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Saturday 20 April 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on the Senate’s Vote on the Reauthorization and Reform of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702Read the Press Release
The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the Senate's vote on the reauthorization and reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702:
“Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is indispensable to the Justice Department’s work to protect the American people from terrorist, nation-state, cyber, and other threats.
“This reauthorization of Section 702 gives the United States the authority to continue to collect foreign intelligence information about non-U.S. persons located outside the United States, while at the same time codifying important reforms the Justice Department has adopted to ensure the protection of Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.
“In today’s heightened global threat environment, the Justice Department will continue to use Section 702 to ensure that our efforts to keep our country safe are informed by the most valuable and timely intelligence, as we continue to uphold our commitment to protect the rights of all Americans.”
Friday 19 April 2024
Winner Man Sentenced for Third Degree BurglaryRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Winner, South Dakota, man convicted of Third Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024.
Anthony Arellano, age 21, was sentenced to time served from his arrest on June 15, 2023, through June 14, 2024, equal to approximately one year in custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Arellano was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,665.00.
Arellano was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 8, 2024.
In the early morning hours of June 1, 2023, Arellano broke into a store in Rosebud, South Dakota, and stole several hundred dollars’ worth of merchandise. Arellano was identified on surveillance video from the scene and was arrested at a residence in St. Francis, South Dakota, on June 15, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.
Arellano was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
White Supremacist Leader Sentenced to 44 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Make Death Threats Against Brooklyn JournalistRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Nicholas Welker, also known as “King ov Wrath,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen to 44 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to make death threats. Welker, the leader of Feuerkrieg Division (“FKD”), an international racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist (“RMVE”) group, which translates to “War Fire,” posted death threats against a Brooklyn-based journalist (the “Journalist”) so that the Journalist would stop reporting on the Neo-Nazi group. Welker pleaded guilty in September 2023.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.
“Welker tried to silence a journalist from reporting on his white supremacist group so that his fellow extremists could continue to commit violence against racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “There were real victims of this crime—the journalist and his news media organization. Today’s sentence demonstrates that we will stand up for them and other journalists who bravely report on these violent hate groups.”
Mr. Peace expressed his thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies. Mr. Peace also thanked the Estonian Internal Security Service and Prosecutor’s Office for their valuable support.
According to court filings, Welker’s threat included a photograph of the Journalist with a gun aimed at his head and the words “Race Traitor” over the Journalist’s eyes. The threat stated, “JOURNALIST F[***] OFF! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.” The threat listed the Journalist and his employer by name. Welker posted the threat to a public online forum. Two under-aged FKD members tweeted the death threat directly at the Journalist’s social media handle so that he would see it. Welker intended to frighten the Journalist into dropping his reporting on Welker’s hate group.
FKD members share a common goal of challenging laws, social order, and the government via terrorism and other violent acts. The organization encourages attacks on racial minorities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ+ community, the U.S. Government, journalists, and critical infrastructure. FKD has members in the United States and abroad.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Andrew D. Reich are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The Defendant:
NiCHOLAS WELKER (also known as “King ov Wrath”)
Age: 33
San Jose, CaliforniaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-141 (PKC)
United States Attorney’s Office Hosts Roundtable on Sexual Harassment in HousingRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Inspector General (OIG) hosted a roundtable today, April 19th, 2024, for community organizations to discuss the problem of sexual harassment in housing.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division launched the Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing, in October 2017. The Initiative seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance works, loan officers, and other people who have control over housing, as well as build strong partnerships in the community to combat this problem together. In March 2023, HUD OIG launched an initiative to address the egregious civil and criminal sexual misconduct allegations involving federally subsidized housing. This initiative, which furthers HUD OIG’s mission of preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse within HUD, protects HUD’s programs and the vulnerable beneficiaries of these programs from abuse involving sexual misconduct.
Event attendees included organizations that work with vulnerable populations who are most likely to become victims of sexual harassment in housing including legal aid offices, fair housing organizations, shelters and transitional housing providers, as well as federal and local government agencies from across the state of Indiana.
While most people are familiar with the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, harassment also occurs in housing. The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act.
The Justice Department brings cases each year involving egregious conduct, including allegations that defendants have exposed themselves sexually to current or prospective tenants, requested sexual acts in exchange for reduced rents or making necessary repairs, made unrelenting and unwanted sexual advances to tenants, and evicted tenants who resisted their sexual overtures.
“Sexual harassment in housing might not be as visible as harassment in the workplace but can be just as egregious, and is often underreported,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Landlords or superintendents using the power they have over tenants to extort sexual acts, or even commit assaults, is intolerable. Our office is dedicated to uncovering such violations where they exist and vigorously enforcing the law.”
“HUD tenants deserve to feel safe in their homes without the threat of their landlord or anyone in a position of power over their housing, making sexual demands or overtures,” said Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis. “HUD OIG is committed to working with the U.S Attorney and the DOJ to hold accountable landlords who prey on vulnerable tenants and housing applicants.”
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey Preston, Joi Kamper, and Adriana Figueroa for their work in affirmative civil enforcement of our civil rights laws.
Local police departments or legal aid offices may be able to help victims if the behavior is a crime or if there is an imminent eviction.
If you or someone you know has information about or has been a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation—even if the events occurred years ago—report it to the HUD Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-347-3735 or visit the website at www.hudoig.gov/hotline. You may also file a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint.
Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/civil-rights or by email to [email protected]. More information about the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
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Two Men Charged with Murder in the Course of Sex-Trafficking at Open-Air “Penn Track” in Brooklyn and Related CrimesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, a seven-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Omari Scott, also known as “Prince” and “Sir Prince,” and Michael Simmons, also known as “Victory,” with murder in the course of sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force and related crimes. The charges stem from the defendants’ trafficking of women and promoting prostitution with customers in cars, hotels and along a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn known as the “Penn Track” which has operated for years as an open-air commercial sex market. In the spring of 2023, Scott violently punished a trafficking victim who attempted to leave his control to work instead for Cleveland Clay, another individual who had women working for him in prostitution on the Penn Track. Scott and Simmons decided to murder Clay, which Simmons carried out by shooting him multiple times at close range on May 1, 2023. Scott was arrested earlier today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo. Simmons is currently serving a sentence on unrelated charges and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged, the defendants conspired to brazenly murder a rival for control of a victim they perceived to be their property in the course of sex trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office is working alongside our federal and state law enforcement partners to prosecute the perpetrators who exploit vulnerable women for profit and we will provide support for these victims who have been harmed.”
Mr. Peace also expressed his appreciation to the New York City Department of Corrections, the New York City Human Resources Administration, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the New York County District Attorney’s Office for their valuable assistance with the case.
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith said, “Human lives are not pawns for criminals to manipulate for their own cruel wishes. Omari Scott and Michael Simmons’s desire to establish control over their sex trafficking operation extended beyond violence against their victims, leading to the alleged murder of their rival. Their alleged actions – sexually exploiting women and conspiring to take a life of another individual – show a blatant disregard for humanity. The FBI will continue its efforts to pursue and bring to justice those who prey upon vulnerable populations with violence.”
“It is unequivocally detestable to compound the loathsome act of sex trafficking by allegedly murdering a business rival,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “I commend everyone at the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District and the FBI’s New York Field Office for their continued partnership in this case. The NYPD and our colleagues remain steadfast in holding accountable anyone who seeks to profit from the abuse and exploitation of others.”
As alleged in court documents, Scott and Simmons both recruited women to work in prostitution on their behalf along the Penn Track. Scott used threats and violence to force at least two victims to engage in commercial sex work and provide him with the proceeds. For example, in a conversation obtained by law enforcement, Scott warned a victim that he would “knock [her] out for disrespecting me,” and, on another occasion, told an associate on a recorded call that he was “beating this b---- up tonight” for failing to work quickly enough to locate customers.
On April 30, 2023, when Scott learned that a victim planned to leave him and work with Clay, he was captured on video violently dragging the victim by her hair into his car, and later told an associate on a recorded call, “I’m bout to violate that b----. . . I’m about to do her something crazy. . . I’m not respecting this shit. . . . I’m about to kill this b----!” Early the next morning, Scott and Simmons were captured on video engaged in a heated argument with Clay. Less than three hours later, Scott and Simmons were captured on video outside of a laundromat near the Penn Track before Simmons walked off to kill Clay in a parking lot, shooting him at least five times at close range. When Simmons returned, the laundromat video captured Simmons telling Scott, “He’s down. . . he’s down!” Clay succumbed to his injuries and died later that day.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the sex trafficking charges, the defendants face a minimum term of 15 years in prison, and up to life imprisonment. If convicted of the murder charge, the defendants face up to life imprisonment, and are eligible for the death penalty.
If you are a victim of trafficking—whether by Scott, Simmons or someone else—and have information to provide, please contact the FBI, which is prepared to help you regardless of your immigration status, at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorney Erin Reid, Anna Karamigios and Joshua Dugan are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Anna November and Ryan Costley.
The Defendant:
OMARI SCOTT (also known as “Prince” and “Sir Prince”)
Age: 43
Brooklyn, New York
Michael Simmons (also known as “Victory”)
Age: 40
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-158 (KAM)Two Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Plead Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Violations for Violently Assaulting a Man They ArrestedRead the Press Release
Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies, Levi White, 34, and Zackary King, 28, pleaded guilty to federal civil rights offenses for using unlawful force on a man they arrested.
“The defendants swore an oath to uphold the law, then violated that oath and abused their power by assaulting a person who was pinned to the ground and not resisting,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These defendants will now face the serious consequences that result from their unlawful actions. The Justice Department will continue to protect the right of every person in this country to be free of excessive force by law enforcement officers.”
“The videos from this incident are a shocking display of the violent deprivation of civil rights committed by these officers,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas. “No person in police custody should ever feel threatened or should ever experience violence at the hands of those who are sworn to protect the public. We will continue to vigorously pursue justice in cases involving the violation of civil rights in the Western District of Arkansas.”
“The violent and abusive actions of these two men, who were sworn to serve and protect our community, are unacceptable,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Law enforcement officers hold positions with significant authority and influence, and their credibility in the eyes of the American people depends on their ability to maintain integrity. These guilty pleas serve as a reminder that the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who take advantage of their positions and will always fight to protect the civil rights of all Americans.”
“Disgraceful actions, like those of the two Crawford County sheriff’s deputies, negatively impact all members of Arkansas law enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder of the FBI Little Rock Field Office. “A gun and a badge do not give someone the right to ignore the Constitution. The FBI’s ArkTrust Task Force will continue to work to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement by investigating officers who violate the civil rights of citizens in our community.”
According to court documents, White, King and a third officer approached a man identified as R.W. in a gas station parking lot on Aug. 21, 2022, during their investigation into a person threatening a store attendant. R.W. lunged at White and tackled him, then all three officers quickly subdued R.W. and pinned him to the ground. After R.W. was pinned to the ground and no longer fighting the officers, King kicked R.W. in the back and struck R.W. once in the midsection with his fist. At approximately the same time, White punched R.W. at least nine times in the head, then lifted R.W.’s head and slammed it into the pavement. The third officer did not strike R.W. R.W. suffered head injuries from the assault.
Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date. White faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. King faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Little Rock Field Office and ARKTrust Task Force investigated the case.
Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorneys Lia Rettammel and Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas are prosecuting the case.
Two Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Plead Guilty to Federal Civil RightsRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH - Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies, Levi White, 34, and Zackary King, 28, pleaded guilty to federal civil rights offenses for using unlawful force on a man they arrested.
“The videos from this incident are a shocking display of the violent deprivation of civil rights committed by these officers,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes for the Western District of Arkansas. “No person in police custody should ever feel threatened or should ever experience violence at the hands of those who are sworn to protect the public. We will continue to vigorously pursue justice in cases involving the violation of civil rights in the Western District of Arkansas.”
“The defendants swore an oath to uphold the law, then violated that oath and abused their power by assaulting a person who was pinned to the ground and not resisting,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These defendants will now face the serious consequences that result from their unlawful actions. The Justice Department will continue to protect the right of every person in this country to be free of excessive force by law enforcement officers.”
“Disgraceful actions, like those of the two Crawford County sheriff’s deputies, negatively impact all members of Arkansas law enforcement,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder. “A gun and a badge does not give someone the right to ignore the Constitution. The FBI's ArkTrust Task Force will continue to work to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement by investigating officers who violate the civil rights of citizens in our community.”
According to court documents, White, King and a third officer approached a man identified as R.W. in a gas station parking lot on Aug. 21, 2022, during their investigation into a person threatening a store attendant. R.W. lunged at White and tackled him, then all three officers quickly subdued R.W. and pinned him to the ground. After R.W. was pinned to the ground and no longer fighting the officers, King kicked R.W. in the back and struck R.W. once in the midsection with his fist. At approximately the same time, White punched R.W. at least nine times in the head, then lifted R.W.’s head and slammed it into the pavement. The third officer did not strike R.W. R.W. suffered head injuries from the assault.
Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date. White faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. King faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Little Rock Field Office and ARKTrust Task Force investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorney Lia Rettammel of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Two Florida Steel Traders Sentenced for Money Laundering and Russia-Ukraine Sanctions ViolationsRead the Press Release
John Can Unsalan, aka Hurrem Can Unsalan, the president of Orlando, Florida-based steel trading firm Metalhouse LLC, was sentenced to six years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering to promote violations of U.S. sanctions against Sergey Kurchenko, a pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch. Unsalan’s former business associate, Sergey Karpushkin, a Belarusian national residing in Miami, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in the scheme. Unsalan pleaded guilty and was ordered to forfeit $160 million in proceeds from the offense. Karpushkin pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to commit international promotional money laundering and was ordered to forfeit $4.7 million in criminal proceeds.
Kurchenko was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2015 for his role in misappropriating state assets of Ukraine or of an economically significant entity in Ukraine. Two sanctioned companies – Kompaniya Gaz-Alyans OOO, based in the Russian Federation and controlled by Kurchenko, and ZAO Vneshtorgservis, based in the Russian occupied Georgian region of South Ossetia – were designated by OFAC in 2018 for acting on behalf of and providing material support to the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic in the separatist-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine.
As set forth in court filings, Unsalan and Karpushkin engaged in trade with these sanctioned individuals and entities to procure steelmaking equipment and raw material despite knowing that Kurchenko, Gaz-Alyans and Vneshtorgservis were subject to U.S. sanctions that prohibited U.S. persons and entities from doing business with them. No licenses from OFAC were applied for or issued for these payments or transfers.
As stated in court documents, between July 2018 and October 2021, Unsalan conspired with others to transfer over $150 million to Kurchenko and companies controlled by Kurchenko. Unsalan, acting through his company, Metalhouse, engaged in trade with sanctioned individuals and entities and received tens of thousands of tons of metal products from the companies. Between July 2017 and August 2020, Karpushkin conspired with Unsalan and other business associates, acting through Metalhouse, to enter into contracts and purchase orders for pig iron, steel billets, and wire rods from these sanctioned companies and agreed to share profits from these unlawful transactions. The co-conspirators intentionally concealed from U.S. banks and government officials the ultimate source and origin of the goods that they sought to acquire, knowing that they did not have the necessary authorization or license from OFAC to transact with Kurchenko and companies owned and controlled by Kurchenko.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
The FBI Tampa and Washington Field Offices investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt for the Middle District of Florida, Trial Attorney Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorneys Sean O’Dowd and Sean Fern of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section prosecuted the case.
The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
Two Florida Steel Traders Sentenced for Money Laundering and Russia-Ukraine Sanctions ViolationsRead the Press Release
Co-Conspirator Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison and $4.7 Million Forfeiture
John Can Unsalan, aka Hurrem Can Unsalan, the president of Orlando, Florida-based steel trading firm Metalhouse LLC, was sentenced to six years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering to promote violations of U.S. sanctions against Sergey Kurchenko, a pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch. Unsalan’s former business associate, Sergey Karpushkin, a Belarusian national residing in Miami, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in the scheme. Unsalan pleaded guilty and was ordered to forfeit $160 million in proceeds from the offense. Karpushkin pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to commit international promotional money laundering and was ordered to forfeit $4.7 million in criminal proceeds.
Kurchenko was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2015 for his role in misappropriating state assets of Ukraine or of an economically significant entity in Ukraine. Two sanctioned companies – Kompaniya Gaz-Alyans OOO, based in the Russian Federation and controlled by Kurchenko, and ZAO Vneshtorgservis, based in the Russian occupied Georgian region of South Ossetia – were designated by OFAC in 2018 for acting on behalf of and providing material support to the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic in the separatist-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine.
As set forth in court filings, Unsalan and Karpushkin engaged in trade with these sanctioned individuals and entities to procure steelmaking equipment and raw material despite knowing that Kurchenko, Gaz-Alyans and Vneshtorgservis were subject to U.S. sanctions that prohibited U.S. persons and entities from doing business with them. No licenses from OFAC were applied for or issued for these payments or transfers.
As stated in court documents, between July 2018 and October 2021, Unsalan conspired with others to transfer over $150 million to Kurchenko and companies controlled by Kurchenko. Unsalan, acting through his company, Metalhouse, engaged in trade with sanctioned individuals and entities and received tens of thousands of tons of metal products from the companies. Between July 2017 and August 2020, Karpushkin conspired with Unsalan and other business associates, acting through Metalhouse, to enter into contracts and purchase orders for pig iron, steel billets, and wire rods from these sanctioned companies and agreed to share profits from these unlawful transactions. The co-conspirators intentionally concealed from U.S. banks and government officials the ultimate source and origin of the goods that they sought to acquire, knowing that they did not have the necessary authorization or license from OFAC to transact with Kurchenko and companies owned and controlled by Kurchenko.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
The FBI Tampa and Washington Field Offices investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chauncey A. Bratt for the Middle District of Florida, Trial Attorney Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorneys Sean O’Dowd and Sean Fern of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section prosecuted the case.
The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
Todd County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Todd County, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024.
Derek Sharpfish, age 33, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Sharpfish was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on January 2, 2024.
The convictions stem from conduct involving two different victims that occurred between October of 2020 and January of 2023 within the Rosebud Indian Reservation. On multiple instances during that period, Sharpfish engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor female who was between the ages of 13 and 15-years-old. On one occasion during that period, Sharpfish groped an adult female while she was sleeping.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Sharpfish was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Three Sentenced in International Controlled Substances and Prescription Drug Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that on April 19, 2024, Paul Bateman, 47, a citizen of the United Kingdom who previously resided in Laos, was sentenced in the United States District Court following his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including the opiates Tapentadol and Tramadol, as well as other drugs that required a prescription. Bateman had been extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges. Chief Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sentenced Bateman, who has spent approximately 20 months in custody, to a sentence of time-served, with no supervision to follow, as the defendant is expected to be deported to the United Kingdom upon the completion of his sentence.
Previously sentenced in connection with this case were Bateman’s co-conspirators, Samir Doshi and Rebecca Buckley. In February 2019, following his guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute Schedule IV controlled substances and violating the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, United States District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Doshi to time served after Doshi had served about six months in jail. He also was ordered to forfeit $20,000. In September 2020, following her guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, Judge Reiss sentenced Buckley to five years of probation and forfeiture of $349,712.10.
According to court records, between in or about 2015 and in or about August 2019, Paul Bateman worked with others, including Buckley and Doshi, to distribute controlled substances and other prescription drugs over the internet. Bateman was a search engine optimizer (“SEO”) responsible for creating and maintaining websites that offered controlled substances and other drugs for sale. Bateman also took steps to improve the ranking of his websites in response to customer searches. The websites created by Bateman did not ask for or require a prescription prior to the distribution of controlled substances and other drugs.
In or about 2015, Bateman began working with Buckley, who provided customer service and credit card processing for customer orders made through Bateman’s websites. After customers paid Buckley, Buckley sent some of the proceeds to Bateman, typically via wire transfer. Bateman used some of this money to pay suppliers and others while keeping some for himself. The websites that Bateman and Buckley operated sold drugs such as Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting drug that is a Schedule IV controlled substance, and prescription medications for erectile dysfunction.
Bateman also worked with Samir Doshi. In or about 2016 or 2017, Bateman and Doshi met in Thailand and discussed a business relationship in which Bateman would build websites for Doshi for the sale of Schedule IV controlled substances Tramadol (an opiate pain reliever) and Soma (also known as, Carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant). Doshi provided Bateman with $2,000 to build those websites. After that meeting, Bateman created websites for the sale of Tramadol and Soma. Bateman also received commission payments from Doshi. In or about May 2018, Bateman and Doshi began marketing Tapentadol to customers, including by drafting and sending an email introducing Tapentadol as a product for sale. Tapentadol is an opiate classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
This investigation was led by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the United States Marshals Service substantially assisted with Bateman’s extradition from the United Kingdom to the United States. United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the efforts of law enforcement and stated, “From behind their computer screens, Bateman and his co-conspirators were responsible for distributing dangerous opiates and unregulated, prescription drugs to consumers throughout the United States and across the globe for profit. Some consumers were located in Vermont, and none of the defendants were licensed to prescribe in Vermont. This case demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to halting this conduct and bringing those responsible to justice, even when they are located abroad.”
“Prescription drugs that are smuggled from overseas and are outside the secure supply chain can present a serious health risk to those who use them. The drugs may contain unknown or dangerous ingredients and are manufactured under unknown or unregulated conditions,” said Special Agent in Charge Fernando P. McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office. “We will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who traffic in illegal prescription drugs.”
Bateman was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven L. Barth. Doshi was represented by Mark A. Kaplan, Esq. Buckley was represented by Matthew Hart, Esq. Assistant U. S. Attorneys Andrew C. Gilman and John J. Boscia represented the United States.
Tampa Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Veterans Health Administration ProgramRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody has sentenced Rupert G. McLendon, III (51, Tampa) to 90 days in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $37,402, the proceeds of the wire fraud conspiracy. McLendon entered a guilty plea on January 25, 2024.
According to court documents, McLendon was a paid caretaker for a family member through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services (VDHCBS) Program. The veteran for whom McLendon was a paid caregiver was admitted to the hospital in August 2018 and remained hospitalized until his death on or about December 31, 2018. McLendon failed to notify the VDHCBS program of the veteran’s hospitalization and death. Instead, McLendon continued to input, or cause to be input, caregiver hours into the VDHCBS payroll system, and he made false and misleading statements regarding the veteran’s whereabouts and health when contacted by VDHCBS staff. As a result of these fraudulent payroll entries and representations, the VDHCBS Program, and a government contractor associated with that program, suffered a total loss of at least $37,402.39.
“The Veteran-Directed Care program provides a vital bridge between VA’s treatment team and the daily care needs of our nation’s veterans. This sentencing sends a clear message that those who would exploit veterans to commit fraud will be investigated and held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “The VA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard this important VA program.”
This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.
Suburban Chicago Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago woman has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for recruiting and enticing a child to engage in commercial sex acts.
In November 2021, JAMARI HODGE recruited and enticed a 13-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts. Hodge took sexually explicit photographs of the victim and posted them in online advertisements offering the commercial sex. Hodge then rented hotel rooms in Illinois and Indiana to use for encounters with individuals who responded to the advertisements. Hodge set the prices and collected the payments from customers after the encounters.
Hodge, 29, of Calumet City, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of enticing a minor to engage in commercial sex. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Martha M. Pacold on Wednesday ordered Hodge to pay $180,000 in restitution to the victim.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lansing, Ill., Police Department, Calumet City, Ill. Police Department, and Richton Park, Ill., Police Department. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Kelly.
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Stanislaus County Man Indicted for Sexual Exploitation Offenses Against a MinorRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Thursday against Christian Ceja, 27, of Turlock, charging him with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, between Aug. 27, 2023, and Jan. 3, 2024, Ceja transported a minor victim from the Eastern District of California to Idaho with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. In addition, Ceja received images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Ceja faces a mandatory statutory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for the most serious charged count, and a $250,000 fine per count, plus up to a lifetime of supervised release. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case 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.
Springfield Man Sentenced to 77 months in Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
Springfield, Ill. – A Springfield man, Navell J. White, age 44, of the 1300 block of North 4th Street, was sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 77 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person - a felon.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Colleen R. Lawless, the government established that, during a traffic stop in September 2022, White, a felon, was found in possession of a Taurus G2 9mm pistol. During the hearing, Judge Lawless noted that White had a significant criminal history which included a pattern of domestic violence over several years.
White remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service, where he has been since his federal arrest on February 3, 2023. He pleaded guilty to the one-count indictment on December 14, 2023, before Judge Lawless.
The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person are up to 15 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The Springfield Police Department investigated the firearms case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case against White is part of a committed effort to combat gun violence in Sangamon County, Illinois, by law enforcement including the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.
The 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.
Springfield Man Arrested for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Springfield man has been arrested on drug related charges involving fentanyl.
Emilio Garcia-Cappas, 27, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute 40 or more grams of fentanyl and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Garcia-Cappas was arrested yesterday and, following an appearance in federal court in Springfield, was detained pending a hearing scheduled for a later date.
According to the indictment, between Feb. 5, 2024 and Feb. 22, 2024, Garcia-Cappas allegedly conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 or more grams of fentanyl. The indictment further alleges that on Feb. 12, 2024, Garcia-Cappas distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. The charge of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. 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; Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers; and Brian A. Kyes, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of the Springfield 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.
Spokane Man Found with Methamphetamine and 1,700 Fentanyl Pills Sentenced to Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Henry Patrick Bevans, III, age 40, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Possession with the Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 168 months imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in January of 2023, the Liberty Lake Police Department (LLPD) was investigating suspected drug trafficking at a local hotel. Officers observed a vehicle, suspected to be involved in drug related activity, parked at the hotel for several days.
On January 31, 2023, officers observed a man and a woman use the vehicle to drive from the hotel to a gas station a short distance away. An LLPD officer contacted the man driving and confirmed the man was Bevans. LLPD arrested Bevans on a felony warrant from the Department of Corrections. When he was arrested, Bevans was on supervised release following a 10-year prison sentence for a conviction in 2014 on drug distribution charges.
LLPD obtained and executed a state search warrant for the vehicle. Officers located 131 grams of methamphetamine, 1,750 fentanyl-laced pills, as well as a smaller amounts of other controlled substances inside the car. Officers also located a taser, an air pistol, a digital scale with drug residue, zip lock baggies and zip ties, a drug ledger, and more than $1,000 in cash inside the vehicle.
“Despite periods of incarceration and rehabilitation, Mr. Bevans continued to distribute dangerous and illicit controlled substances. My office is committed to stopping the flow of deadly drugs into our neighborhoods,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I’m grateful for the tireless dedication of all those that join us in this critical mission. By working together, we can effectively combat the opioid epidemic and make our communities safer and stronger.”
“People like Mr. Bevans, who persistently distribute drugs after completing their incarceration, present a clear danger to our communities,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners are committed to ensuring the safety of our communities by holding people like Mr. Bevans accountable as many times as it takes to protect the public from this grave threat.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Liberty Lake Police Department.
South African national charged with unlawfully obtaining U.S. citizenshipRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging a South African national with unlawfully procuring naturalization in the U.S.
According to court documents, between June and September 2019, Brian Smith, 52, applied for and obtained naturalization in the U.S. by making false statements in connection to his naturalization application.
Smith allegedly falsely responded to questions asking whether he had been involved in killing, badly hurting or sexually assaulting someone and if he had ever committed, assisted in committing or attempted to commit a crime he was not arrested for. Smith answered “No” to all these questions, when at the time of the application, he had committed related crimes, including two murders that involved torture and sexual assaults. Smith was convicted of these crimes in February 2024 in the Superior Court for the State of Alaska.
Smith is charged with one count of unlawful procurement of naturalization in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1425(a) and one count of unlawful procurement of naturalization by an ineligible person in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1425(b). The defendant will make his initial court appearance on a later date before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces the revocation of his certificate of naturalization.
U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in the Pacific Northwest Region, made the announcement.
HSI Pacific Northwest Region is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody Tirpak is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Somerset County Man Convicted of Defrauding New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Fund of Millions of Dollars and Committing Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was convicted of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, five acts of healthcare fraud, and four counts of tax evasion, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
C.R. Kraus, 58, of Manville, New Jersey was convicted of all 10 counts of an indictment following a trial before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court. In January 2023, Kraus’s conspirators, Harry Pizutelli and Maritza Flores, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and tax evasion relating to defrauding the New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Fund (TBI Fund) of millions of dollars for their own personal benefit.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“This defendant was convicted of multiple crimes for his role in a conspiracy that resulted in the theft of millions of dollars earmarked for victims of traumatic brain injuries. Stealing resources intended to help New Jersey residents who are already coping with serious challenges is especially egregious. My office, and our law enforcement partners, are always working to root out this kind of criminal activity and ensure the guilty face appropriate punishment.”
“People battling to regain their lives after surviving a traumatic brain injury, and then digging out from the astronomical costs of healthcare related to the injury are the victims in this case,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Those people should have been the recipients of money from a fund created specifically to help them, not Kraus and his co-conspirators. I want to commend the outstanding work of the investigators and prosecutors in this investigation who successfully fight each day to seek justice against criminals who believe their crimes may not harm or impact anyone. It does, and they will be held accountable.”
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
The TBI Fund is a publicly funded program run by the New Jersey Division of Disability Services, a component of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The TBI Fund’s purpose is to provide New Jersey residents who have suffered a traumatic brain injury with services and support in order to maximize their quality of life when funding from insurance, personal resources, or other programs is unavailable to meet their needs. Services funded by the TBI Fund include physical, occupational, and speech therapy; service coordination; assistive technology; cognitive therapy; neuropsychological services; pharmaceuticals; wheelchair ramp installation and other home modifications; and general home management and maintenance.
After a prospective patient applies for services, TBI Fund personnel review the application and, if approved, the patient is authorized to secure designated services from a third-party vendor. Once a patient receives services approved by the TBI Fund, the vendor or service provider submits an invoice to the TBI Fund for payment. When an invoice is received, TBI Fund personnel review the invoice to ensure that the patient had been approved to receive the services. If the invoice is approved, an internal payment voucher is generated, authorized by TBI Fund personnel, and then submitted to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury for payment, which issues a check directly to the vendor.
Pizutelli was the manager of the TBI Fund and was responsible for its day-to-day operation. He supervised, managed, and oversaw the process by which third-party vendors were paid for services rendered to eligible TBI Fund beneficiaries. From 2009 through June 2019, Pizutelli, Kraus, and Flores conspired to defraud the TBI Fund by misappropriating more than $4 million in fraudulent vendor payments for purported services that were never actually provided. Pizutelli orchestrated the distribution of fraudulent vendor payments to Flores and Kraus by generating and processing false invoices and internal payment vouchers. Pizutelli generated these invoices and vouchers to give the appearance that Flores and Kraus had provided approved services to eligible patients when, in fact, they had not provided any services. Pizutelli then approved and transmitted the internal payment vouchers so that his conspirators received vendor payments.
Pizutelli orchestrated these fraudulent payments to maintain and further romantic and/or sexual relationships with Flores, including more than $940,000 in fraudulent distributions to Flores and more than $3.245 million in fraudulent distributions to Kraus. To obscure their fraudulent conduct, Flores and Kraus also evaded the payment of substantial amount of income taxes by making material misstatements and omissions on their federal income tax returns and significantly underreporting the income they had derived from the fraudulent scheme.
The healthcare fraud conspiracy charge and substantive healthcare fraud charges to which Kraus was convicted each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The tax evasion charges to which Kraus was convicted each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, and special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict. He also thanked the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Division of Law, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, for their assistance.
The government is represented by Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge in Trenton, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Suggs of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Trenton Branch Office.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under IndictmentRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man, convicted of Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment. The sentencing took place on April 16, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Lucas Ewald Ahrendt, age 32, was sentenced to two years and three months federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Ahrendt was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person and Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty to Illegal Receipt of a Firearm by a Person Under Indictment on January 26, 2024.
In the evening December 26, 2022, in the West 57th area of Sioux Falls, a passerby observed Ahrendt in the front passenger seat of a truck, smoking a marijuana joint while waving a handgun around. That passerby made a report of the concerning behavior to law enforcement who made contact with Ahrendt and located a Glock handgun, loaded with a full magazine and a bullet in the chamber. Marijuana and fentanyl were also located in the vehicle. Ahrendt was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was under indictment for a felony, Possession of a Controlled Substance in Moody County, South Dakota, when he received the firearm.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Ahrendt was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to continue serving his sentence.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for False Statement to a Financial InstitutionRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of False Statement to a Financial Institution. The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024.
James Bunker, d/b/a Genuine Builders, Inc., age 53, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100. Bunker has also agreed to repay loans to First State Bank that he received under the Main Street Lending program and to the U.S. Small Business Administration for loans he received under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Bunker has also agreed to forfeit $20,000 in U.S. currency and properties located in Sioux Falls.
Bunker was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2021. He pleaded guilty on November 8, 2023.
The conviction stemmed from an incident on January 8, 2021, when Bunker knowingly made a false statement and report for the purpose of influencing the action of American Bank and Trust in connection with an application and loan under the Paycheck Protection Program. Bunker knew that to be eligible for a second draw loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, a 25% revenue reduction must exist in at least one quarter of 2020 as compared to that same quarter of 2019. In order to meet that reduction for Genuine Builders, Inc., Bunker worked with an employee to move certain invoices that had previously been classified as accruing in quarter four of 2020 into quarter three of 2020 in a profit and loss statement. By doing so, Bunker intended to falsely reduce Genuine Builders, Inc.’s reported revenue for quarter four of 2020, which then allowed Genuine Builders, Inc. to illustrate a more than 25% reduction in quarter four of 2020 as compared to quarter four of 2019. Bunker then utilized this information to submit an application to American Bank and Trust on or about January 8, 2021, seeking to obtain a second draw loan under the Paycheck Protection Program for Genuine Builders, Inc. in the amount of $1,318,023.00.
“This sentence sends a strong message that if you lie and cheat to gain access to government funds you will be held accountable, and as in Mr. Bunker’s case, you can go to jail,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Special Agent in Charge Thomas F. Murdock, St. Louis Field Office. “Along with our law enforcement partners, CI is committed to investigating as many pandemic fraud cases as possible to bring those who misused the programs to justice.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, the IRS, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.
Bunker was allowed to self-report at a future date.
Silicon Valley Start-Up Founder Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Securities FraudRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Manish Lachwani, a tech entrepreneur who founded a Silicon Valley-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that he duped potential investors into supporting, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, following his conviction on wire and securities fraud charges, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Charles R. Breyer, Senior United States District Judge.
Lachwani, 47, of Los Altos, California, pleaded guilty on April 23, 2023, to two counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of securities fraud, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) and 78ff and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. He had been charged in a superseding indictment in August 2022 with wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering.
According to his plea agreement, Lachwani founded HeadSpin, Inc. in 2015 and served as its Chief Executive Officer until May 2020. Among other things, HeadSpin provided clients with software tools and access to remote devices to test mobile applications. Between April 2017 and April 2020, HeadSpin raised more than $100 million from investors. But Lachwani admitted that, to obtain that financing, he provided potential investors with information about the company’s business, customers, revenue, and finances that he knew was inaccurate.
For example, Lachwani admitted he sent potential investors financial information that he knew overstated HeadSpin’s revenue and annual recurring revenue (ARR), which is a measure of a company’s subscription revenue rate at a particular point in time, annualized to show revenue the company would expect to make, at that rate, over the course of a full year. Specifically, he admitted he knew the revenue and ARR figures he provided to investors were overstated because they included amounts from potential customers that had not agreed to pay subscription fees to HeadSpin, amounts that were more than real customers had agreed to pay, and amounts from customers that had stopped using and paying for HeadSpin’s services.
Lachwani also admitted that he knowingly sent HeadSpin’s accountant false information about customer contracts that was incorporated into HeadSpin’s financial statements, as well as invoices that he knew had been altered to show amounts that had not actually been invoiced to clients.
“This defendant admitted he lied about his company’s revenue and customers to attract funding from investors, including many in Silicon Valley,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “Today’s sentencing should send a message to other entrepreneurs who may be tempted to cross the line into fraud and to ‘fake it until they make it.’ This Office is committed to protecting investors—including those whose capital powers the engines of innovation in Silicon Valley—from start-ups that misrepresent their finances and try to cut corners.”
“This case sends a clear message to start-up founders that inflating company revenue and lying to investors is not only unethical but illegal,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. “The FBI and our partners will continue to pursue those who attempt to defraud and disrupt the fair capital market system.”
In addition to sentencing Lachwani to prison, Judge Breyer ordered the defendant to serve three years of supervised release to begin after his prison term is completed. Judge Breyer also ordered Lachwani to pay a $1 million fine and scheduled a hearing for July 31, 2024, to address the issue of restitution.
The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lloyd Farnham and Noah Stern are prosecuting the case with assistance from Aarian Beiti. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI thank the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). An SEC civil enforcement action is currently pending against Lachwani in the Northern District of California.
Salt Lake County Residents Allegedly Behind the Shooting of a Woman During an Attempted Carjacking Face Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging two Salt Lake County residents with multiple violent crimes after a woman was allegedly shot by one of the defendants during an attempted carjacking.
According to court documents, on April 3, 2024, Lt Col Siamelie Nick Mila, 20, and Maddyn Dean Christiansen, 21, of Salt Lake County, Utah, attempted to steal a vehicle in the parking lot of a fitness facility in Murray, Utah, that left a woman shot. Surveillance footage from the area showed the victim walking towards her vehicle when Mila exited a black Audi, driven by Christiansen, and approached the victim. A few minutes later, the victim limped back towards the gym while the Audi left the scene. Through witness statements, interviews, and surveillance video, Mila and the victim exchanged gunfire. The victim, who possessed a concealed carry permit, fired her weapon at Mila after he demanded, at gunpoint, that she give him her car keys. Mila did not legally possess a firearm. The victim was taken to the hospital by emergency personnel. At 10:53 p.m. a male, later identified as Mila, arrived at a local hospital emergency room with a gunshot wound. Following medical care, Mila was arrested.
Mila and Christiansen are charged with attempted carjacking, and using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Their initial court appearance on the indictment was April 18, 2024. Mila is scheduled for a detention hearing on April 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. and Christiansen is scheduled for a detention hearing April 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Murray City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Reseda Man Who Expressed Anti-Semitic Hate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Ammunition and Machine GunsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man associated with a racially motivated violent extremist group was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition and possessing eight machine gun conversion devices that allow semi-automatic firearms to function as machine guns.
Ryan Scott Bradford, 35, of Reseda, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton.
Bradford pleaded guilty on January 11 to one count of felon in possession of ammunition and one count of possession of machine guns.
During a search of Bradford’s residence on July 27, 2023, law enforcement officers with the FBI, the DEA and the LAPD recovered 116 rounds of various ammunition – which Bradford is prohibited from possessing due to a 2012 burglary conviction – as well as two machinegun conversion devices for a semiautomatic AR-15-type firearm, four “chip” style machinegun conversion devices for a Glock-type firearm, and two “switch” style machinegun conversion devices for a Glock-type firearm.
When authorities searched the residence, they also recovered two 3D printers, one of which was emblazoned with swastikas; body armor with SS bolts; and glass containers containing explosive components.
In sentencing papers filed in court, prosecutors argued that Bradford “has been involved in manufacturing guns for years,” and that the number of guns he “was manufacturing was not insubstantial and he was working to arm himself as well as others.”
“This violent extremist not only made numerous threats to kill Jews, but also was amassing weapons capable of carrying out acts of violence,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Hateful behavior of this sort has no place in our society, and we will continue to use all the tools available to protect the community from violence driven by racially motivated ideology.”
“Mr. Bradford, a felon, was calling for the genocide of Jews and offering to manufacture 3D weapons while illegally possessing firearms and ammunition,” said Mehtab Syed, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The Joint Terrorism Task Force will investigate violent threats and hold accountable individuals who engage in criminal activity.”
According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint filed last year, Bradford was affiliated with the San Fernando Valley Peckerwoods, a racially motivated violent extremist group. According to the affidavit, Bradford – using online usernames referencing the Peckerwoods – used messaging applications to post racist remarks against Jewish people, including calling for mass murder and genocide of Jews. Bradford also posted links and instruction manuals on Telegram concerning hand grenades, biological warfare, and the “Aryan Revolution,” at times offering to make firearms and firearm parts for others using 3-D printers.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Reema El-Amamy of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Su of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling the forfeiture or abandonment of the firearms, conversion devices, 3D printers, explosives components and tactical gear seized from Bradford.
Registered sex offender pleads guilty to exchanging child pornography on dark web, transporting obscene videos & images of child torture, murderRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A registered sex offender admitted in federal court today that he transported images and videos depicting child torture, child mutilation and child murder. The defendant obtained the material on the dark web and traded it for images and videos of sexual abuse of young children.
Jeremiah Morrison, 38, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography, possessing child pornography and transporting obscene matter. He faces a sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison.
Morrison was twice previously convicted of crimes against children, including a 2012 conviction for filming an 11-year-old boy under a bathroom stall at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
The Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information in April 2023 related to Morrison uploading child pornography.
While executing a search warrant in June 2023, investigators discovered Morrison’s cell phone contained 3,000 images and 900 videos of child sexual abuse material. The images and videos depicted the sexual assault of infants and children ages 0 to 6 years old. For example, one video shows an adult man sexually assaulting a three-month-old baby.
In addition to the child sexual abuse material recovered on the device, investigators also discovered numerous images and videos depicting torture, mutilation and deceased children. For example, one image depicted an approximately 6-year-old girl who was nude and dismembered.
Morrison was arrested in September 2023 and has remained in custody since.
Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Shawn Gibson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola announced the charges.; and other members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the guilty plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.
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Readout of Justice Department and EU Network Meeting on Battlefield EvidenceRead the Press Release
This week, senior representatives and prosecutors from the United States, the European Union, international organizations, and civil society convened to exchange expertise on battlefield evidence in shared efforts to counter terrorism and transnational crime. On April 18 and 19, Chief of Counterterrorism Matthew F. Blue of the Justice Department’s National Security Division represented the Department at the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) meeting in The Hague.
Co-organized by the Eurojust Counter-Terrorism Working Group, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the EU Network for the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against impunity and war crimes (Genocide Network), the meeting provided critical information to terrorism and international crime prosecutors, including on high-level investigations such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Participants exchanged expertise on how evidence from past armed conflicts could be used in proceedings related to ongoing and future conflicts.
Counterterrorism Chief Blue delivered opening remarks to the delegation.
“Terrorists and war criminals should have no illusions that they are safe from prosecution when they plot and commit crimes in conflict zones,” said Chief Matthew F. Blue of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. “The United States is committed to ensuring that battlefield evidence is available for use in its domestic cases and those pursued by its European allies. Today’s meeting reaffirms the strong transatlantic commitment to ensuring that this vital tool is effectively harnessed.”
Participants further discussed how battlefield evidence can expose the operational workings and command structures of terrorist organizations, including the role of specific suspects and their associates, and how the information can be used to build cases that go beyond terrorism membership and financing to include other core international crimes.
In joining forces, Eurojust, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Genocide Network have laid the foundation for enhancing the global response to crimes committed in conflict areas, both today and in the future.
The expert meeting at Eurojust represents another milestone in the longstanding cooperation between Eurojust and U.S. authorities to share challenges and best practice amongst practitioners – a key component of overcoming legal and practical hurdles in ongoing and future criminal cases.
For more information about the Department’s Counterterrorism Efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/nsd/counterterrorism-section. Additional information about Eurojust is available at www.eurojust.europa.eu.
Philadelphia Man Who Orchestrated the Straw Purchase and Resale of over 60 Guns Is Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Mister Tyrell Taylor, 29, of Philadelphia, PA, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert to 120 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $2,800 special assessment, for directing people to straw purchase guns and then reselling those weapons on the streets of Philadelphia.
Taylor and his co-conspirators illegally purchased well over 60 firearms in less than six months from gun stores in the Philadelphia area. More than 20 of those firearms were recovered after being used in crimes, including at least nine guns that were used in shootings. Some of the guns were converted to fully automatic firing, some had large-capacity magazines, and some had obliterated serial numbers.
On June 20, 2023, Taylor was charged in a 28-count indictment with conspiracy and aiding and abetting false statements to a federal firearms licensee. On November 2, 2023, the defendant pleaded guilty to all charges against him.
“Philadelphia is already awash in illegal guns and Taylor flooded the streets with over 60 more,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “We know that many of these weapons were sold to convicted felons who weren’t allowed to have them, and a number were used in violent crimes. The straw-purchasing and trafficking of firearms like this directly contributes to our city’s gun violence crisis and its ever-growing list of victims. I hope that Taylor’s lengthy sentence sends a message that these are very serious crimes, and their perpetrators will be held fully accountable.”
“As this case vividly demonstrates, trafficking firearms puts guns in the hands of dangerous criminals,” said Eric J. DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Too often we find that the guns used in shootings and recovered in crime scenes were illegally obtained through straw purchases. Buying a gun for someone who isn’t allowed to have one puts your neighbors, friends, and families at risk. It is also a federal offense that can land you in prison for years.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Alexander B. Bowerman and Assistant United States Attorney Justin Oshana.
Peoria Woman Sentenced to 144 Months in Prison for Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria, Illinois woman, Crystal Bennett, also known by the aliases, “Nancy Carpenter” and “Crystal Waynette Silsby”, 41, of the 1000 block of West Gift Avenue, was sentenced on April 18, 2024, to 144 months in the Bureau of Prisons for attempted possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.
At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, the government established that, on May 18, 2021, Bennett attempted to retrieve a package from a commercial shipping company store in East Peoria, Illinois. Bennett provided a store clerk with parcel tracking information and stated that the package was for her boyfriend. Based on suspicious behavior, law enforcement was called and determined that the package contained over 50 grams of methamphetamine with a substance purity of 98%. Bennett was arrested and officers located several drug ledgers during a search of her vehicle. In September 2021, Bennet was arrested again, when she was found in possession of over 250 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded gun that had previously been reported stolen, several grams of heroin, and over $2,400 cash.
An indictment was filed against Bennett in October 2022, and she was arrested and arraigned on the indictment in January 2023. Bennett was released on bond conditions in May 2023, but bond was revoked one week later. A guilty plea was entered in September 2023. Bennett has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since May 2023.
The statutory penalties for attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine are 5 to 40 years imprisonment, followed by not less than 4 years of supervised release. A maximum fine of up to $5,000,000 is also possible.
The United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, East Peoria Police Department, Macomb Police Department, and Illinois State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald L. Hanna and Keith Hollingshead-Cook represented the government in the prosecution.
Oxford Man Sentenced to 20 Months for Armed Confrontation with PoliceRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: An Oxford man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Brandon Dearborn, 31, to 20 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on January 31, 2024.
According to court records, in August 2022, a 911 caller reported a man, later identified as Dearborn, was observed brandishing a firearm outside an apartment building in the town of Mexico. Officers confronted Dearborn and instructed him to drop the weapon, a Ruger .22 pistol. Dearborn instead urged the officers to shoot him and raised the pistol towards them, prompting the officers to fire, striking Dearborn multiple times. At the time of his arrest, Dearborn was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony drug conviction in the Oxford County Superior Court.
The FBI and Maine State Police investigated the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psn.
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Owner of tax preparation business indicted for tax fraud chargesRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On April 11, a south Florida grand jury returned an indictment charging the owner of a tax preparations business with 15 counts of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns and one count of contempt of court.
The indictment alleges that from tax years 2016 through 2021, Beatriz Toledo, 60, of Hialeah, Florida, through her company, Immigration and Tax Service Group LLC, willfully prepared false and fraudulent tax returns for clients, which included false claims for the Residential Energy Credit, which allowed taxpayers to claim a credit for qualified energy-saving expenses, and false itemized deductions for state and local sales taxes, business expenses, and other itemized deductions. The indictment further alleges that as a result of these false claims, Toledo’s clients’ taxable income decreased thereby increasing their tax refund.
The indictment also alleges that Toledo’s preparation of false tax returns on behalf of her clients were in violation of a permanent injunction previously entered against her by a federal district judge in 2010 (Case No. 09-cv-21987). In 2009, the United States filed a suit against Toledo seeking to bar her from preparing false tax returns. Toledo then signed a joint motion for entry of a permanent injunction, which the district court entered on July 26, 2020. That injunction prohibited Toledo from, among other things, preparing false tax returns through inflated claims for the deduction of business or employee expenses, assisting or aiding others to evade the payment of taxes or to prepare false or fraudulent federal income tax returns, and preparing or assisting others in preparing documents that materially understated an individual’s income tax liability. Despite these prohibitions, Toledo continued to prepare false tax returns by overstating claims for the Residential Energy Credit and itemized deductions to reduce her clients’ tax liability for tax years 2016 through 2021, as per the allegations in the indictment.
On April 18, Toledo made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman. If convicted, Toledo faces up to three years in prison per count and a fine of up to $250,000 on the tax charges, and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the contempt of court charge.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office made the announcement.
IRS-CI, Miami Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will J. Rosenzweig is prosecuting it.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20147.
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Oswego Vehicle Dealership Sentenced for Conspiracy to Violate Clean Air ActRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Matthew R. Talamo, age 38, of New Haven, New York, was sentenced today in federal court in Syracuse to 4 years of probation and a $50,000.00 fine, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act related to his operation of Southern Diesel Truck Co. and Southern Diesel and Off-Road LLC (collectively “Southern Diesel”), in Oswego, New York. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) in New York, made the announcement.
In pleading guilty previously, Talamo admitted that he is the owner and operator of Southern Diesel, which specializes in buying and reselling diesel vehicles and performing after-market modifications to diesel vehicles, particularly pickup trucks. In pleading guilty, Talamo admitted that he conspired and agreed with others to violate the Clean Air Act at Southern Diesel by tampering with emission control monitoring devices and methods on diesel pickup trucks, including both software and hardware modifications. The illegal software modifications involved “tuning” or “deleting” the trucks by tampering with the “on board diagnostic” (OBD) systems and disabling emission controls, which allowed the trucks to emit substantially more pollutants into the atmosphere. Talamo and his employees also made hardware modifications to diesel vehicles, including by removing tailpipes, mufflers, and other exhaust components and replacing them with so-called straight pipes that lacked diesel particulate filters and other systems designed to reduce harmful emissions.
Between January 2018 and November 2022, Southern Diesel tampered with the emission control monitoring devices and systems of approximately 244 diesel vehicles, often charging thousands of dollars per vehicle for the modifications. Despite the harm to the environment, diesel vehicle owners sometimes seek such illegal modifications to avoid the costs of maintaining and repairing emission control components and to increase speed and fuel efficiency.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, who presided over the case, ordered Talamo to complete 150 hours of community service during his term of probation and ordered him to abide by terms of a compliance program agreed to as part of his plea agreement, including that Southern Diesel is subject to inspection at any time for potential Clean Air Act violations.
EPA-CID investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted the case.
Oregon Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for South Dakota Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Mount Angel, Oregon, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024.
Anthony Romeo Osuna, a/k/a “Romeo”, 25, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Osuna was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in December of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 26, 2024.
Osuna loaded multiple pounds of methamphetamine into hidden compartments in a Nissan Armada in Oregon and had his co-conspirators drive that Armada to Minnesota with the intention of distributing that methamphetamine in Minnesota and South Dakota. During this trip, Osuna remained in Oregon to further sell narcotics. On November 7, 2019, a co-conspirator was arrested after a Worthington, MN, police officer stopped the Nissan Armada and conducted a search of the vehicle, which resulted in the seizure of approximately eleven pounds of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment and two firearms.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Worthington Police Department, and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
Osuna was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mobile Man Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents, David Bailey, 40, was arrested by Mobile police on October 26, 2022 following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. During a search of the residence, a firearm was located on the couch in the front room, as well as powder cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, an ecstasy pill, and a bottle of promethazine syrup in various places throughout the residence. Bailey admitted to ownership of the firearm.
Bailey was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and pled guilty to the charge. United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Bailey to 120 months in prison followed by a 3-year term of supervised release for illegally possessing the firearm.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Mobile Police Department investigated 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Mission Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm. The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024.
Vernon Robert Schmidt, a/k/a Sonny Bob Schmidt, age 38, was sentenced to two years and 11 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to a pay $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Schmidt was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 16, 2024.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on May 18, 2022, near Mission. On that date, law enforcement was looking for Schmidt based on an alleged domestic dispute that occurred earlier in the day at a residence near Mission. Schmidt was subsequently located at a different residence. A loaded 9 mm pistol was found in his possession.
Schmidt has three prior felony convictions in U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota. In 2005, he was convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer; in 2006, he was convicted of Escape; and in 2015, he was convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. As a result of these convictions, it is illegal for Schmidt to possess firearms or ammunition. Schmidt will forfeit ownership of the firearm to the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Schmidt was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Mission Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024.
Gary Drum, age 37, was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Drum was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on February 29, 2024.
On June 22, 2015, Drum was convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact in U.S. District Court, District of Montana. As a result of this conviction, Drum is required to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. In 2022, Drum was ordered to serve a jail sentence after a conviction in Fort Peck Tribal Court. Pursuant to a contract between the Fort Peck Sioux and Asiniboine Tribe and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Drum served his sentence at the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Adult Corrections Facility. Drum remained in the area after his release, initially residing at a residence in the North Antelope Community. On at least two separate occasions, Drum was arrested for tribal charges and served additional time in custody. Drum was last released from custody on October 31, 2023, and failed to update his address with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Sex Offender Registration Office within three business days.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler prosecuted the case.
Drum was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Middlesex County Man Charged with Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was charged with possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Andrew Chu, 33, of Edison, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. Chu made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on April 18, 2024, and was detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From May 2023 through November 2023, Chu used his computer to view approximately 100 images of child sexual abuse, including depictions involving pre-pubescent children.
In a prior federal prosecution in New Jersey in 2021, Chu was convicted of possession of child pornography; for a repeat offender, the charge of possession of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, with the investigation leading to the charge.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Douek of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
chu.complaint.pdfMiddle District of Florida Prosecutors Indict 64 Firearms and Violent Crime Defendants During First Three Months of 2024 as Part of Project Safe Neighborhoods StrategyRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced today the results of the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, ending on March 31, 2024, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida indicted 64 defendants. These defendants face federal firearms, narcotics, and violent crime charges. Law enforcement seized approximately 97 firearms associated with these defendants.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also engaged in community outreach efforts aimed at violent crime prevention throughout the year. Members of the United States Attorney’s Office interacted with approximately 150 middle and high school students and community members during the first quarter of 2024. Re-entry events, including the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office DISMAS program, reached over 250 people.
“Our office is committed to reducing violent crime throughout the Middle District of Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners and community stakeholders as part of our joint effort to make our communities safer.”
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. This evidence-based program has proven to be effective at reducing violent crime by engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders working together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in communities and developing comprehensive solutions that reduce crime. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses on prevention and intervention efforts through community engagement and problem-solving partnerships, strategic enforcement of the most violent offenders, and locally based re-entry programs to reduce recidivism.
Q2 PSN case highlights:
United States v. Mar’tavouis Martel Brown (Ft. Myers)
On January 26, 2024, Mar’tavious Martel Brown (25, Lehigh Acres) was sentenced to five years in federal prison. According to court records, Brown sold a pistol and cocaine to an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Fort Myers.
United States v. Jose Melean Reyes (Jacksonville)
In January 2024, Jose Melean Reyes (29, Jacksonville) pleaded guilty to smuggling firearms from the United States and conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire. According to his plea agreement, on May 15, 2021, Reyes attempted to smuggle 3 firearms and 57 rounds of ammunition from Jacksonville to Venezuela. Reyes concealed the firearms and ammunition in a futon that he attempted to mail using a freight forwarding service.
Following Reyes’s arrest on unrelated state charges on August 11, 2023, federal agents searched Reyes’s cellphone and found conversations between Reyes and another individual discussing trafficking firearms to Venezuela. From Reyes’s phone, agents also learned Reyes and others were involved in a murder-for-hire plot based on a $60,000 debt. Reyes attempted to hire a hitman for $15,000, but federal agents prevented any murder from occurring by arresting Reyes on a criminal complaint. Reyes faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
United States v. Wendell Goney (Ocala)
On July 11, 2021, deputies from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary at a 10-acre business property in Mount Dora. Deputies used a law enforcement drone to assist with the outdoor search, only to have the drone destroyed by gunfire from a neighboring property. When deputies responded to that location, they confronted Goney, who admitted that he had just shot down the drone with a .22 caliber rifle. He claimed the drone had been “harassing” him. Goney then admitted to the deputies that he could not lawfully possess a firearm because he was a convicted felon. A record check confirmed Goney’s 29 prior state felony convictions, which included aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, illegal drug possession, burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On February 22, 2024, Goney was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $22,000 in restitution for the destroyed law enforcement drone.
United States v. Timothy Jones (Orlando)
On February 14, 2024, Timothy Jones, (60, Orlando) was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for two bank robberies he committed in Orlando and Kissimmee. The first robbery occurred on June 2, 2022, one day after Jones was released from Putnam County Correctional Facility after having served an eight-year term of incarceration for bank robbery. During the first robbery in Orlando, Jones threatened to shoot everyone in the bank if they did not give him $150,000 and told the employee that there would be a “bloodbath” if he did not get what he wanted. After employees provided cash, Jones took the keys to an employee’s car and escaped. A week later, Jones robbed a bank in Kissimmee. Jones again threatened the tellers with a gun and stole cash before stealing an employee’s car and escaping. Later that afternoon, Jones was apprehended near the employee’s car with nearly all the money from the second robbery. Jones had previously been convicted of robbery charges in 1995, 2006, and 2013 and had spent most of the past 18 years incarcerated for robbery charges.
United States v. James Smith (Tampa)
On March 22, 2024, James Eugene Smith (44, Wimauma) was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to court documents, in the early morning hours of January 14, 2023, Smith was driving in Brandon, Florida and believed that a driver in a black sedan was brake checking him, while a separate driver prevented Smith from passing. Smith eventually passed both cars before brake checking the black sedan in return. The driver of the black sedan drove around Smith, and Smith and the driver of the black sedan then exchanged gunfire. Smith, in an alleged attempt to see the tag of the black sedan, made a U-turn. After making the U-turn, Smith spotted a gray sedan that he thought was the black sedan and opened fire. Smith followed the gray sedan into the gas station, again firing at it. Neither victim was shot. At the time of the incident, Smith had multiple prior felony convictions. As a convicted felon Smith is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
These cases are being prosecuted by the Assistant United States Attorneys in all five divisions throughout the Middle District of Florida. For additional information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit our website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/project-safe-neighborhoods-0.
Charged Cases
Defendant(s)
Charges
Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment
Firearms Seized
Fort Myers Division
James Michael O’Brien
Theft of a firearm from a firearms dealer and possession of a stolen firearm.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
1
This PSN case from the Fort Myers Division is being handled by AUSAs Mark Morgan.
Jacksonville Division
Bryan Lyndell Chapman
Manufacturing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes; passing counterfeit Federal Reserve notes; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison for each offense.
1
Peter Lawrence
Making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Allen Tereal Grimes
Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
0
Brian Givens
Possession of a machine gun.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Derrick Walden
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
James Clinton Gilmore, Jr.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine.
Maximum penalty: 155 years in federal prison
5
Ja’Quez Jerome Butler
Distribution of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (cocaine), minimum mandatory 5 years up to life in federal prison (firearm in furtherance of violent crime), 10 years in federal prison (firearm as convicted felon).
4
Jhatarrion Jakwan Sampson
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
Justin William Lightsey
Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison; 5 years, up to life, in federal prison; up to 15 years in federal prison.
1
Kameron Lee Ingram
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Matthew Junior Rice
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Nathaniel Thomas Hatcher, III
Conspiracy to straw-purchase; making a false statement during purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 25 years in federal prison; 10 years in federal prison.
2
Nicholas Davonte High
Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison; 10 years in federal prison.
1
Ralph Eric Lanham
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Sedrick Williams, Jr.
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine base; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison; 15 years in federal prison.
1
Trillian Taheim Mitchell
Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
1
William Earl Union, Jr.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Kevin Frein, Brenna Falzetta, John Cannizzaro, Michael Coolican, Laura Taylor, Elisibeth Adams, Aakash Singh, and Kirwinn Mike.
Ocala Division
Roydrick Dixon
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Penalty: Minimum mandatory 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Michael Andrew Zallen
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
Robert Edward Smith
Possession of an unregistered NFA weapon.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
3
Luis Ernesto Sanchez
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Hanna Norwalk, Robert E. Bodnar, Jr., William S. Hamilton, Belkis Crockett, and Sarah Swartzberg.
Tampa Division
Laela Marme
Possession of stolen firearms.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
0
Daniel Gonzalez
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Brandale Swails
Hobbs Acts robbery and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 7 years, up to 25 years, in federal prison.
3
Lewis James Scott
Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years (narcotics charge) in federal prison,
minimum mandatory 5 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence, 15 years in federal prison.
1
Markis Maxwell
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: life in federal prison.
1
Efrain Bermudez
Possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute; carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: life in federal prison (drug charges), 15 years in federal prison (firearm charge).
1
Sharquay Knighton
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Jarquis Bowens
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison for each drug charge and 5 years in federal prison for the firearm charge.
1
Noe Alegria
Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 30 years in federal prison.
13
Gary Hanford
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Christopher Bock
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
0
Corey Myrick
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Donta Bryant
Possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
2
Dackerett Brooks
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Michael Grady
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
4
Daniel Gonzalez
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Deanthony Flowers
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Alex Jones
Jhakheem Smith
Conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence; interference with commerce by threats or violence; and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (violence charge),
up to life in federal prison (firearm charge).
0
Lewis James Scott
Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (narcotics charge), up to life in federal prison (firearm charge).
1
Johnie Shields
Possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Daquan Carey
Possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
3
James Hilligardt
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Keith Rhoden
Interference with commerce by robbery and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison(robbery offense), life in federal prison (firearm offense).
1
Jaquavious Green
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Rasheio Black
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Darell Padilla
Interference with commerce by threats or violence and brandishing of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (violence offense), life in federal prison (firearm offense).
1
Tim Crawford
Interstate domestic violence, discharge of a firearm during and in the commission of a crime of violence, and interstate stalking.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Tyler Jacobs
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identify theft, witness tampering, destruction of evidence, and possession of ammunition.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 2 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison.
0
These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Jeff Chang, Samantha Newman, Diego Novaes, Michael C. Sinacore, Michael R. Kenneth, and Candace Rich.
Orlando Division
Malcolm Bellamy
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Luis Rosado
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Lawrence Lamar Singleton II
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Byron Louder
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Benjamin Garmon, Jr.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Jonathan Nicola
Possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Jonen Castillo
Smuggling firearms from the United States to Canada.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
5
Reginald Dugger
Attempted possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 30 years in federal prison(the drug offense),15 years in federal prison (firearm offense).
2
Dominick Yvon Louissaint
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Darryl James London
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
David Lewis Andrew Bryan
Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (2 counts).
Maximum penalty: 30 years in federal prison.
2
Sebastian Gabriel Lugo Lugo
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 5 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Edward Vincenzo Camacho
Theft of a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Noah P. Dorman, Michael Sartoian, Stephanie A. McNeff, Dana Hill, Megan Testerman, Diane Hu, Rachel Lyons, Kara Wick, and Richard Varadan.
Adjudicated Cases
Defendant(s)
Charges
Minimum/Maximum Terms of Imprisonment
Firearms Seized
Fort Myers Division
Nicholas Munson Troemner
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Jonnetric Devonte Ivey
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Javier Joel Perez
Possession of controlled substance with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison (narcotics offense),
minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence (firearm offense), 15 years in federal prison (second firearm offense).
1
Willie James Hunter, Jr.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
Ruben Justus Edwards
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
2
Ernest Jeshad Foster
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Coroy Dontavia Flournoy
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Mark Morgan and Simon Eth.
Jacksonville Division
Antonio Jose Melean Reyes
Smuggling firearms from the United States and conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
3
Gabriel Daniel Pinnace
Smuggling firearms from the United States and making materially false statements during the purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison for each offense.
3
Antonio Saquan Tate
Hobbs act robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison; mandatory minimum of 7 years, up to life, in federal prison
0
Brendon Bobby Brown
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Dondre Shauntrell Rosier
Distributing cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 20 years in federal prison; 10 years in federal prison
1
Andre Lee Long
Distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
1
Michael Thomas Sawyer
Making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Paul Allen Anderson, Jr.
Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
5
Randolph Wayne Swindle
Making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Roberto Roman Ramirez
Making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm.
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison.
0
Desmond Lee Maxwell
Conspiring to straw purchase firearms.
Maximum penalty: 25 years in federal prison.
2
Edgar Diaz Aquino
Possession of a firearm by an alien.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSAs Aakash Singh, Kirwinn Mike, John Cannizzaro, and Frank Talbot.
Ocala Division
Tyran Terrell Harris
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Michael Latrelle Simpson
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
1
Clinton Kaham
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSAs Hannah Nowalk, and Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
Tampa Division
Evan Ingram
Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
0
Darius Hudson
Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery (3 separate robberies) and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 27 years, up to life, in federal prison.
0
Benjamin Cedric Graddy
Possession with the intent to distribute dimethylpentylone and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 5 years, up to life, in federal prison.
0
Dovontate James Wright
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
0
Marcos Lutrell Walden
Distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
0
Elias Xavier Rosario Torres
Veronica Estefania Rodriguez Pinuela
Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Penalty: mandatory minimum 35 years, up to life, in federal prison.
Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Penalty: mandatory minimum 35 years, up to life, in federal prison.
0
Gerard Eric Beasley
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
0
Stewart Walter Bachmann
Possession of a machine gun and possession of a firearm not identified by a serial number.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison per charge.
0
These PSN cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Samantha Newman, Diego Novaes, David W.A. Chee, Michael Kenneth, James C. Preston, Samantha Beckman, and Shauna S. Hale.
Orlando Division
Robert Lee Pringle
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 10 years in federal prison.
2
Angel Ruben Hernandez, Jr.
Failing to record required information about firearms purchases (3 counts).
Maximum penalty: 5 years in federal prison per count.
9
Antavious Anton Gray, Jr.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Jhroy Elijah Sackey
Possession with the intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.
1
Kristian Moises Ramos
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Alfred Lamar Shavers
Possession of firearm by convicted felon (Armed Career Criminal).
Penalty: minimum mandatory 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
9
Christian Ponce
Rodney Hernandez
Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Penalty: minimum mandatory 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
3
Verun Maharajh
Export of firearms and ammunition, shipment of firearms without a license, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Maximum penalty: 35 years in federal prison.
4
Chrissie Fier Williams
Export of firearms and ammunition (3 counts).
Maximum penalty: 30 years in federal prison.
18
Victor Morales-Acosta
Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Maximum penalty: 15 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Megan Testerman, Dana E. Hill, Noah Dorman, Stephanie A. McNeff, David Pardo, Michael Sartoian, Matthew Del Mastro, and Rachel Lyons.
Sentenced Cases
Defendant(s)
Charges
Sentence Imposed
Firearms Seized
Fort Myers Division
Chester Lewis Risco, III
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 10 months in federal prison.
1
Mar’tavoius Martel Brown
Possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentence imposed: 5 years in federal prison.
1
Keith Dewayne Drayton, Jr.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Sentence imposed: 4 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Mark Morgan and Simon R. Eth.
Jacksonville Division
Andrew Tyler Harp
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 10 years in federal prison.
1
Kristofferson Farmer
Possession with intent to distribute Alpha-PVP, a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Sentence imposed: 6 years, 8 months in federal prison.
3
Mario Lenard Elbert
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Sentence imposed: 7 years in federal prison.
2
Keith Allen Dixon
Distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 10 years in federal prison.
3
Geoffrey Scott
Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 15 years in federal prison.
10
Lucas Shirley II
Transferring unregistered short-barreled rifles.
Sentence imposed: 5 years, 5 months in federal prison.
29
Charles David Mobley
Making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer in connection with the acquisition of a firearm.
Sentence imposed: 2 years in federal prison.
9
Edgar Guintivano
Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Sentence imposed: 15 years in federal prison.
2
Jesse Rance Moore
Interference with commerce by threats or violence robberies and burglaries involving controlled substances, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Sentence imposed: 21 years in federal prison.
1
Paul Bryan McCorkle
Receiving and possessing an explosive by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 2 years, 3 months in federal prison.
1
Pernell Dewayne Bodiford, Jr.
False Statements to a firearms dealer during firearm purchase.
Sentence imposed: Time served.
0
Samuel Arthur Thompson
Possession and receipt of child sex abuse material; intrusion of protected computer causing damage; production of child sex abuse material; failure to register as a sex offender; possession of firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 220 years in federal prison.
1
Tony Kenneth Paul, Jr.
Possession of a machine gun and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Sentence imposed: 5 years in federal prison.
3
Rakesh Verma
Making false statement to federal firearms dealer.
Sentence imposed: 1 year, 3 months in federal prison.
0
These PSN cases from the Jacksonville Division were handled by AUSAs Michael Coolican, John Cannizzaro, David Mesrobian, Laura Taylor, Kirwinn Mike, and Frank Talbot.
Ocala Division
Raymond Devon Haynes
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 1 year, 1 day in federal prison.
1
Kingsley Samuel Richard Wilson
Viviana Rodriguez
Making a false statement to a firearms dealer, dealing in firearms without a license, making a false statement in required information kept by a firearms dealer.
Sentence imposed (Wilson): 3 years, 10 months in federal prison.
Sentence imposed (Rodriguez): 2 years, 6 months in federal prison.
140
Wendall Doyle Goney
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 4 years in federal prison.
1
Jared Boyle
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 10 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Ocala Division were handled by AUSAs Belkis Crockett, Sarah Swartzberg, Robert Bodnar, Jr., and Tyrie Boyer.
Orlando Division
Jason Santos
Possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Sentence imposed: 8 years, 4 months in federal prison.
11
Jeremy Middleton
Possession of a stolen firearms.
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 10 months in federal prison.
13
Carlos Aquino
Possession of 400 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentence imposed: 15 years in federal prison.
1
Antione Oshea Ladson
Drug trafficking and possessing a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 10 years, 6 months in federal prison.
1
Geoffrey Gaston
Five armed robberies.
Sentence imposed: 7 years in federal prison.
0
Timothy Jones
Bank robbery.
Sentence imposed: 25 years in federal prison.
0
Yadier Torres-Rivera
Distribution of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
Sentence imposed: 15 years, 8 months in federal prison.
1
Desha Cooper
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 10 months in federal prison.
2
E’Chavion Semaj Flewellen
Distribution of fentanyl.
Sentence imposed: 16 years, 8 months in federal prison.
3
O’Neil Clifton Gordon
Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.
Sentence imposed: 3 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs Stephanie A. McNeff, Diana Hu, David Pardo, Dana E. Hill, Noah Dorman, Megan Testerman, Richard Varadan, Rachel Lyons, and Kara Wick.
Tampa Division
Yvens Philone
Possession of firearms by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Sentence imposed: 10 years in federal prison.
0
Erik Barner
Distribution and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 17 years, 6 months in federal prison.
0
Sean Peter Brewer
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Sentence imposed: 7 years in federal prison.
0
Scott Carpenter, Jr.
Interfering with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Sentence imposed: 28 years in federal prison.
3
James Eugene Smith
Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Sentence imposed: 8 years in federal prison.
1
These PSN cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs David P. Sullivan, Samantha Newman, David E. A. Chee, David P. Sullivan, Michael M. Gordon, and Michael Kenneth.
Massachusetts Man Who Attempted to Traffick Fentanyl to Maine by Taxi Sentenced to 44 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A man from Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Jose Alfredo Mercedes Botello, 22, to 44 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Botello pleaded guilty on November 27, 2023.
According to court records, in March 2022, FBI agents and local law enforcement in Lebanon conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle bearing Massachusetts livery plates. During the stop, the vehicle’s passenger was observed reaching to the floor where agents later recovered a cellophane-wrapped package under the front passenger seat. The contents of the package were confirmed to be fentanyl. The hired driver of the vehicle stated that he had picked up Botello in Lawrence, Mass. and had been instructed to drive him to Maine.
An FBI investigation revealed that Botello planned to distribute the fentanyl to an individual in Maine.
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Man Who Stole Rideshare Vehicle Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Derrick Teeter, 23, of Oxon Hill, MD, was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for a carjacking robbery committed in Southeast Washington, D.C., last year, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Jessica M.E. Taylor, of the U.S. Park Police.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, on February 7, 2024, Teeter pleaded guilty in Superior Court to robbery and unlawful use of a vehicle. Today, Superior Court Judge Erik Christian sentenced the defendant to 60 months in prison for robbery, and a consecutive 24 months in prison for unlawful use of a vehicle. The court also denied the defendant’s request for sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act.
According to the government’s evidence, on June 2, 2022, shortly after 11:30AM, the defendant requested a Lyft ride for pick up in the 3800 block of South Capitol Street SE to take him to the 600 block 46th Street SE. Teeter entered the rideshare vehicle and sat in the back seat on the passenger side. While riding in the vehicle, the defendant pretended to feel sick and asked the victim to pull to the side of the road. The victim pulled over to a grassy area, where the defendant exited the vehicle. The defendant requested water and some tissue from the victim. After the victim retrieved these items from his vehicle and returned to attend to the defendant, Teeter pushed the victim to the ground, immediately jumped into the driver’s seat, and took off in the victim’s vehicle. While lying on the ground, the victim grabbed the passenger’s door of his vehicle, yelling for the defendant to “stop”, who kept driving and dragged the victim for a short distance. The victim let go and managed to get up and flag down assistance from other drivers passing by. One of those drivers called 911, and police and emergency personnel arrived on the scene and provided aid to the victim on the scene for his injuries. The vehicle was recovered the next day.
This case was investigated by the United States Park Police Major Crimes Unit with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Bartz.
Man Indicted and Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Lionel Albino Galindo, 52, of Vega Alta, PR, for child exploitation.
According to court documents, from February 2024 throughout March 19, 2024, Lionel Albino Galindo sexually exploited a 13-year-old female minor. The defendant used a cellular phone as well as internet instant messaging services, to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 13-year-old female minor, to engage in sexual activity, which includes the production of child pornography.
Albino Galindo knowingly transported the female minor to engage in sexual activity on several occasions and produced visual depictions of such conduct. The defendant also received child pornography from the female minor and sent obscene material to the minor.
Lionel Albino Galindo is facing one count of coercion and enticement of a minor; one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; one count of sexual exploitation of children; one count for receipt of child pornography; one count for possession of child pornography; and one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor.
The defendant is scheduled for his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López-Soler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted for the charges of coercion and enticement and transportation of minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life; for sexual exploitation of children he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years up to 30 years; for possession of child pornography and transfer of obscene material to a minor he faces up to 10 years; and for receipt of child pornography he faces five to 20 years in prison; all charges followed by a term of supervised release of no less than 5 years up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.
Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Emelina Agrait Barreto of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Lower Brule Man Sentenced for Habitual Domestic Assault by an Habitual OffenderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender. The sentencing took place on April 15, 2024.
Isaac Goodface, age 32, was sentenced to four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Goodface was indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2023. The defendant changed his plea to guilty on November 30, 2023.
The defendant was convicted of physically assaulting the same victim on two separate occasions in Lyman County, within the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation. In September of 2022, Goodface threw the victim on the ground, strangled her, struck her about the head and face, and prevented her from leaving the residence. In June of 2023, Goodface struck the victim on the face and pointed a gun at her during an argument.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services, Lower Brule Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
Goodface was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Local men sentenced to imprisonment for illegal trafficking in firearmsRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Willie Earl Jackson, age 26, of Cleveland, and Shane Plats, 31, of Ashtabula, were sentenced to imprisonment by U.S. District Judge John. R. Adams. Jackson had earlier pled guilty to engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a federal firearms license and trafficking in firearms. Plats had earlier plead guilty to engaging in the business of dealing firearms. Jackson received an 84-month prison sentence, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. Plats was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.
The United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) prosecuted these two cases under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms. These are the first two cases brought under the Act and sentenced in this district.
According to court documents, Plats and Jackson were previously employed as corrections and detention officers for the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. Between May and July of 2023, Plats sold at least 7 Palmetto Armory Dagger Compact 9mm pistols to Jackson, after Plats first purchased those pistols from a federal firearms licensee, knowing that Jackson intended to resell the firearms to others. Plats admitted he did not have a federal firearms license and illegally sold the firearms for profit.
In turn, between June and August 2023, Jackson sold over 35 firearms to undercover agents who posed as gun buyers seeking to purchase firearms on the street. The firearms that Jackson sold included semi-automatic rifles and pistols, including at least one with an obliterated serial number. Jackson conducted most of these transactions in retail establishment parking lots and other public spaces, often from his car. Jackson offered to sell agents prohibited firearms such as “Glock switches,” also referred to as “machinegun conversion devices,” offered to remove serial numbers from the guns he sold, and sold agents a rifle that NIBIN-data showed was associated with three separate shootings.
Jackson was previously under investigation by the ATF. In 2022, the ATF served Jackson with a warning letter that advised him that it was unlawful to buy a firearm for someone else—often referred to as “straw purchasing.” The ATF sent this letter to Jackson after it discovered, through tracing data, that firearms Jackson had previously purchased were later recovered in connection with crimes. Despite the warning, Jackson continued to illegally traffic in firearms from June through August 2023.
Jackson and Plats were 2 of more than 65 individuals who the USAO charged as a part of a 3-month, violent-crime-reduction initiative in Cleveland last summer led by the ATF and the USAO, with cooperation from other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. These charges stemmed from extensive, targeted, and sustained efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on illegal firearms trafficking, use, and associated violence in Greater Cleveland.
“The new Bipartisan Safer Communities Act improves our ability to keep illegal firearms out of our neighborhoods and communities,” said United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. “This new tool in our toolkit targets illegal gun sales. It makes crystal clear that anyone who tries to make money by selling firearms or otherwise selling guns regularly must obtain a federal firearms license and run required background checks on those making the purchase. It also will help reduce the temptation for those who may legally purchase firearms to buy and then sell them to just anyone. Unfortunately, we often see firearms, initially bought through legal channels, later recovered in connection with a crime. We are confident this statute will help put a stop to that.”
“These defendants were both charged with violating the Gun Control Act by selling firearms without a license,” stated Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division. “By facilitating the flow of firearms to those who are prohibited from possessing them, they bear responsibility for the violence those firearms cause in our community. I hope this sentence serves as a warning to others who might consider doing this – ATF and our law enforcement partners will work to find you, as well, and hold you accountable for your actions.”
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the ATF and ATF Task Force Officers, many from the Cleveland Division of Police, with significant help from other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly L. Galvin prosecuted these cases.
Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division Commemorates Earth Day and Releases the Division’s Accomplishments Report for Fiscal Year 2023Read the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) released the Division’s Accomplishments for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 in commemoration of Earth Day on April 22.
“The Environment and Natural Resources Division continues to serve a critical role in securing environmental justice and responding to the climate crisis, which are two of the Administration’s top priorities,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of ENRD. “We do this while carrying out a mission of remarkable breadth in enforcing federal laws enacted to protect public health, worker safety, natural resources, and animal welfare. Our work also promotes the sovereignty of federally recognized Indian Tribes, while protecting their rights, homelands and resources.”
The report highlights ENRD’s work in 2023 to defend pollution control measures, approvals for renewable energy projects and federal stewardship of public lands, wildlife and natural resources. The division’s Office of Environmental Justice provided environmental justice training, outreach resources and other support to the entire Justice Department while also organizing outreach and engaging with stakeholders. ENRD also continued its important work to partner with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to prosecute criminal violations of environmental and animal welfare laws.
Some examples of ENRD’s work that are noted in the report include a Clean Air Act settlement featuring a $1.6 billion civil penalty with diesel engine maker Cummins Inc., a Clean Air Act settlement with BP Whiting securing important air toxic controls and a $40 million civil penalty (the largest-ever such penalty against a single facility), and the sentencing of a Florida couple for illegally importing plywood in violation of the Lacey Act and customs laws. ENRD attorneys also continued work to prosecute individuals for dogfighting, which this year led to multiple, multi-year sentences and the seizure of hundreds of dogs.
In FY 2023, ENRD attorneys worked on about 4,500 matters and obtained over $440 million in civil and criminal fines, penalties and costs recovered. The division also secured federal injunctive relief valued at $2.3 billion, saving the United States more than $2.5 billion through defensive and condemnation litigation.
Justice Department Announces Medical Legal Partnership Project for Incarcerated IndividualsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today the development of a medical-legal partnership (MLP) project for incarcerated individuals to help reduce barriers to reentry and reduce recidivism. The Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) have worked collaboratively to develop this partnership as the next step of a broader civil legal services initiative launched last year. The partnership will connect medical and legal expertise to identify adults in custody (AIC) who require long-term access to post-release critical needs like housing, food security, and more. The project is part of the Department’s broader work to strengthen the safety of our communities while advancing thoughtful, evidence-informed initiatives, and reforms throughout the criminal justice system.
“We are pleased to announce the formation of this innovative medical-legal services partnership to promote successful reentry,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Designed jointly by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Office for Access to Justice, this partnership demonstrates how creativity and broad collaboration can work to reduce recidivism, promote success and second chances for returning individuals, and improve public safety. The Justice Department is committed to advancing public safety through more thoughtful approaches to the criminal justice system.”
The MLP project will take place at Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan, located in Bryan, Texas. ATJ and FBOP are planning to collaborate on the pilot initiative with Texas A&M School of Law and the Texas A&M Institute for Healthcare Access. All institutions and organizations with relevant expertise are welcome to be considered for future collaboration.
MLPs connect the expertise of lawyers and legal help with the expertise of health care professionals to comprehensively address barriers that intersect across health care and legal needs. Specifically, this MLP will include a team of law and medical professionals who will collaborate to better determine eligibility for, and ensure access to, Social Security disability relief for those who qualify, with the goal of improving long-term access to post-release critical needs and promoting successful reentry. As part of the Department’s broader civil legal services initiative, FBOP and ATJ are also working to develop and distribute self-help materials to address civil legal needs of AIC and a series of empowerment workshops for AIC focused on civil legal issues including workshops focused on family law, financial-related issues, and access to public benefits.
“We are delighted to continue partnering with FBOP in developing a first-of-its-kind initiative to disrupt the recidivism cycle, improve justice outcomes, and better expand public safety,” said ATJ Director Rachel Rossi. “By bridging partnerships between medical and legal professionals, we can better meet the needs that are exacerbated for those leaving incarceration, ensuring access to food security, healthcare, housing, and more.”
“Incarcerated individuals are a particularly vulnerable population when it comes to unmet civil legal needs,” said FBOP Director Colette S. Peters. “While the Federal Bureau of Prisons offers critical services, including health care and education, we know the need for civil legal services remains high. Partnering with the Office for Access to Justice has been a fundamental step in breaking down barriers to provide important legal access to adults in custody. We are proud to be piloting this program at the Federal Prison Camp Bryan, Texas. The initial pilot, serving our women in custody, is significant as it will continue to support our gender-responsive, and trauma-informed focus, while addressing the additional barriers women also face.”
To highlight April as Second Chance Month, today ATJ and FBOP, with support from JustUs Coordination Council, hosted a Reentry Simulation, a two-hour situational interactive learning opportunity for organizations and federal employees from various agencies to experience the challenges and barriers faced by justice-impacted people in obtaining employment, government benefits, housing, transportation, and educational opportunities. Through discussions with system-impacted subject matter experts, this experience aimed to give insight and encourage continued collaboration across government to reduce these barriers. Justice Department leadership, Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, ATJ Director Rachel Rossi, and FBOP Director Colette S. Peters provided remarks during the simulation. Previously, ATJ hosted a Reentry Simulation for high-level Justice Department and other agency officials for Second Chance Month in April 2022.
Jenks Man Sentenced for Second-Degree MurderRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Bradley Wade Wofford, 37, of Jenks, for Second Degree Murder in Indian Country. Judge Heil ordered Wofford to serve 235 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Wofford was driving under the influence of methamphetamine. He ran into a car driven by Scotty Dilbeck, killing him. Wofford was previously convicted of driving under the influence on four separate occasions. He is a citizen of Cherokee Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI and Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Buscemi prosecuted the case.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
BILLINGS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared recently before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Great Falls before U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston and pleading not guilty on April 16 was:
Leon Boyd Messerly, 63 of Fort Belknap, on charges of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and domestic assault by habitual offender. If convicted of the most serious crime, Messerly faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Messerly was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-20.
Colten Small, 21, of Box Elder, on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of the most serious crime, Small faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Small was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-17.
Edmund Taylor Madarassy IV, 27, of Ennis, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Madarassy faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Madarassy was detained pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Helena Police Department and Montana Probation & Parole conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-10.
Appearing on a criminal complaint was:
Levi Eric Newton, 29, of Bainville, on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious crime, Newton faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $20 million fine and five years of supervised release. Newton was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Peck Police Department and Williston (North Dakota) Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-34.
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on April 17 was:
Kyle James Jonas, 32, of Park City, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Jonas faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Jonas was released pending further proceedings. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-41.
Appearing on April 15 was:
Alexander Mikhail Lyles, 37, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lyles faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Lyles was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 23-122.
Angelena Emma Lafave, 58, of Billings, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute meth. If convicted of the most serious crime, Lafave faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release. Lafave was detained pending further proceedings. The Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Billings Police Department and U.S. Postal Service conducted the investigation. PACER Case No. 24-34.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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High-Ranking MS-13 Leader Arraigned on Terrorism IndictmentRead the Press Release
Earlier today, Fredy Ivan Jandres-Parada, also known as “Lucky de Park View” and “Lacky de Park View,” a high-ranking leader of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, was arraigned at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York by United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione. Jandres-Parada and 13 other high-ranking MS-13 leaders were indicted in December 2020 on terrorism offenses relating to their direction of the transnational criminal organization’s criminal activities in the United States, El Salvador, Mexico and elsewhere over the past two decades. Specifically, Jandres-Parada is charged with conspiracy to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiracy to finance terrorism and narco-terrorism conspiracy. For more than three years, Jandres-Parada was a fugitive, but he was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) earlier this month and made an initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of California, where he was ordered to be transferred in custody to the Eastern District of New York.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY); Mehtab Syed, Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office; and Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, HSI’s New York Field Office announced Jandres-Parada’s arrest and arraignment.
“As alleged, Jandres-Parada, a high-ranking leader in MS-13, engaged in drug trafficking, public and private displays of violence, and terrorism — all in pursuit of power for the organization,” said United States Attorney Peace. “This arrest is a monumental achievement for our Office and international partners, highlighting our dedication to dismantling MS-13 and their reign of terror wherever they hide.”
Mr. Peace expressed his thanks to the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and Criminal Investigative Division’s Safe Streets Gang Unit, and HSI’s National Gangs and Violent Crime Unit and New York Field Office for spearheading the MS-13 leadership investigations. Additionally, he thanked the FBI Legal Attachés in Mexico City and San Salvador, FBI and HSI’s San Diego Field Offices, HSI Attaché Mexico City and Assistant Attaché Tijuana, USMS Legal Attaché in Mexico City and the United States Customs and Border Protection Officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry for the critical support provided in connection with the arrest, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the United States Marshals Service for the Southern District of California for coordinating the defendant’s initial appearance in San Diego. Mr. Peace also thanked the numerous Department of Justice components that contributed to this indictment, including the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Executive Office.
“The arrest of Jandres Parada demonstrates the FBI's commitment to protecting the American public by proactively targeting MS-13's highest ranking leaders in order to dismantle this transnational criminal organization, which is among the most violent in the world," said Mehtab Syed, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "This collaborative effort among many agencies spanned coast to coast and led to this successful capture.”
“Fredy Ivan Jandres-Parada, (a/k/a “Lucky”) has been a fugitive on HSI's Most Wanted list since 2021. As one of the founding members of the MS-13 street gang, Jandres-Parada is alleged to be responsible for ordering acts of violence against gang rivals, law enforcement, and civilians alike. However, Jandres-Parada’s reign of violence came to an end when he was arrested in a joint operation by HSI and FBI,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo. “With the apprehension of one of HSI’s most wanted, I commend HSI New York, our Long Island Division, and our law enforcement partners for their steadfast commitment and resolve to securing justice for the countless victims whom have been impacted by MS-13’s violence.”
As set forth in the indictment and related court filings, Jandres-Parada and his co-defendants are part of MS-13’s command and control structure, consisting of the Ranfla Nacional, Ranfla en Las Calles, and Ranfla en Los Penales. They play significant leadership roles in the organization’s operations in El Salvador, Mexico, the United States, and throughout the world. In total, 27 of the highest-ranking leaders of MS-13 have been charged in the Eastern District of New York in this indictment and the related indictment of United States v. Arevalo-Chavez, et al.
As further alleged, in approximately 2002, Jandres-Parada, his co-defendants, and other MS-13 leaders began establishing a highly-organized, hierarchical command and control structure as a means to effectuate their decisions and enforce their orders, even while in prison. They directed acts of violence and murder in El Salvador, the United States and elsewhere, established military-style training camps for MS-13 members and obtained military weapons such as rifles, handguns, grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket launchers. Further, beginning in approximately 2012, Jandres-Parada and other members of the Ranfla Nacional negotiated with officials from the government of El Salvador (GOES) to obtain benefits and concessions from the government. In order to extort those benefits and concessions, MS-13 engaged in public displays of violence to threaten and intimidate civilian populations, target GOES law enforcement and military officials, and manipulate the electoral process in El Salvador.
Additionally, as alleged, the Ranfla Nacional directed the expansion of MS-13 activities around the world, including the United States and Mexico, where Jandres-Parada and other high-ranking leaders were sent to organize operations, make connections to obtain narcotics and firearms from Mexican drug cartels such as the Zetas, Gulf Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and Sinaloa Cartel, and engage in human trafficking and smuggling. The Ranfla Nacional also directed MS-13’s large membership in the United States to engage in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and extortion to raise money to support MS-13’s terrorist activities in El Salvador and elsewhere. Jandres-Parada, who previously resided in the Los Angeles area before being deported to El Salvador, played a key role coordinating communication and criminal activity between the Ranfla Nacional and MS-13 leaders in the United States, Mexico and elsewhere.
Finally, the Ranfla Nacional and MS-13’s transnational leadership structure is alleged to have directed members in the United States to commit acts of violence to further its goals and implement rules enabling MS-13 to entrench itself in parts of the United States, including within the Eastern District of New York where, under the defendants’ leadership and rules, MS-13 has committed murders, attempted murders, assaults, kidnappings, drug trafficking, extortion of individuals and businesses, and obstruction of justice, and has sent dues and the proceeds of criminal activity by wire transfer to MS-13 leaders in El Salvador. For example, this Office's Long Island Criminal Division has prosecuted hundreds of MS-13 leaders, members and associates for carrying out more than 70 murders in the Eastern District of New York between 2009 and the present.
One of Jandres-Parada’s co-defendants, Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios, also known as “El Grenas de Stoners” and “Oso de Stoners,” and two related defendants from the Arevalo-Chavez indictment, Jorge Alexander De La Cruz, also known as “Cruger de Peatonales,” and Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, also known as “Veterano de Tribus,” remain at large. Members of the public with information concerning their whereabouts are strongly encouraged to contact the FBI’s toll-free MS-13 tip line, 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or HSI’s tip line at (866) 347-2423 or https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form. Together, FBI and HSI have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the fugitives.
These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Jandres-Parada faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
This case was brought by Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created to combat MS-13, led by Assistant United States Attorney John J. Durham of the EDNY, and comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the District of Massachusetts; the Eastern District of Texas; the Southern District of New York; the Southern District of Florida; the Eastern District of Virginia; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; the District of Alaska; and the District of Columbia, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI; HSI; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the USMS; the U.S. Bureau of Prisons; and the United States Agency for International Development, Office of Inspector General have been essential law enforcement partners and spearheaded JTFV’s investigations.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John J. Durham, Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, and Megan E. Farrell from the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.
Newly Arrested Defendant in U.S. Custody:
FREDY IVAN JANDRES-PARADA (“Lucky de Park View” and “Lacky de Park View”)
Age: 47Previously Arrested Defendant in U.S. Custody:
ELMER CANALES-RIVERA (“Crook de Hollywood”)
Age: 48Fugitive Defendants:
CESAR HUMBERTO LOPEZ-LARIOS (“El Grenas de Stoners” and “Oso de Stoners”)
Age: 45BORROMEO ENRIQUE HENRIQUEZ (“Diablito de Hollywood”)
Age: 45EFRAIN CORTEZ (“Tigre de Park View” and “Viejo Tigre de Park View”)
Age: 54RICARDO ALBERTO DIAZ (“Rata de Leewards” and “Mousey de Leewards”)
Age: 51EDUARDO ERAZO-NOLASCO (“Colocho de Western” and “Mustage de Western”)
Age: 51EDSON SACHARY EUFEMIA (“Speedy de Park View”)
Age: 49JOSE FERNANDEZ FLORES-CUBAS (“Cola de Western”)
Age: 49LEONEL ALEXANDER LEONARDO (“El Necio de San Cocos”)
Age: 44JOSE LUIS MENDOZA-FIGUEROA (“Pavas de 7-11” and “Viejo Pavas de 7-11”)
Age: 59HUGO ARMANDO QUINTEROS-MINEROS (“Flaco de Francis”)
Age: 51SAUL ANTONIO TURCIOS (“Trece de Teclas”)
Age: 45ARISTIDES DIONISIO UMANZOR (“Sirra de Teclas”)
Age: 46E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 20-CR-577 (JMA)
Hedge Fund Manager Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi SchemeRead the Press Release
A Florida man was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for using his hedge fund management company as part of a years-long, multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme.
According to court documents, Michael Wayne Williams, 48, of Miami, was the founder and operator and investment manager of Highguard Capital and its affiliated entities, Guardian Opportunity Fund and Guardian Opportunity Management. Williams convinced his victims to invest over $3.6 million in Guardian Opportunity Management and used their money for undisclosed and unauthorized purposes, including to settle civil lawsuits accusing him of fraud and to repay investors from discontinued funds that he previously managed.
Williams pleaded guilty in October 2023 to wire fraud.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney David A. Peters of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Trial Attorney Elise Kent Bernanke of the Environment and Natural Resources Division prosecuted the case.
If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at [email protected].
Harrison County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Antwann Terrance Horton, age 29, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison and six years of supervised release for the distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location.
According to court documents, Horton was selling methamphetamine in Harrison County. One of the sales was done near a public playground in Clarksburg.
The case was prosecuted on behalf of the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley.
The Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the Fairmont Police Department investigated.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
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Grand jury indicts Columbus police officer with crimes related to turning off body worn camera during encounters with women while on dutyRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted a Columbus police officer, charging him with two counts of destroying or altering records related to a criminal investigation.
Nicholas P. Duty, 35, of Commercial Point, Ohio, was arrested this morning and is scheduled to appear in federal court at 12:45pm today.
According to the indictment that was returned yesterday and unsealed today, on two occasions, Duty destroyed, altered or falsified records by purposefully deactivating or removing his police body worn camera. It is alleged Duty’s actions were intended to impede, obstruct or influence a federal investigation.
Specifically, it is alleged that on Oct. 31, 2023, and March 22, 2024, Duty deactivated or removed his body worn camera during interactions with two women, including during a sexual encounter.
During the alleged incidents, Duty was on duty, wearing a police uniform, in a marked police vehicle and assigned a body worn camera. He knew he was required to comply with Columbus Division of Police policies for wearing the division-issued camera.
Knowingly altering records to obstruct a federal investigation is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
United States Attorney Kenneth L. Parker, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Daryl S. McCormick, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola announced the charges.
Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Kevin W. Kelley are representing the United States in this case, which is being investigated by the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission’s Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.
Anyone with information about the alleged criminal activity or knowledge of additional possible crimes is encouraged to contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6336).
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.