Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
14 June 2024
30 Year Sentence for District Man Who Stabbed Two Men in Northwest DC, Killing OneRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Joseph Melton, 55, of Washington, DC, was sentenced today, by Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe, to 366 months in prison for the January 2020 murder of a man. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Melton pleaded guilty on March 25, 2024, to second degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon (knife).
According to the government’s evidence, around 9:10 a.m. on January 14, 2020, Melton approached Kevin Chamberlain in the 1800 block of Connecticut Ave. NW. Mr. Chamberlain recognized the defendant from college, thirty years ago, but did not know the defendant’s name. As they encountered each other, Melton made threats to Mr. Chamberlain, and then pulled out a knife from his pants pocket and attempted to stab him. Mr. Chamberlain was able to escape that attack and Melton fled the scene.
Later that same day, at around 1:15 p.m., a second victim encountered Melton in the 800 block of Vermont Ave., NW. Melton stabbed this victim in a vicious attack. This victim would later physically recover from his injuries.
However, about an hour thereafter, Melton re-encountered Mr. Chamberlain in the area of the intersection of 24th and G Streets, NW, and attacked him again, stabbing him repeatedly. Mr. Chamberlain succumbed to his wounds a few hours thereafter.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Homicide Branch of 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 Michael Liebman and Andrea Antonelli.
13 June 2024
York Man Sentenced to 13 Months in Prison for Pandemic Unemployment FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tanner Uffelman, age 29, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on June 13, 2024, to time served (approximately 13 months’ imprisonment) by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Uffelman was charged with submitting multiple false applications to states seeking unemployment compensation claiming that the unemployment was a result of the COVID19 pandemic. From 2020 to 2021, Uffelman submitted these false claims using identifications of numerous innocent victims. He and his conspirators submitted the false claims in Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, and California. Uffelman pleaded guilty to the crime in January 2024, and admitted that the fraud scheme stole over $40,000 from the various states.
At sentencing, Judge Wilson noted that at the time he was committing his federal offense, Uffelman was on supervision with York County authorities for unlawful contact or communication with a minor and corruption of minors arising from a 2018 conviction where he, as a 23-year-old man, had a corrupt relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The judge identified this as well as the over 13-months he spent in Dauphin County Prison as sufficient punishment for the federal crime he committed and imposed a time served sentence. Judge Wilson also ordered that Uffelman serve three years of supervised release with the United States Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Ford is prosecuting the case.
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.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
# # #
Waukee Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – A Waukee man pleaded guilty on June 10 to wire fraud and money laundering charges.
According to public court records, William Jack Berg, 51, sold life insurance, annuities, and similar products to individuals in Central Iowa, Saint Louis, and other regions while acting as a financial advisor to many individuals in these areas. From at least January 2019, and continuing to May 2023, Berg defrauded over a dozen individuals by encouraging them to withdraw money out of the individuals’ pre-existing investments or financial accounts and transfer the withdrawn money to Berg for investment through “W Holdings of Iowa” and/or “Excel Performance Management.” The targeted individuals provided Berg with over $1.5 million that Berg did not invest for their benefit. Instead, Berg used the money for Berg’s personal expenses including vehicles, jewelry, rent, travel, groceries, gas, clothing, and dining out. One such expense included a check written from Berg’s bank account in February 2022 to a Clive jewelry store in the amount of $37,343 for the purchase of a custom 14 karat white gold engagement ring featuring a 2.20 carat oval cut diamond and an additional 38 diamonds weighing 1.04 carats in total. A part of his plea, Berg agreed to forfeit this engagement ring and other jewelry purchased with fraudulently acquired monies.
Berg also used the money to make payments to other individuals as purported “returns” or “dividends” on previously received money despite Berg had already spent those individuals’ monies. Berg admitted to making false and fraudulent representations to his victims for the purpose of enriching himself at the expense of the victims.
Berg is scheduled to be sentenced on October 11, 2024, and potentially faces up to twenty years in prison for wire fraud and up to 10 years in prison for money laundering. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence Berg will receive after considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Berg will also be ordered to pay restitution to all victims of his fraud scheme in an amount to be determined by the sentencing federal district court judge.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Kerndt is prosecuting the case.
Washington man receives jail sentence for thermal trespass and a closure violation in Yellowstone National ParkRead the Press Release
Viktor Pyshniuk, 21 of Lynwood, Washington, was sentenced to seven days in jail for thermal trespass at Steamboat Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). In addition, he was placed on two years of unsupervised release and received a two-year ban from YNP for a closure violation. The court also ordered Pyshniuk to pay a $1,500 fine, $30 mandatory court processing fee and $20 special assessment.
According to court documents, a YNP law enforcement officer was dispatched to the thermal area at Steamboat Geyser by an on-duty park employee who reported a person walking off the boardwalk at that location. The employee had taken a photo of the defendant who had clearly crossed over the fence and was walking up the hillside within 15-20 feet of Steamboat Geyser’s steam vent. When contacted, Pyshniuk told the officer he left the boardwalk to take photos. While speaking with Pyshniuk, the officer showed him the signs posted throughout the area stating it is illegal to leave the boardwalk and explained that walking in a thermal area is very dangerous due to possible weak ground layer, the geothermal features of mud pots, heated steam and water, and all other dangers associated with walking in a heated, unpredictable geothermal area.
Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on June 4. During sentencing she explained to the defendant that the sentence was designed to deter him, specifically, but also the public from leaving the boardwalk in this area. She expressed her concern that the defendant’s actions were seen by the people around him, and they might have thought it was okay to do the same thing. And if every visitor to YNP disobeyed the rules, the park would be destroyed, and no-one would be able to enjoy it.
“Trespassing in closed, thermal areas of Yellowstone National Park is dangerous and harms the natural resource,” said Acting United States Attorney Eric Heimann. “In cases like this one where we have strong evidence showing a person has willfully disregarded signs and entered a closed, thermal area, federal prosecutors will seek significant penalties, including jail time.”
Steamboat Geyser is a prominent feature within YNP and the world’s tallest active geyser, but it is also the most dangerous. It has erratic and unpredictable eruptions that can rise anywhere from six to 300 feet high. In the last four years, the intervals between eruptions ranged anywhere from three to 89 days according to the YNP website: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/steamboat-geyser.htm. Judge Hambrick also explained that the three-foot fencing around the boardwalk is a clear sign that the area is closed and prohibited from entering.
This case was investigated by Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes.
For questions relating to Yellowstone National Park, please contact the Public Affairs Office at 307-344-2015 or [email protected]. You may also visit https://www.nps.gov/yell
Virgin Islands Government Officials Charged in $4 Million Dollar HUD Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
St. Croix, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Department of Education Director of Maintenance, Davidson Charlemagne, 50, and his wife Sasha Charlemagne, 44, both of St. Croix, were arrested after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging the pair with government program fraud, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The indictment also charges former Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (“VIHFA”) Chief Operating Officer Darin Richardson, 56, of St. Thomas, with criminal conflict of interest and making materially false statements.
“As alleged, these defendants exploited hurricane recovery efforts in order to develop and carry out a $4 million scheme to defraud taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith. “The indictment levied against these individuals sends a clear message that the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners followed the money and will continue to hold public officials seeking to profit from natural disasters accountable for their crimes. I commend the diligent work done by Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General who worked tirelessly to uncover this conspiracy to defraud the citizens of our Territory.”
According to court documents, the charges stem from a two-year investigation involving a VIHFA contract for storage and management of wood that was shipped to the Territory to be used for the reconstruction of commercial and residential buildings following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. After both hurricanes, Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) mobilized resources, including a large consignment of wood, to rebuild public and private infrastructure in the Virgin Islands. As part of those efforts, VIHFA received funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program to pay for the storage and management of the wood. Initially, VIHFA stored the St. Croix consignment of wood at Sunshine Mall in Frederiksted, St. Croix. However, in 2020, the owner of Sunshine Mall requested that the Government of the Virgin Islands remove the St. Croix woodpile from his commercial property.
On May 12, 2020, VIHFA issued a public request for proposals seeking bids for a contract to store and manage the woodpiles on both islands. On June 2, 2020, VIHFA received a proposed bid from ISG and D&S Trucking, a company owned and operated by Davidson Charlemagne, at a cost of $2,993,500.00, over a three-year period. The proposal included cost estimates for four employees, including a warehouse manager at $120,000.00 per year, a forklift driver at $100,000.00 per year, a shipping and receiving clerk at $80,000.00 per year, and an administrative staffer. These estimates for labor were vastly inflated and above the labor costs estimated by VIHFA. By comparison, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries for forklift drivers, shipping and receiving clerks, and administrative support personnel average approximately $41,000.00 per year, and a manager of warehouse employees earns on average $64,000.00 per year.
As required by HUD and VIHFA, Charlemagne certified in the proposal that his company, D&S Trucking, had general and automotive insurance that expired on December 18, 2020. No evidence exists, however, that Charlemagne had insurance he claimed to have at the time he submitted the bid certification. Without insurance, Charlemagne’s company, D&S Trucking, was ineligible to serve as subcontractor on the woodpile storage and management contract. Charlemagne also failed to disclose in his bid that he was employed as Director of Maintenance for the Virgin Islands Department of Education or that he would be obtaining rent-free warehouse space at Henderson Elementary School, a property owned by the Virgin Islands Government. Essentially, ISG’s bid proposed that D&S Trucking would collect vastly inflated annual fees from one government agency to store and manage the St. Croix woodpile rent-free at another government agency where Charlemagne is employed.
VIHFA received a second request for proposal from Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Group (“IDRG”), a company incorporated in the state of Texas, in response to VIHFA woodpile management contract. IDRG, however, was not registered with the federal government’s System for Award Management (“SAM”), a prerequisite for companies seeking government contracts, nor a Dun & Bradstreet (“DUNS”) account number. The absence of a SAM registration and DUNS account number should have raised significant red flags to VIHFA, the absence of which effectively rendered IDRG ineligible to be awarded a federal contract. The investigation later revealed that IDRG’s bid proposal was altered by unknown co-conspirators after it was submitted to VIHFA which resulted in IDRG’s bid being less competitive than ISG and D&S Trucking’s bid.
In June 2020, VIHFA COO Darin Richardson convened a Bid Evaluation Committee meeting to review the bids submitted by ISG and IDRG. On July 7, 2020, Richardson, who had total authority over all procurement and contract related decisions at VIHFA, gave ISG’s bid higher ratings across all technical factors, as compared to the bid submitted by IDRG. On January 27, 2021, Richardson formally awarded ISG and D&S Trucking the contract for the storage and management in the amount of $2,993,500.00, commencing on February 1, 2021, and ending January 31, 2024. Pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulations which govern all contracts utilizing federal funds, it was unlawful for Richardson to formally award the contract to ISG and D&S Trucking after evaluating and rating proposals from companies. Federal regulations contemplate a bifurcation of these two duties, and Richardson violated the regulations by performing both roles.
On February 1, 2021, Charlemagne, through ISG and D&S Trucking, began collecting payments from VIHFA averaging $83,000.00 per month. Charlemagne, in his capacity as Director of Maintenance for Department of Education, arranged for rent-free storage of the St. Croix woodpile at Henderson Elementary School. Despite receiving payments under the contact from February 2021, Charlemagne did not remove the St. Croix woodpile from Sunshine Mall to Henderson Elementary School until August 2021, seven months after he began receiving payments under the contract. Accordingly, Charlemagne received over $582,000.00 in payments from VIHFA before beginning any work that he had contractually agreed to perform. During the period of February 8, 2021, through November 3, 2022, ISG and D&S Trucking billed VIHFA $1,526,743.00 for labor costs despite paying only $461,379.00 in payroll costs to employees who were purportedly managing the St. Croix and St. Thomas woodpiles.
This sum represents a 331% profit to Charlemagne for labor under the contract. Moreover, of the $461,379.00 in payroll paid by D&S Trucking, $67,037.00 was paid to Sasha Charlemagne. No record exists with the Virgin Islands Department of Labor that Sasha Charlemagne has ever been employed with or earned a salary from D&S Trucking, as required by Virgin Islands Law. Charlemagne also reported hiring an additional 21 individuals to allegedly work under the terms of the woodpile contract on St. Croix and St. Thomas. However, no record exists with the Department of Labor that Charlemagne employed 21 individuals nor paid employer payroll taxes for those employees, as required by the laws of the Virgin Islands. The investigation further revealed that the Charlemagnes used federal funds to pay for a variety of personal and business expenditures, including over $365,000.00 in credit card bills, car loans, and bank lines of credit; approximately $100,000.00 in equipment purchases; over $120,000.00 in cash transfers to themselves; and over $35,000.00 on fireworks.
On June 7, 2021, while serving as COO, and in that capacity, managing and supervising all procurement related decisions for VIHFA, Richardson increased the value of ISG’s contract to $4,043,100.00. The purported justification for the $1,000,000.00 increase was that the length of the contract term was increased from 2.8 years to 3.0 years. This justification, however, was false as the contract term was originally set for a three-year term which would not have expired until January 2024, more two-and-a-half years later. Again, on August 20, 2021, while serving as COO of VIHFA, Richardson increased ISG’s contract to $4,319,816.50, an increase of $276,416.50 in two months. For a third time in eight months, Richardson, in his capacity as COO of VIHFA, again increased the value of ISG’s contract to $4,423,644.50, on October 13, 2021. On February 7, 2022, Richardson, while serving as COO for VIHFA, received a payment in the amount of $107,000.00 from ISG. On February 14, 2023, after resigning as COO from VIHFA, Richardson was interviewed by HUD Office of Inspector General during which he falsely stated that he had recused himself from all VIHFA matters related to ISG, and that he was pursuing a business relationship with ISG. Richardson’s statement was false as he was, in fact, instrumental reviewing and awarding ISG and D&S Trucking the woodpile contract. In fact, a review of relevant documents revealed that Richardson never executed any document with HUD nor VIHFA to formally recuse himself from matters related to ISG.
“The indictment related to theft of HUD disaster relief program funds meant to benefit low-income families is a signal that we take seriously allegations of illegally obtained taxpayer dollars through fraudulent schemes,” said HUD OIG Southeast Region Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, George Richardson. “HUD OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of HUD’s programs and to ensure vulnerable people in our communities are provided critical resources upon which they can rely.”
"The indictment and arrests announced today are a clear demonstration of the FBI's unwavering commitment to justice and the responsible use of government funds. We will not tolerate those who seek to defraud the government and hinder the crucial assistance for those in need. We will continue to vigorously pursue justice for the American people and ensure that disaster relief funds are used as intended," said Joseph Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office. "We call on the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands to join us in this fight by reporting these crimes to our main line at 787-987-6500. Your tips are invaluable, and we assure you that we will do our utmost to protect your identity and investigate every lead."
“Our office is committed to investigating fraud across all SBA programs,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “We leverage our agent’s expertise to uncover complex fraud schemes, including those that arise during pandemic fraud investigations. Our collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners is essential in protecting taxpayer interests in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
In January 2024, VIHFA renewed ISG’s woodpile contract for an additional three-year term with payments averaging over $120,000.00 per month to Davidson and Sasha Charlemagne. Since the inception of the contract in February 2021, VIHFA has paid ISG and D&S Trucking over $3,600,000.00 in federal funds, of which approximately $3,177,000.00 has been credited to bank accounts owned and controlled by Davidson and Sasha Charlemagne. The woodpiles in St. Croix and St. Thomas, however, remain almost entirely unused and stacked on pallets outdoors and exposed to the elements for more than three years, and homes across the Territory remain in need of repairs from damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.
This case is being investigated by Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Evan Rikhye.
U.S. Attorney Smith reminds the public that an indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz Announces Several Federal Indictments for Firearm Crimes Involving "Switches" and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz today announced the recent indictments of nine individuals charged in federal court for violations of federal gun laws. United States Attorney Ritz also reinforced his commitment to federal prosecution of individuals who illegally possess machine gun conversion devices (also known as “switches” or “auto sears”) and who commit other federal firearm offenses.
“Our citizens deserve to feel safe in their city, and that’s why there is no higher priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office than reducing violent crime in Memphis,” said United States Attorney Ritz. “As these recent indictments show, federal authorities in the Memphis area are vigorously enforcing federal firearms laws, including the laws prohibiting highly dangerous machine gun conversion devices. Those individuals who are driving the violence in our city will face significant federal penalties where the evidence establishes violations of federal law.”
Among the indictments returned by the federal grand jury in Memphis are a multi-count indictment charging a convicted felon with possession of firearms, one of which was converted to a machine gun with a conversion device, commonly known as a “switch”. Wayne Sanders, 31, of Memphis, Tennessee was indicted on June 11, 2024, after a federal criminal complaint was filed against him on April 24, 2024.
The indictment alleges that on or about February 24, 2024, Sanders possessed a Romarm Cugir 7.62 caliber pistol; a Glock .45 caliber pistol; and a Glock 9mm caliber pistol, which had been converted to a machine gun. If convicted of these offenses, Sanders faces up to fifteen years of imprisonment.
According to information presented in court, the United States Marshal Service Task Force Officers attempted to arrest Sanders pursuant to an arrest warrant based on the criminal complaint when Sanders pointed another illegally possessed firearm at one of the task force officers before fleeing. Officers recovered the firearm, and Sanders was subsequently arrested without further incident.
The following defendants were also charged with federal crimes involving switches:
- Jeremy Walker, 32. Walker was indicted on March 12, 2024, for drug and gun crimes, including possessing a firearm with a switch.
- Leon Moore, 26. Moore was indicted on May 30, 2024, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.
- Camron Taylor, 21. Taylor was indicted on May 30, 2024, for possessing a machine gun.
- Montez Carr, 20. Carr was indicted on May 30, 2024, for possessing a machine gun.
The following defendants were charged with other firearm or violent crime related offenses:
- Jocquel Williams, 28. Williams was indicted on May 30, 2024, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
- Al Kendrick Malone, 22. Malone was indicted on May 30, 2024, for carjacking and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
- Cedric Arnold, 35. Arnold was indicted on May 30, 2024, for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.
- Jartavius Lewis, 20. Lewis was indicted on May 30, 2024, for possessing a machine gun.
These cases are being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Gun Task Force. Anyone with information about switches or other federal gun crimes can call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law. If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of the factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
These indictments are 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, using data-driven methods to set focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
# # #
For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Highlights Efforts Aimed at Curbing Summer ViolenceRead the Press Release
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – To combat the uptick in violent crime expected during the summer months, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working to engage with students, expand community outreach and strengthen relationships with law enforcement in southern Illinois.
“Typically, as temperatures rise, so do the violent crime rates,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “In a proactive effort, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working to connect with southern Illinois communities and law enforcement to help combat the expected surge.”
This week, U.S. Attorney’s Office employees traveled to various communities around the district to connect with police and civic leaders working to improve public safety.
To discuss violence reduction initiatives, employees visited members of the Public Safety Enforcement Group in East St. Louis on Monday to engage with law enforcement and community leaders. In partnership with the Illinois State Police, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office joined attendees at the Team Illinois Youth Police Camp Wednesday and participated in the outdoor programming in Jackson County.
"Good relationships between law enforcement and the community are critical when it comes to solving and stopping crime, and keeping communities safe," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "Our Public Safety Enforcement Group interacts daily with members of the East St. Louis community to strengthen their trust in law enforcement and show we are there to help them. We also host Team Illinois Youth Police Camps each year to build positive interactions with law enforcement from a young age, as well as teach youth about leadership development, substance abuse resistance, team building principles, and other life enhancing skills - all designed to steer kids away from crime."
On Wednesday, employees took a ride along with a police officer with the Centralia Police Department and met officials with the Marion County Housing Authority to discuss their crime prevention partnership program.
An Assistant U.S. Attorney also visited the Carbondale Police Department this week to brief investigators on federal prosecutorial tools for illegal gun possession and straw purchase cases.
Crime reduction and community outreach efforts will continue throughout the summer. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois serves the state’s lower 38 counties.
U.S. Attorney's Office Advocates the Protection and Safety of Older Adults Through Education and Community AwarenessRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is on Saturday, June 15th. In observance of WEAAD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is reaffirming its commitment to protect older adults from abuse, neglect, and fraud. WEAAD serves as an important reminder of the prevalence of elder abuse and the need for community awareness, education, prevention, and intervention.
Elder abuse is a growing concern across the nation, affecting millions of older adults each year. It encompasses various forms of mistreatment, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and financial exploitation. The consequences of elder abuse are devastating, often leading to severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, and even death.
“Our elderly population deserves to live with dignity and respect, free from fear of abuse and exploitation,” said Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day shines a light on this critical issue and serves as a call to action for our community to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those who perpetrate crimes against older adults. However, law enforcement alone cannot address this issue; community awareness and preventive measures are equally important.
To mark WEAAD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office planned a series of outreach events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and educating the public about the signs of elder abuse and the resources available to prevent and address it. These events included:
- Elder Fraud Bingo: This event, held in Asheville today and previously at other locations throughout Western North Carolina, is a fun activity that delivers vital information to older adults and other community members about the types of scams targeting older adults and encourages the reporting of fraud.
- Educational “Walk for Awareness:” In partnership with local senior centers, healthcare providers, local governments, and other community organizations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in a “Walk for Awareness” held in Charlotte and in Asheville. The focus of the events was to bring awareness to elder abuse, help participants recognize the signs of abuse, understand the rights of older adults, and how to access support services.
- Public Service Announcement (PSA): A PSA featuring U.S. Attorney King delivering a message against elder abuse was posted on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s YouTube Channel and shared on social media, highlighting the importance of recognizing and reporting elder abuse.
- Resource Distribution: The U.S. Attorney’s Office partnered with Mecklenburg County’s Senior Nutrition Program in Charlotte, and Sparc’s Health & Nutrition Program in Asheville, to distribute informational material to homebound older adults through their mobile meal delivery services, to ensure that vital information reaches as many people as possible.
“Our goal is to empower our community with the knowledge and tools to combat elder abuse effectively,” said U.S. Attorney King. “By working together, we can remove the stigma associated with victimization, encourage the reporting of abuse and exploitation, and above all ensure a safer, more supportive environment for our senior citizens.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages everyone to learn more about elder abuse, neglect and exploitation and to be vigilant in protecting older adults.
If you suspect elder abuse, please contact your local law enforcement or the Eldercare Locator Helpline at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov.
You can also report suspected financial exploitation and fraud by calling the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) or visiting the Elder Justice Initiative at Justice.gov/elderjustice.
U.S. Attorney Joins with Special Agents in Charge of FBI and DEA to Announce Law Enforcement Surge Combatting Nighttime Fentanyl Trafficking in the Tenderloin District of San FranciscoRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey joined with Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to announce a surge in nighttime activities in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. The surge is in furtherance of “All Hands on Deck,” a law enforcement initiative to address endemic drug dealing in the area. The law enforcement officials also released a video regarding the surge that can be seen here.
In November of 2023, U.S. Attorney Ramsey convened a press conference and circulated a press release announcing the new joint initiative. The press conference was attended by numerous federal, state, and local officials and dignitaries all of whom pledged to contribute resources to All Hands on Deck. The initiative, designed to change the basic cost/benefit analysis for fentanyl dealers throughout the Northern District of California, included several programmatic elements including the following:
• ramping up arrests of street dealers and suppliers of fentanyl who sell fentanyl near federal buildings (including near the James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse at 7th and Mission Streets, the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building on 7th and Mission Streets, and the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Avenue); • expanding efforts to track down and hold accountable suppliers of fentanyl; • bringing additional charges against persons operating money services operations who turn a blind eye to drug trafficking and money laundering transactions on their networks; • using targeted wiretaps, arrests, and searches throughout the Bay Area to enable drug seizures and to stem the flow of drugs and dealers coming into San Francisco from nearby counties; • conducting regular joint federal and SFPD “jump out” operations in the Tenderloin to make on-the-spot arrests for open-air drug dealing; • “fast-tracking” certain federal cases so that they take as little as a month from time of arrest to disposition; and
• federal “adoption” of state cases to raise the stakes by holding drug dealers accountable in the federal system.As part of today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ramsey confirmed that “since November, we have announced numerous lengthy sentences handed down to drug dealers, extraditions of alleged drug dealers from Honduras, the prosecution of persons operating money services operations who had turned a blind eye to drug trafficking and money laundering transactions on their networks, and the federalizing and fast tracking of certain cases traditionally handled by local governments.”
In addition, Special Agent in Charge Clark stated that in recent weeks, law enforcement officials have “ramped up night operations.” “Federal agents are now being deployed to hold drug dealers accountable regardless of the time of day. Our presence makes it clear there is no time to be safe from law enforcement in our neighborhoods,” he said. The night operations have resulted, thus far, in more than 20 federal criminal complaints as well as the seizure of pounds of drugs (including more than 11 lbs. of fentanyl and more than 5 lbs. of methamphetamine) and over $20,000 in seized cash.
Referring to the unveiling of All Hands on Deck, Special Agent in Charge Tripp stated, “As we stated last November, our objective is to change the equation for drug dealers. As the consequences of choosing to supply drugs in the Tenderloin become more severe, dealers and suppliers are going to have to reassess their risk. Is it worth it? We aim to show the answer is no.”
Since the inception of the initiative in November of 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged over 90 individuals for drug distribution activities in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. As of this week, over 70 of those cases have resulted in federal convictions.
U.S. Attorney Files Civil Fraud Suit Against LabQ and Its CEO for Fraudulently Billing COVID-19 TestingRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Elysia Doherty, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that the United States has filed a Complaint against LABQ CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS, LLC (“LABQ”); COMMUNITY MOBILE TESTING, INC. (“CMT”); DART MEDICAL LABORATORY, INC. (“DART MEDICAL”); and their CEO, MOSHE LANDAU (collectively, the “Defendants”), alleging that the Defendants fraudulently billed the federal program that reimbursed health care providers for COVID-19 testing provided to uninsured persons (the “Uninsured Program”). The lawsuit seeks damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act as well as a recovery of government funds under the common law.
Prior to seeking reimbursement for COVID-19 testing services from the Uninsured Program, testing providers were required to attest to the Health Services and Resources Administration (“HRSA”), a component agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), that they had confirmed their patients were uninsured and that no one else would pay for the cost of the COVID-19 testing. However, as alleged in the Complaint, the Defendants frequently knowingly submitted, or caused to be submitted, claims to the Uninsured Program for COVID-19 testing in instances when the cost of the COVID-19 testing had been (or would be) reimbursed by another source and/or the COVID-19 testing had been provided to persons who had health coverage on the relevant date of the service. The Complaint alleges that the Defendants’ fraudulent scheme drained limited funds appropriated by Congress to cover COVID-19 testing costs for uninsured persons.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, LabQ, CMT, Dart Medical, and their CEO, Moshe Landau, fraudulently took tens of millions of dollars from the Uninsured Program for the testing of individuals with health care coverage, and thereby depleted the funds that Congress authorized for the testing of uninsured individuals who truly needed the federal assistance. This Office will hold accountable those who divert federal funds designed to provide critical medical care to the uninsured population of this city and nation in order to line their own pockets.”
HHS-OIG Assistant Special Agent in Charge Elysia Doherty said: “It is alleged in this case that the defendants knowingly sought reimbursements from federal funds available during the COVID-19 pandemic to which they were not entitled. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to seek resolutions and effect change to preserve the integrity of the federal health care system.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Moshe Landau, the CEO of various COVID-19 testing companies, allegedly defrauded a federal healthcare program by submitting illegitimate claims to receive unlawful reimbursements. Collecting tens of millions of dollars in reimbursements, Landau and his companies allegedly took advantage of a government initiative that provided support and assistance to healthcare providers during a global pandemic. The FBI is committed to ensuring that people like Landau are rightfully held accountable for their knowing attempts to deceive the government for personal gain, and for exploiting programs designed to serve vulnerable citizens.”
The following allegations are based on the Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court on June 13, 2024:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, LABQ provided COVID-19 testing for school districts and nursing homes, as well as to walk-up patients at numerous LABQ-branded vans and tents located on public streets in New York City. LABQ and DART MEDICAL received approximately $130 million from the Uninsured Program for COVID-19 Testing. In direct contravention of their promises and attestations to HRSA, however, the Defendants frequently submitted, or caused to be submitted, ineligible and fraudulent claims to the Uninsured Program for COVID-19 testing in instances when the cost of the COVID-19 testing had been (or would be) reimbursed by another source and/or the COVID-19 testing had been provided to persons who had health coverage on the relevant date of the service.
More specifically, the Defendants engaged in the following schemes: LABQ, DART MEDICAL, and LANDAU double-billed the Uninsured Program and other health care programs and private institutions for the same COVID-19 testing; LABQ and CMT employees frequently told patients and customers, in sum and substance, that LABQ did not need insurance information and, in instances when LABQ possessed patient insurance information, LABQ, DART MEDICAL, and LANDAU often submitted claims (or caused claims to be submitted) to the Uninsured Program for those patients; and in clear violation of the Uninsured Program’s Terms and Conditions, LABQ, LANDAU, and DART MEDICAL, as a matter of policy, sought reimbursement (or caused others to seek reimbursement) from the Uninsured Program for COVID-19 tests provided to people with health care coverage in instances where LABQ, LANDAU, and DART MEDICAL believed that the patient’s insurer might deny LABQ or DART MEDICAL’s claim for reimbursement.
As a result of the Defendants’ fraudulent conduct, the Uninsured Program paid tens of millions of dollars to LABQ and DART MEDICAL to which they were not entitled. Further, at LANDAU’s direction, LABQ, CMT, and DART MEDICAL disbursed a significant portion of these funds to LANDAU’s personal bank accounts.
Through these practices, the Defendants improperly obtained tens of millions of dollars from the Uninsured Program in violation of both the False Claims Act and the common law.
* * *
The Government intervened, in part, in two whistleblower lawsuits before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman that had previously been filed under seal pursuant to the False Claims Act.
Mr. Williams thanked HHS-OIG, the FBI, HHS, and HRSA for their assistance with the case.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Frauds Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zack Bannon, Lawrence H. Fogelman, Charles S. Jacob, and Danielle J. Marryshow are in charge of the case.
Two South Salt Lake Residents Admit to Odometer FraudRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah –Porter R. Hamblin, 20, of South Salt Lake, Utah, pleaded guilty today to three counts of false odometer statements. Last week, Hamblin’s co-defendant, Austin Weilacher, 21, of South Salt Lake, also admitted to the same crimes that defrauded unsuspecting used car purchasers through odometer fraud.
According to court documents, and statements made at the change of plea hearings, beginning in May 2023 to July 2023, Hamblin and Weilacher engaged in a fraudulent scheme to sell vehicles with broken or false odometers. Hamblin and Weilacher admitted they purchased higher mileage vehicles and then advertised the vehicles for sale on local websites, usually KSL.com. They also admitted they sometimes listed the vehicles with different Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and/or with lower mileage. Hamblin and Weilacher would then sell the vehicles for an inflated price to consumers in the Salt Lake Valley. The purpose of the scheme was to receive inflated prices for the vehicles and then use the cash from the fraudulent sales to purchase other vehicles to sell to unsuspecting consumers, or to purchase high end vehicles for themselves. As a result of the scheme, Hamblin and Weilacher caused buyers of used vehicles to pay more for the vehicles than they would have paid if they had known the vehicles’ correct mileage readings.
Hamblin is scheduled to be sentenced August 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.1 and Weilacher is scheduled to be sentenced August 29, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.1. at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake (UPD).
Assistant United States Attorney Stewart M. Young of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
Three East Idaho Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the outcomes in two separate East Idaho cases in which three defendants were sentenced to federal prison for trafficking controlled substances.
“Curtailing fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking is a top priority for us in Eastern Idaho and throughout the state,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “I am thankful to our law enforcement partners who investigated these cases and helped to dismantle these trafficking operations. We will continue to support this important work and make sure that drug traffickers face the justice that they deserve.”
Last month, Jonathan Joseph Monaco, 43, of Pocatello, was sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl. Earlier this week, as part of the same case, Eric Charles Weimer, 46, also of Pocatello, was sentenced to 6.5 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to court records, on February 4, 2023, Monaco, and his wife (co-defendant Helen Monaco, 38, who was sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison) were traveling from California to Idaho – where they resided – when their vehicle was stopped by law enforcement in Washoe County, Nevada. Law enforcement initially found 65 grams of methamphetamine in the vehicle along with fentanyl, marijuana, and a digital scale. Monaco and his wife were arrested and booked into the Washoe County Jail. While in jail, law enforcement obtained a search warrant to re-search the vehicle and found an additional 4,000 fentanyl pills, and over two pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a void behind the spare tire.
Investigators gathered additional evidence that Monaco, his wife, and co-defendant Weimer were all working together in the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl in southeast Idaho, and elsewhere. According to court records, on February 5, 2023, Weimer, was traveling from Idaho to Montana when his vehicle was stopped by law enforcement in Montana. Law enforcement found 453 grams of methamphetamine in the vehicle along with 87 grams of fentanyl.
“Illicit drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine are not only dangerous but cause deep, painful harm to individuals, families and communities," said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. “These cases are indicative of the success that can be achieved when agencies work together to put drug traffickers out of business and in prison. We will not tolerate the trafficking of illicit drugs in our communities.”
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Monaco and Weimer be placed on supervised release for five years following their prison sentences.
In a separate case, on June 12, 2024, Jason Lou Gneiting, 45, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 7.5 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine. According to court records, on May 23, 2022, following a year-long narcotics investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gneiting’s residence and recovered over 15 pounds of methamphetamine.
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Gneiting to be placed on supervised release for five years following his prison sentence.
“The ripple effects from drug trafficking harms everyone, devastating communities by fueling violence, addiction, and crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships allow us a way to keep drug traffickers from endangering people across Idaho.”
The Monaco and Weimer case was investigated by the FBI, the Idaho State Police, the BADGES/HIDTA Taskforce, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office in Nevada, and the Montana Highway Patrol. The Gneiting case was investigated by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Falls Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations in Idaho Falls, and the Idaho State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted both cases.
The BADGES Task Force is a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that focuses primarily on drug trafficking crimes in Bannock County and throughout the region.
###
Texas Man Sentenced for Filing False FEC Report for his Super PAC and for Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Christopher Richardson, 37, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for filing a false report with the Federal Election Commission and for credit card fraud.
The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Scott Moffit of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s (TIGTA) Cybercrime Investigations Division.
Richardson, who has a prior federal conviction for bank fraud, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a record and one count of access device fraud on February 29, 2024. In addition to the 18-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden ordered Richardson to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, in March 2020 Richardson created an independent, expenditure-only Super PAC named Americans for Progressive Action USA (AFPA) that used fictitious names for AFPA’s treasurer and designated agent. Richardson then filed a falsified quarterly report with the FEC claiming that AFPA had raised $4.8 million from several fictitious individuals. Several weeks later, he filed a report of expenditures that falsely claimed that the Super PAC spent over $1.5 million to purchase advertisements and media production opposing certain candidates for the U.S. Senate. Richardson filed another FEC report that falsely stated that AFPA refunded the non-existent $4.8 million in donations. Richardson also used the alias of one of the fictitious donors to AFPA to obtain a credit card, and then used that card to conduct approximately 200 transactions.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and TIGTA Cybercrime Investigations Division. It was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Ryan R. Crosswell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Gold for the District of Columbia with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Ahmed Baset.
Tampa Man Sentenced to More Than 4 Years for Possession of Firearm as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Gerard Eric Beasley (50, Tampa) to four years and nine months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Beasley was found guilty on March 12, 2024, following a bench trial.
According to evidence presented at trial, Beasley was stopped by officers from the Tampa Police Department for driving without his headlights on and for a partially open trunk. During a search of Beasley’s vehicle, the officers located marijuana, crack cocaine, and a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol loaded with one round of ammunition. During an interview, Beasley admitted to possessing the firearm and the narcotics. At the time of the offense, Beasley had multiple prior felony convictions and therefore is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Shauna Hale.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Tampa Man and Woman Sentenced for Narcotics and Firearms Offenses Following Jury ConvictionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Elias Xavier Rosario Torres (26, Tampa) and Veronica Estefania Rodriguez Pinuela (23, Tampa) after both were found guilty by a jury on March 8, 2024. Rosario Torres was sentenced to 38 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and over 500 grams of cocaine, possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Rodriguez Pinuela was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and over 500 grams of cocaine, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to evidence presented at trial, Rosario Torres and Rodriguez Pinuela were stopped by Tampa Police Department officers on March 8, 2022, for a traffic infraction. During the traffic stop, officers located two backpacks containing nearly a kilogram of cocaine, 16 grams of fentanyl, a Glock 23 handgun, two loaded magazines, and additional ammunition. The Glock 23 was modified with a chip that converted the handgun into a machine gun. At the time of the offense, Rosario Torres was a convicted felon, having been convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Chang, James C. Preston, and Samantha E. Beckman.
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.
St. Louis Man Admits Producing Child Sexual Abuse Materials Involving Multiple VictimsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday admitted producing child pornography involving at least eight victims.
Tracy Jenkins, 59, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of production of child pornography and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted sexually abusing five children and recording the abuse. The series of videos have been circulating online since at least 2022. At this point in the investigation, three other victims have also been identified, Jenkins’ plea agreement says.
One of the victims was 6 years old when the abuse began and another was 11. Jenkins provided food, money, clothing and other items of value to some of the victims. Jenkins’ face is clearly visible in many of the videos he produced.
After the FBI’s Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Unit was able to determine the identity of one of the victims, they contacted the St. Louis FBI office. Agents quickly located Jenkins and conducted a court-approved search of his home, finding multiple electronic devices with thousands of files containing child pornography. They also located about 200 videos that Jenkins produced of his sexual abuse of the victims in this case, ranging in length from seconds to over one hour and 45 minutes, the plea agreement says.
Jenkins began making videos at least as early as 2013. He was present with one victim the day before the FBI searched his home.
FBI agents also found a Sarsilmaz 9mm pistol in Jenkins’ home. The gun had been stolen in St. Louis County. Jenkins is a convicted felon and is barred from possessing firearms.
Jenkins is scheduled to be sentenced in December. At sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson will ask for a sentence of 40 years, the plea agreement says.
The FBI investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
St. Louis County Man Accused of Drug Robbery with a Machine GunRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon from St. Louis County, Missouri has been accused of committing a drug robbery while armed with a machine gun.
Walter C. Moore, 19, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, robbery and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a crime of violence.
A June 5 indictment accuses Moore of robbing someone engaged in the sale of controlled substances on April 25.
A motion seeking to have Moore held in jail until trial says he was armed with a Glock equipped with a “switch,” or auto sear, rendering if a fully automatic weapon. The Glock was also equipped with an extended magazine and a laser sight.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a crime of violence charge carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 30 years.
The St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Spokane Property Management Company Agrees to Pay More Than $300,000 for Fraudulently Claiming Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Rent Assistance During COVID-19 PandemicRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington announced All Star Property Management, LLC (All Star), a property management company located in Spokane, and Arlin Jordan, have agreed to pay $329,196 to resolve claims they falsely and fraudulently claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent assistance intended to benefit struggling renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress established an Emergency Rent Assistance program to provide funds through local and tribal governments to benefit struggling renters who had fallen behind on rent due to unemployment or other hardship. In Washington, the program was known as the Treasury Rent Assistance Program (T-RAP). Under T-RAP, landlords or property management companies could apply for T-RAP federal funding for a tenant’s past due and projected unpaid rent. As a material condition of receiving federal funds, landlords were required to certify that the information included in the T-RAP application, including the rent amounts, were truthful and accurate, and to certify compliance with material T-RAP program requirements. Landlords were further required to apply any funds received for a particular tenant to that tenant’s balance.
According to court documents, during the relevant time period, All Star was a property management company, owned by Gieve Parker, that managed rental properties on behalf of landlords in Spokane, including several properties owned by Arlin Jordin. Jordin was currently serving a prison sentence at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell, Washington, for drugging and raping a tenant, but Jordan continued to own and collect income from Spokane properties managed by All Star, for which All Star and Jordin split the rental income.
“All-Star Property Management, Ms. Parker, and Mr. Jordin used false and fraudulent information as part of a scheme targeting precious and limited rent assistance funds. As a result, they lined their pockets with money that should have been used to keep people in a safe, secure, affordable home during a deadly pandemic,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Landlords and property management companies need to play by the rules. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who abuse critically important housing support programs.”
As All Star Property admitted in the Settlement Agreement, All Star Property and Parker certified and submitted T-RAP applications that contained inaccurate information, including, inflated monthly rental amounts, owed rent money for months when the residents were not living at the property, and owed rent money for months where tenants were receiving rental assistance from outside organizations. This inaccurate information resulted in overpayment of federal emergency rental assistance funds for which All Star and Parker were not eligible. With respect to rental properties managed by All Star Property for Jordin, a management fee was subtracted from received T-RAP funds and retained by All Star Property, and the remaining received T-RAP funds were paid to Jordin. The result of which was that Jordin received overpayment of T-RAP funds that he was not otherwise entitled to.
United States Attorney Waldref further stated that, “Importantly, this case came out of Washington’s right-to-counsel program for indigent renters facing eviction. Equal access to justice in eviction defense is helping shine a light on these fraudulent practices in ways that was not possible before this important program existed. We will continue working with community and housing rights organizations like the Northwest Justice Project to hold landlords accountable when they put profits before tenant’s rights.”
This case was originally brought by the Northwest Justice Project, Washington’s largest legal aid organization, on behalf of Krystal Jeffries, a former tenant in a property owned by Jordin and managed by All Star. Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers may file an action under seal in federal court. The United States investigates the allegations and determines whether to intervene in the action. Under the False Claims Act, the United States may recover up to three times the damages caused by the Defendant, plus additional penalties for each false claim or statement. Over the past decade, False Claims Act recoveries in the Eastern District of Washington have exceeded $400 million. If the United States obtains a recovery, the whistleblower is generally able to share in a portion of the recovery. Here, Relator Krystal Jeffries will recover more than $68,000 of the settlement amount, plus additional attorney fees of $18,660 recovered by the Northwest Justice Project.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jake Brooks and Dan Fruchter prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Office.
A copy of the settlement agreement can be found below:
Settlement AgreementSouthwest Missouri Man Sentenced for Meth Trafficking, Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD CITY, Mo. – A southwest Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing methamphetamine and a firearm.
Billy Hile, 61, who has no known address, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 13 years in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 9, 2023, Hile pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Hile was sentenced as a career offender due to his prior felony convictions.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on Sept. 15, 2021, while Hile was driving his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck on U.S. Highway 60 in Lawrence County, Mo. Hile, who had 13 baggies of marijuana with him, admitted to the trooper that he had a medical marijuana card but purchased marijuana on the black market. Hile also admitted that he last smoked marijuana a couple of hours prior to the traffic stop. The trooper conducted field sobriety tests on Hile and arrested him for driving while intoxicated.
When the trooper searched Hile, he found marijuana and $4,795 in cash (some of which was later determined to be counterfeit). Hile also had a bag in his pants that contained a pipe, methamphetamine, cocaine, and psilocyn mushrooms.
The trooper searched Hile’s vehicle and found a loaded Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which had been reported as stolen, and 91.49 grams of methamphetamine inside a Gladware container in a tackle box. The tackle box also contained drug paraphernalia.
This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Eatmon. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Shreveport Businessman and Military Veteran Sentenced on Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Edward L. Angel, Sr., 71, of Shreveport, has been sentenced for theft of government funds and making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Angel to 3 years of supervised probation, with the first 6 months being served as home confinement. Angel was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $141,972.89 and a fine in the amount of $850,000.
In February, Angel was found guilty by a federal jury of three counts of making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a week-long trial. The jury was deadlocked as to the remaining counts in the indictment charging Angel with theft of government funds and a mistrial was declared. After the mistrial was declared, the government and Angel eventually agreed to enter into a plea agreement. Pursuant to that plea agreement, Angel pled guilty to one count of theft of government funds.
Angel is a military veteran and owned and operated two businesses, ELA Group, Inc. (ELA) and Paradigm Engineers and Constructors PLLC (Paradigm). The VA has a service-disabled veteran owned small business program (SDVOSB) which is a program that provides federal contracting assistance to small businesses owned by disabled veterans by providing them the opportunity to get certain set-aside contracts. To be eligible for this program, the veteran must meet specific criteria demonstrating eligibility, ownership, and control of the small business.
In 2011 and 2012, Angel submitted forms to the SDVOSB stating that he was the President of ELA and responsible for all day-to-day responsibilities and decisions. He also submitted documentation stating he worked 40+ hours each week and his compensation was taken at the end of the year in the form of IRS Subchapter S regulations distributions. On the forms Angel submitted, he represented to SDVOSB that the reason he did not take a salary was because he chose to leave money in the corporation to keep as much working capital as possible. In 2016, Angel purchased and became the President of Paradigm. Soon after his purchase of Paradigm, he began to submit documentation to qualify the company for the SDVOSB program. He certified that he was the 100% owner of Paradigm and worked an average of 50 or more hours a week committing 5-6 hours a day to each of his entities. As a result of these representations, ELA and Paradigm were accepted into the SDVOSB program and received millions of dollars in set-aside contracts from the SDVOSB.
From on or about November 2013, Angel also received Individual Unemployability from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Angel submitted documents to substantiate his disability claims for the VBA stating he was unable to work and had been unemployed since 2008. As a result of his misrepresentations to VBA, Angel admitted that he received $93,819.29 in IU payments that he was not entitled to receive and that were deposited into his bank account in the form of monthly payments.
On June 16, 2011, Angel also applied for SSA Disability Insurance Benefits stating that he had been unable to work since 2010 due to a medical condition. The SSA approved his application to receive disability benefits. Angel admits that he failed to disclose that he owned and operated two companies and was gainfully employed. As a result of these misrepresentations, he received $48,153.60 in disability payments he was not entitled to receive.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General, and Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Executive Assistant United States Attorney Earl M. Campbell and former Assistant United States Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.
# # #
Second Superseding Indictment Charges One of Two District Brothers Accused in Fentanyl and Cocaine Conspiracy with Causing the Deaths of Two MenRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – One of two brothers, Jevaughn Mark, was charged earlier today in a second superseding indictment in connection with distributing fentanyl and cocaine, on December 26, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of two men, Brandon Román and Robert Barletta. The Mark brothers, Jevaughn “Ledo” Mark, 32, and Angelo Mark, 30, previously were charged on April 9 in a 17-count superseding indictment for participating in a conspiracy that distributed large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine in the metropolitan area.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Jevaughn Mark is currently being held on charges that include eight counts of unlawful distribution (of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin) and distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl between January 10, 2024, and March 13, 2024. The charges stem from six controlled purchases in which undercover DEA and MPD taskforce officers (UC-DEA/MPD) contacted Jevaughn Mark and purchased narcotics. In each instance, the UC-DEA/MPD agents requested to buy “Special K” or ketamine from Jevaughn Mark. In every instance, Jevaughn Mark supplied a mixture of fentanyl and other substances, including heroin, but not ketamine.
After obtaining an indictment against Jevaughn Mark, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence in connection with his arrest. From his residence, agents recovered two firearms, cocaine, fentanyl, about $38,000 in cash, body armor vests, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. The same day, law enforcement executed another search warrant at a second residence tied to Jevaughn Mark, in which they located his brother, Angelo Mark. From Angelo Mark’s bedroom, law enforcement recovered seven firearms, 900 rounds of ammunition, dozens of pills, cocaine, fentanyl, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and about $50,000 in cash. Based on the evidence, both brothers were indicted in the first superseding indictment.
On April 9, both Jevaughn Mark and Angelo Mark were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine between January 2021 and March 2024.
Separately, Angelo Mark was charged in the first superseding indictment with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
In addition to the new count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, Jevaughn Mark previously was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The case is being investigated by the DEA’s Washington Division and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Iris McCranie and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Coley, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) section.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
24cr143
Second Person Charged in Armed Carjacking in Northeast DCRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Maurice Edwards, 20, of Washington, D.C., was charged yesterday with armed carjacking in District of Columbia Superior Court, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Edwards is detained pending his June 14, 2024, preliminary hearing.
According to the government’s evidence, on March 11, 2024, Edwards drove a car through a stop sign at 48th Pl and Lee St, NE, and struck the victim’s vehicle. Edwards and his accomplice, Auzsa Beatty, got out of their car and yelled at the victim. When the victim got out of his car, Edwards pulled a gun on him, and Beatty got into the victim’s car. Beatty drove off in the victim’s vehicle, and Edwards drove off in the vehicle he had been driving. The victim immediately reported the offense. MPD Officers later found the victim’s car parked near Beatty’s home.
Beatty, 28, of Washington, D.C., was previously charged with carjacking, and has been detained pending her August 12, 2024, trial before the Honorable Andrea Hertzfeld. Edwards’ case will be joined with Beatty’s.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Cocuzza.
Charges are merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Second Defendant Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Danville Convenience StoreRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A Danville, Virginia man pled guilty recently to committing Hobbs Act robbery of the Sunrise convenience store in Danville.
Calvin Franklin Hughes, Jr., 38, pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Co-defendant Arshay Treyvant Haley, 19, also from Danville, previously pled guilty to committing the Hobbs Act robbery.
According to court documents, on the night of February 15, 2023, Hughes and Haley entered the Sunrise convenience store in Danville wearing masks. Haley approached the store clerk and brandished a machete, while Hughes pointed a pistol at the clerk. Hughes took around $750 from the cash register and Haley grabbed cigarette cartons off the shelf. Before fleeing the store with Haley, Hughes fired his pistol into the ceiling, leaving a shell casing.
Surveillance footage revealed a distinctive tattoo on Hughes’ left hand, aiding in his identification. Days later, officers executed a search warrant at his apartment where they found a pistol hidden in an HVAC vent and a machete in a closet. Ballistic analyses confirmed the pistol found in Hughes’ apartment was the same one he fired in the Sunrise store.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Craig B. Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.
The Danville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour prosecuted the case for the United States.
San Jose Restaurant Owner Sentenced to Two-And-A-Half Years in Prison in Multi-Million-Dollar Covid-19 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – A San Jose restauranteur who fraudulently obtained and misused millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp; and Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Western Region. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Charles R. Breyer, Senior United States District Judge.
David Tai Leung, 58, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty in February 2024 to three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, in connection with fraudulently obtained loans he received from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). He was originally indicted on those charges in August 2022.
According to his plea agreement, Leung—who co-owned and controlled the finances of a San Jose restaurant—submitted an application in May 2021 for $5 million in RRF funds that he certified he would use for approved business-related expenses like payroll, business rent or mortgage costs, and business maintenance expenses and utilities. However, Leung admitted he knew when he made these certifications that, in fact, he intended to use the RRF funds for purposes other than those he had indicated on the application. In reliance on the statements and certifications in Leung’s application, the SBA granted the application and funded the loan in full in June 2021. Leung admitted he then transferred $3.5 million to a personal investment account he controlled and used RRF funds to purchase securities and pay fees associated with the refinancing of the mortgage on his personal residence in Sacramento, all in violation of RRF program requirements restricting the use of RRF funds to specified eligible business-related uses.
In his plea agreement, Leung also admitted that he had previously applied for and received two PPP loans that he had misused to enrich himself—one for $257,100 that was funded in April 2020 and a second for $360,055 that was funded in March 2021. Rather than use those funds for approved business-related expenses, Leung admitted he used the money to enrich himself, including by making payments to a Lexus dealership and spending money at a casino in Northern California.
Ultimately, Leung admitted he received approximately $5.6 million in RRF and PPP funds and that he unlawfully used $3,359,701.28 of those funds. Leung agreed, and was ordered, to pay that amount in restitution.
The PPP was administered by the SBA as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in 2020 to provide billions of dollars in emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The RRF was administered by the SBA as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal law enacted in 2021 to provide funding and support to restaurants, bars, and similar businesses serving food and drink that suffered revenue losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigation measures. The PPP and RRF provided forgivable loans and grants to small businesses for job retention and certain other qualified business expenses.
In addition to sentencing Leung to prison and ordering him to pay more than $3.3 million in restitution, Judge Breyer ordered the defendant to serve three years of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ivana Djak and Alethea Sargent are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and SBA OIG.
Sacramento Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bruce Anthony Garcia, 42, of Sacramento, pled guilty today to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor under his care, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between Aug. 2, 2017, and Sept. 1, 2019, Garcia took hidden video recordings of the victim. He recorded the victim in various stages of undress, using the toilet or shower, or changing in a bedroom or the living room of the apartment they shared. On his devices, Garcia possessed thousands of images and videos of the victim, with the victim either partially or fully nude in several hundred of these images.
When confronted, Garcia admitted that he specifically intended to take these images and videos, that his intent in creating the images and videos was sexual, and that he generally has a sexual interest in children. Garcia described how he would wait until the victim would be getting ready for bed or to take a shower, and then place a cellphone in the bathroom or bedroom. The phone would be propped up so that it would record the minor, but would either appear to be inconspicuous, as if it were being charged, or be hidden altogether. Garcia would then connect to this device remotely using a second device such that he could watch the minor live. From the recordings thus created, Garcia would take screenshots, resulting in the images that were eventually found. Further, Garcia would sometimes manipulate these images so as to focus or zoom in on the victim’s genitals and pubic area. In a text message conversation with another person, Garcia offered to trade pictures of the victim in exchange for other child sexual abuse material.
In addition to the images and videos described above, Garcia was also found to possess approximately 4,266 images and 426 videos of other child sexual abuse material, including images and videos showing the sexual abuse of toddlers. Several of these videos also depicted violence against the victims, including at least one depicting the bondage and torture of a prepubescent female child. Garcia’s child sexual abuse collection included 110 series of known victims of child sexual abuse.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting the case.
Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Sept. 12, 2024. Garcia faces a minimum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those 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.
Riverside County Man Indicted for Transporting 44 Kilograms of Cocaine and 10 Kilograms of HeroinRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Jose Miguel Perez, 42, of Corona, charging him with possessing with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 1 kilogram of heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Perez was pulled over by law enforcement officers while driving north on Interstate 5 in Fresno County. Deputies seized 56 kilograms of various narcotics in the car’s two hidden compartments. Seven kilograms of cocaine were hidden in the ceiling of the car, while an additional 37 kilograms of cocaine, 10 kilograms of heroin, and 2 kilograms of ketamine were seized from a hidden compartment in the car’s roof.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Perez faces a statutory minimum of 10 years with a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Resident of China Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Send Leading Electric Vehicle Company’s Trade Secrets to an Undercover U.S. AgentRead the Press Release
Today, in federal court in Central Islip, Klaus Pflugbeil, a resident of the People’s Republic of China (the PRC or China) and a Canadian and German national, pleaded guilty to conspiring to send trade secrets that belonged to a leading U.S.-based electric vehicle company (Victim Company-1). Pflugbeil and his co-defendant, Yilong Shao, who remains at large, are owners of a PRC-based business (Business-1) that sold technology used to make batteries, including batteries used in electric vehicles. Pflugbeil, a former employee of a company later purchased by Victim Company-1, stole trade secrets from his then employer, and later used the trade secrets to build Business-1, marketing his business as a replacement for Victim Company-1’s products. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay. When sentenced, Pflugbeil faces up to 10 years in prison.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.
“Today, the defendant is guilty of boldly sending valuable trade secrets, detailed documents and drawings that he stole from a U.S.-based leading manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles to an undercover law enforcement agent expertly posing as a businessman on Long Island,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates how this Office will swiftly bring to justice those who misappropriate intellectual property belonging to American companies, to safeguard our economy and national security.”
Mr. Peace also thanked the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section for their invaluable assistance on the case.
“Despite Pflugbeil’s agreement to protect what he knew was proprietary, sensitive technology, he chose to abscond with these trade secrets to China, where he sought an unfair and illegal advantage in critical industries such as electric vehicle manufacturing,” stated Assistant Attorney General Olsen. “With his guilty plea, Pflugbeil is now being held accountable for this unlawful conduct that jeopardized our national security.”
Victim Company-1 is a U.S.-based leading manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles and battery energy systems. In 2019, Victim Company-1 acquired a Canada-based manufacturer of automated, precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly lines (the “Canadian Manufacturer”). Prior to its purchase by Victim Company-1, the Canadian Manufacturer sold battery assembly lines to customers who manufactured alkaline and lithium-ion batteries for consumer use. The battery assembly lines contained or utilized a proprietary technology now owned by Victim Company-1: continuous motion alkaline battery assembly (the “Battery Assembly Trade Secret”). The proprietary technology provided a substantial competitive advantage to Victim Company-1 in the battery manufacturing process.
Both Pflugbeil and his co-defendant Shao are former employees of the Canadian Manufacturer. As detailed in court documents, by no later than 2019, Pflugbeil and Shao planned to use Victim Company-1’s trade secrets for their own business activities. Pflugbeil told Shao that he had “a lot of original documents” related to the technology and sought out more “original drawings” of the trade secrets. Shao subsequently confirmed, among other things, that, “we have all of original assembly drawings by PDF.”
The conspirators took measures to obfuscate that they had stolen documents. For example, Pflugbeil wrote to Shao about a document he created based on a document that Shao had stolen from Victim Company-1, “[it's] in a different format, so it looks very original and not like a copy.”
In or about July 2020, Pflugbeil joined Business-1, a company previously established by Shao, which has since expanded to locations in China, Canada, Germany and Brazil. Business‑1 makes the same precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly lines that the Canadian Manufacturer developed. Business-1 was marketed by Pflugbeil as an alternative source for the sale of products that relied upon Victim Company-1’s trade secrets, publishing online advertisements on Google, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Pflugbeil purchased ads on Google for Business-1. These ads read, for example, “[Business-1] | Replacing [Canadian Manufacturer] Pumps & Parts | [Canadian Manufacturer] Identical Spare Parts. We manufacture precision metering pumps and fill tubes. | Contact Us for your [Canadian Manufacturer] replacement pumps and parts.” In any given week, this ad was shown tens of thousands of times.
Pflugbeil also repeatedly sent LinkedIn messages that said, “Hello [name], I used to work at [Canadian Manufacturer], and after [Victim Company-1] purchased and closed the company, I am now part of a company providing similar products and services.” Pflugbeil’s LinkedIn profile background, pictured below, read:
On September 11, 2023, undercover FBI agents attended a trade show for the packaging and processing industries (the “Trade Show”) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The undercover agents posed as businesspeople who were interested in purchasing a battery assembly line from Business-1 to manufacture batteries at a facility in Long Island, New York. The undercover agents were introduced to Shao at the trade show and later to Pflugbeil via email.
Subsequently, on or about November 17, 2023, Pflugbeil sent, via email, a detailed 66-page technical documentation proposal (the “Proposal”) to an undercover agent (“UC-1”). The Proposal notes, “this technical documentation package contains [Business-1] proprietary information which must be kept confidential.” In reality, the Proposal contained Battery Assembly Trade Secret information belonging to Victim Company-1: at least half a dozen drawings Pflugbeil used in the Proposal and sent to UC-1 were, in fact, Victim Company-1’s information related to the Battery Assembly Trade Secret.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section and the Criminal Section of the Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Samantha Alessi are in charge of the prosecution, along with Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
The Defendant
KLAUS PFLUGBEIL
AGE: 58
Ningbo, ChinaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-238 (JMA)
Resident of China Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Send Leading Electric Vehicle Company’s Trade Secrets to Undercover U.S. AgentRead the Press Release
Klaus Pflugbeil, 58, a Canadian and German national and resident of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), pleaded guilty today to conspiring to send trade secrets that belonged to a leading U.S.-based electric vehicle company (Victim Company-1). Pflugbeil and his co-defendant, Yilong Shao, who remains at large, are owners of a PRC-based business (Business-1) that sold technology used to make batteries, including batteries used in electric vehicles. Pflugbeil, a former employee of a company later purchased by Victim Company-1, stole trade secrets from his then employer and later used the trade secrets to build Business-1, marketing his business as a replacement for Victim Company-1’s products.
“Despite Pflugbeil’s agreement to protect what he knew was proprietary, sensitive technology, he chose to abscond with these trade secrets to China, where he sought an unfair and illegal advantage in critical industries such as electric vehicle manufacturing,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “With his guilty plea, Pflugbeil is now being held accountable for this unlawful conduct that jeopardized our national security.”
“The defendant boldly took what did not belong to him and used stolen trade secrets for his own personal profit knowing those valuable trade secrets were rightfully owned by an American company,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates how this office will swiftly bring to justice those who misappropriate intellectual property belonging to American companies particularly where the use of the technology poses a national security risk.”
“The defendant knowingly and illegally took trade secrets with no regard to the damage that would be done to the victim or the financial impact it would have on the U.S. economy,” said Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone who seeks to profit by stealing technology from U.S. companies.”
According to court documents, Victim Company-1 is a U.S.-based leading manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles and battery energy systems. In 2019, Victim Company-1 acquired a Canada-based manufacturer of automated, precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly lines (the Canadian Manufacturer). Prior to its purchase by Victim Company-1, the Canadian Manufacturer sold battery assembly lines to customers who manufactured alkaline and lithium-ion batteries for consumer use. The battery assembly lines contained or utilized a proprietary technology now owned by Victim Company-1: continuous motion alkaline battery assembly (the Battery Assembly Trade Secret). The proprietary technology provided a substantial competitive advantage to Victim Company-1 in the battery manufacturing process.
Both Pflugbeil and Shao are former employees of the Canadian Manufacturer. As detailed in court documents, by no later than 2019, Pflugbeil and Shao planned to use Victim Company-1’s trade secrets for their own business activities. Pflugbeil told Shao that he had “a lot of original documents” related to the technology and sought out more “original drawings” of the trade secrets. Shao subsequently confirmed, among other things that, “we have all of original assembly drawings by PDF.”
The conspirators took measures to obfuscate that they had stolen documents. For example, Pflugbeil wrote to Shao about a document he created based on a document that Shao had stolen from Victim Company-1, “[its] in a different format, so it looks very original and not like a copy.”
In or about July 2020, Pflugbeil joined Business-1, a company previously established by Shao, which has since expanded to locations in China, Canada, Germany and Brazil. Business‑1 makes the same precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly lines that the Canadian Manufacturer developed. Business-1 was marketed by Pflugbeil as an alternative source for the sale of products that relied upon Victim Company-1’s trade secrets, publishing online advertisements on Google, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Pflugbeil purchased ads on Google for Business-1. These ads read, for example, “[Business-1] | Replacing [Canadian Manufacturer] Pumps & Parts | [Canadian Manufacturer] Identical Spare Parts. We manufacture precision metering pumps and fill tubes. | Contact Us for your [Canadian Manufacturer] replacement pumps and parts.” In any given week, this ad was shown tens of thousands of times.
Pflugbeil also repeatedly sent LinkedIn messages that said, “Hello [name], I used to work at [Canadian Manufacturer], and after [Victim Company-1] purchased and closed the company, I am now part of a company providing similar products and services. Pflugbeil’s LinkedIn profile background, pictured below, read:
Pflugbeil’s LinkedIn profile background.On Sept. 11, 2023, undercover FBI agents attended a trade show for the packaging and processing industries in Las Vegas. The undercover agents posed as businesspeople who were interested in purchasing a battery assembly line from Business-1 to manufacture batteries at a facility in Long Island, New York. The undercover agents were introduced to Shao at the trade show and later to Pflugbeil via email.
Subsequently, on or about Nov. 17, 2023, Pflugbeil sent, via email, a detailed 66-page technical documentation proposal to an undercover agent (UC-1). The proposal notes, “this technical documentation package contains [Business-1] proprietary information which must be kept confidential.” In reality, the proposal contained Battery Assembly Trade Secret information belonging to Victim Company-1: at least half a dozen drawings Pflugbeil used in the Proposal and sent to UC-1 were, in fact, Victim Company-1’s information related to the Battery Assembly Trade Secret.
Pflugbeil pleaded guilty to conspiring to send trade secrets. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case. The Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section provided valuable assistance.
Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Samantha Alessi for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
This action was coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation-states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.
Registered sex offender indicted for possessing images of child sexual abuseRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 52-year-old Des Moines, Washington, man, who is a registered sex offender, was indicted by a grand jury this week for possession of images of child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Edward James Creed, was on Washington State Department of Corrections supervision when he was found to have unapproved electronic devices in his residence and images of child sexual abuse on his phone. Because of his prior conviction, Creed faces a mandatory minimum ten-year sentence if convicted. He will be arraigned on the charge next week.
According to records filed in the case, Creed previously served nearly ten years in state custody for a 2008 Kitsap County conviction for rape of a child. He was released in 2017 but was returned to custody for a time in 2019. In March of 2024, a community corrections review of his phone revealed that he had collected images of child sexual abuse. After his arrest, a search of his room at the sex offender residence revealed that he had a number of unapproved electronic devices. Those devices are still being forensically analyzed.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Washington State Department of Corrections.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.
Prior felon pleads guilty to new child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christopher Gostick, 30, of Lancaster, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to receipt of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction relating to possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that on June 9 and 10, 2023, Gostick attended a sleepover birthday party, during which he kissed a minor victim (Minor Victim 1), who was nine years old, on the lips. Minor Victim 1 told her parents, which resulted in police officers responding to the residence and taking possession of cellular telephones and a tablet that belonged to Gostick. A review of one of the cellphones uncovered a surreptitiously recorded video of Minor Victim 1 using the bathroom. In addition to the video of Minor Victim 1, law enforcement also found on Gostick’s other cellphone a screen recording of a Snapchat conversation between Gostick and a second minor victim (Minor Victim 2), who was 10 years old at the time. During that conversation, Gostick, who was posing as an 11-year-old female, instructed Minor Victim 2 to send him a sexually explicit video, which Minor Victim 2 did. A review of Gostick’s devices also recovered approximately 613 images and two videos containing child pornography. Previously, in August 2019, Gostick was convicted on a state charge of Attempted Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child Less than 16.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Arcara.
# # # #
Portsmouth man convicted of sex trafficking and production of child pornography sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 32 years in prison for sex trafficking, production of child pornography, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on April 30, 2022, Pierre De Romeo Smith, 40, met 16-year-old Jane Doe. The same day, he took sexually explicit photographs of her, including suggestive photos of her posed with the muzzle of a shotgun in her mouth. Several hours later, he posted these pictures of her on a commercial sex website, advertising her for commercial sex. For the following three weeks, the defendant continued to make her available for commercial sex with as many as 30 “dates” a night throughout the Hampton Roads area. He gave her amphetamines to keep her awake and confiscated the money from her dates.
On May 19, 2022, the Virginia Beach Police Department conducted an undercover commercial sex operation at a hotel in Virginia Beach where they encountered Jane Doe. When interviewing her at the hotel, detectives observed a text message on her phone from the defendant stating he was there. The defendant was observed arriving at the hotel’s parking garage and was arrested. In his car were multiple controlled substances, including fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and a Glock handgun, which the defendant was prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon.
After his arrest, Smith “green lit” Jane Doe, meaning he approved for her to be killed. Jane Doe relayed this information to law enforcement, who corroborated the “green light” through two separate confidential sources. According to those sources, Smith, a leader in the Imperial Gangster Bloods gang, ordered an associate to carry out the hit, and Smith said that no one would testify against him at trial.
A federal jury convicted Smith on April 6, 2023.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.; and Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Wilson Hanes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Montoya and Rebecca Gantt prosecuted the case.
This case was investigated by the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force, a collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as nongovernmental organizations, working together to combat human trafficking in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-122.
Portland, Oregon man indicted for traveling to Seattle for sex with childrenRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 56-year-old Portland, Oregon, man was indicted by a federal grand jury for attempted enticement of a minor and travel with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Marc David McCool was arrested May 16, 2024, when he arrived at a Seattle area hotel, allegedly intending to sexually abuse fictitious 7 and 11-year-old children. McCool remains detained at FDC SeaTac and is scheduled for arraignment next week.
According to records filed in the case, McCool responded to an ad posted on social media by an undercover law enforcement agent. Over more than six weeks of “chats” via the Kik Messenger App, McCool allegedly described his sexual interest in children, his sexual abuse of other victims, and the types of “trophies” he kept from those prior criminal sexual acts. Ultimately, McCool arranged to travel to Seattle allegedly believing he would sexually abuse two young children. He was arrested after he traveled by train and a rideshare to the meet location. At the time of arrest, he had various items reflective of his sexual interest in abusing children: condoms, baby oil, rope, and stuffed animals.
Attempted enticement of a minor is punishable by no less than 10 years to lifetime imprisonment. Traveling with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor is punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigation as part of the Seattle Police Department Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.
U.S. v McCool 24-cr-00102
Ponemah Man Sentenced to Prison for Attempted Robbery of Red Lake HomeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Ponemah man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and owes $500 in restitution for attempted robbery occurring within the boundary of the Red Lake Indian Reservation.
According to court documents, on September 24, 2022, Justice Edward Desjarlait, 27, attempted to rob a residence on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Carrying an unloaded rifle, Desjarlait knocked on the front door of the residence, raised the rifle and demanded, “Give me all of your [expletive].” Desjarlait then attempted to open the storm door in order to enter the house, but the door was locked so he fled without taking anything from the home.
On February 5, 2024, Desjarlait pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery. He was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Joan N. Ericksen on June 5, 2024.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and the U.S. Border Patrol with assistance from the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek prosecuted the case.
Omaha Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute pled guilty on June 12, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.
Jose L. Velez, Sr., age 39, from Omaha, Nebraska, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Velez admitted on or about February 23, 2024, he knowingly and intentionally possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Velez remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Velez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and 5 years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Fletcher and was investigated by the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force, the Cerro Gordo Sheriff’s Office, the Clear Lake Police Department, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Mason City Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-03018.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Oklahoma Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Possession of Nearly 5 Kilograms of Methamphetamine, 1,988 Fentanyl Pills, and Five FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISON – A Lawton, Oklahoma man was sentenced yesterday to 300 months in the United States Bureau of Prisons on criminal charges related to his arrest near Harrison, Arkansas on August 3, 2023, for Possession of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl With Intent to Distribute. Thompson’s sentence was accompanied by $2,000 in fines and a five (5) year term of supervised release to follow his imprisonment. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, Allen Ray Thompson, age 32, a native of Lawton, Oklahoma, was traffic stopped by the Arkansas State Police in rural Boone County, Arkansas near Harrison for failure to display a proper vehicle tag. During the traffic stop, a narcotics-detecting canine alerted on the vehicle, prompting a search which revealed 4,934.5 grams of methamphetamine, 1,988 fentanyl pills, and five firearms, one of which was stolen. Thompson, a previously convicted felon, was not permitted to possess a firearm. A later search of Thompson’s telephone text messages revealed that Thompson was delivering the controlled substances to customers in the Harrison area who had previously paid Thompson through an internet-based, peer-to-peer money transfer platform.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, State of Arkansas 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force and Arkansas State Police conducted the investigation in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Carter prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .
Information regarding this case may be found at
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov, WDAR Case No. 3:23 CR 30009-002.
Ohio Man Pleads to Illegally Purchasing Firearms in Tampa and Transferring Them to JuvenilesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Gabriel Gladman (23, Akron, OH) today pleaded guilty to a 14-count indictment charging him with 8 counts of providing a false statement to a federally licensed dealer to acquire a firearm and 6 counts of unlawfully transferring a handgun to a juvenile. Gladman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of providing a false statement to acquire a firearm, and 1 year in federal prison for each count for unlawfully transferring a handgun to a juvenile. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Gladman, on several dates, purchased firearms from federally licensed dealers in Tampa, where he represented that he was the actual buyer of the firearms. On those same dates, however, Gladman transferred those firearms to juveniles.
As part of the plea agreement, Gladman has agreed to forfeit 8 firearms, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Those firearms included a Glock .26 semi-automatic firearm, an FMK 9C1 semi-automatic firearm, a Taurus G3 semi-automatic firearm, two Tara TM-9X semi-automatic firearms, and a Taurus G3C semi-automatic firearm.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Guzman. Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky is responsible for the forfeiture of the firearms.
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.
New York Man Charged with Defrauding Harrisburg Resident and Others, of Thousands of Dollars in Cash and GoldRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kuldeep Jaggi, age 39, of Huntingdon Station, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Jaggi was a member of a conspiracy that operated a fraud scheme that targeted victims throughout the United States including Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In part, the fraud scheme was carried out by causing pop-up windows to appear on victims’ personal computers. These pop-up windows falsely stated the victims’ computers had been infected with a virus and instructed victims to call the telephone number provided to receive technical assistance.
It is further alleged that victims who called the number spoke with a member of the conspiracy who falsely represented himself to be a government agent or employee. During the telephone call, it was falsely represented to the victims that their compromised computers had been used to commit crimes for which they would be charged, and that for the virus to be removed from the computer, victims had to pay a fee in the form of cash or gold. Victims were instructed to hand deliver the cash or gold payment to an “agent” who was being sent to the victim’s homes.
The indictment alleges that Jaggi was one of the scheme’s “agents” who travelled to victims’ homes to pick up the cash or gold. According to the Indictment, on October 3, 2023, Jaggi traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to collect approximately $64,000 in gold from a victim, and between September 26, 2023, and October 3, 2023, Jaggi traveled to Massachusetts, Idaho, and Texas where he collected a total of approximately $129,000 from three victims.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Swatara Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J. Terz is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the indicted offenses is 20 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release after imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
New York City Man Sentenced to 61 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Wednesday sentenced a man from New York City to 61 months in prison and ordered him to repay $30,000 to victims of a bank fraud scheme.
The federal prison sentence for George Sciarrone, 54, will follow a prison sentence he is currently serving on an unrelated matter.
Sciarrone pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in February to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, six counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He admitted that sometime prior to September 28, 2022, organizers of a bank fraud scheme located outside of Missouri identified financial accounts of various Missouri residents. They then recruited Sciarrone and others to deposit counterfeit checks into those accounts and then withdraw the money. The organizers produced counterfeit drivers licenses and credit cards bearing the names of the account holders and pictures of those they had recruited.
Sciarrone admitted depositing checks in amounts from $3,800 to $4,000 into five banks by using the names of six different people between Sept. 28, 2022, and Oct. 7, 2022.
Valerie Kelly, 46, of New York City, pleaded guilty in November to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, four counts of bank fraud and three counts of use of a counterfeit access device. She admitted using the identities of six people to deposit fraudulent checks ranging from $3,500 to $4,500 into five banks and attempting to cause losses of over $80,000 to more than 10 victims.
In March, Judge Autrey sentenced Kelly to 15 months in prison and ordered her to repay $69,100.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bridgeton Police Department, the Creve Coeur Police Department, the Florissant Police Department, the Richmond Heights Police Department, the St. Charles City Police Department and the Wentzville Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry prosecuted the case.
New Jersey Woman Indicted for Using Fraudulent Passport CardRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Jersey was indicted today in federal court in Worcester for allegedly using a fraudulent passport card at a Shrewsbury credit union while attempting to withdraw money from a customer’s account.
Elizabeth Clemente, 42, was indicted on one count each of forgery or false use of a passport and aggravated identity theft. Clemente was arraigned in federal court in Worcester earlier today. Clemente was charged by criminal complaint in January 2024.
It is alleged that on Nov. 7, 2023, Police responded to a credit union in Shrewsbury where employees reported that Clemente allegedly attempted to withdraw money by impersonating a real credit union account holder, “Person #1.” While speaking with law enforcement, Clemente allegedly first identified herself “Heather.” When pressed for further identification information, Clemente allegedly provided the name of “Person #1”, however it is alleged that Clemente could not remember her date of birth or address. When further questioned, Clemente allegedly handed law enforcement a fraudulent U.S. Passport Card. The passport card bore Person #1’s name and actual date of birth, but contained Clemente’s photograph.
The charge of forgery or false use of a passport provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory 2-year prison term to be served consecutively, up to one year 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; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty to Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New Bedford man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits.
Anthony Patterson, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Sept. 10, 2024. Patterson was charged in May 2024.
From 2013 to 2023, Patterson collected Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, which are only available to people with limited financial means. During two interviews with the Social Security Administration in 2012 and 2022, Patterson made sworn false statements regarding his marital status and living situation to conceal household income and resources. As a result, he collected $92,582 in SSI benefits that he was ineligible to receive.
The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. 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 Bradley Parker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Multiple Lafourche Parish Residents Indicted for Violating the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today the unsealing of a seven-count indictment charging the following individuals:
- LIONEL DUNCAN, (“DUNCAN”), age 34, of Thibodaux, Louisiana
- JOHN PAUL GAGE JR., (“GAGE JR.”), age 42, of Des Allemands, Louisiana
- LINEZ GREEN, (“GREEN”), age 30, of Thibodaux, Louisiana
- YOLANDA TILLMAN, (“TILLMAN”), age 42, Des Allemands, Louisiana
- JAMES WILLIAMS, (“WILLIAMS”), age 64, of Schriever, Louisiana
- MICHAEL LEWIS, (“LEWIS”), age 47, of Thibodaux, Louisiana
- RYDELLE ROUNDS, (“ROUNDS”), age 40, of Thibodaux, Louisiana
- ANJHAELYN HAYNES, (“HAYNES”), age 28, of Humble, Texas
The indictment was unsealed on June 10, 2024 after all eight individuals were arrested by local law enforcement working with federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents. All eight individuals were indicted in Count 1 for Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846. If convicted of Count 1, they face a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment.
GREEN and GAGE JR. were indicted in Count 3, while GAGE JR. and ROUNDS were indicted in Count 6, for illegal use of a communications facility, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. If convicted of Counts 3 or 6, they face up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least 3 years supervised release following imprisonment.
GREEN was indicted in Counts 2, 4, and 5 for distribution of a quantity of a mixture of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). If convicted of either of these three counts, GREEN faces up to twenty years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years supervised release following imprisonment.
HAYNES was indicted in Count 7 for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). If convicted of Count 7, she faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release following imprisonment. All seven counts of the indictment also carry a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least May 4, 2024, these eight individuals conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, cocaine and methamphetamine throughout the Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish region of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The conspiracy involved obtaining narcotics from Houston, Texas and transporting those narcotics to Thibodaux, Louisiana. The conspiracy was carried out through wire and electronic communications.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
United States Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, the Thibodaux Police Department, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.
* * *
Morganton Man Is Sentenced to 17 Years for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Joseph Paul Mosteller, 42, of Morganton, N.C., was sentenced today to 17 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, Robert Schurmeier, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI), Sheriff Banks Hinceman of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, and Chief Reed Baer of the Hickory Police Department, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.
According to court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, in June 2023, law enforcement initiated an investigation into Mosteller for suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking in Burke and Catawba Counties. On June 2, 2023, law enforcement were conducting surveillance of Mosteller, and observed the defendant and another individual, who was carrying a shoebox, walking toward Mosteller’s car, which was parked in the parking lot of a hotel in Hickory, N.C. Law enforcement attempted to arrest Mosteller before the defendant drove off in his vehicle. Law enforcement arrested the other individual and seized the shoebox, which contained methamphetamine. The individual told law enforcement that Mosteller had received a delivery of methamphetamine at the hotel the day prior.
According to court documents, on June 22, 2023, law enforcement believed Mosteller had received methamphetamine and was located at a residence in Burke County. Law enforcement observed Mosteller enter a vehicle that had been parked in the driveway. As Mosteller drove off in the vehicle, law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop but Mosteller did not stop and instead began to drive off at a high speed. Mosteller travelled several miles before colliding into an embankment. Law enforcement arrested Mosteller and seized a paper bag located inside the vehicle, that contained multiple controlled substances, including fentanyl, packaged for distribution. Later the same day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Burke County residence. During the search, law enforcement seized additional distribution amounts of fentanyl and digital scales.
Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger presided over Mosteller’s hearing and ordered the defendant to remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
U.S. Attorney King thanked the ATF, the NC SBI, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hickory Police Department for their investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
# # #
Money Launderer Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Laundering Millions of Dollars of Health Care Fraud ProceedsRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MUKHIDDIN KADIROV was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to launder millions of dollars from a health care fraud scheme that primarily targeted the Medicare and Medicaid programs. KADIROV controlled three shell company bank accounts, opened in the name of another person, that he used to launder over $6 million in health care fraud proceeds, including over $4 million for his co-defendant NERIK ILYAYEV. KADIROV previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods, who imposed today’s sentence.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Mukhiddin Kadirov participated in a complex international money laundering network to launder millions of dollars fraudulently obtained from Medicare and Medicaid, as well as from other insurers. Kadirov abused our financial system by providing false information to banks to use shell company bank accounts to launder millions in fraud proceeds. This prosecution and today’s sentence are part of my Office’s ongoing work to take down complex money laundering networks and safeguard the integrity of our financial systems.”
According to the Complaint, the Information, court filings, and public court proceedings:
From approximately March 2021 through the spring of 2022, KADIROV participated in a sophisticated money laundering network that primarily launders health care fraud proceeds (the “Money Laundering Network”). Members of the Money Laundering Network typically deposit checks from health care companies that represent health care fraud proceeds into New York-based bank accounts held by shell companies. The conspirators controlling the shell companies collect cash typically from U.S.-based individuals who want to remit funds, often to Uzbekistan, through unlicensed channels. The conspirators controlling the shell companies then provide that cash, minus a fee, to the conspirators providing the health care checks. The conspirators controlling the shell companies next typically wire the check deposit proceeds from the shell companies to foreign companies to purchase goods from those foreign companies. The foreign companies ship the goods to importers in Uzbekistan. The importers pay the Uzbekistan-based partners of the conspirators operating the shell companies in U.S. currency for the goods. Those Uzbekistan-based partners would then give the U.S. currency to the families and friends of the individuals who had provided the cash to the conspirators controlling the shell companies in New York.
As part of his participation in the Money Laundering Network, KADIROV controlled three business bank accounts held in the names of three different shell companies that were purportedly wholesale companies (the “Shell Company Accounts”). KADIROV used the Shell Company Accounts to launder approximately $4.2 million from a pharmacy in Manhattan (“Pharmacy-1”) controlled by ILYAYEV that was engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid by submitting fraudulent billing for expensive HIV medications. Between March 2021 and April 2022, approximately $6.9 million flowed through KADIROV’s Shell Company Accounts, which included not only the fraud proceeds from Pharmacy-1 but also deposits from other pharmacies and health care companies.
KADIROV took significant steps to conceal his role in the money laundering scheme. KADIROV used the identity of another person who was no longer in the United States to control the Shell Company Accounts. When using ATM machines to access the Shell Company Accounts, KADIROV covered his face to obscure his face on bank surveillance video and wore latex gloves to prevent leaving fingerprints. KADIROV also used a burner phone subscribed using a fake name and email address to access the Shell Company Accounts and to call the banks regarding the Shell Company Accounts.
KADIROV conducted his money laundering scheme consistent with the typical practices of the Money Laundering Network, using the Shell Company Accounts to engage in check cashing and unlicensed money transmitting. The three Shell Companies KADIROV used to conduct the money laundering all had either “Wholesale” or “Supply” in their names to give the false impression to banks and law enforcement that the Shell Companies were medical supply companies to disguise the true nature of the transactions between Pharmacy-1 and the Shell Companies. KADIROV’s Shell Company Accounts were funded virtually entirely by check deposits from Pharmacy-1 and other pharmacies. Moreover, consistent with the practices of the Money Laundering Network, KADIROV wired virtually all the funds that flowed through the Shell Company Accounts abroad to companies in China, Ukraine, and Russia.
KADIROV stopped operating the Shell Company Accounts by the spring of 2022, soon after Pharmacy-1 closed in March 2022 after another member of the Money Laundering Network who attempted to launder fraud proceeds from Pharmacy-1 was arrested. KADIROV nevertheless continued to facilitate ILYAYEV’s money laundering. After closing Pharmacy-1, ILYAYEV, using the identity of another person, continued to operate another pharmacy, which he used to defraud No Fault insurance providers of over $1.2 million and to unlawfully sell medications obtained from illegitimate sources, for which the pharmacy received over $900,000 in proceeds. ILYAYEV also used that stolen identity to open multiple corporate bank accounts for the pharmacy to receive and spend the fraud proceeds generated by the pharmacy. KADIROV, who is also a construction contractor, used a debit card in the name of that stolen identity to buy materials for a construction project for ILYAYEV.
* * *
In addition to the prison term, KADIROV, 46, of Queens, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit more than $6 million.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. Mr. Williams also thanked the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor for their assistance in the investigation.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cecilia E. Vogel and Thane Rehn are in charge of the prosecution.
Minnesota Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Louis Park man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in June 2015, Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, departed the United States with his family to Casablanca, Morocco, to visit extended family. Once in Morocco, Al-Madioum surreptitiously fled to Syria to join and fight for ISIS. During the following several months, Al-Madioum was administratively enrolled into ISIS, received military training from its members, and assigned to a battalion. Al-Madioum served as a soldier for ISIS until late 2015 when he was injured while conducting military activities on behalf of ISIS. Following his injury, Al-Madioum continued to provide assistance to ISIS as a personnel database administrator. He remained a member of ISIS until he was captured by Syrian Democratic Forces in March of 2019.
On September 16, 2020, Al-Madioum made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in the District of Minnesota on an indictment charging him with providing material support to ISIS. On January 13, 2021, Al-Madioum pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery. Based on the defendant’s cooperation, the government asked the court to give the defendant credit for providing substantial assistance.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
Minnesota Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Providing Material Support to ISISRead the Press Release
A Minnesota man was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Based on the defendant’s cooperation, the government asked the court to give the defendant credit for providing substantial assistance.
According to court documents, in June 2015, Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 27, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, departed the United States with his family to Casablanca, Morocco, to visit extended family. Once in Morocco, Al-Madioum surreptitiously fled to Syria to join and fight for ISIS. During the following several months, Al-Madioum was administratively enrolled into ISIS, received military training from its members and assigned to a battalion. Al-Madioum served as a soldier for ISIS until late 2015 when he was injured while conducting military activities on behalf of ISIS. Following his injury, Al-Madioum continued to provide assistance to ISIS as a personnel database administrator. He remained a member of ISIS until he was captured by Syrian Democratic Forces in March of 2019.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota and Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBI’s National Security Branch made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter for the District of Minnesota prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal Reentry and Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration RequirementsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cosme Marin-Ponce, age 40, of Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien and for failing to register as a sex offender. The case was unsealed following Marin-Ponce’s arrest.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Marin-Ponce was previously removed from the United States on September 23, 2019, after pleading guilty to indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old. It is alleged that he was subsequently found in the United States without having first obtained legal permission to reenter the country. Marin-Ponce also failed to register as a sex offender, as his previous conviction required.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
# # #
Mescalero Woman Sentenced for Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to physically assaulting her partner and causing him substantial bodily injury.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to publicly available court documents, on September 24, 2023, Prestina Lisa Kazhe, 44, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and John Doe got into an argument while watching a football game and drinking alcohol at their residence. During the argument, Kazhe struck John Doe multiple times on the head with a beer bottle, causing lacerations that required staples.
When John Doe tried to flee, Kazhe hit him 9-10 more times with a metal pot, leaving him bleeding profusely. As a result of the assault, John Doe required multiple staples to close his wounds.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Kazhe will be required to serve 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Joni Autrey Stahl is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Mescalero Man Pleads Guilty to Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man pleaded guilty in federal court to assaulting his intimate partner by strangling her.
In his plea agreement, Ronnie Pernell Evans admitted that on November 8, 2023, he assaulted his intimate partner, Jane Doe. Evans and Jane Doe were outside her home arguing when he shoved her and grabbed her by her throat. Evans squeezed Jane Doe’s throat and pushed her backwards toward his vehicle until they tripped and fell to the ground.
Evans got back up and continued dragging Jane Doe towards his car until a neighbor intervened. Evans fled the scene. Responding officers later stopped Evans on Highway U.S. 70 and arrested him.
The Court ordered that Evans remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
At sentencing, Evans faces 10 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Evans will be subject to up to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Autrey Stahl is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Man sentenced for over $5.6M international advance-fee schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - An Indiana man has been ordered to federal prison for his role in an international advance-fee scheme orchestrated from Nigeria that defrauded victims worldwide of over $5.6 million, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The jury deliberated for 45 minutes before convicting Tochukwu Nwosisi, 52, Indianapolis, Indiana, following a six-day trial March 4 of conspiracy to commit money laundering and concealment money laundering.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett has now ordered Nwosisi to serve a total of 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. He must also pay $905,945 in restitution. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Nwosisi was a knowing, willing participant in a criminal scheme with very real impacts to victims around the world, stating that “today is the day for accountability.”
From at least February 2015 to January 2018, Nwosisi participated in an advance-fee scheme involving fraudulent offers of investment funding and inheritances to victims around the world. Nwosisi’s Nigeria-based co-conspirators induced victims to make large wire payments to bank accounts in the United States on the false belief that payment of the purported advance fees was necessary before the bank would release their funding or inheritance. Nwosisi served as a money launderer who accepted victim funds into his U.S.-based bank accounts and directed the proceeds to the ringleaders in Nigeria.
The FBI and Department of State – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Latham prosecuted the case along with Trial Attorney Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
Man Sentenced to 141 Months in Prison for St. Louis Store RobberyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Thursday sentenced a man who admitted committing the armed robbery of a Foot Locker in St. Louis, Missouri in 2021 to 141 months in prison.
Demetrius Kirksey, now 35, robbed the Foot Locker at 4651 Chippewa Street in St. Louis on Oct. 6, 2021. He pointed a handgun at the clerk before running behind the counter and stealing cash from the register.
Kirksey pleaded guilty in January U.S. District Court in St. Louis to robbery and possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassandra Wiemken and Jennifer Szczucinski are prosecuting the case.