendants yesterday.
According to the indictment, members of the TRMC Dayton chapter engaged in overt acts in support of their enterprise, including:
- blowing up a former member’s vehicle in Huber Heights in May 2021;
- killing a man during a September 2021 shootout in Harrison Township;
- shooting more than 190 live gunfire rounds into a rival motorcycle gang’s clubhouse in Lexington, Kentucky, in April 2023;
- threatening and extorting former gang members;
- breaking the leg of a patron at Toby’s Tavern in Dayton in June 2023;
- attacking a rival gang member at Chris’s Band Box in Dayton in July 2023;
- engaging in a shootout at a Springfield, Ohio, motorcycle gang’s clubhouse in March 2024; and
- physically assaulting members of another motorcycle gang in London, Ohio, in May 2024.
Individuals charged in the indictment are:
Name
Also Known As
Age
City of residence
Juan A. Robles
Juan the Man
45
Phoenix, Arizona
Joey A. Marshall
King Joe, Diesel
44
Xenia, Ohio
Jared T. Peters
Savage
37
Dayton, Ohio
Brandon W. Fisher
Road Runner
26
Piqua, Ohio
John A. Smith
Chaos
37
Dayton, Ohio
Norman D. Beach
Stormin’ Normin’
49
Dayton, Ohio
Michael S. Henry
Brutal
40
Xenia, Ohio
Daniel B. Hutton
Havok
39
Fairborn, Ohio
Michael L. Reese
Butcher
44
Miamisburg, Ohio
Matthew J. Hawkins
Hawk
32
Pequea, Pennsylvania
Joseph M. Rader
Delta
32
Richmond, Kentucky
Justin J. Baker
Wild Boy
29
Columbus, Ohio
Cody D. Hughes
Tater
28
Columbus, Ohio
Brent A. Egleston
Be Easy
36
Xenia, Ohio
Court documents detail that the TRMC established a Dayton chapter in late 2019. Robles was allegedly instrumental in the creation of the local chapter and is currently the Midwest Regional “boss.” The Dayton chapter maintained clubhouses on Stanley Avenue in Dayton and on Lodge Avenue in Harrison Township.
Robles, Marshall, Peters, Fisher and Smith have each allegedly held leadership roles in the TRMC. Specifically, Marshall served as the Midwest Regional “sergeant at arms”; Peters served as the president of the Dayton chapter; Fisher served as the “sergeant at arms” of the Dayton chapter; and Smith served as “enforcer” of the Dayton chapter.
The Dayton chapter and Midwest Region are both part of the domestic and international outlaw TRMC motorcycle gang that was originally founded in 2003, and remains a violent gang today located throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Morocco, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Germany and the United Kingdom.
According to the indictment, the Midwest Region is made up of chapters in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. Midwest Regional chapter meetings are held regularly and are referred to as “church.” Only full or “patched” TRMC members are allowed to attend “church.” Members pay regular dues and fines to the motorcycle gang.
Chapters and Regions fall under the ultimate authority of the national president who sits at the so-called “mother chapter” in Newark, New Jersey.
Count one of the indictment charges Robles, Marshall, Peters, Fisher, Smith, Beach and Henry with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy. The indictment’s remaining three counts charge defendants with assaults, attempted assaults and conspiracy to commit assaults. The racketeering conspiracy as charged in this case is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; John K. Nokes, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Louisville Field Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck; Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal; and Huber Heights Police Chief Mark Lightner announced the indictment today.
The Springfield, Columbus, Riverside, Fairborn, Xenia, Lexington and Richmond police departments; Greene, Miami and Clark county sheriff’s offices; Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol contributed to the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Dwight Keller and Elizabeth L. McCormick are representing the United States in this case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and gangs that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Georgia CPA Pleads Guilty to Promoting Syndicated Conservation Easement Tax Scheme Involving Fraudulent Charitable DeductionsRead the Press Release
A Georgia man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and filing a false personal tax return related to his participation in the promotion and sale of abusive syndicated conservation easement tax shelters.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Herbert Lewis was a CPA and return preparer at an Atlanta-based accounting firm. Beginning at least in 2014 and through at least 2019, Lewis promoted and sold tax deductions to his wealthy clients in the form of units in illegal syndicated conservation easement tax shelters organized and created by co-defendants Jack Fisher, James Sinnott and others. For their involvement in the scheme, Fisher and Sinnott were sentenced in January to 25 and 23 years in prison respectively.
According to the superseding indictment, the scheme entailed the creation of partnerships that would purchase land and land-owning companies and then donate conservation easements over that land or the land itself. Appraisers would allegedly generate fraudulent and inflated appraisals of the conservation easements that frequently valued the easements at amounts at least 10 times higher than the price actually paid by the partnership for the land or land-owning company – often just months prior to the appraisals. As the superseding indictment charged, the partnerships claimed a charitable contribution tax deduction based on the inflated value of the conservation easement, resulting in a fraudulent tax deduction flowing to the clients who purchased units in the partnership.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lewis knew that, contrary to law, the transactions related to these illegal tax shelters lacked economic substance; that his wealthy clients participated only to obtain a tax deduction and that his clients received only a tax benefit for their participation in the shelters. For example, a client who purchased units in a partnership had a “vote” ostensibly on what to do with the land the partnership owned. However, Lewis knew that the “vote” held by the partnership each year was just for optics and that the land invariably would be donated largely as a conservation easement.
In some cases, to make it appear that his clients had joined the partnerships before the date of the conservation easement donation, which was necessary to claim the tax benefits, Lewis also instructed and caused his clients to falsely backdate documents – such as subscription agreements and checks – related to the partnerships. In 2019 alone, Lewis assisted 15 clients with claiming false deductions on their 2018 returns. In total, Lewis assisted in the preparation of tax returns that claimed nearly $14 million in false deductions based on backdated documents, causing a tax loss to the IRS of nearly $5 million.
Lewis earned over $1 million in commissions for his role in promoting and selling the illegal tax shelters to clients. Lewis also concealed the amount of commissions he had earned from selling units in these shelters by not fully reporting the commissions on his personal returns and instead fraudulently reporting commission income he had earned as income on the tax returns of nominee entities in his children’s names.
Lewis is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and three years in prison for the charge of filing false tax returns. Lewis also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
To date, in addition to the convictions of Fisher and Sinnott noted above, eight additional defendants have pleaded guilty to criminal conduct related to the syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme, including appraiser Walter Douglas “Terry” Roberts, CPAs Stein and Corey Agee, CPA Ralph Anderson, CPA James Benkoil, CPA Victor Smith, CPA William Tomasello and CPA and Attorney Randall Lenz.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia and IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco made the announcement. They thanked U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina for her office’s assistance.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Richard M. Rolwing, Parker Tobin, Jessica Kraft, Grace Albinson and Nicholas J. Schilling Jr., of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
Fulton County Man and Pennsylvania Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Luke Kenna a.k.a. “Lt.,” age 44, of Gloversville, New York, was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for conspiring to commit bank robbery and for illegally possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a prior misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Michael Brown, Jr. a.k.a. “Russ” a.k.a. “Doc Grimson,” age 43, of Exton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for his part in the bank robbery conspiracy.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of their respective guilty pleas, Brown and Kenna each admitted that between November 14 and November 27, 2022, they agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown, New York, with each other and with another conspirator, Brian Tierney a.k.a. “Wodanaz.” As part of that conspiracy, Kenna conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, to commit the robbery; Tierney ordered handgun parts for use in the robbery and sent photographs of a handgun, and a radio scanning and jamming device, to Kenna; and Brown drove to New York to conduct surveillance of the bank with Kenna.
Kenna also admitted that he possessed a rifle on November 6, 2022, after previously being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered that both Brown and Kenna serve 3-year terms of supervised release. Kenna was also ordered to forfeit the rifle he possessed in November 2022.
The third conspirator, Brian Tierney, of Lynchburg, Virginia, pled guilty on April 16, 2024, and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2024, by Chief Judge Sannes.
The FBI Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state, and local investigators, including from the New York State Police, investigated the case. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Fruitland Woman Charged with Assaulting Another Woman with a KnifeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Fruitland was charged by indictment with two counts of assault.
Richelle R. Upshaw, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
According to the indictment, on February 21, 2023, Upshaw assaulted Jane Doe with a dangerous weapon, a knife, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Doe’s head and face.
If convicted of the current charges, Upshaw faces up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
View the IndictmentAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Utica Tax Preparer Sentenced for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Dianna Nolan, 48, of Utica, New York, was sentenced today in federal court in Utica to a 3-year term of probation after previously pleading guilty to filing false federal income tax returns. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.
In pleading guilty previously, Nolan admitted that she worked as a professional tax return preparer in Oneida County, New York, between at least 2014 through 2018. On her personal income tax returns for tax years 2017 and 2018, Nolan intentionally did not report all the income she received as a tax return preparer. Nolan also filed income tax returns on behalf of clients that falsely claimed losses from rental properties, thereby reducing the total taxes owed by these clients and causing losses to the IRS.
As part of her sentence, Nolan was also ordered to pay restitution to the IRS totaling $101,636.00 for tax years 2014 through 2018.
This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Melissa O. Rothbart.
Five Lowcountry Individuals Sentenced for Role in COVID-19 Loan FraudRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Five of eight individuals who were charged for their role in a COVID-19 loan fraud scheme were sentenced this week.
In March 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 to continue paying their employees. Pursuant to the CARES Act, there were two sources of relief. One was through a program called the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and a second was through Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”). The CARES Act also authorized the SBA to issue emergency advances, also referred to as grants, of up to $10,000.00 depending on the number of employees a small business employed.
Evidence presented to the court showed that the below individuals, and their co-defendants, devised and participated in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration, and its approved third-party lenders, in their application and receipt of PPP loan funds and EIDL advances. The evidence introduced showed that these individuals submitted fraudulent loan documents, which included the creation of fraudulent companies as well as the submission of falsified tax documentation, to induce the SBA and its third-party lenders to fund the loans. Between the eight individuals charged, three EIDL advances, and 12 PPP Loans were funded by the SBA or their approved third-party lenders for a total of $295,841.00 in loans.
The five individuals sentenced this week were:
- Staci Harley, 41, of Summerville, was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to wire fraud;
- Anthony Harley, 40, of North Charleston, who was an inmate incarcerated with the South Carolina Department of Corrections at the time he committed these offenses, was sentenced to two years after pleading guilty to wire fraud;
- Benjamin Blue, 42, of Summerville, was sentenced to one year and one day after pleading guilty to wire fraud;
- Sheniqua Mitchell, 37, of North Charleston, was sentenced to 33 months after pleading guilty to wire fraud;
- Roberta Harley, 61, of North Charleston, received a time-served sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
“These sentencings mark another victory against this large-scale criminal operation that tormented the Charleston area with illegal drugs, guns, and financial crimes,” Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to prosecute those who threaten the safety of our communities with illegal trafficking rings.”
“The Secret Service is diligent in our investigation and pursuit of those who engage in fraudulent criminal activity. We appreciate the commitment from our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to see that justice was served in this case,” said Resident Agent in Charge, Ben Stafford, of the Secret Service’s Charleston, SC Resident Office. “These sentencings reflect the seriousness with which the government handles financial crimes and should act as a warning to those who aspire to exploit government relief programs that are put in place to help those in need.”
“These individuals deceptively lined their pockets with federally approved loans during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when so many struggling businesses tried to survive,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to the vigorous pursuit of justice against those who pose harm to our financial systems, and this outcome should send a strong message that offenders will be held fully accountable.”
“This sentencing highlights a significant achievement in dismantling a criminal network engaged in fraudulent activities,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “Our unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of SBA’s programs ensure that fraud is met with the full force of the law. I want to thank our U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their collaboration and dedication to pursing justice in this case.”
“The City of Charleston Police Department is grateful for the collaboration with its federal partners and will continue to assist in bringing to justice Charleston area residents who commit these financial crimes,” said Charleston Police Deputy Chief Andre Jenkins.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced the five individuals and each of their sentences will be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. The judge also ordered a total restitution in the amount of $286, 272.05 be paid.
This case was brought through a joint investigation called Operation Trendsetter, announced in May 2023. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy Bower and Whit Sowards are prosecuting the cases with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
This prosecution was also 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years for Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Treveris Montel Coward, a/k/a “Bad News,” a 31-year-old resident of Raleigh, has been sentenced to 180 months in prison for aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl in the Raleigh area. On April 11, 2017, Coward, assisted in the distribution of fentanyl to a 22-year-old young woman who overdosed and died. Coward pled guilty on October 4, 2022.
“Drug dealers are increasingly selling drugs laced with deadly fentanyl to make them stronger, more addictive, and more profitable. Now thousands of North Carolinians, including kids, are dying from overdoses,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant was the worst kind of coward, rendering aid to an overdose victim only to sell her one final deadly dose. Narcotics dealers take note of this 15-year sentence – if your drugs kill, you will pay a heavy price.”
According to the court documents and other information presented in court, on April 11, 2017, the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) responded to a 911 call for a suspected overdose death. The investigation that followed confirmed that a 22-year-old young woman lost her life due to a fentanyl overdose. Ultimately, law enforcement learned that Coward assisted in the distribution of the fentanyl that led to the woman’s death. On April 10, 2017, the victim had previously received suspected fentanyl from Coward’s girlfriend, Amanda McLeod, and suffered an overdose. Coward and his co-defendant were called to the scene of the overdose. Coward rendered aid and the victim survived. However, despite the victim’s recent overdose, Coward and McLeod provided the victim with additional fentanyl the following day, sourced by Coward’s co-defendant, Reginald Webb, which caused her to overdose and die.
On February 3, 2021, McLeod (5:20-cr-533-D-1) pled guilty to distributing a quantity of fentanyl and aiding and abetting and is awaiting sentencing. On January 5, 2024, Webb (5:21-cr-00148-D-1) pled guilty to distributing fentanyl and heroin and was sentenced to 198 months in prison.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Judge James C. Dever III. The Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci 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 number 5:21-cr-00148-D-2.
Federal Jury Finds Nevada Man Guilty of Conspiring to Distribute and Possessing with the Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Noel Alfredo Garcia (34, Las Vegas, Nevada) guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Garcia faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. Garcia was indicted on March 12, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, Garcia conspired with his co-defendant, Jesus Villapudua, to transport nearly 30 pounds of methamphetamine from Victorville, California, to Lakeland, Florida for distribution. Villapudua coordinated the shipment and enlisted Garcia to transport the methamphetamine. Phone records showed Garcia in constant communication with Villapudua leading up to, and for the duration of the transportation. Ultimately, on January 29, 2024, the Florida Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop on Garcia and the methamphetamine was in the trunk of his vehicle. Prior to this delivery, Garcia made multiple other trips across the United States to transport narcotics and the proceeds of narcotics sales.
Villapudua previously pleaded guilty to the same offenses on May 23, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol, with assistance from the Bradenton Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Chang and Samantha Newman.
Fayetteville Man Involved in Drive-By Shooting Sentenced in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Fayetteville man was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 120 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a felon after his involvement in a drive-by shooting. On March 13, 2024, Daron Owens, 22, pled guilty to the charge.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on November 24, 2021, Daron Owens conducted a drive-by shooting into a vehicle on Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville. Evidence revealed seven bullet holes in the passenger side of the vehicle, and the victim sustained three gunshot wounds.
On December 7, 2021, officers executed an arrest warrant at Owens’ residence. Owens attempted to flee through the back door, however, was quickly apprehended by the officers. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence and recovered two firearms that matched the shell casings recovered from the drive-by shooting from Owens’ bedroom. The officers also recovered and searched Owens’ phone. In a conversation with a subject, the subject sent Owens pictures of the victim’s vehicle and its location on Bragg Boulevard prior to the shooting. Owens responded “done” and a “checkmark emoji” indicating that the shooting was planned and completed by Owens. Additionally, there were pictures on Owens’ phone of him possessing firearms. Owens has previous convictions for larceny, involuntary manslaughter, eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, larceny of a motor vehicle and multiple counts of breaking or entering a motor vehicle.
The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is a collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Fayetteville Police Department investigated the case and former Assistant United States Attorney Chad Rhoades and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaren E. Kelly 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. 5:22-CR-00229-M.
Eastern District of Kentucky Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Carlton S. Shier, IV, U.S. Attorney for the District of Eastern District of Kentucky joined national, state, local, and Tribal leaders today, in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Since 2006, WEAAD has been observed to promote awareness and increase understanding of the many forms of elder abuse, as well as the resources available to those at risk.
Highlighting the partnership between law enforcement and the public, U.S. Attorney Shier emphasized the importance of awareness and education.
“Elder abuse is particularly destructive, as it targets especially vulnerable victims and relies on some manner of trust, only to be accompanied by acute deception,” said U.S. Attorney Shier. And convincingly combatting it requires more than just effective law enforcement; it requires the education and vigilance of the public, who is often in the superior position to detect and prevent it. We must all work together to protect our vulnerable older Americans from this predatory conduct; they really deserve nothing less.”
Elder abuse is an act that knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older person by a family member, caregiver, or other person in a trust relationship. Such harm may be financial, physical, sexual, or psychological. The Justice Department maintains a variety of programs and initiatives to combat elder abuse.
The Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force marshals federal and state agencies, working collaboratively to investigate and prosecute foreign-based schemes that target older Americans. In addition to aggressively investigating the individuals, organizations, and networks responsible for these crimes, this initiative provides the public with information to guard against both traditional scams, like tech support fraud, as well as trending schemes, such as romance scams.
Using one scam to perpetrate or conceal another, some fraudsters rely on money mules to move the proceeds of their illegal activity. Preying on the good will or financial vulnerability of their targets, scammers recruit people, many times older victims, to participate in schemes to move money in ways that avoid notice. The Money Mule Initiative identifies and addresses money mule activity to disrupt these fraud schemes, and helps people to recognize and avoid participation in a perpetuating fraud.
To help older individuals and their families identify and avoid fraudulent activity, the Justice Department provides Senior Scam Alerts with information about the tactics used in specific schemes. For example, in Social Security Administration Impostor schemes, scammers impersonate government administrators and falsely reporting suspicious activity to request that the victims provide their Social Security number for confirmation. In Tech Support scams, fraudsters contact victims, sometimes through internet pop-up messages, to warn about non-existent computer problems, ask that the victim give them remote access to their computer, and identify a non-existent problem, then demand large sums of money for unnecessary services. In Lottery scams, telemarketers falsely notify victims that they have won a sweepstakes and tell them they must first pay fees for shipping, insurance, customs duties, or taxes before they can claim their prizes.
To learn more about the Department’s elder justice efforts, please visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.
The Eastern District of Kentucky continues to work with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute elder abuse crimes. Recent examples of these prosecutions from the Eastern District of Kentucky include:
- U.S. v. Gbadegsein et al.: This case involved the extradition and conviction of Adedunmola Gbadegesin, 34, from Nigeria. He was charged, along with Olatunbosun Oluwakayode Ajayi, 40, of Atlanta; Otunuya Ineh Eqwem Livingstone, 46, of Houston; and Ismaila Fafunmi, 36, of Indianapolis, with conspiracy to commit money laundering. Gbadegesin and his co-conspirators collaborated to create fake online dating profiles that were posted to online dating websites. As part of the conspiracy, they engaged in online chats, emails, and telephone calls with unwitting victims, who were in the United States, including one in Lexington. The conspiracy employed others, in the United States, to receive money from the intended victims and transport that money back to Nigeria, through various means.
- U.S. v. Glass: Donna Sue Glass, of Greenup, Ky., was the owner of Glass Family Care Home. She stole funds from three of her facility’s residents, while acting as their guardian and caregiver. She used one resident’s bank account to purchase items for her personal benefit, including expenses for vacations, her daughter’s beauty pageant competitions, monthly tanning salon memberships, and veterinary care for her pets. She also increased the rent of another resident for whom she served as guardian – to an amount well more than the resident could afford – so that the resident would owe her a debt. She then took funds directly from the resident’s savings account to satisfy this “debt.” When the resident moved to another facility, Glass continued to accept and spend the resident’s retirement benefits, and failed to pay her new facility, under the pretense that she was owed money. Glass was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $87,700 in restitution.
To report elder fraud, contact the dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311 and visit the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
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Court Gives 45 Year Prison Term for Murder at a Bus Stop in SoutheastRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Terrell Poe, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 45 years in prison for his role in the murder of Christopher Washington in September 2020. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
On February 15, 2024, a jury found Poe guilty on three counts of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Poe to 45 years in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, at 2:24 p.m. on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 30-year-old Christopher Washington, was waiting at the bus stop on Southern Avenue, SE when Poe pulled up in a stolen white pickup truck. Poe got out of the truck, armed with an assault rifle, and shot Mr. Washington to death. Just minutes earlier, in a local church parking lot, Poe had switched from his girlfriend’s car into the stolen pickup truck and gone looking for Mr. Washington. Poe passed Mr. Washington as he walked up Indian Head Highway in Maryland, then turned around and followed Mr. Washington, apparently losing sight of him, and then finding him again at the bus stop. After the murder, Poe returned to the church parking lot, dropped off the stolen truck and drove off in his girlfriend’s car.
In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter V. Roman and Wes Faulkner.
Columbus Man with Lengthy, Violent Criminal Past Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident with previous convictions for aggravated assault and other felonies was sentenced to serve more than nine years in prison after he admitted to illegally possessing a firearm.
Devontae Jammell Morris, 29, was sentenced to serve 115 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on June 11. Morris previously pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm on Jan. 29. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Felons with lengthy violent criminal histories who illegally possess guns can expect federal prosecution and should count on stiff sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Law enforcement at every level and across the Middle District of Georgia is working to reduce violent crime and make our communities safer.”
“This is a clear example of what happens when a convicted felon is caught possessing a gun. It’s illegal,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to remove guns from the hands of violent offenders.”
According to documents and statements filed in court, a deputy with the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle after it exited a parking lot on Buena Vista Road in Columbus at a high rate of speed on Nov. 19, 2022. The vehicle, driven by Morris, did not stop and continued on Old Buena Vista Road before stopping. Morris exited the car, ran across the road and entered a store. Deputies found him in a bathroom located in the back storage area of the store. Morris had a small amount of illegal drugs on him and $1,752 in cash. Officers found a semi-automatic Glock pistol with a TruGlo laser, a Glock magazine, an extended magazine, bullets and a digital scale in his vehicle.
Morris has many prior criminal convictions in the Superior Court of Muscogee County, Georgia, including for aggravated assault, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and aggravated battery. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.
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 of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Department and ATF.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals prosecuted the case for the Government.
Columbia Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison for A Series of Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Iric Bolden, 31, of Columbia, was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, robbery, and attempted robbery.
Evidence presented to the court showed that over the course of nine days in the fall of 2019, Bolden robbed three Midlands convenience stores while armed with a handgun and attempted to rob another.
On Sept. 29, 2019, Bolden entered the 76 gas station located at 2538 Two Notch Rd. He pretended to ask the clerk a question and then walked behind the counter and pointed a gun at the clerk. Bolden demanded the clerk to open the cash register before taking money out of the register, cigarettes from the shelf, and the clerk’s cell phone, which was sitting on the counter. During the robbery, a customer tried to leave but Bolden detained the customer at gun point as well. After taking the items, Bolden ran from the store.
On Sept. 30, 2019, Bolden entered the Marathon Corner Stop located at 1901 Faraway Dr. Bolden entered the store with his gun drawn and a mask over his face. However, Bolden was frightened by one of the clerks, his mask dropped from his face, and he ran from store.
On Oct. 3, 2019, Bolden entered the Mini Mart Located at 900 S. Kilbourne Rd. He walked around as if he was browsing for items and then ran behind the counter and pointed a firearm at the clerk. He forced the clerk to lay on the ground and took the clerk’s cell phone, money from two cash registers, and cigarettes before leaving the store.
On Oct. 6, 2019, Bolden entered Percival Grocery located at 301 Percival Rd. He entered the store and immediately began pulling a firearm from his waistband. He went behind the counter and demanded the clerk to open the cash register. Bolden took money out of the register, cigarettes from the shelf, a cell phone and money from the clerk and ran away from the location.
Law enforcement recovered surveillance footage for all of the incidents which clearly depict Bolden’s actions. Bolden was arrested by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and confessed to the robberies. Prior to these incidents Bolden had multiple convictions for shoplifting and was on probation for strong arm robbery.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Iric Bolden to 288 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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Clay Man Sentenced on Federal Drug and Gun ConvictionsRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Eugene Gilbert, age 30, of Clay, New York was sentenced yesterday to serve ten (10) years in federal prison for his convictions for distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
As part of his previous guilty plea, Gilbert admitted that on November 4, 2021, he led DEA Special Agents and other law enforcement officers on a high-speed vehicular chase on Interstate 81 north as they attempted to execute search warrants on his vehicle, his person, and his residence in Clay, New York. Pursuing agents located Gilbert’s Dodge Ram pickup truck abandoned near the Village of Parish. Gilbert left a bag containing 50 grams of cocaine, 39 grams of cocaine base, and 6 grams of fentanyl, as well as a loaded 9mm pistol in a nearby dumpster, where they were recovered by DEA Special Agents. The defendant was later arrested on December 17, 2021, after a second vehicle pursuit through Syracuse, Dewitt, and on Interstate 81 south after he fled from a United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. As part of his guilty plea, Gilbert further admitted distributing fentanyl on four separate instances between October 14, 2021, and November 2, 2021.
Gilbert was also sentenced yesterday to a post-prison term of supervised release of 5 years.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Syracuse Police Department, the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, U.S. Border Patrol, the New York State Police, the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.
Canadian Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Obtain Personal Protective Equipment and Event Tickets Through Wire FraudRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – ROBERT VINNIK, 29, of Ontario, Canada, has pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On June 15, 2021, a federal grand jury returned a 10-count Superseding Indictment against Vinnik and four other co-defendants, all of Canada, charging the group with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and Vinnik and co-defendant, Steven Mesrop, 32, with aggravated identity theft.
According to the Superseding Indictment, Vinnik and his associates operated a scheme to use stolen credit card and identity information to induce businesses to provide goods and services, such as event tickets and personal protective equipment, to resell for a profit. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is alleged that the conspirators began targeting U.S.-based businesses selling goods that were scarce due to the pandemic. The conspirators allegedly used stolen credit card information to purchase items such as nitrile gloves, masks, and gowns and to resell them to third parties. The Superseding Indictment alleges that the conspirators operated the scheme from Canada, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Greece, and Dubai. It further alleges that the conspirators targeted sports teams and event venues throughout the United States and Canada, including Madison Square Garden in New York City.
According to the Superseding Indictment, Vinnik and his associates used 21 different alias email accounts and information from 52 stolen credit cards to purchase over 1,800 tickets to Oklahoma State University athletic events between November 2019 and January 2020. In March 2020, the conspirators allegedly used stolen credit card information to purchase approximately $18,000 worth of toilet paper from a paper supply company in Oklahoma City.
On June 14, 2024, Vinnik pleaded guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment, and admitted that he voluntarily conspired with others to use stolen credit card and identity information to purchase goods and services such as event tickets and personal protective equipment, which he and his conspirators agreed to sell to third parties for a profit. At sentencing, Vinnik faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Other defendants in the case have been sentenced as follows:
- Steven Mesrop has been sentenced to serve 80 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
- Dijon Cornelius Shepard, 30, has been sentenced to serve 20 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.
- Mirna Mahrous Habib, 27, has been sentenced to serve four months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Karin Treister, 27, has been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,000, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations New York’s El Dorado Task Force, the New York City Police Department, and the Irvine (California) Police Department, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia E. Barry is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for further information.
Butler Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years of imprisonment on his convictions for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing heroin and 10 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fluorofentanyl and fentanyl, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Darnell Wynn, 44.
According to information presented to the Court, on February 15, 2021, Wynn was identified by law enforcement as the shooter in an incident that had prompted multiple reports of shots fired. A search warrant executed upon Wynn’s Butler residence resulted in the seizure of Wynn’s wallet and a key to a car that was parked behind the residence. A separate search of that car’s trunk resulted in the seizure of a .40 caliber handgun loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition, additional .40 caliber ammunition, pistol magazines, approximately 170 grams of heroin, approximately 39 grams of a fluorofentanyl and fentanyl mixture, and Wynn’s debit card. A laboratory later confirmed that the shell casings recovered from the scene of the shooting had been discharged by the same firearm.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the City of Butler Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Wynn.
Burlington County Man Sentenced to 245 Months in Prison for Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey man was sentenced to 245 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than one kilogram of heroin in Trenton and the surrounding area, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Jerome Roberts, aka “Righteous,” 53, was convicted in October 2021 of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin. Roberts was convicted following a three-week trial before former then-Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson. U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner imposed the sentence on June 13, 2024, in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in the case and the evidence at trial:
From October 2017 to October 2018, Roberts and others engaged in a large narcotics conspiracy that operated in the areas of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Sanford Street, Middle Rose Street, Southard Street, Hoffman Avenue, and Coolidge Avenue in Trenton, and which sought to profit from the distribution of heroin and numerous other controlled substances. Roberts and his conspirator Jakir Taylor obtained regular supplies of hundreds of “bricks” of heroin from conspirator David Antonio, whom they referred to as “Papi.” Communications intercepted over court-authorized wiretaps showed that Taylor and Roberts agreed to obtain from Antonio what Roberts referred to as the “motherlode,” a supply of as many as 1,500 bricks – approximately 1.5 kilograms of heroin – in a single delivery. Taylor said that he intended to “flood the streets” of Trenton with this large supply. And Antonio said that “as long . . . as I keep it flowing, we never gonna stop.” Evidence in the case also showed that Roberts personally distributed large quantities of heroin to others during the conspiracy. For example, law enforcement surveillance, intercepted communications, and other physical evidence showed that on or about August 10, 2018, Roberts obtained a supply of 200 bricks of heroin from Antonio, which he redistributed to Taylor and others. During coordinated arrests on Oct. 25, 2018, law enforcement arrested Roberts, Taylor, Antonio, and other defendants, and recovered more than 1.4 kilograms of heroin from Antonio’s residence.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Director Steve Wilson; officers of the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Nicholas Sutter; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John P. Stemler III; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Bruce Painter; and detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.
He also thanked officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri; officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John A. Kemler; and members of the N.J. State Board of Parole for their assistance in the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
Antonio pleaded guilty to his role was sentenced in March 2020 to 204 months in prison. Taylor pleaded guilty to his role and was sentenced in January 2023 to 228 months in prison.
This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around the greater Trenton area. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
Broome County Felon Sentenced for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joseph Horan, 40, of Binghamton, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 17-months in federal prison for illegally possessing ammunition as a felon. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New York Field Division, made the announcement.
When he pled guilty in January 2024, Horan admitted that, on November 4, 2022, while on parole, he possessed a magazine loaded with six rounds of .380 caliber ammunition. A 2019 felony conviction in Broome County Court prohibited Horan from legally possessing ammunition under federal law.
United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered that Horan serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case.
Bergen County Man Admits Fraudulently Obtaining Cares Act Loan and Laundering the Proceeds of his FraudRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man admitted that he fraudulently obtained an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and laundered the loan proceeds, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
George Leguen, 51, of Paramus, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on June 12, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From August 2020 through January 2021, Leguen participated in a scheme to defraud to fraudulently receive COVID-19 emergency relief funds meant for distressed small businesses under the EIDL program. Leguen applied to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on behalf of a business he owned and controlled. He submitted fraudulent information in support of that application, including the number of employees, annual gross revenue figures, and fraudulent federal tax returns. Leguen received $149,900. After receiving the fraudulent funds, he diverted the proceeds for his personal gain.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. The charge of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved in the laundering offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents and task force officers of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark: the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the New Jersey Field Division; special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron Hatley, Newark Field Office; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, Northeast Region, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.
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 Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fatime Meka Cano and Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
leguen.information.pdfBennington Man Sentenced for Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Ricky E. Bennett, age 38, of Bennington, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 14, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Bennett to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bennett’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Bennett was also ordered to pay $10,100 in special assessments.
In the late summer to early fall of 2021, Bennett was being investigated for child enticement. During the course of that investigation a search warrant was conducted and his phone and electronic devices were seized on November 3, 2021. Bennett’s electronic devices were forensically reviewed. On a thumb drive of Bennett’s, 183 images, to include duplicates, of child sexual abuse material were located. On a Toshiba hard drive, 162 images of child sexual abuse material were located.
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 United States Attorneys’ 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Baltimore Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Machineguns and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – On June 12, 2024, U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Bernard Edwards, age 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for the illegal possession of a machinegun and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.
The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department; and Special Agent in Charge Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
According to his plea agreement and court documents, on June 8, 2023, at approximately 12:25 a.m., an officer from the Baltimore Police Department (“BPD”) observed a gray 2019 Chevrolet Malibu with an expired temporary license plate and the BPD officer initiated a traffic stop and then observed what appeared to be a gray-colored assault rifle in plain view through the car’ rear passenger window. Edwards refused to exit the car when ordered and instead fled at high speed, leaving behind his license and registration with the officer.
Once law enforcement located and obtained a warrant for Edwards’ residence, BPD searched and recovered five firearms and 1,168 rounds of ammunition from Edwards’ bedroom. Among the firearms recovered was a polymer AR pistol bearing no serial number (“ghost gun”) that was modified with a machine gun conversion device. Another firearm was a Glock handgun modified with a Glock switch.
This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the Baltimore Police Department and the ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Gordin, who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Anchorage man charged in bomb hoax at a federal buildingRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging an Anchorage man with allegedly making a false bomb threat at a federal building.
According to court documents, on June 11, 2024, James Pearce, 40, falsely stated that he had placed explosive devices at the James Fitzgerald Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse and at six other locations around Anchorage. Pearce allegedly made these statements under circumstances where it may reasonably have been believed that the activity actually took place. He also allegedly made references to the terrorist groups Al-Qaeda and ISIS and the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.
Pearce was arrested on-site, and the building was evacuated.
Pearce is charged with one count of a bomb hoax at a federal building, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1038(a)(1). The defendant will make his initial court appearance on a later date before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Anchorage Field Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Anchorage Field Office and Homeland Security Investigation, Federal Protective Service are investigating the case. The Anchorage Police Department provided significant law enforcement support the day of the incident.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Will Taylor and Mac Caille Petursson are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Alamogordo Man Sentenced for Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A member of the notorious Bandidos Motorcycle Club was sentenced to 21 months in prison for unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to publicly available court records, on August 31, 2023, the FBI and local law enforcement partners executed dozens of search warrants around New Mexico targeting the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. During the search of Jonathan Bivins, 42, home, agents discovered thirteen firearms in a safe located in his bedroom.
As a previously convicted felon, Bivins knew that he was prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Bivins will be required to serve 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office and New Mexico State Police led the investigation as part of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Spindle and David B. Hirsch are prosecuting the case.
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