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24 May 2024
Man Who Set Ex-Girlfriend’s Apartment on Fire Found Guilty of Arson, Burglary, and ContemptRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –A Superior Court jury, today, found Quenton Jones, 64, of Washington, D.C., guilty of arson, first degree burglary, felony threats, felony destruction of property, and multiple counts of felony contempt, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The Honorable Erik Christian scheduled sentencing for September 11, 2024. Jones faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
According to the government’s evidence, on December 28, 2023, Jones threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend, the victim, after he accused her of cheating on him. On February 2, 2024, he incessantly called her multiple times, leaving demeaning voicemails on her phone in violation of a Stay Away No Contact Order. On February 3, 2024, at approximately 3:00 am, Jones went to the victim’s apartment and wrote on her front door, with a black marker, her name, personal phone number, and a list of sex acts. He left, but at approximately 6:00am, he returned and set a piece of paper on fire and shoved it under her front door, causing her front door to catch fire. All the residents of the apartment building were forced to evacuate the building.
Jones was arrested later that morning and has been in custody since. He persisted in contacting the victim from the DC Jail, including making a number of phone calls to her and writing her a handwritten letter right before trial.
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Monisha Rao from the Domestic Violence Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Man Who Allegedly Used Stolen Identity of Deceased Individual to Work for Local Fire Department Arrested on Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A man whose true identity is unknown was arrested yesterday for allegedly using the stolen identity of a deceased individual to obtain government-issued identification documents, employment, and professional certifications.
John Doe, age unknown, of Quincy, was charged with one count each of false statement in a passport application and aggravated identity theft. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston yesterday, Doe was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for May 29, 2024 at 2 p.m.
According to the charging documents, Doe used the name, date of birth and Social Security number the a victim who passed away in 2002 to obtain and use multiple government-issued identification documents in the victim’s name, including Massachusetts driver’s licenses as well as copies of the victim’s birth certificate and Social Security card. Using these documents, it is alleged that Doe posed as the victim to apply for employment as a paramedic, obtain an EMT-Basic Certification, attend and graduate from a Firefighting Academy, and obtain employment with the Melrose Fire Department. It is alleged that, in March 2023, Doe applied for a U.S. passport using the victim’s stolen identity. However, according to the charging documents, a passport application for the victim had already been executed by the victim’s mother in 1989. Therefore, a passport was not issued to Doe.
During the investigation, facial recognition allegedly identified a second Massachusetts driver’s license issued to Doe under the name of Truong Nguyen. According to the charging documents, Nguyen entered the United States from Vietnam in 1979 and was ordered deported in 1991 following a second-degree burglary conviction. According to court documents Nguyen was never physically deported to Vietnam. In 2010, Nguyen was arrested for embezzlement and larceny for allegedly stealing over $46,000 from the Norwell Firefighters Union while working as an officer for the union.
The charge of false statement in a passport application provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charging statute for aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Boston Field Office; Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy; Melrose Police Chief Kevin M. Faller; Acting Melrose Fire Department Chief John White; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan; and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Man Arraigned in Federal Court on Multiple Charges of Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A Lawrence County man was arraigned in federal court last week on multiple child sexual exploitation charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples.
A 13-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges David Edward Collier, 46, with four counts of sexual exploitation of children, eight counts of transportation of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the indictment, between January 2017 and August 2022, Collier used, induced, or coerced minor children to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of that conduct. Between October 2022 and September 2023, Collier transported the child pornography. Collier was also charged with possession of child pornography.
FBI North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force and Cybercrime Squad investigated the case along with the assistance of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Moulton Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Huntsville Police Department, and Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney R. Leann White is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) have partnered and released a digital series to educate parents and caretakers about sextortion and how they can help prevent kids and teens from being victims. This series offers three-to-five-minute videos about current online safety topics and provides essential information about the true dangers of online activities.
The videos can be accessed from the following locations:
nationalcac.org/sextortion-prevention/
https://www.youtube.com/@nationalcac
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Little Eagle Woman Sentenced for First Degree BurglaryRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Little Eagle, South Dakota, woman convicted of First Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024.
Amanda Lorraine Bobtail Bear, age 31, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Bobtail Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. She pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023.
On April 1, 2023, Bobtail Bear learned a 12-year-old girl had kissed Bobtail Bear’s 25-year-old brother-in-law. In response, Bobtail Bear and several other individuals, including Bobtail Bear’s 14-year-old niece, broke into the 12-year-old girl’s Little Eagle home, which is within the Standing Rock Reservation. Bobtail Bear kicked the 12-year-old girl and encouraged her niece to “hit her some more!” while the 12-year-old begged them to stop. Bobtail Bear’s brother restrained the 12-year-old girl’s wheelchair-bound father during the assault to prevent him from protecting his daughter. The 12-year-old girl sustained minor injuries
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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Bobtail Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Little Eagle Woman Sentenced for Child AbuseRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Little Eagle, South Dakota, woman convicted of Child Abuse. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024.
Adele Fay Fast Horse, age 26, was sentenced to two years of probation and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.
Fast Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury in June of 2023. She pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023.
On April 1, 2023, Fast Horse’s 14-year-old niece showed her photographs of Fast Horse’s husband kissing a 12-year-old girl in Little Eagle, which is within the Standing Rock Reservation. Fast Horse offered the niece money to beat up the 12-year-old-girl. Later that day, the niece and several other individuals broke into the 12-year-old’s home, woke her up and assaulted her. The 12-year-old girl sustained minor injuries. When the niece showed Fast Horse a recording of the assault, Fast Horse paid her $20.
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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Liberty Lake Man Sentenced to Federal Prison and Ordered to Pay $60,000 in Victim Restitution for Child Pornography CrimeRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Rick Lynn Johnson, age 69, of Liberty Lake, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 60 months imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Judge Rice also ordered Johnson to pay $60,000 in restitution to seven of his victims, as well as $10,000 in special assessments under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, between May 30, 2021, and June 16, 2022, federal law enforcement successfully downloaded numerous child pornography files from Johnson. In November 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at Johnson’s home in Liberty Lake and seized a phone, computers, and hard drives. Forensic analysis of these devices revealed approximately 2,506 images and approximately 97 videos of child pornography. The images and videos included depictions of minors younger than 12 years old. Johnson later admitted to using his phone and computer to download and share child pornography with others online during the last year.
“All children should be safe from sexual predators. Protecting children from harm, especially online exploitation, remains a priority of my office and is critical to building a safe and strong Eastern Washington community, stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I am grateful for the excellent work by Homeland Security Investigations and AUSA Ann Wick in securing justice for these victims. While nothing can undo the harm these victims endured, the restitution order provides a mechanism to provide these victims the support they rightfully deserve.”
“Child pornography, or Child Sexual Assault Material (CSAM) perpetuates the exploitation and abuse of children, inflicting lifelong trauma that HSI along with our investigative partners are combating every single day,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Any image or video that depicts the exploitation of a child acts like a digital scar and encourages an economy of abuse that can only be deflated by protecting our children from child predators, while ensuring those who have been harmed receive justice.”
The Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018 (AVAA), enacted on December 7, 2018, created new penalties and made a number of changes to existing child pornography laws, specifically providing that restitution must be ordered for all child pornography trafficking offenses in an amount of no less than $3,000 per victim. The AVAA also established a new reserve fund that will be funded by assessments imposed under the Act, and victims of child pornography may be entitled to a one-time payment from the fund if they have not otherwise received restitution covering their losses.
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) created a mandatory $5,000 special assessment that applies to “nonindigent” defendants for each count of conviction of certain offenses, including child pornography offenses. The assessment is contributed to the “Domestic Trafficking Victims’ Fund,” which is used to support victims of trafficking.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann Wick.
Lexington Man Sentenced for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Malachi Evans, 22, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves, to 180 months in prison, following his convictions for two counts of distribution of 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, two counts of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a substance containing fentanyl analogue, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to his plea agreement, in the fall of 2021, law enforcement received information that Evans was selling large quantities of heroin and fentanyl. On three occasions in October 2021, law enforcement arranged controlled purchases with a confidential source, to purchase methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl from Evans. During these three transactions, Evans provided a total of 141 grams of a fentanyl analogue and approximately two ounces of methamphetamine. During a planned fourth transaction, Evans was arrested by law enforcement. A search of Evans’s vehicle then uncovered marijuana, $2,400 in cash, 125.3 grams of heroin/fentanyl, 26.65 grams of methamphetamine, and a handgun.
Evans admitted to possessing the drugs with the intent to distribute them and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Under federal law, Evans must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years.
Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Erek Davodowich, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Louisville Field Division; Commander Kalan Perdue, Gateway High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force; Chief James Hall, Winchester Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Gateway AHITDA Task Force, and Winchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Lee County Probationer Sentenced for Distributing Meth, FentanylRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia resident serving federal supervised release and state probation for prior drug distribution convictions was sentenced to serve more than 23 years in federal prison for supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community, including to a woman who had recently given birth to his child.
Brian Chadwick Jeffcoat, 40, of Leesburg, Georgia, was sentenced to serve a total of 286 months in prison to be followed by eight years of supervised release on May 23. Jeffcoat previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Feb. 20; in addition, this sentence includes revocation of his federal supervised release in Case No. 1:19-CR-5. The defendant is not eligible for parole.
“Individuals who repeatedly disregard the law and continue to distribute the deadliest illegal substances into our communities—feeding addiction and affecting innocent lives—will be held accountable for their crimes at the federal level,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “This case is a tragedy on many levels, and we appreciate the willingness of a concerned citizen to speak up.”
“Our communities remain under attack by criminal drug trafficking organizations with no regard for the harm and destruction they cause,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This investigation and subsequent arrest of this individual demonstrate DEA’s commitment to protecting our community.”
According to court documents, Jeffcoat was sentenced to serve 70 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and was released on Nov. 2, 2022, to serve federal supervised release. In addition to being on federal supervised release, Jeffcoat was on state probation for a prior state drug conviction. DEA received information in April 2023 that Jeffcoat was continuing to distribute illegal drugs in the Leesburg area. Law enforcement suspected Jeffcoat was also supplying his pregnant girlfriend with fentanyl and heroin after a concerned citizen contacted local law enforcement that she was using drugs heavily, despite her pregnancy. On Nov. 5, 2023, two days after his girlfriend delivered their child, agents conducted surveillance and contacted Jeffcoat at an Albany motel where the couple was residing. Jeffcoat told officers he had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his vehicle and was on his way to meet a drug customer. Agents located three bags of methamphetamine, a bag of fentanyl, a digital scale and a clear glass smoking pipe in his car. His girlfriend told officers their baby was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and that she had shot up with heroin and fentanyl a few hours earlier.
The case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI.
Criminal Chief Leah McEwen prosecuted the case for the Government.
KC Daycare Owner Sentenced for $772,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., day care owner was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a conspiracy that resulted in a $653,329 tax loss to the federal government, as well as fraudulently collecting almost $120,000 in government benefits she was not entitled to receive.
Patricia L. Johnson-Rushing, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to two years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Johnson-Rushing to pay $772,861in restitution and to forfeit to the government $95,704.
On Sept. 7, 2023, Johnson-Rushing pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money, one count of benefits fraud, and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Johnson-Rushing admitted that she fraudulently received $83,394 in public funding for her childcare center, Granny’s Pray & Play, located at 3714 E. 27th Street in Kansas City, Mo., and that she unlawfully received food stamps. Johnson-Rushing also admitted that she participated in a conspiracy to obstruct the collection of federal employment taxes by failing to pay over to the government $154,186 in federal income tax and FICA contributions collected from the paychecks of Granny’s Pray & Play employees. This was part of a total tax loss to the government, including the employer’s share of payroll taxes, of $653,329.
The total fraud to which Johnson-Rushing pleaded guilty is $772,861.
Theft of Public Money
Johnson-Rushing admitted that she submitted false claims to the Missouri Department of Social Services that intentionally reported false information for children attending Granny’s Pray & Play from Jan. 1, 2016, to Nov. 28, 2019. The purpose of the scheme was to receive payments from the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Program. This program is intended to help low-income families get access to high-quality early care and after-school programs. Parents of adopted children are eligible to receive the childcare subsidy for their children who are under the age of 13 if both parents are working. However, the provider agreement explicitly states that the owner of the childcare center cannot be paid for services to their own children.
Six children adopted by Johnson-Rushing and her husband were approved to receive the childcare subsidy for full time care. In order to qualify for the childcare subsidy, Johnson-Rushing submitted false documentation to misrepresent her ownership of the center and to falsely claim employment elsewhere. According to the plea agreement, the total funds fraudulently paid to Granny’s Pray & Play is $83,394.
Benefits Fraud
From 2016 to 2019, Johnson-Rushing signed food stamp applications to receive subsidy money from the state of Missouri. On those applications, she falsely claimed to have no job or bank account. In reality, she frequently withdrew funds from the Granny’s Pray & Play bank account to purchase cashier’s checks for herself. Personal expenses were also paid in her name from the Granny’s Pray & Play bank account, including $15,000 towards the purchase of a Cadillac Escalade in October 2016.
Based on the fraudulent statements and representations in her application, Johnson-Rushing unlawfully acquired $12,310 in food stamps. Her fraudulent applications, which included additional fraud, caused a total loss to the Missouri Family Support Division of $36,138.
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States
Granny’s Pray & Play had about 15 employees and withheld funds in federal income tax and FICA contributions from their paychecks. Johnson-Rushing failed to pay over those trust fund taxes from her employees to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $154,186.58 from first quarter 2015 through fourth quarter 2018.
The total tax loss in relevant conduct (which includes Johnson-Rushing’s portion of federal and state payroll taxes as the employer) is $499,142, which combined with $154,186 in total tax loss for failure to pay over employee taxes yields a total tax loss of $653, 329.
Bankruptcy Petitions
According to court documents, Johnson-Rushing filed for bankruptcy on June 29, 2023, which is pending before the bankruptcy court. Johnson-Rushing failed to disclose this criminal case in her bankruptcy filings. Johnson-Rushing also filed three bankruptcy cases in 2022, which were subsequently dismissed for failure to comply with bankruptcy court rules. Prosecutors noted these four bankruptcy cases further demonstrate how she abuses the system.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes, IV. It was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
Justice Department Announces Achievements in Police Reform in Suffolk County, New YorkRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced yesterday that the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) has achieved sustained compliance with provisions of its settlement agreement with SCPD, including requirements concerning tracking and trending hate crimes and hate incidents, investigating allegations of police misconduct and development of policies and training. As a result, the department has terminated those provisions of the settlement agreement.
“The County and its Police Department have made significant progress towards ensuring that all Suffolk County residents benefit from constitutional policing,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Police Department has improved the tracking of hate crimes, is strengthening the handling of internal affairs investigations and has improved the way it handles complaints of discriminatory policing. This progress demonstrates that meaningful policing reform and change can be achieved through our work. The Justice Department is committed to collaboratively working with the community, Suffolk County officials and the police department to ensure constitutional, fair and nondiscriminatory policing for all County residents. Residents across Suffolk County deserve nothing less.”
“We are pleased to see the Suffolk County Police Department’s progress in fulfilling significant requirements of the police reform agreement to help ensure fair and equitable policing and make the County better and safer for its residents and visitors,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “By terminating the areas of the agreement where reform efforts have been successful, we can focus on the areas that require additional attention. We look forward to working together to help the Suffolk County Police Department successfully achieve the reforms required by the remaining areas of the agreement.”
SCPD has made substantial changes in reaching compliance with provisions of the police reform agreement that the Justice Department is terminating, including:
- SCPD provides annual training on responding to, investigating and charging hate crimes.
- SCPD implemented a mapping system to track and analyze hate crimes and hate incidents. These maps are available to the public on SCPD’s website.
- SCPD improved its systems for reporting allegations of discriminatory policing and accepting third-party complaints of discrimination.
- Members of the public can now submit complaints of bias to any part of the police department — the hate crimes unit, internal affairs, any officer and any precinct.
- SCPD improved the quality of internal affairs investigations.
- SCPD now tracks civilian complaints and internal investigations by the nature of the allegation, the status of the investigation and how it resolved the investigation. This tracking allows SCPD to evaluate trends and identify patterns of problematic behavior.
- SCPD has developed and updated a number of policies, which are available on SCPD’s website in English and Spanish.
The Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York entered an agreement with Suffolk County in January 2014 to ensure that SCPD provides fair and equitable policing services to all members of the Suffolk County community, including the Latino community.
In determining that SCPD has achieved and sustained full and effective compliance with significant portions of the agreement, the United States relied on its own independent evaluations of SCPD’s compliance.
Informational: Federal Court arraignmentsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
Appearing in Billings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan and pleading not guilty on May 23 was:
Tanya Lee Holbrook, 42, of Emigrant, on charges of misappropriation of postal funds and theft of government property. If convicted of the most serious crime, Holbrook faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Holbrook was released pending further proceedings. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-63.
Jessica Denise Bad Moccasin, 33, of Billings, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Bad Moccasin faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Bad Moccasin was detained pending further proceedings. The Billings Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-61.
Appearing in Missoula before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto and pleading not guilty on May 20 was:
Dylan James Youngblood, 32, of Kalispell, on charges of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the most serious crime, Youngblood faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. Youngblood was detained pending further proceedings. The FBI, Kalispell Police Department, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Probation and Parole and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. PACER case reference. 24-22.
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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Illegal Firearm Possession Lands Oklahoma City Couple in Federal Prison for 10 Years CollectivelyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – AMBER NICOLE RANSOM, 40, and GORDON BERNARD HORNER, 51, both of Oklahoma City, have been sentenced to serve 120 months collectively in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On August 1, 2023, a federal grand jury charged Ransom and Horner with being felons in possession of a firearm. According to public record, on May 9, 2023, Oklahoma City Police responded to a drive by shooting at an apartment complex. Though bullets did enter at least one unit, no injuries were reported. After a review of surveillance footage, Oklahoma City Police identified a white sedan as the suspect vehicle, which was pulled over in a traffic stop just days later. Ransom and Horner were in the vehicle, and authorities also located two handguns. After executing a search warrant at the apartment shared by Ransom and Horner, Oklahoma City Police located another firearm, along with several rounds of ammunition. Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement learned it was Ransom who fired several shots at the apartment from the back seat of the vehicle, which was being driven by Horner.
Public record further reflects that both Ransom and Horner hold prior felony convictions—Ransom for robbery in the first degree in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2009-5359, and Horner for possession of a controlled dangerous substance in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-1992-6656.
In the fall of 2023, both Ransom and Horner pleaded guilty, and admitted to possessing firearms.
At sentencing hearings on May 22, 2024, U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones sentenced Ransom to serve 90 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and Horner to serve 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentencings, Judge Jones noted the “senseless” nature of the crime, describing the actions of the two defendants as a “reckless disregard for life.”
This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David R. Nichols, Jr., prosecuted the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Houston Woman Pleads Guilty to Covid Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Houston, Texas, woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently receiving Missouri and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment benefits using the identity information of numerous other persons.
Prayshana Washington, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Thursday, May 23, to one count of theft of government property.
By pleading guilty, Washington admitted she facilitated the filing of false claims in her name and the names of other persons, thereby fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits paid through the state of Missouri. These benefits included benefits from the CARES Act.
Washington filed claims for unemployment benefits, using the name and personal identifying information of individuals in the state of Missouri and elsewhere. These persons were not eligible to receive Missouri and enhanced unemployment benefits. The emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits provided an additional $600 weekly payment.
The total loss amount from May 2020 to June 2021 is at least $550,000 but less than $1.5 million. Under the terms of her plea agreement, Washington must pay restitution as determined by the court.
Under federal statutes, Washington is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations & Labor Racketeering Fraud.
Fort Lauderdale man indicted for kidnapping in connection with wife’s disappearanceRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 15, a grand jury returned an indictment charging David Knezevich, a/k/a “David Knezevic,” a/k/a “Dusan Knezevic,” with one count of kidnapping in connection with his wife’s disappearance.
According to court documents, Knezevich traveled out of Miami International Airport to kidnap his wife, who was residing in Spain. Upon traveling out of Miami, Knezevich rented a car in Serbia shortly before his wife’s disappearance and drove to Spain. On the last day Knezevich’s wife was seen alive, Knezevich was captured on video surveillance in Spain, purchasing spray paint and duct tape. The same evening, an individual wearing a face covering and a motorcycle helmet, believed to be Knezevich, was captured on video spray painting the surveillance camera at his wife’s apartment building in Madrid. Knezevich’s wife has not been heard from since.
Knezevich was arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint on May 4, 2024, after flying into Miami International Airport from Serbia. On May 10, 2024, Chief Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres ordered Knezevich detained pending trial.
If convicted, Knezevich faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Spanish law enforcement authorities. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lacee Elizabeth Monk of the Special Prosecutions Section is prosecuting it.
Anyone with related information should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
An indictment contains mere allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.
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-20201.
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Former physician sentenced for operating a pill millRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A former Kansas physician was sentenced to 120 months in prison following a jury trial conviction and a plea agreement based on charges for selling opioid prescriptions to customers without legitimate medical need for powerful pain medications.
According to court documents, Steven R. Henson, 63, of Wichita pleaded guilty to:
• two counts of conspiracy to dispense, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, • eight counts of dispensing and aiding and abetting with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, • five counts of dispensing controlled substances, and
• six counts of money laundering.A jury previously convicted Henson of one count of making a false writing and one count of attempting to obstruct a court order, which were charges in relation to drug offenses.
Between July 2014 and August 2015, Henson admits to examining illegitimate pain patients at his clinic in Wichita and writing them prescriptions for oxycodone, methadone, and alprazolam in exchange for cash. He would typically meet his co-conspirator customers during non- business hours without staff present and charge $300 for the visit. These co-conspirator customers told Henson which controlled substances they wanted, and he would oblige with a prescription without conducting examinations, obtaining medical history, or determining if the requested medication was needed. Henson would often prescribe the highest possible strengths and high pill counts.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad, Newton Police Department, Wichita Police Department, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katie Andrusak and Jason Hart prosecuted the case.
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Former U.S. Border Patrol Agent Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Attempting to Distribute Methamphetamine and Receiving BribesRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Former U.S. Border Patrol Agent Hector Hernandez, who admitted that he took bribes to smuggle methamphetamine and people across the U.S.-Mexico border while on duty, was sentenced in federal court today to 87-months in prison.
Hernandez pleaded guilty in January, admitting that he agreed to use his official position to open border fences and allow unauthorized immigrants to enter the United States from Mexico. Hernandez also agreed to move methamphetamine and other controlled substances from the Southern District of California further north to other locations within the United States.
In his plea agreement, Hernandez acknowledged he took Mexico-based smugglers on a tour of the U.S.-Mexico border, showing them the best locations to sneak unauthorized immigrants into the U.S. He also provided information about the location of monitoring devices and cameras – information only known to him by virtue of his position as a Border Patrol agent. Hernandez admitted that he opened restricted border fences on several occasions to allow people to illegally enter the United States in exchange for cash payments of $5,000 per opening.
“In every instance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stands ready to reinforce public trust in law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “When that trust is undermined by criminal acts concealed behind a badge, it threatens both public safety and the integrity of our judicial system. Hernandez put personal greed above the safety of others and this sentence reflects the magnitude of his actions.”
“Agent Hernandez disgraced his badge when he chose to smuggle both drugs and people across the border,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Chrysanthis. “His sentence reflects the harm he caused his coworkers and his country. As law enforcement we are held to a higher standard, and we must be held accountable for our actions.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that federal officials who betray the people they are sworn to protect will be held accountable for their actions,” said DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari.
According to court records, Hernandez admitted that on May 9, 2023, he met with someone who unbeknownst to him was, in fact, an undercover federal agent, and agreed to pick up a bag full of narcotics that would be hidden near the border fence. Hernandez agreed to pick up the bag while on duty and deliver it to the undercover agent in exchange for $20,000. Once the agreement was made, agents loaded the bag with 10 kilograms of fake methamphetamine, one pound of real methamphetamine, and a tracking device, before placing the bag in a storm drain near the border fence.
Later that evening, Hernandez drove his official vehicle to the storm drain while on duty and retrieved the bag. He drove the bag to his residence in Chula Vista and left the bag there for the remainder of his work shift. On May 10, 2023, after his shift was over, Hernandez returned home, retrieved the bag, and drove to meet with the undercover agent. Upon arrest, agents confirmed that that the bag still contained both the sham and real methamphetamine.
After Hernandez was arrested, agents searched his residence and found $131,717 in cash and 7.7 grams of cocaine. Hernandez admitted at least $110,000 of the cash represented proceeds he received in connection with his narcotics trafficking and bribery activities.
As part of his plea agreement, Hernandez forfeited his personal vehicle used to bring the drugs to the undercover agent; $110,000 of the seized cash; and his interest in his residence where the drugs were maintained.
In court today, U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino said, “Border Patrol is an honorable and admirable agency of the Government sworn to protect and safeguard our borders… [Hernandez] chose to betray the agency, the nation and betray public trust.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Van Demark and Lawrence A. Casper.DEFENDANT Case Number 23cr1114-JLS
Hector Hernandez Age: 55 Chula Vista, CASUMMARY OF CHARGES
Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine – 21 U.S.C., Sections 841(a)(1) and 846
Maximum penalty: Life imprisonment in prison with a 10-year mandatory minimumReceiving Bribe by Public Official – 18 U.S.C., Section 201(b)(2)
Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prisonINVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of InvestigationFormer State Employee and Her Husband Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Unlawfully Produce Tennessee Driver's LicensesRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On May 24, 2024, Cheryl Huff, 49, of Knoxville, and Mario Paz-Mejia (“Paz”), 51, of Knoxville, who are married, were sentenced by the Honorable Katherine A. Crytzer, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court at Knoxville. Huff was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Paz was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release.
As part of their plea agreements filed with the court, Huff and Paz agreed to plead guilty for conspiring to produce over one hundred false Tennessee driver’s licenses and identification cards for individuals who were not lawfully qualified to receive them, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028(f).
As set forth in the filed plea agreements, Huff was a District Manager for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSHS), which issues Tennessee driver’s licenses and identification cards at various Driver Service Centers (DSC) across Tennessee. Huff managed and supervised DSC employees in the Greater Knoxville area and had authority to issue driver’s licenses and application cards.
Paz recruited individuals who were neither citizens of the United States nor residents of Tennessee who wanted to acquire a Tennessee driver’s license or identification card. Using his association with Huff, Paz represented to his customers that, in return for $2,500, he could obtain for them a Tennessee driver’s license or identification card. Paz also assisted his customers in obtaining false citizenship and residency documents—two requirements to obtain a Tennessee driver’s license—including fraudulent lease agreements to establish proof of Tennessee residency, and false birth certificates, Social Security cards, and driver’s licenses from other states and U.S. territories to establish proof of citizenship or legal residency in the United States.
Huff knew, or deliberately ignored a high probability, that Paz was helping his customers obtain false citizenship and residency documents and that Paz charged his customers money to obtain a Tennessee driver’s license or identification card.
Huff used her access to TDSHS’s internal software to confirm that the names and information on the false citizenship and residency documents used by Paz’s customers could be used to obtain a Tennessee driver’s license or identification card. For example, on June 23, 2021, Paz-Mejia texted Huff the name, date of birth, and personal information used on false identification documents, asking Huff to “check that please.” Huff responded, “All of these are not on file. They’re good.”
After Paz’s customers acquired false citizenship and residency documents, Paz arranged to meet them at a Knoxville-area DSC before business hours. With Huff’s assistance, Paz escorted his customers into DSCs before business hours, including through a backdoor employee-only entrance. Once Paz and his customers were inside, Huff initiated driver’s license applications using TDSHS software. Huff also instructed subordinate DSC employees to complete applications and issue driver’s licenses to many of Paz’s customers.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
This prosecution was the result of an ongoing investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Criminal Investigation Division, the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Secret Service.
William A. Roach, Jr., Assistant United States Attorney, represented the United States.
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Former DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney Charged with Communicating Interstate Threat to Two Illinois State Representatives and OthersRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A DuPage County, Illinois, man, Samuel J. Cundari, 30, has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure another person in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c).
The complaint alleges that on March 17, 2024, the Illinois State Police were contacted by two Illinois State Representatives about a threat that they had received via the social media company X, formerly known as Twitter. The social media post stated, “Our patience grows short with you. The day we put your kids’ feet first into a woodchipper so we can enjoy their last few screams is coming.” Besides the two state representatives, five other individuals or groups were “tagged” with the post to include the Illinois Attorney General. As a result, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Division began an investigation.
The complaint further alleges that on May 15, 2024, the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center received an online tip regarding a post on X that seemed to be in response to an advertisement about the Springfield PrideFest which occurred on May 18, 2024. In the post, it states: “I sure hope NOBODY leaves a pressure cooker filled with bail bearings, glass, and nails, filled with diesel fuel and fertilizer, with the over pressure safety valve disabled, near a natural gas line line [sic]. That would be VERY sad and VERY unfortunate.”
The complaint also alleges that law enforcement traced the two social media posts to Samuel Cundari of DuPage County, Illinois who used the internet to communicate the threats. At the time the posts were made, Cundari was an Assistant State’s Attorney in DuPage County. If convicted of communicating an interstate threat, Cundari faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment of no more than five years. The charge also carries up to three years of supervised release and a possible fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Springfield Field Office with assistance by multiple law enforcement agencies including: FBI Chicago and FBI Indianapolis Field Offices, the Illinois Secretary of State Police, the Illinois State Police, the Springfield Police Department, the Pierceton Police Department (Indiana), United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Investigations Unit, and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger.
Members of the public are reminded that the charges in a complaint are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Former Commonwealth’s Attorney Sentenced for Honest Services Wire Fraud and Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The former Commonwealth’s Attorney for Bath, Rowan, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties, Ronnie Goldy, 51, was sentenced on Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves. Goldy was sentenced to 41 months, after previously being convicted of honest services wire fraud, use of an interstate facility with the intent to carry on unlawful activity, and bribery concerning a program that receives federal funds.
According to evidence presented, Goldy maintained a personal relationship with a woman that was sexual in nature, and included encounters and solicitations and acceptance of sexually explicit images and videos of the woman. On multiple occasions during the scheme, Goldy used his position as the Commonwealth’s Attorney to perform official actions, or to exert pressure and influence on other public officials to perform official actions, benefiting the woman. Goldy knew these sexually explicit images and periodic sexual encounters were provided in exchange for his willingness to perform, or pressure others to perform, official actions benefitting the woman with whom he had the relationship.
In February, Goldy was convicted by a federal jury of all 14 counts in the indictment.
“Instead of doing the job he was elected to do, Mr. Goldy chose to abuse his authority and to pressure other officials to advance his corrupt personal interests,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “When those entrusted with enforcing the law blatantly abuse their authority, it demands accountability. This was a disgraceful betrayal of the public trust and it undermined public safety and law enforcement. Through the hard work of committed law enforcement, he now faces that accountability.”
“Goldy’s sentencing should serve as a warning to corrupt officials throughout the Commonwealth that the FBI will not standby when allegations of abuse of power come to our attention,” said Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office. “We will rigorously investigate such claims and follow the facts wherever they lead, ultimately bringing those that violate federal law to justice.”
United States Attorney Shier and Special Agent in Charge Stansbury jointly announced the sentencing.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
The United States was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Boone.
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Former CIA Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit EspionageRead the Press Release
Alexander Yuk Ching Ma, 71, of Honolulu, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to gather and deliver national defense information to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
According to court documents, Ma and a blood relative of his (identified as co-conspirator #1 or CC #1) were naturalized U.S. citizens who were born in Hong Kong and Shanghai, respectively. Both Ma and CC #1 worked for the CIA — CC #1 from 1967 until 1983, Ma from 1982 until 1989. As CIA officers, both men held top secret security clearances that granted them access to sensitive and classified CIA information, and signed non-disclosure agreements that required them to maintain the secrecy of that information.
As Ma admitted in the plea agreement, in March 2001, when he no longer worked for the CIA, at the request of intelligence officers employed by the PRC’s Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB), Ma convinced CC #1 to meet with SSSB intelligence officers in a Hong Kong hotel room. Over the course of three days, Ma and CC #1 provided the SSSB with a large volume of classified U.S. national defense information. At the conclusion of the third day, the SSSB intelligence officers provided CC #1 with $50,000 in cash, which Ma counted. Ma and CC #1 also agreed at that time to continue to assist the SSSB.
As detailed in the plea agreement, in March 2003, while living in Hawaii, Ma applied for a job as a contract linguist in the FBI Honolulu Field Office. The FBI, aware of Ma’s ties to PRC intelligence, hired Ma, as part of an investigative plan, to work at an off-site location where his activities could be monitored and his contacts with the PRC investigated. Ma worked for the FBI from August 2004 until October 2012.
Ma further admitted that in February 2006, during this monitored employment by the FBI in Honolulu, Ma convinced CC #1 to provide the identities of at least two individuals depicted in photographs that were provided to Ma by SSSB intelligence officers. The individuals’ identities were and remain classified U.S. national defense information. Ma confessed that he knew that this information, and the information communicated in March 2001, would be used to injure the United States or to benefit the PRC, and he deliberately engaged in the criminal conspiracy with CC #1 and the SSSB anyway.
Under the terms of the parties’ plea agreement, Ma must cooperate with the United States, including by submitting to debriefings by U.S. government agencies. The plea agreement, if accepted by the Court, calls for an agreed-upon sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for Sept. 11.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii, Assistant Director for Counterintelligence Kevin Vorndran of the FBI, and Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill of the FBI Honolulu Field Office made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson conducted the change of the plea hearing.
The FBI Honolulu and Los Angeles Field Offices investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ken Sorenson and Craig Nolan for the District of Hawaii, and Trial Attorneys Scott Claffee and Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.
Florida businessman Daniel Hurt to pay over $27 million for Medicare fraud in connection with cancer genomic testsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Daniel Hurt, who owned and/or operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, has agreed to pay over $27 million to resolve allegations that he and his companies conspired with others to violate the False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting false claims to, and receiving payments from, Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and were procured through illegal kickbacks. Hurt, Fountain Health, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics, First Choice and Sonoran Desert Pathology also agreed to be excluded by the Department of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) from Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Hurt previously pleaded guilty to criminal healthcare fraud for these offenses. The civil settlement is based on Hurt’s ability to pay.
The United States alleged that Hurt, his companies and others conspired to knowingly submit false claims for CGx tests that were not medically necessary to treat or diagnose a condition, and that Hurt received and paid kickbacks in exchange for Medicare referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). In particular, the United States alleged that, from January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“Our office is committed to pursuing those who threaten our government healthcare programs by submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services that are tainted by unlawful payments to marketers,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “As these schemes become more complex and cross district lines, we will continue to work and coordinate with our law enforcement partners and other districts to ensure vigorous enforcement of the law.”
“We will not tolerate those who prey on older Americans to defraud Medicare,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As this settlement reflects, we will use our available resources to protect federal health care programs and the beneficiaries they serve.”
“Unnecessary medical services and false claims for medical services threaten patients and our public health programs,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This civil settlement demonstrates our commitment to protecting patients from unnecessary testing and our healthcare institutions from fraudulent billing.”
“Medicare and Medicaid are two vitally important health care programs that provide critical services to millions of Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “Schemes that seek to siphon money from these programs with unnecessary medical tests are especially egregious. We will do everything we can to protect the public and the services they need, and to hold accountable those who try to bilk the system.”
“Submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services to Medicare and Medicaid jeopardizes the integrity of vital health care programs, and we, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to make sure those who attempt to do so are held accountable,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Investigations Christian J. Schrank of HHS-OIG. “This substantial settlement underscores our steadfast dedication to safeguarding federal health care programs.”
This settlement includes the resolution of allegations brought in three cases filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA, including an action filed by Robert Gerstein, a minority owner of Sonoran Desert Pathology, where he worked for Hurt, running the billing operations for CGx tests. Under the FCA, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Under today’s resolution, Relator Gerstein will receive up to $4.7 million or 17% of the government’s recovery.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosaline Chan for the Southern District of Florida, Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Fraud Section, Trial Attorneys Augustus Curtis and Andrew Warner of the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Bloor for the Middle District of Florida and David Dauenheimer for the District of New Jersey and the Miami Regional Office of HHS-OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
Settlement
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Florida Businessman Daniel Hurt to Pay over $27 Million for Medicare Fraud in Connection with Cancer Genomic TestsRead the Press Release
Daniel Hurt, who owned and/or operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, has agreed to pay over $27 million to resolve allegations that he and his companies conspired with others to violate the False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting false claims to, and receiving payments from, Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and were procured through illegal kickbacks. Hurt, Fountain Health, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics, First Choice and Sonoran Desert Pathology also agreed to be excluded by the Department of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) from Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Hurt previously pleaded guilty to criminal healthcare fraud for these offenses. The civil settlement is based on Hurt’s ability to pay.
The United States alleged that Hurt, his companies and others conspired to knowingly submit false claims for CGx tests that were not medically necessary to treat or diagnose a condition, and that Hurt received and paid kickbacks in exchange for Medicare referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). In particular, the United States alleged that, from January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“We will not tolerate those who prey on older Americans to defraud Medicare,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As this settlement reflects, we will use our available resources to protect federal health care programs and the beneficiaries they serve.”
“Unnecessary medical services and false claims for medical services threaten patients and our public health programs,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “This civil settlement demonstrates our commitment to protecting patients from unnecessary testing and our healthcare institutions from fraudulent billing.”
“Our office is committed to pursuing those who threaten our government healthcare programs by submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services that are tainted by unlawful payments to marketers,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “As these schemes become more complex and cross district lines, we will continue to work and coordinate with our law enforcement partners and other districts to ensure vigorous enforcement of the law.”
“Medicare and Medicaid are two vitally important health care programs that provide critical services to millions of Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “Schemes that seek to siphon money from these programs with unnecessary medical tests are especially egregious. We will do everything we can to protect the public and the services they need, and to hold accountable those who try to bilk the system.”
“Submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services to Medicare and Medicaid jeopardizes the integrity of vital health care programs, and we, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to make sure those who attempt to do so are held accountable,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Investigations Christian J. Schrank of HHS-OIG. “This substantial settlement underscores our steadfast dedication to safeguarding federal health care programs.”
This settlement includes the resolution of allegations brought in three cases filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA, including an action filed by Robert Gerstein, a minority owner of Sonoran Desert Pathology, where he worked for Hurt, running the billing operations for CGx tests. Under the FCA, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Under today’s resolution, Relator Gerstein will receive up to $4.7 million or 17% of the government’s recovery.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Fraud Section, Trial Attorneys Augustus Curtis and Andrew Warner of the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Bloor for the Middle District of Florida, Rosaline Chan for the Southern District of Florida and David Dauenheimer for the District of New Jersey and the Miami Regional Office of HHS-OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
SettlementFlorida Businessman Daniel Hurt to Pay over $27 Million for Medicare Fraud in Connection with Cancer Genomic TestsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Daniel Hurt, who owned and/or operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, has agreed to pay over $27 million to resolve allegations that he and his companies conspired with others to violate the False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting false claims to, and receiving payments from, Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and were procured through illegal kickbacks. Hurt, Fountain Health, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics, First Choice and Sonoran Desert Pathology also agreed to be excluded by the Department of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) from Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Hurt previously pled guilty to criminal healthcare fraud for these offenses. The civil settlement is based on Hurt’s ability to pay.
The United States alleged that Hurt, his companies and others conspired to knowingly submit false claims for CGx tests that were not medically necessary to treat or diagnose a condition, and that Hurt received and paid kickbacks in exchange for Medicare referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). In particular, the United States alleged that, from January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to CMS.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“Medicare and Medicaid are two vitally important health care programs that provide critical services to millions of Americans. Schemes that seek to siphon money from these programs with unnecessary medical tests are especially egregious. We will do everything we can to protect the public and the services they need, and to hold accountable those who try to bilk the system.”
“We will not tolerate those who prey on older Americans to defraud Medicare,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “As this settlement reflects, we will use our available resources to protect federal health care programs and the beneficiaries they serve.”
“Submitting false claims for medically unnecessary services to Medicare and Medicaid jeopardizes the integrity of vital health care programs, and we, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to make sure those who attempt to do so are held accountable,” stated Deputy Inspector General of Investigations Christian J. Schrank for HHS-OIG. “This substantial settlement underscores our steadfast dedication to safeguarding federal health care programs.”
This settlement includes the resolution of allegations brought in three cases filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the FCA, including an action filed by Robert Gerstein, a minority owner of Sonoran Desert Pathology, where he worked for Hurt, running the billing operations for CGx tests. Under the FCA, private parties can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. Under today’s resolution, Relator Gerstein will receive up to $4.7 million or 17% of the government’s recovery.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Dauenheimer (D.N.J.), Trial Attorney Samson Asiyanbi of the Fraud Section, Trial Attorneys Augustus Curtis and Andrew Warner of the Corporate/Financial Litigation Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Bloor (M.D. Fla.) and Rosaline Chan (S.D. Fla.), and the Miami Regional Office of HHS-OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
settlement.pdfFitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in Worcester federal court for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Satron Pridgen, 46, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 22, 2024. In November 2023, Pridgen was indicted by a federal grand jury.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2023, Pridgen was outside of Mill City Pub in Fitchburg. An altercation ensued between two men. During the altercation, Pridgen approached a third man from behind, grabbed him and held him around the neck in a chokehold, then pulled out a loaded pistol which he used to beat the man in the head multiple times. When law enforcement intervened, Pridgen ran off and attempted to discard the firearm by a dumpster before being apprehended.
Pridgen is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to numerous prior convictions out of Worcester Superior Court including: a November 1999 conviction of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon for which he was sentenced to 9 to 10 years in state prison; an October 2011 conviction of armed assault with intent to rob, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a career criminal for which he was sentenced to 10-12 years in state prison; and an October 2011 conviction of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of cocaine, for which he was sentenced to 9 to 10 years in state prison.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division; and Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest F. Martineau made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Angel Valencia-Avendano, 20, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, was sentenced last week by United States Chief District Judge G. Murray Snow to 84 months in prison. Valencia-Avendano pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.
On March 6, 2023, Valencia-Avendano was arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking. On that day, investigators were conducting surveillance in Phoenix near 78th Avenue and west McDowell Road. Valencia-Avendano was pulled over for a traffic violation and the vehicle was searched. In the duffle bag in the back of the car investigators found approximately 27 kilograms of pills containing fentanyl (approximately 280,000 pills). Investigators later searched Valencia-Avendano’s apartment, where they located a handgun, another 3 kilograms of fentanyl, as well as drug ledgers, and $83,500 in cash. Both the handgun and the cash were forfeited to the United States.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarthy, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-00397-PHX-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-068_Valencia-Avendano# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Federal Jury Finds Minneapolis Man Guilty of Kidnapping, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury found a Minneapolis man guilty of kidnapping, bank fraud, and identity theft after robbing two women at gunpoint and stealing from another, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to evidence presented at trial, on September 13, 2022, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Raphael Raymond Nunn, 52, approached a woman in Arden Hills who had just parked her vehicle. Nunn, who was wearing a mask, gloves, and carrying a handgun, forced the victim at gunpoint to drive him to an ATM in Minneapolis and withdraw cash for his own benefit. Nunn then ordered the victim to drive to Matthews Park, where he then ordered her to give him her keys so he could get away.
According to court documents, Nunn was later captured on surveillance videos from surrounding businesses and seen exiting the victim’s vehicle, removing his hood and mask, and entering a nearby corner grocery store. Four days later, Nunn returned to the store driving a vehicle registered in his name which led to the discovery of his address.
A search of his residence recovered evidence from the kidnapping and revealed Nunn had stolen from a second victim and robbed a third at gunpoint before fraudulently using the victims’ stolen credit cards to obtain money from their bank accounts.
Nunn was arrested on September 22, 2022, at his Minneapolis residence.
Following a four-day trial before Judge Eric C. Tostrud, Nunn was found guilty yesterday on one count of kidnapping, two counts of bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Oak Park Police Department, and the Hudson Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albania Concepcion and Lauren O. Roso tried the case.
Federal Inmate Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of CellmateRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced a federal inmate, David Lee Bishop (50, Ocala), to life in prison based upon his conviction for second degree murder. Bishop pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024, three days before his federal jury trial was scheduled to begin.
According to court documents, on February 3, 2019, Bishop strangled his cellmate to death at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex using a torn bedsheet. Bishop called his mother shortly after the murder, telling her that he had “messed up.” When his mother asked if there had been an accident, Bishop responded that “it was totally and utterly on purpose” and that he was “just waiting on them to find ‘it.’” When prison guards discovered his cellmate’s body, Bishop immediately admitted to the murder. At the time of the offense, Bishop was already serving a life sentence.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Belkis H. Crockett, Tyrie K. Boyer, Robert E. Bodnar, Jr., and Michael P. Felicetta.
El Sobrante Resident Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.1 Million in Pandemic-Relief Funds in 2020 and 2021Read the Press Release
OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Contra Costa County man with wire fraud and other crimes relating to a scheme in which he fraudulently obtained more than $1.1 million in government-backed COVID-19 relief funds, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp; and Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the Western Region.
According to the indictment filed this week, Lane Jenkins, 53, of El Sobrante, California, was president of a company called A & L Investments LLC (A&L), which was founded in 2016, headquartered in El Sobrante, and purported to purchase, renovate, and sell distressed properties. The indictment alleges that, in February 2021 and April 2021, Jenkins applied for and received two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans totaling more than $1 million on the basis of false and fraudulent representations that A&L had dozens of employees and hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly payroll expenses. In fact, A&L had zero employees and no monthly payroll. In December 2021, Jenkins applied for and received forgiveness of the first of those two loans, falsely certifying he had used the PPP funds to make payroll for A&L’s nonexistent employees. In fact, Jenkins had used the money for personal expenses and to pay off personal debts.
The indictment also states that, in July 2020, Jenkins applied for and received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of nearly $95,000 for a maid and cleaning service he said he operated as a sole proprietor. The application falsely stated that Jenkins had 10 employees and gross revenues of $241,353. In fact, he had no employees and no revenues. Rather than use the EIDL funds he received on approved business expenses, Jenkins used that money to enrich himself.
The PPP was administered by the SBA as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 to provide billions of dollars in emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPP provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other qualified business expenses. PPP funds were disbursed by SBA-approved third-party lenders.
The EIDL program is also administered by the SBA. It provides low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. As relevant here, the CARES Act authorized the SBA to make EIDL loans of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. EIDL funds are disbursed directly by the SBA.
The Indictment charges three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of submitting false writings to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3).
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Jenkins faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the three counts of wire fraud and a maximum statutory sentence of 5 years in prison on the fourth count, which charges him with submitting false writings to a government agency. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Jenkins has not yet appeared in court to face the charges against him.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Chambers is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and SBA-OIG.
2024-05-23_-_1_indictment_4-24-cr-00283-amo_v.1.pdfDominican Republic Native Sentenced to 120 Months in Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Rodriguez-Ortiz, age 36, native and citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for distribution of fentanyl and illegal reentry by a previously deported alien following an aggravated felony conviction. Rodriguez-Ortiz will again face deportation following his term of imprisonment.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Rodriguez-Ortiz was previously deported from the United States to the Dominican Republic in 2013. He illegally reentered the United States again sometime after December 2013 and was found in the United States in York County, Pennsylvania after eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers.
Investigators made two separate purchases of fentanyl from Rodriguez-Ortiz and then obtained a search warrant for Rodriguez-Ortiz’s residence, where several bundles of fentanyl, several thousand dollars in cash, packaging material, multiple cell phones, packaged pills, edibles, and multiple firearms, including some with obliterated serial numbers, were found. At the time of the fentanyl sales and Rodriguez-Ortiz’s arrest, he was using an alias.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Dodge County Nurse Pleads Guilty to Opioid DiversionRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Dodge County woman has pleaded guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, Jennifer Lee Garrison, 40, was employed as a post-anesthesia care nurse at a hospital. Garrison had access to controlled and uncontrolled substances stored within an automated dispensing cabinet (ADC). The ADC in Garrison’s unit stored multiple medicines, including oxycodone and oxybutynin. Beginning in August 2022, the defendant began diverting oxycodone pills for her own use instead of giving it to her patients. By July 2023, the defendant was diverting up to six oxycodone pills per day.
Garrison carried out her diversion scheme using two primary means. At times, patients were prescribed two oxycodone pills. The defendant would withdraw both pills from the ADC but would give the patient only one pill. The defendant would keep the other pill for her own use and falsified patient pain reports to cover up her scheme. On other occasions, Garrison would enter a transaction on the ADC for oxybutynin. When the drawer for oxybutynin opened, the defendant would remove an oxybutynin pill. She would then cancel the transaction on the ADC, making it appear that she had simply accessed the wrong drawer by accident. With the ADC still accessible, the defendant then opened a drawer for oxycodone and removed an oxycodone pill. The defendant kept the oxycodone pill for herself and gave the patient oxybutynin.
Garrison pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting the case.
Doctor Convicted of $70M Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
A federal jury convicted a Texas doctor today for causing the submission of over $70 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces and genetic tests ordered through a telemarketing scheme.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, David M. Young, M.D., 61, of Fredericksburg, signed thousands of medical records and prescriptions for orthotic braces and genetic tests that falsely represented that the braces and tests were medically necessary and that he diagnosed the beneficiaries, had a plan of care for them, and recommended that they receive certain additional treatment. Young prescribed braces and genetic tests for over 13,000 Medicare beneficiaries, including undercover agents posing as different Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom he did not see, speak to, or otherwise treat. Young’s false prescriptions were then used by brace supply companies and laboratories to bill Medicare more than $70 million. Young was paid approximately $475,000 in exchange for signing the fraudulent prescriptions.
The jury convicted Young of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and three counts of false statements relating to health care matters, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region; and Chief William Marlowe of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement.
HHS-OIG and MFCU investigated the case.
Assistant Chief Brynn Schiess and Trial Attorney Ethan Womble of the Texas Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
District Woman Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft Following Theft from CVS Store in NortheastRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON –Bianca Jackson, 40, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on April 18, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
A grand jury indicted Jackson on May 22, 2024. Arraignment is not yet scheduled.
According to the government’s evidence, on April 18, 2024, Jackson went into a CVS located in Northeast Washington, D.C., loaded a wagon with store merchandise, and left without paying. Jackson was located and arrested shortly after Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call for service at that location.
Jackson has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for her alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for the count of theft for which she is indicted.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Limb.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Stealing from a Northwest CVS and Threatening a Store EmployeeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Sahid Sesay, 36, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft and one count of misdemeanor threats stemming from events occurring on January 16, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
A grand jury indicted Sesay on May 22, 2024. Arraignment is scheduled for May 29th.
According to the government’s evidence, on January 16, 2024, Sesay took several pieces of merchandise without paying from the CVS store located in Northwest Washington, D.C. Just before stealing these items, Sesay, chased a CVS employee around the store, jumped on the cashier counter, and threatened the CVS employee. Sesay was quickly located and arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department.
Sesay has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Couce.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Deportation Officer convicted at trial of flight interference after attempting to film up a flight attendant’s skirtRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 22, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Officer was convicted at trial of interference with the flight crew, after he filmed a flight attendant and attempted to take photographs up the victim’s skirt.
Billy Olvera, 48, of Laredo, Texas, was convicted at trial of interfering with a flight crew. Olvera was traveling from Dallas, Texas to Miami, Florida on Nov. 6, 2023, in his official capacity as a Deportation Officer while transporting an individual for removal. A flight attendant noticed Olvera holding his phone in the aisle, aimed towards the ceiling, each time she walked by him. The victim notified another flight attendant who then filmed Olvera the next time the victim walked by him. Olvera could be seen attempting to film up the skirt of the victim. The victim stopped performing her assigned duties that required her to be present in the aisle of the main cabin, and the flight attendants notified the pilot who had the flight attendants change shifts, and delayed taxing until law enforcement could meet the flight at the gate. A federal search warrant of Olvera’s phone revealed numerous images and videos taken of the victim and pictures and videos that attempted to capture a vantage point up the victim’s skirt.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16 before Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga. Olvera faces up to 20 years in prison. The federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Valenzuela for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility (ICE OPR), made the announcement.
This was a joint investigation by the DHS OIG Miami Field Office and ICE OPR, with assistance from the DHS OIG Dallas Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey Pence Tomanelli and Brooke Latta prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Raemy Charest-Turken is handling asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20034.
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Delaware County Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Register Email AddressRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael J. Frascatore, age 59, of Treadwell, New York, was sentenced today to 18 months’ imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to failing to register and update his registration as a sex offender, and to violating the terms of his supervised release for a prior sex offense conviction. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.
In pleading guilty previously, Frascatore admitted that he was designated as a Level I sex offender in New York after he was convicted in federal court in 2008 for distributing child pornography. Frascatore knew that as a registered sex offender he was required to report, among other things, all email addresses he used. Despite this requirement, he created an email address in April 2019, using his own name and home address, which he maintained for approximately four years without disclosing as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Frascatore was on supervised release at the time of this offense, and he also did not disclose his email address to U.S. Probation. In addition to pleading guilty to violating SORNA, Frascatore admitted that he violated the terms of his supervised release by using an unauthorized, internet-capable phone; maintaining the undisclosed email account; and knowingly communicating with minors online, including by sending explicit photos of himself to minors and requesting nude photos in return.
Frascatore’s sentence includes 8 months’ imprisonment on the new criminal charge followed by a consecutive term of 10 months’ imprisonment on the supervised release violation. Frascatore will also serve 10 years on supervised release as part of his sentence.
The United States Marshals Service investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Perry as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Del City Man Convicted of Arson and Making Threats over Cell PhoneRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal jury has convicted ALLEN JAMES BULLOCK, 42, of Del City, of interstate transmission of threatening communication and arson, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On March 19, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count Superseding Indictment against Bullock, charging him with interstate transmission of threatening communication and arson. On May 21, 2024, a federal jury found Bullock guilty on both counts.
Evidence presented at trial indicated that in the early morning hours of November 14, 2023, the Del City Fire Department extinguished a fire at a nearby apartment complex. The fire was contained to the entrance of the apartment and did not spread further. The tenant of the apartment was not home at the time and told authorities he believed Bullock may have started the fire. The victim worked with Bullock’s wife and claimed that just hours before the fire, Bullock called and threatened the victim several times because the victim gifted a shirt to Bullock’s wife. Cell phone records show that Bullock did call the victim multiple times the night of the fire, and an analysis of surveillance footage shows Bullock arriving at the victim’s apartment complex shortly before the fire was set. Surveillance footage also shows that Bullock visited a nearby gas station to purchase $.50 of gasoline minutes before the fire, and expert testimony at trial confirmed that debris samples from the fire tested positive for the presence of gasoline.
Following his conviction, Bullock faces not less than 5 years and up to 25 years in federal prison and fines totaling up to $500,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Del City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stan J. West and Matthew Dillon are prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
D.C. Woman and Maryland Man Indicted for Conspiring to Launder Stolen Government FundsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A three-count indictment was unsealed yesterday in U.S. District Court charging a District woman and a Maryland man with conspiring to launder proceeds from a scheme to steal government benefit funds provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and other government funds.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration (SSA) - Office of Inspector General (OIG) Philadelphia Field Division, and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police.
Roliat Abosede Owosho, aka “Rolash,” 48, was arrested yesterday and Afeez Olamide Lawal, aka “Fizzy,” 43, was arrested May 22, 2024, and were released following their initial appearances in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to the indictment, Owosho and Lawal conspired to launder both stolen government SSA benefit funds intended for social security recipients as well as additional stolen government funds derived from a scheme in which conspirators caused the money to be directed to accounts controlled by the co-conspirators. As alleged, Lawal and Owosho laundered proceeds from the scheme to defraud from at least January 1, 2018, through about January 31, 2021. Lawal and Owosho received the stolen funds into their personal accounts. They either used the stolen funds for their personal use or further transferred the stolen funds to others without authority from the intended recipients. The two received more than $148,667 in SSA, unemployment payments, and tax refunds that did not belong to them.
The indictment further charged Owosho with using her bank accounts to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business in the District and conducting money transmissions without a license. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Owosho transferred funds on behalf of others through her accounts without registering as a money transmitting business with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), did not obtain a money transmitting license in the District of Columbia, and/or was otherwise involved in transmitting funds known to have been derived from a criminal offense or were intended to be used to promote or support unlawful activity.
This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) - Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the U.S. Capital Police. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Lucas of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with valuable assistance provided by Paralegal Specialist Lisa Abbe.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Court Sentences Prior Felon for Possessing Firearm, Firing at Customer in Liquor Store Parking LotRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Julius Robinson, Jr., 27, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 97 months and three years’ supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In sentencing Robinson, U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney noted, “It is a miracle no one was hurt…Mr. Robinson represents a very, very significant risk to the law abiding public and the community needs to be protected for a long time.”
“Julius Robinson is a menace to his community and Kalamazoo is a safer place because of today’s lengthy sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “In communities that experience gun violence, only a few individuals are responsible for driving that violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan is laser-focused on using our resources – and the lengthy federal sentences we often bring to the table – to incapacitate active shooters like Robinson.” He continued: “I’m thankful no one was harmed and grateful to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the FBI who tracked Robinson down and brought him to justice.”
While buying drinks from the Bronco Liquor Mart at 5036 W KL Avenue in Kalamazoo, Robinson got into an argument with another customer who was annoyed at the length of time Robinson was taking to complete his transaction at the check-out counter. Still inside the store, Robinson said to the other customer: “I’ll kill you in here, bro.” Robinson’s threat was not idle: he illegally possessed a .40 caliber Glock pistol with an extended magazine capable of housing 30 bullets. Robinson then followed the other customer out of the store into the parking lot. As the other customer walked away, got into his car, and drove away, Robinson fired four shots at the man, missing his target. The other customer did not pose a threat in any way prior to Robinson firing his gun.
Members of the FBI’s Western Michigan Violent Crime Task Force identified Robinson through diligent forensic analysis of the evidence at the scene and review of the security footage at the store. Their investigation led to a search of Robinson’s home where they recovered the gun, still loaded, in Robinson’s bedroom.
While in jail for the shooting and possessing the firearm, Robinson phoned his girlfriend, who was present at the scene of the crime and drove the car as Robinson fled the liquor store. Robinson repeatedly directed his girlfriend to lie so he would escape justice for his crime.
Furthermore, ballistics evidence from the gun indicated that Robinson fired the gun two weeks earlier in the same liquor store parking lot. This case is Robinson’s fourth firearm-related conviction.
The court increased Robinson’s sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm on two grounds: his assault with intent to commit murder and his attempt to obstruct justice by instructing his girlfriend to lie on his behalf.
“Mr. Robinson intended to cause harm and must be held accountable for placing everyone present that day in danger,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Today's sentencing would not have been possible without the strong partnerships between our office, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. We are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding our communities by eliminating violent offenders who believe they can terrorize our communities with illegally possessed firearms.”
“The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office works proudly with local, state, and federal partners, in continued efforts to reduce gun violence in Kalamazoo County and surrounding communities,” said Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller. “The effort in this case by investigators, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office shows the commitment at every level to make Kalamazoo a safer community for all.”
Gun violence is an acute problem across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. firearm homicide rate in 2021 was the highest documented since 1993. While the numbers have slightly declined since 2021, they remain high. Resources and information on the safe storage of firearms can be found by reviewing the U.S. Department of Justice Safe Storage of Firearms guide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives pamphlet. Anyone who possesses a gun must follow all local, state, and federal laws.
This case was investigated by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and FBI. It is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.
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Convicted felon sentenced to federal prison for possessing firearms, including one with a Glock switchRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Fort Worth man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Malando Bates, 24, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on March 9, 2023. U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant’s sentence of 120 months was an upward departure from the recommended guideline range. In his ruling, Judge Mazzant noted that Bates had a history of firearm related offenses, that he possessed a Glock with a Glock switch attached, and that, by Bates’ own admission, he had possessed multiple fully automatic pistols. Judge Mazzant further stated that a sentence of 120 months would serve to protect society.
According to information presented in court, on Oct. 24, 2021, law enforcement encountered Bates after hearing gunshots. Initially, Bates falsely identified himself as his brother and claimed he was a U.S. Marine. Bates subsequently admitted to law enforcement that he lied about his identity because he was a convicted felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Bates was found to be in possession of several firearms including a Glock pistol with a Glock switch, also known as a machine gun conversion device (MCD) converting the firearm to a fully automatic weapon, a fully loaded 30 round magazine, and two AR style rifles with loaded magazines. Glock switches are devices that are attached to the slide of a Glock handgun that convert the semi-automatic pistol into a pistol capable of fully automatic fire.
“Possession of firearms by convicted felons is inherently dangerous for society,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “But that danger increases exponentially when prohibited individuals possess firearms containing switches that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, which, within a matter of a few seconds, can fire multiple rounds with a single squeeze of the trigger. Today’s sentence should send a clear message that anyone who manufactures, sells, or possesses a machine gun conversion device will be prosecuted federally and face serious consequences.”
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Highland Village Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey M. Batson.
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Convicted Murderer Gets 23 Years in Prison for Memorial Day Killing in 2022 Near Dupont CircleRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – James Jackson, 30, of Silver Spring, Maryland, was sentenced today in Superior Court to 23 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Christian Monje, 29, of Fairfax, Virginia, in D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Jackson pleaded guilty, in February 2024, to one count of second-degree murder while armed.
According to the government’s evidence, on May 30, 2022, at approximately 4:30 a.m., officers of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District responded to the 1700 block of Rhode Island Ave NW in response to the sounds of gunshots. Officers located Mr. Monje on the steps of St. Matthew’s Cathedral suffering a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to the hospital and died from his injuries a few weeks later.
Detectives recovered surveillance footage from nearby cameras which showed an individual approaching Mr. Monje while he sat on the steps of the church. Cameras also captured the individual fleeing down a nearby alley and ducking behind a dumpster. Detectives searched the area around the dumpster and located a 9mm Polymer80 “ghost gun” that was later determined to be the murder weapon.
The case remained unsolved, without a suspect, for months until detectives received a CODIS hit from a DNA profile obtained from the 9mm Polymer 80’s magazine. The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a national DNA database run by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that contains DNA profiles from various sources. The CODIS hit in this case was a match with a profile that was submitted by the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division in reference to a prior arrest of the defendant. Using that investigative lead, detectives were able to confirm the defendant’s identity as the murderer using DNA and cell site evidence.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Mabry Johnson and Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark.
Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Miles Janssen, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Illegal Firearms and Multiple Machine Gun Conversion DevicesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jean-Robert Jean-Baptiste, Jr., 33, a previously convicted felon, was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for illegally possession of a total of four firearms, nine machine gun conversion devices, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and multiple large capacity magazines—followed by, only weeks later, illegally carrying a loaded Glock 9mm firearm that was equipped with a machine gun conversion device and a large-capacity magazine in his Benning Terrace neighborhood in Southeast Washington D.C.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Baptiste pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on January 3, 2024, to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and two counts of possession of a machine gun. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan ordered Baptiste to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on October 19, 2022, MPD officers executed a search warrant at Baptist’s residence and recovered numerous firearms and ammunition from his bedroom. MPD officers seized a Micro Draco semiautomatic pistol with drum magazine and four rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition; a 30-round 7.62 caliber magazine; a 60-round 7.62 caliber magazine; a Glock box with .40 caliber Glock 23 pistol loaded with 14 rounds; a Glock box with 10mm Glock 20 pistol loaded with 16 rounds; a 10mm Glock 29 pistol with an obliterated serial number with 14 rounds in a 15-round magazine; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; nine Glock switch machine gun conversion devices; and 16 assorted 9mm, 10mm, .40 caliber, and 7.62 caliber magazines.
Baptiste was arrested on November 26, 2022, after MPD officers patrolling near the 4400 block of F Street SE observed him toss a firearm to the ground. The firearm was a Glock Model 19X 9mm, that was loaded with one round in the chamber and 30 additional rounds of ammunition in a 31-round capacity magazine. In addition, the firearm was equipped with a machine gun conversion device.
During a subsequent search of Baptist’s cell phone recovered at his arrest, the FBI found photographs of numerous firearms and pricing information, firearms with machine gun conversion devices, and screenshots of conversations about Glock switch machine gun conversion devices.
Baptiste previously was convicted of conspiracy and assault with a dangerous weapon in D.C. Superior Court for which he was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment in May 2013.
This case was investigated by the MPD as part of Project Safe Neighborhood and the ATF Washington Field Division.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Long, Allison McGuire, and Thomas Strong.
Chicago Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Rory Divaughn Spells, 36, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced today to eleven years and seven months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 28, 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence near Beckley. Officers found quantities of fentanyl, a substance containing methamphetamine and $8,245. Spells admitted that he was mixing and preparing fentanyl for distribution in the residence’s kitchen at the time the search warrant was executed. Spells further admitted that the cash represented proceeds of previous drug trafficking activity.
Co-defendant Lorenzo B. Herbert, 34, of Beckley, was sentenced on March 14, 2024, to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), FBI Chicago, and the Chicago Police Department.
United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Boggess prosecuted the case.
The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-72.
California woman sentenced to prison for making anti-Semitic phone threats to former Executive Director of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life SynagogueRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Melanie Harris, 59 of Riverside, California, was sentenced yesterday to 32 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to knowingly and intentionally transmitting a threatening communication in interstate commerce. Harris was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman during a hearing in Miami, Florida.
“Defendant Melanie Harris’s anti-Semitic threats terrorized a Jewish family,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Her hate-filled telephone calls and voicemails were abhorrent. No one should live in fear of threats, harassment, and hate-fueled violence. There is simply no place in our society for anyone who threatens Jews or anyone else in our diverse South Florida community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our FBI partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those that threaten our safety and security, while seeking justice for the victims impacted by these vile crimes.”
“Melanie Harris sent threatening communications to a Jewish family using vile and inflammatory language. The nature of her threats of violence towards the victims and their faith were clearly meant to evoke a climate of fear and intimidation. Such conduct cannot be tolerated,” said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami Field Office. “Violence through words or actions is unacceptable and the FBI will continue to do everything we can to identify, arrest, and bring to justice those who engage in similar conduct.”
According to the facts admitted at the change of plea, on Oct. 3, 2022, Harris made multiple calls to Victim 1’s cell phone, and left four separate threatening voicemails, with the intent to communicate a true threat and with the knowledge that the communications would be seen as true threats. In one of these four October 3 voicemails, Harris stated in relevant part: “I’ll cut your f------ head off kiker.” The term “kike” has long been used as an anti-Semitic slur aimed at Jews.
Neither Victim 1 nor his wife, Victim 2, knew the identity of the person (Harris) calling Victim 1 with these threatening and harassing calls and voicemails. Nor did they know where the calls were coming from because Harris concealed her phone number using the *67 feature. However, all of these calls originated from the Riverside, California area, where Harris lived at the time, and were received by Victim 1’s phone in the Southern District of Florida.
Yesterday’s sentencing hearing and related court filings referenced additional information regarding Harris’ criminal conduct. As was addressed in court, for over four years, Harris harassed and threatened three victims by making over two-hundred and forty calls to Victim 1, leaving messages and engaging in conversations where she unleashed anti-Semitic hate and direct threats against Victim 1, his family, and Jews in general. In these calls and voicemails, Harris made incessant references to the congregants murdered in the October 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In these calls and voicemails Harris repeatedly referred to Victim 3 by their first name, in anti-Semitic and violent terms. Harris also made vile references to Anne Frank being murdered by the Nazis, Jews going back to Auschwitz, and in one voicemail, played for the Court at the sentencing hearing, she repeatedly screamed “Seig Heil, Kill Kikers” over and over before hanging up.
Harris’ four-year onslaught of harassment and threats of the victims was compounded by the fact that until July 2018, Victim 1 had been the Executive Director of the Tree of Life for over 20 years, while his wife, Victim 2, and her adult child, Victim 3, were all long-time members of, and closely associated with, the Tree of Life.
During the course of her calls, Harris blocked her phone number from being detected by Victim 1’s caller identification system, leaving the victims bereft of any knowledge of who the harasser was or where the person might be, putting them in constant fear for their lives until Harris’s arrest in March 2023. In addition, on the same day in February 2019 that Harris began her calls to Victim 1, she also began calling the Tree of Life leaving virtually identical hate-filled anti-Semitic messages referencing the deaths of the elderly worshippers.
The FBI's Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which also investigates civil rights violations, investigated the case. FBI Pittsburgh, FBI Los Angeles Riverside Resident Agency, and the Riverside Police Department in California, provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward N. Stamm and Nardia Haye prosecuted the case, which was indicted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr.
In Sept. 2022, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland started the United Against Hate program to convene local forums that connect community groups to federal, state, and local law enforcement to increase community understanding and reporting of hate crimes; build trust between law enforcement and communities; and create and strengthen alliances between law enforcement and other government partners and community groups to combat unlawful acts of hate. The United Against Hate program represents a “whole of government” approach to combating hate crimes. To learn more visit www.justice.gov/hatecrimes and https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/spotlight/united-against-hate.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, FBI, and other South Florida law enforcement partners are United Against Hate. The on-going collective mission is to prevent, investigate, and prosecute threats and hate crimes through education, outreach, and the justice system. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Public Service Announcement (PSA) can be viewed at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/video/united-states-attorneys-office-southern-district-florida-hate-crimes-psa. You can learn more about the Southern District of Florida’s prevention and enforcement efforts by visiting https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/hate-religious-crimes.If you have information about a possible threat or believe you are a victim of or a witness to a hate crime, contact your local law enforcement agency (911), then the FBI at www.fbi.gov/tips or 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225- 5324).
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-60050.
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California Man Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges for Allegedly Swindling Suburban Chicago Resident out of $2 MillionRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A California man has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly swindling a suburban Chicago resident out of $2 million.
RAYMOND ECHAVEZ VILLAMOR, 60, of Newport Beach, Calif., is charged with five counts of wire fraud in an indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Villamor pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Monday before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hasten.
The officials noted that the investigation remains ongoing.
According to the indictment, Villamor operated a company called Rainbowork, LLC. Over the course of six months last year, Villamor fraudulently solicited, obtained, and retained an investment of approximately $2 million from an individual residing in Glenview, Ill., the indictment states. Villamor made false representations about the performance and value of the investment, and falsely promised to repay all of it – with an added return – within a specified period of time, even though he knew he did not have the capability to do so, the indictment states.
Villamor misappropriated the victim’s money to pay for personal expenses, including vehicle purchases, the indictment states.
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Villamor indictmentCalifornia Man Arrested for Making Violent Threats Against North CaroliniansRead the Press Release
A Huntington Beach, California, man was arrested today on federal charges relating to sending threats to individuals and knowingly making false bomb threats. Kevin Dunlow, age 62, is charged in a complaint unsealed today in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina following his arrest in California. He will have his initial appearance today, and his detention hearing will be set at a later date.
“Hate-fueled, violent threats endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant is accused of making explicit and detailed threats, ranging from making a bomb threat against the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, to threatening an elected official, to telling a Rabbi, ‘I am coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.’ The Justice Department will prosecute anyone who makes illegal threats motivated by antisemitism or bias of any kind.”
“We will not normalize violent threats in America, whether targeting law enforcement, elected officials, or average citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The complaint alleges the defendant made violent threats against people of faith, cops, and public servants. These cases will always receive our highest attention.”
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Dunlow made numerous threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, and several synagogues located in North Carolina, while residing in California at the time the threats were made. On or about May 7, Dunlow allegedly stated, “Jews didn’t deserve to live. Jews didn’t deserve to be on this earth. I’m going to kill the Jews. I’m coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.”
In addition, Dunlow allegedly made a false bomb threat to the Wake County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office.
Dunlow is charged with illegally using any form of communication to send a threat to harm or kidnap another person intentionally, and he is charged with illegally knowingly making false reports about bombs. If convicted, Dunlow faces five years in prison for each charge.
U.S. Attorney Michael Easley for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Los Angeles Field Office and the Justice Department's National Security Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Diaz for the Eastern District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
California Man Arrested for Making Violent Threats Against North CaroliniansRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Huntington Beach, California, man was arrested today on federal charges relating to sending threats to individuals and knowingly making false bomb threats. Kevin Dunlow, age 62, is charged in a complaint unsealed today in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina following his arrest in California. He will have his initial appearance today, and his detention hearing will be set at a later date.
“Hate-fueled, violent threats endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant is accused of making explicit and detailed threats, ranging from making a bomb threat against the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, to threatening an elected official, to telling a Rabbi, ‘I am coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.’ The Justice Department will prosecute anyone who makes illegal threats motivated by antisemitism or bias of any kind.”
“We will not normalize violent threats in America, whether targeting law enforcement, elected officials, or average citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “The complaint alleges the defendant made violent threats against people of faith, cops, and public servants. These cases will always receive our highest attention.”
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Dunlow made numerous threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, and several synagogues located in North Carolina, while residing in California at the time the threats were made. On or about May 7, 2024, Dunlow allegedly stated, “Jews didn’t deserve to live. Jews didn’t deserve to be on this earth. I’m going to kill the Jews. I’m coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.”
In addition, Dunlow allegedly made a false bomb threat to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.
Dunlow is charged with illegally using any form of communication to send a threat to harm or kidnap another person intentionally, and he is charged with illegally knowingly making false reports about bombs and faces five years in prison, on each charge, if convicted.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Diaz is prosecuting it.
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office and the Department of Justice’s National Security Section assisted with the case
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.5:24-MJ-1651-BM.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Bombmaking Instructor Who Taught How to Kill Law Enforcement Sentenced to 25 YearsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Christopher Arthur, 40, was sentenced today to a total of 300 months’ imprisonment for teaching another individual how to make and use an explosive knowing that the individual intended to use that instruction in the murder or attempted murder of federal law enforcement. In July 2023, he was convicted by a jury on that crime and eight additional counts, including receiving and possessing unregistered devices including a short-barreled rifle, a silencer, three improvised hand grenades, and an improvised claymore mine.
“Violence directed towards police, judges, and public servants will never be tolerated in a free society,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This defendant’s property was wired with IEDs, the same design he sold to help others kill American law enforcement. Anyone teaching bombmaking to target American heroes gets a lesson today - 25 years in federal prison.”
“At a time when law enforcement officers are being feloniously killed at an alarming rate, it is appalling to know what Christopher Arthur did. He made a living training people how to kill or injure those who proudly wear the badge. Now he will spend time in federal prison for his dangerous and deadly lessons,” said Robert M DeWitt, FBI Special Agent in Charge.
During his sentencing hearing, the court heard how Arthur and his company trained individuals to fight “the greatest threat” – a threat he identified as a militarized force like law enforcement’s Special Warfare and Tactics (SWAT) Team. Also, evidence was presented related to a three-part, how-to video series about how to overthrow the government. During one of those videos, an image reads “Start with your LOCAL Government” and “Set the Standard -> Traitors get HUNG” over the image of a noose. Based on that and Arthur’s teaching of bombmaking to an individual knowing that they intended to use that instruction to murder or attempt to murder federal law enforcement, the court applied the terrorism enhancement for sentencing. Relying on this evidence and that presented at trial, the court imposed a maximum sentence on each of the nine counts of conviction.
The investigation into Arthur began after another individual died in a May 2022 shootout with police in New York. Search warrants related to that event resulted in the location of numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and firearms along with multiple “Tackleberry Solutions” tactical instructional manuals which named Christopher Arthur as the author. A review of the individual’s cell phone revealed Arthur had trained him in Mount Olive, North Carolina, for multiple days in March 2020.
On March 19, 2021, a confidential source (CS) working with the FBI requested training from Arthur. After receiving introductory training materials, the CS attended training on explosives at Arthur’s Mount Olive home in May 2021. During discussions between the CS and Arthur, the CS specifically informed Arthur that he needed such training because the ATF had visited his home and he expected them to return. Arthur introduced the CS to a concept Arthur called “the spiderweb,” which he described as a “freaking deathbox.” Over the course of a two-and-a-half-hour training, Arthur walked the CS through how to create IEDs and how to place them to create “fatal funnels,” which could be used to maim or murder anyone entering the CS’s home. During that instruction, Arthur also showed the CS how to create an electric initiator for homemade grenades and bombs and how to make a homemade trip wire. Once he was finished demonstrating how to make the components, Arthur provided them to the CS and explained how to use an old shotgun to create a “thumper” that could launch homemade grenades.
A search warrant was executed at Arthur's home in January 2022. During the search, officers found an IED placed on the front porch with wires leading to a 9-volt battery powered switch located within the home. Additionally, three IED grenades co-located with a striker plate intended to assist in detonating the IEDs, an illegally altered short barrel rifle with an attached unserialized suppressor (i.e., “silencer”) and a fifth IED were recovered.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever, III. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Barbara Kocher and Logan Liles.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:22-cr-00005-D.
Berwick Woman Pleads Guilty to Yearslong Fraud to Obtain BenefitsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A Berwick woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to Social Security fraud.
According to court records, from about December 2008 to February 2020, Suzanne Hercock, 46, lied to the Social Security Administration (SSA) about the presence of her husband, the children’s father, in the household, to fraudulently collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on behalf of her children.
In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Hercock falsely represented to the SSA that she and her husband lived separately. She failed to disclose her husband’s presence and income despite knowing that she was required to and that it would affect her eligibility to receive benefits.
Hercock faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release. The Court may also order Hercock to pay restitution to the SSA. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
SSA’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.
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Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brandon Bartley, age 26, of Albany, pled guilty today to drug and gun crimes in connection with his trafficking of large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and his possession of more than 30 firearms.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
Bartley pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Bartley admitted that he engaged in a conspiracy to distribute, and that he possessed with intent to distribute, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, from his apartment on Western Avenue in Albany. On May 23, 2023, law enforcement searched his apartment and found 34 firearms, including a loaded Glock on his bed that he used to protect his drugs and drug proceeds, and other firearms, as well as more than 400 grams of fentanyl pills, more than 7,000 grams of pills containing methamphetamine, and more than 700 grams of cocaine.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 12, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Bartley faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life, to begin he finishes his prison term. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The following defendants have been charged in connection with this investigation:
- Anthony Luizzi pled guilty to drug and gun crimes on March 18, 2024, and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16, 2024.
- Jabree Jones was charged with a violation of the terms of his federal supervised release on May 23, 2023, and has been detained pending the resolution of the supervised release violation petition.
- Devon Newsome was charged by criminal complaint on December 11, 2023, with a firearms trafficking-related offense, and has been released with conditions.
The charges against Jones and Newsome are merely accusations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The DEA and the ATF are investigating the case, with assistance from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Henry County Police Department in Georgia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Aguadilla Man Indicted and Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Aaron Scott Byrns, 46, of Aguadilla, PR, for child exploitation.
According to court documents, from December 15, 2023, through on or about April 15, 2024, Aaron Scott Byrns, using a cellular phone, produced, and attempted to produce images of female minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, to include the lascivious exhibition of the genital area. The defendant captured and attempted to capture these images of the private areas of the female minors without their consent at a federal school campus.
Aaron Scott Byrns is facing one count of production of child pornography; one count for possession of child pornography; and one count of video voyeurism.
The defendant had his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López-Soler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto. The detention/bail hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. If convicted for the charges of production of child pornography the defendant faces up to 30 years in prison; for possession of child pornography, he faces up to 10 years; both followed by a term of supervised release of no less than 5 years up to life; and for video voyeurism he faces up to one year in prison; followed by a term of up to one year of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, and Rebecca González Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Juan made the announcement.
The FBI is investigating the case with the collaboration of the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) Emelina Agrait Barreto of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit is prosecuting the case.
Tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information about this or any other federal crime are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-987-6500, or to submit tips through the FBI’s internet complaint portal at Tips.FBI.gov.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from online sexual abuse, visit https://www.ice.gov/topics/iGuardians; and to report suspicious activities call 787-729-6969.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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