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23 May 2024
Minnesota man sentenced for airline assault, interferenceRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Minnesota man was sentenced today to five years’ probation for assaulting a flight attendant and interfering with a flight crew’s normal duties.
According to court documents, on June 24, 2023, Christian Burch, 38, went into the bathroom while he was aboard a flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage. Flight attendants heard a scream coming from the bathroom and tried knocking on the door multiple times. The defendant slammed the door open and walked up the aisleway, appearing shaky and confused.
After being questioned by another flight attendant, Burch became unresponsive. A registered nurse aboard the flight examined the defendant and suspected he was overdosing. The flight attendants and a male passenger assisted the nurse is administering a dosage of Narcan, but Burch began to violently struggle when the Narcan was inserted into his nose. The flight attendants and multiple passengers were involved in the struggle, and at one point, Burch grabbed one of the flight attendants near her throat. Burch was also bleeding from his nose and mouth during the altercation, causing multiple passengers and flight attendants to come in contact with his blood.
The nurse was able to administer two doses of Narcan during the altercation and Burch was restrained in one of the cabin seats for the remainder of the flight. Due to Burch’s actions, the flight crew had to stop performing their normal duties to remedy the situation and update the pilots.
Burch was arrested once the plane landed in Anchorage and served six days in federal custody before being released. Upon his return to Minnesota, he was arrested and held in state custody for 72 days for violating his state parole by leaving the state without permission. Burch pleaded guilty in December 2023 but was arrested in March 2024 for violating his pretrial release and has remained in custody since, serving 66 days total in federal custody.
“Air travel is a necessity for many Alaskans and tourists, and all who use or work on this mode of transportation should feel safe while aboard an aircraft,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “This case serves as a reminder that we will prosecute anyone who chooses to commit such actions while in our district.”
“Criminal conduct aboard an aircraft, such as interference with a flight crew, jeopardizes the safety of all passengers and is a federal crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI is committed to investigating federal crimes occurring on commercial aircraft, and holding accountable those that endanger the safety of passengers and flight crews.”
The FBI Anchorage Field Office, with assistance from the Anchorage Airport Police Department, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Schroeder prosecuted the case.
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Mid-County felon sentenced to federal prison for having firearm at Central MallRead the Press Release
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Groves convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Moses Benjamin Castillo, 38, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on May 23, 2024.
According to information presented in court, on Sep. 28, 2022, Port Arthur Police received information that Castillo was in possession of methamphetamine and a gun in the Central Mall parking lot in Port Arthur. Police encountered Castillo as he was leaving the parking lot and initiated a traffic stop after observing him commit a traffic violation. Castillo consented to a search of the vehicle where officers located a firearm, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Further investigation revealed Castillo to be a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Port Arthur Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.
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Miami Man Indicted for Conspiracy, Bank Larceny, and Accessing a Protected Computer in Furtherance of FraudRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An eight-count indictment was unsealed following the arrest of Carlos Luis Vera La Cruz, 44, of Miami, charging him with conspiracy, bank larceny, accessing a protected computer in furtherance of fraud, and attempting to access a protected computer in furtherance of fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
The indictment, brought on April 18, 2024, also charges a second individual, whose name remains under seal.
According to court documents, Vera La Cruz and others engaged in an ATM “jackpotting” conspiracy where they stole money from ATMs at targeted banks and credit unions around the country. They did this by infecting the ATMs with malware, which forced the ATMs to dispense money without a valid transaction. In June 2023, as part of this scheme, Vera La Cruz targeted seven ATMs belonging to a bank in and around Redding and Chico, California, stealing $291,820. In total, Vera La Cruz and his co-conspirators have successfully stolen more than $2,615,766 from banks and credit unions in multiple states.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot C. Wong is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Vera La Cruz faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for bank larceny, and a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the counts of conspiracy and for each count of accessing a protected computer in furtherance of fraud. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
McLaughlin Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Court Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on May 20, 2024.
Benjamin Eagle, age 62, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Eagle was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 20, 2023.
Around August 9, 2022, Eagle was visiting a residence in McLaughlin, within the Standing Rock Reservation. He was at the residence because he was consuming alcohol, was not getting along with his significant other, and could not be at his own residence. Eagle used force to engage in sexual contact with a nine-year-old child. The child later disclosed the abuse at a child advocacy center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Eagle admitted he had no excuse nor justification for abusing the child and knew the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the offense.
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 brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
Eagle was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
May Federal Grand Jury 2023-B Indictments AnnouncedRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the May Federal Grand Jury 2023-B Indictments.
The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States law in indictments returned by the Grand Jury. The return of an indictment is a method of informing a defendant of alleged violations of federal law, which must be proven in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt to overcome a defendant’s presumption of innocence.
Antonio Deshawn Baker. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Baker, 18, of Tulsa and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition knowing he was previously convicted of a felony. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy M. Mackenzie is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-160
Mark Verron Callshim, Jr. Robbery in Indian Country; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Callshim, 37, of Tulsa and a member of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, is charged with taking something of value by force, violence and intimidation. He is further charged with using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Flesher is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-159
Ernesto Casrto-Sierra. Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Castro-Sierra, 43, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been removed in May 2018, at or near Laredo, Texas. U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement and Removal Operations is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Hockenbury is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-158
Leonel Limberg Hernandez. Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. Hernandez, 33, a Mexican national, is charged with knowingly coercing and enticing an individual whom he believed was a minor child younger than 18 years old to engage in sexual activity. The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office is the investigative agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Weems is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-166
Juan Jose Huerta; Miguel Angel Huerta; Carlos Pena-Villalba; Jose Fernando Flores Carillo; Roberto Carlos Valle. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 2 & 8); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (Count 3); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Counts 4, 6, 9, 11 & 14); Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 5, 10 & 13); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Counts 7 & 15); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Count 12) (superseding). Juan Huerta, 57, a Mexican National; Miguel Huerta, 27, of Broken Arrow; Pena-Villalba, 53, a Mexican National; Carillo, 24, a Mexican National; Valle, 45, a Mexican National are charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and maintaining a residence to distribute drugs. Juan Huerta is charged with allegedly possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute. He is additionally charged with possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. Miguel Huerta is charged with knowingly possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. Pena-Villalba is charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. Carillo allegedly possessed cocaine with intent to distribute and possessed a firearm while drug trafficking. Valle is further charged with knowingly possessing methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm while drug trafficking. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tulsa Police Department, and the Broken Arrow Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Nasar is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-118
Tracy Eugene King. Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. King, 44, of Sapulpa and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is charged with possessing firearms and ammunition knowing he was previously convicted of several felonies. The Homeland Security Investigations, Creek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mandy M. Mackenzie is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-156
Juan Daniel Rodriguez; Adrian Hernandez Barrios; Adolfo Jacobo; Jesus Ponce Alcaraz; Aureliano Rodriguez Hernandez; Felecia Martinez; Luis Martinez; Marco Antonio Monreal Lopez; Juan Luna; Bulmaro Martinez; Cesar Adolfo Gonzalez-Barrera; Jorge Mario Piedra Hernandez; Jaime Murillo. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Drug Conspiracy (Count 2); Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 3); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Counts 4 through 6); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Count 7); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Count 8); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 9 & 11); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Counts 10, 12 & 14); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Count 13); Distribution of Cocaine (Counts 15 & 16); Use of a Communication Facility in Committing, Causing, and Facilitating the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Felony (Counts 17 through 59) Rodriguez, 18, of Tulsa, Barrios, 29, of Tulsa, Jacobo, 28, of Tulsa, Alcaraz, 30, of Tulsa, Aureliano Hernandez, 38, a Mexican national, Felecia Martinez, 39, of Tulsa and a member of Potawatomi Nation, Luis Martinez, 37, a Mexican national, Lopez, 41, a Mexican national, Luna, 41, a Mexican national, and Jaime Murillo, 45, of Broken Arrow, are charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Barrios, Jacobo, Alcaraz, Bulmaro Martinez, 38, a Mexican national, Gonzalez-Barrera, 28, a Mexican national, Jorge Hernandez, 28, a Mexican national, Felecia Martinez, and Jaime Murillo, are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine. In addition to being charged as part of the drug conspiracies, several defendants are charged with committing additional federal drug offenses. Barrios is separately charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of the charged drug conspiracies, distributing methamphetamine, and possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Rodriguez is separately charged with distributing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Aureliano Hernandez is separately charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Felecia Martinez is separately charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Alcaraz is separately charged with distributing cocaine. With the exception of Felecia Martinez, each of the defendants is charged with using a telephone to communicate to facilitate the charged drug conspiracies and methamphetamine and cocaine distribution. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Tulsa Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam D. McConney is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-078
Markell Demond Stanley. Bank Robbery; Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. Stanley, 28, of Tulsa, is charged with taking money belonging to another from a bank, by force and violence. He is charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence. Stanley is further charged with being in possession of a firearm knowing he was previously convicted of several felonies. The FBI and Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen J. Flynn and John Brasher are prosecuting the case. 24-CR-157
Gabriel Urquiza-Urquiza; Leticia Garcia Salazar; Daisy Villanueva; Javier Rodarte; Ricardo Plateado-Martinez; Eliser Blanco; Adamaris Jimenez; Rosa Maria Olmos. Drug Conspiracy (Count 1); Firearms Conspiracy (Count 2); Firearms Trafficking (Count 3); Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering (Count 4); Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity (Counts 5 & 6); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Count 7); Distribution of Methamphetamine (Counts 8 & 9); Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (Counts 10 & 17); Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises (Count 11); Alien Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of Firearms (Count 12); Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (Count 13); Illegal Export of Firearms (Count 14); Smuggling Firearms from the United States (Count 15); Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien (Count 16) (superseding). Urquiza-Urquiza, 26, a Mexican National; Salazar, 22, of Tulsa; Villanueva, 24, of Oklahoma City; Rodarte, 26, of Moore; Plateado-Martinez, 34, of Broken Arrow; Blanco, 26, of Oklahoma City; Jimenez, 22, of Oklahoma City; Olmos, 35, of Broken Arrow are charged with conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Urquiza-Urquiza, Salazar, Villanueva, Rodarte, Plateado-Martinez, and Olmos are charged with conspiring to conceal or disguise proceeds from the transactions of methamphetamine distribution. Urquiza-Urquiza is charged with two counts of knowingly engaging in monetary transactions that involved criminally derived property valued at more than $10,000. Salazar is further charged with intentionally distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and maintaining a residence to distribute methamphetamine. Villanueva is also charged with Salazar for intentionally distributing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Lopez, Jimenez, and Salazar are charged with knowingly possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Salazar is further charged with maintaining a residence to distribute drugs. Urquiza-Urquiza is also charged with possessing firearms knowing he is an illegal alien unlawfully in the United States and with possessing firearms in the furtherance of drug trafficking. He is additionally charged with willfully exporting and smuggling firearms from the United States to Mexico. The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department, and Oklahoma City Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Nasar is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-131
Robert Wallace; Marsha Clevenger. Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute; Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises. Wallace, 52, of Tulsa, and a member of the Cherokee Nation, Clevenger, 66, of Tulsa, are charged with knowingly possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute. They are further charged with maintaining a residence to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam D. McConney is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-162
Dylan Ray Yahola. Coercion and Enticement of a Minor; Production of Child Pornography; Receipt of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country. Yahola, 32, of Kiefer and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is charged with coercing and enticing a minor child under 18 years old to produce visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. He is further charged with receiving visual images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children under 12 years old. The FBI and the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Harris is prosecuting the case. 24-CR-163
Manderson Man Sentenced for Misprison of a FelonyRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City, South Dakota, has sentenced a Manderson, South Dakota, man convicted of Misprison of a Felony. The sentencing took place on May 14, 2024.
Ivan White Plume, a/k/a Ivan White Butterfly, 33, was sentenced to time served, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. White Butterfly served a total of one year and 11 months in custody.
White Butterfly was indicted for Accessory After the Fact to Second Degree Murder by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 14, 2024.
In February 2022, White Butterfly was questioned by tribal law enforcement officers about the disappearance of a 17-year-old female. Despite knowing that his relative, Tyson White Plume, had confessed to shooting and killing the victim, White Butterfly concealed his knowledge of the minor’s death and the shooter’s confession.
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 FBI and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.
Man Charged in Scams Targeting SeniorsRead the Press Release
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 22, 2024
SAN DIEGO – Jiaci Liu appeared in federal court today following his arrest for engaging in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old man from Poway.
According to a federal complaint, the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force (ETJF) learned of the fraud scheme after the victim reported to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department that he been duped as part of a layered tech support, bank impersonation and government impersonation scam.
Specifically, while on his personal computer, a pop-up window appeared indicating there was a possible virus on his computer and instructing him to contact a phone number. When he contacted the number, he was transferred through a series of co-conspirators pretending to work in tech support. The victim was informed that his computer had viruses. The victim was then transferred to another conspirator who claimed to be from the victim’s bank. During that interaction, the victim was told there were unauthorized transfers from his bank. The victim was instructed to go immediately to his bank and to withdraw all his money for safekeeping.
At the direction of the conspirators, the victim went to his bank and withdrew $28,000. The victim was then instructed by the conspirators that someone from the U.S. Marshals Service would come to his house to pick up the money. After the interaction, the victim became suspicious and contacted the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, which informed the victim to contact them if anyone showed up to pick up the money.
According to the complaint, on June 9, 2023, defendant Jiaci Liu arrived at the victim’s residence. The victim called the police, who arrived and found Liu outside the victim’s home. Liu’s cellphone was seized and later searched. Investigators located evidence indicating that in just one week in June 2023, Liu had picked up over $348,000 dollars from multiple victims located in Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona.
“Everyone with a computer is vulnerable to sophisticated scams like the one alleged in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “If you think you’ve been targeted, report it quickly. The faster the report comes in, the more likely we are to catch the scammers and recover any swindled money.”
“Individuals committing tech scams are getting more and more innovative with the methods they use to con innocent people,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “The FBI and its law enforcement partners continually adapt our strategies so that we can stay ahead of those who scheme and collude to defraud the American public. We are committed to ensuring each of these individuals is brought to justice.”
A detention hearing is scheduled for May 24, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Leshner.
This case was investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force and its member agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari.
DEFENDANT Case Number 24MJ1929-MSB
Jiaci Liu Age: 34 Monterey Park, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1349
Criminal Forfeiture – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(2)(A), and Title 28, U.S.C., Section 2461(c)
Maximum Penalties: Thirty years in prison; $1 million fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego County Sheriff’s DepartmentSan Diego Police Department
San Diego Elder Justice Task Force
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Lyons man going to prison for 15 years on child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that that Randall Seeley, Jr., 46, of Lyons, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that in July 2023, the New York State Police received a report that Seeley had been involved in sexually explicit online communications with a 13 to 14-year-old minor. During an investigation, Seeley admitted knowing the minor and engaging in sexual communications, during which he solicited and received explicit images and videos of the minor. A review of the minor’s social media accounts revealed the sexually explicit communications with Seeley, going back as far as July 2022. A search warrant was executed at Seeley’s residence, during which his electronic devices were seized. A preliminary forensic analysis of the devices uncovered hundreds of images and videos of child pornography depicting the known minor and other, unknown minors.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, Lyons, under the direction of Major Miklos Szoczei II, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
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Long Island Woman Indicted for $3.28 Million Paycheck Protection Program Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Donna Ingram with wire fraud, disaster relief fraud, and theft of public funds relating to her scheme to submit fraudulent applications for loans under the United States Small Business Administration’s (the “SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), which Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. Ingram was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); Patrick J. Freaney, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS); Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent-in-Charge, Office of the Inspector General of the SBA, Eastern Region Office (SBA-OIG); Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Region (DOL-OIG), announced the arrest and charges.
“As alleged, the defendant made a business out of defrauding the government by falsely claiming that she and others needed government loan benefits to pay their employees during the pandemic. This money was meant to help businesses weather the pandemic. In reality, the defendant was lining her own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This Office will continue prosecuting those who took advantage of the COVID crisis and stole funds from vitally important government relief programs.”
“Donna Ingram is accused of spearheading a scheme that defrauded the United States government of over $3.2 million in relief funds meant for the well-meaning public during a time when their lives were in unparalleled crisis. The defendant’s alleged crimes were anything but victimless, and robbed small businesses — the backbone of this country — of critical resources. HSI New York stands at the forefront of investigating financial crimes, and will pursue justice on behalf of New Yorkers regardless of how much time has passed,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo. “I commend our state and local law enforcement partners for their exceptional collaboration that resulted in today’s arrest.”
“Bilking a loan program that served as a lifeline to businesses experiencing distress during the pandemic is simply unconscionable," said Patrick J. Freaney, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Secret Service (USSS). "While our nation has moved past the pandemic, the United States Secret Service remains steadfast in its commitment to holding these alleged fraudsters accountable. I want to thank our many law enforcement partners for their seamless collaboration in this important and ongoing work.”
“Abusing the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established to support struggling small businesses during the pandemic, for personal gain is inexcusable,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. “Our office is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of SBA programs and ensuring that individuals who commit fraud are held accountable. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”
“This indictment underscores law enforcement’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that only people and businesses truly in need used public resources earmarked for relief programs during the pandemic,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “The NYPD will continue to assist our federal partners in any of their investigations related to that grave time, with the goal of protecting taxpayer funds and holding all alleged fraudsters accountable for their actions.”
“An important part of the mission of the U.S Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of pandemic-related fraud. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
As set forth in court filings, between May 2020 and May 2021, Ingram submitted at least 27 PPP loan applications (the “Subject Applications”) on behalf of her own companies as well as at least 22 other businesses (the “Subject Businesses”). The Subject Applications contained false information about the Subject Businesses, including false claims about their revenue, number of employees, payroll costs, and intended use of the loan proceeds. For example, for one business, referred to in the Indictment as Subject Business-3, Ingram submitted two separate applications for loans, one which falsely claimed that the business had earned approximately $950,950 in 2019 and another which falsely claimed that the same business had earned approximately $820,000 in 2019. Subject Business-3 received two PPP loans for $150,000 each and its owner paid Ingram approximately $50,500 in kickbacks. In total, the Subject Businesses received loans in the amount of approximately $3.28 million and Ingram received kickbacks totaling at least $430,000 for her preparation and submission of the fraudulent Subject Applications.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Ingram faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Sherman is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
DONNA INGRAM
Age: 50
Freeport, Long IslandE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-214 (HG)
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Austin Barrett, 29, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced May 23, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for distribution of fentanyl. Senior United State District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Barrett to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Barrett is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On April 1, 2021, Lincoln Police Department (LPD) officers were dispatched to a residence in Lincoln following a call stating that a person was not breathing. At the residence, officers found a used syringe, a baggie with suspected heroin, and one spoon with suspected heroin residue, and the victim’s phone. Lincoln Fire & Rescue (LFR) administered Narcan, and the victim began responding and became alert. The victim admitted to taking an opioid but did not remember which one or how much he took. The baggie and spoon were sent to the lab for testing. The lab determined that the baggie and spoon contained fentanyl.
Later investigation revealed the victim coordinated with Barrett to purchase heroin from Barrett. Phone records revealed that on April 1, 2021, Barrett pulled into the victim’s residence after the two arranged the sale, and only 16 minutes later, the call to 911 was made.
On April 20, 2021, an LPD officer spoke with Barrett by phone and recorded it. Barrett admitted to selling heroin/fentanyl to the victim on April 1, 2021. Barrett also admitted to having texted with the victim on April 1, 2021.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
KC Woman Pleads Guilty to $240,000 Email Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to laundering more than $240,000 she unlawfully obtained from a New York business as part of an email compromise scheme.
Brianna S. Graves, 30, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a federal information that charges her with one count of money laundering.
By pleading guilty today, Graves admitted that she received a payment of $240,926 from ETS Contracting, Inc., located in Brooklyn, New York, as part of a business email compromise scheme.
According to today’s plea agreement, ETS Contracting was finalizing a contract with a vendor, who was communicating via email with the firm. On Dec. 12, 2022, ETS Contracting received a payment instruction email, which they believed originated from the owner of the vendor company, to wire $240,926 to a J.P. Morgan Chase Bank account. However, the instruction email actually came from a different email address that changed one letter in the domain name.
ETS Contracting authorized the payment on Dec. 18, 2022, and the funds were posted to the bank account the next day. The bank account, a business account in the name of Heavy Weight Maintenance LLC, actually belonged to Graves. Graves obtained a cashier’s check for the full amount of the wire fraud proceeds, which she then deposited into another bank account. Graves spent the money on car payments, vacations, cruises, airfare, and gambling.
On June 26, 2023, federal agents executed a warrant and seized $41,574 from Graves’s bank account.
Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Graves must pay $240,926 in restitution and must forfeit to the government $240,926, which represents the proceeds she obtained from her crime.
Under federal statutes, Graves 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 FBI and the New York City Police Department.
Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission Seek Information on Serial Acquisitions, Roll-Up Strategies Across U.S. EconomyRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly launched a public inquiry to identify serial acquisitions and roll-up strategies throughout the U.S. economy that have led to consolidation and harmed competition.
Serial acquisitions and roll-ups are a form of corporate consolidation where a company becomes larger — and potentially dominant — by buying several smaller firms in the same or related sectors or industries. In a joint Request for Information (RFI), the agencies are seeking information from across the public, including consumers, workers, businesses, advocacy organizations, professional and trade associations, local, state and federal elected officials, academics and others to understand how these strategies can stifle competition.
Corporate actors, including private equity firms, engage in these types of acquisitions across a wide array of markets and industries. These transactions often fall below minimum filing thresholds for mergers and therefore are not reported to the federal antitrust agencies, allowing the acquiring companies to amass significant control over key products, services or labor markets without government scrutiny. These serial acquisitions can reduce competition across an entire industry or business sector, which harms consumers, workers and innovation.
“When companies use serial acquisitions and other roll-up strategies to consolidate industries while evading antitrust scrutiny, they deprive the American people of the benefits of competition,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Public input about where these acquisitions have occurred and how they have impacted competition will help us identify and pursue harmful conduct.”
“Firms can use serial acquisitions to roll up markets, consolidate power and undermine fair competition, all while jacking up prices and degrading quality,” said Chair Lina M. Khan of the FTC. “As the FTC scrutinizes these stealth consolidation schemes, we invite the public to submit information about where serial acquisitions have occurred and their effects.”
The agencies seek information from the public on serial acquisitions in all sectors and industries in the U.S. economy, including but not limited to housing, defense, cybersecurity, distribution businesses, agriculture, construction, aftermarket/repair and professional services markets. Comments submitted in response to this RFI will inform the agencies’ enforcement priorities and future actions.
This RFI complements a parallel government inquiry that seeks to understand how certain health care market transactions by private equity firms and other companies may increase consolidation and generate profits while threatening patients’ health, workers’ safety, quality of care and affordable health care for patients and taxpayers.
The Justice Department and FTC’s latest RFI builds on the agencies’ efforts to ensure federal antitrust enforcement tools keep pace with changes in how companies do business. The agencies have proposed amending the premerger notification forms to require merging companies to each disclose more information about their prior acquisition history. In addition, the department and FTC’s 2023 Merger Guidelines recognize that serial acquisitions may violate the antitrust laws.
The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than July 22. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov.
Justice Department and Department of Labor Secure Agreements with Tech Company to Resolve Discriminatory “Whites Only” Job PostingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and the Department of Labor announced today separate agreements with Arthur Grand Technologies Inc. (Arthur Grand), an information technology services firm based in Virginia. The Justice Department’s agreement resolves the department’s determination that Arthur Grand violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by posting a discriminatory job advertisement in March 2023 that restricted eligible candidates to “only US Born Citizens [white] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].” (brackets in original). The Labor Department’s agreement resolves its determination that Arthur Grand violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
“It is shameful that in the 21st century, we continue to see employers using ‘whites only’ and ‘only US born’ job postings to lock out otherwise eligible job candidates of color. I share the public’s outrage at Arthur Grand’s appalling and discriminatory ban on job candidates based on citizenship status, national origin, color and race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department, working with other government agencies, will continue to hold employers accountable when they violate our nation’s federal civil rights laws.”
“Over the past 58 years, OFCCP has protected workers and job seekers from workplace discrimination. We are committed to holding federal contractors accountable for outrageous discriminatory practices like this advertisement,” said Acting Director Michele Hodge of the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). “Companies like Arthur Grand, that accept federal contracts cannot have a ‘whites only’ hiring process.”
In May 2023, the Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) opened an investigation and determined that Arthur Grand discriminated based on citizenship status and national origin after a recruiter working for Arthur Grand’s subsidiary in India posted the advertisement on the job website Indeed. The advertisement was widely circulated on social media and generated several news articles. Arthur Grand’s actions harmed individuals with permission to work in the U.S., including U.S. citizens born outside the United States and certain non-U.S. citizens, by unlawfully deterring them from applying to the job advertisement.
An investigation by OFCCP determined that, in April 2023, Arthur Grand Technologies advertised an opening for a business analyst position with its sales and insurance claims team in Dallas on a public online hiring website. The advertisement includes a bolded note that read “Only Born US Citizens [White] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas, TX [Don’t share with candidates].” The position, the announcement stated, would serve two clients, HTC Global an information technology company based in Troy, Michigan, and Berkshire Hathaway, the multinational holding company based in Omaha, Nebraska.
As part of the Justice Department settlement, Arthur Grand will pay a civil penalty to the United States. The agreement also requires Arthur Grand to train its personnel on the INA’s requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring.
Under the Labor Department conciliation agreement, Arthur Grand will pay compensation to individuals who filed complaints with its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). In addition, Arthur Grand has committed to providing workplace specific training for all company employees involved in recruiting, selecting candidates or tracking expressions of interest for open positions.
IER is responsible for enforcing the INA’s anti-discrimination provision. This law prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices and retaliation and intimidation.
Find more information on how employers can avoid discrimination in recruitment and hiring on IER’s website. Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify), or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); email [email protected]; sign up for a live webinar; watch an on-demand presentation or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe for email updates from IER.
The Labor Department’s OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Learn more about OFCCP here.
Justice Department Sues Live Nation-Ticketmaster for Monopolizing Markets Across the Live Concert IndustryRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, along with 30 state and district attorneys general, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC (Live Nation-Ticketmaster) for monopolization and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit, which includes a request for structural relief, seeks to restore competition in the live concert industry, provide better choices at lower prices for fans, and open venue doors for working musicians and other performance artists.
The complaint, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster unlawfully exercises its monopoly power in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. As a result of its conduct, music fans in the United States are deprived of ticketing innovation and forced to use outdated technology while paying more for tickets than fans in other countries. At the same time, Live Nation-Ticketmaster exercises its power over performers, venues, and independent promoters in ways that harm competition. Live Nation-Ticketmaster also imposes barriers to competition that limit the entry and expansion of its rivals.
“We allege that Live Nation relies on unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to exercise its monopolistic control over the live events industry in the United States at the cost of fans, artists, smaller promoters, and venue operators,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The result is that fans pay more in fees, artists have fewer opportunities to play concerts, smaller promoters get squeezed out, and venues have fewer real choices for ticketing services. It is time to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster.”
“Today’s announcement reflects the latest efforts by the Justice Department to combat corporate misconduct,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Our fight against corporate wrongdoing includes an intense focus on anticompetitive conduct — which disadvantages consumers, workers, and businesses of all kinds. Today’s complaint alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster have engaged in anticompetitive conduct to cement their dominance of the live concert market and act as the gatekeeper for an entire industry. Today’s action is a step forward in making this era of live music more accessible for the fans, the artists, and the industry that supports them.”
“The Department is committed to competition throughout the economy, including in live music,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “As our complaint alleges, Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopolizes the markets for concerts and other live events at the expense of fans, venues, and artists across the country. The Department is proud to bring this case to restore competition to this industry.”
“The live music industry in America is broken because Live Nation-Ticketmaster has an illegal monopoly,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Our antitrust lawsuit seeks to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s monopoly and restore competition for the benefit of fans and artists.”
According to the complaint, Live Nation-Ticketmaster has unlawfully maintained monopolies in several concert promotions and primary ticketing markets and engaged in other exclusionary conduct affecting live concert venues, including arenas and amphitheaters. The complaint further alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s exclusionary practices fortify and protect what it refers to as its “flywheel.” The flywheel is Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s self-reinforcing business model that captures fees and revenue from concert fans and sponsorship, uses that revenue to lock up artists to exclusive promotion deals, and then uses its powerful cache of live content to sign venues into long term exclusive ticketing deals, thereby starting the cycle all over again. Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s anticompetitive conduct creates even more barriers for rivals to compete on the merits. Specifically, Live Nation-Ticketmaster engaged in a variety of tactics to eliminate competition and monopolize markets:
- Relationship with Oak View Group: Live Nation-Ticketmaster exploits its longtime relationship with Oak View Group, a potential competitor-turned-partner that has described itself as a “hammer” and “protect[or]” for Live Nation. In recent years, Oak View Group has avoided bidding against Live Nation for artist talent and influenced venues to sign exclusive agreements with Ticketmaster. For example, Live Nation has scolded Oak View Group multiple times for trying to compete. In one instance, Live Nation asked, “who would be so stupid to . . . play into [an artist agent’s] arms,” and on another occasion, Live Nation stated, “let’s make sure we don’t let [the artist agency] now start playing us off.”
- Retaliating Against Potential Entrants: Live Nation-Ticketmaster successfully threatened financial retaliation against a firm unless it stopped one of its subsidiaries from competing to gain a foothold in the U.S. concert promotions market.
- Threatening and Retaliating Against Venues that Work with Rivals: Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s power in concert promotions means that every live concert venue knows choosing another promoter or ticketer comes with a risk of drawing an adverse reaction from Live Nation-Ticketmaster that would result in losing concerts, revenue, and fans.
- Locking Out Competition with Exclusionary Contracts: Live Nation-Ticketmaster locks concert venues into long-term exclusive contracts so that venues cannot consider or choose rival ticketers or switch to better or more cost-effective ticketing technology. These contracts allow Live Nation-Ticketmaster to reduce competitive pressure to improve its own ticketing technology and customer service.
- Blocking Venues from Using Multiple Ticketers: Live Nation-Ticketmaster’s conduct and exclusive contracts prevent new and different promotions and ticketing competitors and business models from emerging. They block venues from being able to use multiple ticketers, who would compete by offering the best mix of prices, fees, quality, and innovation to fans.
- Restricting Artists’ Access to Venues: Live Nation-Ticketmaster has increasingly gained control of key venues, including amphitheaters, through acquisitions, partnerships, and agreements. Live Nation-Ticketmaster restricts artists’ use of those venues unless those artists also agree to use their promotion services.
- Acquiring Competitors and Competitive Threats: Live Nation-Ticketmaster strategically acquired a number of smaller and regional promoters that it had internally identified as threats. This has undermined competition and impacted artist compensation.
Live Nation Entertainment Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. It describes itself as the “largest live entertainment company in the world,” the “largest producer of live music concerts in the world,” and “the world’s leading live entertainment ticketing sales and marketing company.” Live Nation also owns or controls more than 265 concert venues in North America, including more than 60 of the top 100 amphitheaters in the United States. It generates over $22 billion globally in annual revenue from three business segments: concerts (e.g., promotions, venue management, and music festival production), ticketing (e.g., Ticketmaster business), and sponsorship and advertising.
Ticketmaster LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Live Nation. It is a Virginia limited liability company with headquarters in Beverly Hills. Ticketmaster sells concert tickets to fans when those tickets first go on sale and operates resale platforms that enable purchasers to resell those tickets at a later time. Ticketmaster is by far the largest concert ticketing company in the United States, multiple times the size of its closest competitor.
View the complaint.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to Resolve Voting Rights LawsuitRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has secured an agreement with the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and city elections officials to resolve allegations that Pawtucket failed to provide Spanish-language assistance for voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act and did not allow qualified voters to cast provisional ballots in violation of the Help America Vote Act.
The proposed consent decree was filed in conjunction with the lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. The department’s lawsuit alleges that Pawtucket failed to provide election assistance and materials in Spanish for Spanish-speaking voters with limited English proficiency, in violation of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 203 requires that certain jurisdictions, including Pawtucket, provide election materials and assistance in other languages, in addition to English. The lawsuit also alleges that Pawtucket and city elections officials refused to allow individuals who were qualified to cast a provisional ballot to do so and failed to train and instruct poll workers accurately and adequately regarding the requirements for provisional ballots, all in violation of Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act. If individuals are not listed on the official registration list, HAVA requires an election official to notify individuals that they may cast a provisional ballot if they declare that they are a registered voter in the jurisdiction and eligible to vote in the election.
“Language barriers should never prevent an eligible voter from being able to fully participate in the democratic process,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Providing bilingual materials and language assistance for those who are limited English proficient will ensure that these citizens have a meaningful opportunity to participate in our democracy. We will continue to confront any barriers that stand between voters and the ability to cast their vote.”
“The right to vote is the right on which all others depend,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha for the District of Rhode Island. “This office will remain vigilant in enforcing our civil rights laws to ensure that illegal barriers to access do not keep Americans from casting their ballots. I am grateful for our continued partnership with the Civil Rights Division on this case and commend the City of Pawtucket for taking action to ensure that these issues are addressed.”
The proposed consent decree, which must be approved by the court, requires the implementation of a comprehensive Spanish-language elections program under Section 203. The City of Pawtucket will provide all election-related information in both English and Spanish, including information in the polling places and online. The City of Pawtucket also will ensure that in-person language assistance is available at all early voting sites and at each election precinct on Election Day. In addition, the consent decree provides that all voters who are registered to vote have a right to cast a provisional ballot if their name is not found on the registration list. The consent decree also provides that federal observers may monitor election day activities in polling places in the City of Pawtucket.
More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. Individuals can also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island either by emailing [email protected] or by calling (401)-709-5010.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with CEFCU to Ensure Access for People with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – The Department of Justice announced today it has entered into a settlement agreement with the Citizens Equity First Credit Union (“CEFCU”) to resolve alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The agreement requires the credit union to adopt an ADA policy, train its staff, and provide services to the complainant.
The settlement resolves an ADA complaint alleging that CEFCU refused, on multiple occasions, to serve an individual with a hearing disability over the phone because the individual was using an interpreter to communicate on the calls. According to the complaint, when the individual called CEFCU using an interpreter, CEFCU refused to speak with the individual through the interpreter and said it could not proceed with a third-party present on the call.
The complaint prompted an investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. The ADA requires that places of public accommodation like banks or credit unions provide equal access to their services and respond to telephone calls from individuals using sign language interpreters in the same manner they respond to other telephone calls.
“Many people with disabilities communicate through interpreters and the law protects their right to equal access through such services,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant for the Central District of Illinois. “We appreciate CEFCU’s cooperation and commitment to ensuring access to its services for all of its customers. We encourage all business and places of public accommodation in the Central District of Illinois to review their policies and training, so they are prepared to facilitate or provide interpretive services when needed.”
Under the agreement, the credit union will create an ADA policy and provide training to its staff about the ADA’s requirements to ensure equal access to its services for customers with disabilities. Without admitting violating the ADA, CEFCU also agreed to a monetary payment to the complainant to fully resolve the matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua I. Grant represented the government during the investigation and settlement process. The ADA requires that places of public accommodation like banks offer people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from their services, programs, and activities. For more information about the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY). Information about filing a complaint, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint.
Justice Department Secures Agreement to Address Language Barriers for Families in the Cherry Creek, Colorado, School DistrictRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement with the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD), one of the largest school districts in Colorado, to significantly improve language access services for parents with limited English proficiency. The agreement resolves allegations that the district failed to communicate with these parents in a language they could understand, denying them important information about their children’s education.
“No parent should be left in the dark about their child’s education,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Open and effective communication between schools and parents, including parents with limited English proficiency, is essential to safeguarding students’ equal access to educational opportunities. The Justice Department will continue to ensure school districts take steps to help parents overcome language barriers that prevent them from participating fully in their children’s education.”
“Parents with limited English proficiency face barriers to understanding how public schools work,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado. “This agreement is intended to ensure that the Cherry Creek School District implements policies and practices to enable all parents in the district to participate meaningfully in their children’s education. We urge all school districts in Colorado to review their practices to ensure that they are complying with their obligations to provide language assistance services to parents with limited English proficiency.”
The CCSD serves about 53,000 students whose parents speak more than 150 languages. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado received multiple complaints alleging that parents with limited English proficiency could not meaningfully participate in important school programs and activities because the district did not provide them with appropriate and effective language assistance services. The complaints alleged, for example, that the district did not provide interpreters and translation services to parents with limited English proficiency when they enrolled their children in the district’s schools and did not provide such services during expulsion hearings and other disciplinary proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, investigated the complaints under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974.
To resolve the department’s investigation, the district has agreed to improve its communications in critical areas, including:
- Enrollment: The district will identify parents with limited English proficiency and who are seeking to enroll their children in district schools, document their preferred language of communication and provide them with language assistance services to help them understand the enrollment process.
- Student disciplinary proceedings: The district will translate letters that involve suspension and expulsion into the preferred language of parents with limited English proficiency and provide language assistance services during disciplinary proceedings that could lead to suspension or expulsion.
- Engagement with parents with limited English proficiency: The district will administer surveys and hold listening sessions in over a dozen languages to better understand the communications needs of parents with limited English proficiency.
The enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.
To report a possible civil rights violation to the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.civilrights.justice.gov/. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil rights enforcement program can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement.
Justice Department Secures Agreement to Address Language Barriers for Families in the Cherry Creek School DistrictRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement with the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD), one of the largest school districts in Colorado, to significantly improve language access services for parents with limited English proficiency. The agreement resolves allegations that the district failed to communicate with these parents in a language they could understand, denying them important information about their children’s education.
“No parent should be left in the dark about their child’s education,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Open and effective communication between schools and parents, including parents with limited English proficiency, is essential to safeguarding students’ equal access to educational opportunities. The Justice Department will continue to ensure school districts take steps to help parents overcome language barriers that prevent them from participating fully in their children’s education.”
“Parents with limited English proficiency face barriers to understanding how public schools work,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Cole Finegan. “This agreement is intended to ensure that the Cherry Creek School District implements policies and practices to enable all parents in the district to participate meaningfully in their children’s education. We urge all school districts in Colorado to review their practices to ensure that they are complying with their obligations to provide language assistance services to parents with limited English proficiency.”
The CCSD serves about 53,000 students whose parents speak more than 150 languages. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado received multiple complaints alleging that parents with limited English proficiency could not meaningfully participate in important school programs and activities because the district did not provide them with appropriate and effective language assistance services. The complaints alleged, for example, that the district did not provide interpreters and translation services to parents with limited English proficiency when they enrolled their children in the district’s schools and did not provide such services during expulsion hearings and other disciplinary proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, investigated the complaints under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974.
To resolve the department’s investigation, the district has agreed to improve its communications in critical areas, including:
- Enrollment: The district will identify parents with limited English proficiency and who are seeking to enroll their children in district schools, document their preferred language of communication, and provide them with language assistance services to help them understand the enrollment process.
- Student disciplinary proceedings: The district will translate letters that involve suspension and expulsion into the preferred language of parents with limited English proficiency and provide language assistance services during disciplinary proceedings that could lead to suspension or expulsion.
- Engagement with parents with limited English proficiency: The district will administer surveys and hold listening sessions in over a dozen languages to better understand the communications needs of parents with limited English proficiency.
The enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt, and additional information about the work of the Educational Opportunities Section is available at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section.
To report a possible civil rights violation to the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.civilrights.justice.gov/. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil rights enforcement program can be found at www.justice.gov/usao-co/civil-rights-enforcement.
Press Release Translations
Министерство юстиции заключило соглашение об устранении языковых барьеров для семей в школьном округе Черри-Крик, штат Колорадо
El Departamento de Justicia logra un acuerdo para abordar las barreras idiomáticas de las familias del distrito escolar de Cherry Creek, Colorado
وزارة العدل تتوصل لاتفاقية لمعالجة العوائق اللغوية للعائلات في منطقة تشيري كريك التعليمية في كولورادو
司法部达成协议，解决科罗拉多州樱桃溪学区家庭的语言障碍问题
Bộ Tư pháp đạt thỏa thuận giải quyết rào cản ngôn ngữ cho các gia đình học khu Cherry Creek, tiểu bang Colorado
법무부, 콜로라도 주 체리크릭 학군 내 가족을 위한 언어 장벽 해결을 위한 합의서 확보
የፍትህ መምሪያ በቼሪ ክሪክ፣ ኮሎራዶ፣ የትምህርት ወረዳ ውስጥ ላሉ ቤተሰቦች የቋንቋ እንቅፋቶችን ለመፍታት ስምምነትን አረጋግጧል
Read the agreement at the link below: Agreement
Justice Department Releases Webinar with Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to Improve Accessibility of School BuildingsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights today announced the release of a webinar setting out ways for school districts across the country to increase accessibility for students and teachers with disabilities in their school facilities. The webinar, “Accessible Public Schools,” was developed by the Justice Department in consultation with the Department of Education and responds to a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation and report issued in 2020: School Districts Need Better Information to Help Improve Access for People with Disabilities. That report detailed significant accessibility barriers for students with disabilities across the country in the nation’s K-12 public school buildings, and recommended the federal government provide additional resources for school districts.
“It is critical that students with disabilities, and family members, friends, neighbors, teachers and staff with disabilities, are able to access school buildings for learning as well as extracurricular activities and community events,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to using all available tools, including enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, to increase accessibility in school buildings. It is equally important that school district personnel have ready access to tools and information, like this webinar, to understand their obligations under the law.”
“Schools need to be accessible to everyone,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon of the Department of Education. “More than 50 years after the enactment of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and thirty years after the enactment of the ADA, students with disabilities should not still encounter barriers in their public schools. The Office for Civil Rights hopes resources like this webinar, in conjunction with vigorous enforcement, will ensure accessibility to school buildings for all students with disabilities and their families.”
In its report, the GAO recommended that the Justice Department, in consultation with the Department of Education, create guidance on K-12 school accessibility issues. The webinar, featuring a Justice Department Architect, lays out the common accessibility problems found in schools (and identified in the GAO report) and ways to address them.
The webinar can be found at https://youtu.be/M5F0IzIjYAk. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the ADA’s goals of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the ADA, please call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov. For more information about the work of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights regarding discrimination on the basis of disability, visit www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/pro-students/issues/disability-issue.html.
Justice Department Reaches Agreement with the City of Pawtucket to Resolve Voting Discrimination Claims in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced today that the United States has entered into a proposed consent decree with the City of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and city election officials, to settle a voting rights lawsuit, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The proposed consent decree was filed in federal court in Rhode Island in conjunction with a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division. The lawsuit alleges that Pawtucket failed to provide election assistance and materials in Spanish for Spanish-speaking voters with limited English proficiency, in violation of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 203 requires that certain jurisdictions, including Pawtucket, provide election materials and assistance in other languages, in addition to English. The lawsuit also alleges that Pawtucket and city election officials refused to allow individuals who were qualified to cast a provisional ballot to do so, and failed to train and instruct poll workers accurately and adequately regarding the requirements for provisional ballots, all in violation of Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act.
Under the proposed consent decree, which is subject to approval by a special three-judge court in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island, the City of Pawtucket and Board of Canvassers will provide all election-related information in both English and Spanish, including information displayed in polling places and online. The City will also ensure that in-person language assistance is available at all early voting sites and at each election precinct with at least 100 Spanish-surnamed registered voters. In addition, the consent decree provides that the City will provide specific training for poll workers. The City will recruit bilingual poll workers and provide training to all bilingual poll workers on Spanish language election terminology, how to provide effective language assistance, and voting instructions. The City will train all poll workers on the provisional ballot requirements under Section 302. The consent decree also provides that federal observers may monitor election day activities in polling places in Pawtucket.
“The right to vote is the right on which all others depend.” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha, “and this Office will remain vigilant in enforcing our civil rights laws to ensure that illegal barriers to access do not keep Americans from casting their ballots. I am grateful for our continued partnership with the Civil Rights Division on this case, and commend the City of Pawtucket for taking action to ensure that these issues are addressed.”
“Language barriers should never prevent an eligible voter from being able to fully participate in the democratic process,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Providing bilingual materials and language assistance for those who are limited English proficient will ensure that these citizens have a meaningful opportunity to participate in our democracy. We will continue to confront any barriers that stand between voters and the ability to cast their vote.”
More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting rights laws are available on the Justice Department’s website at https://www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Individuals may file voting rights complaints with the Civil Rights Division either online here or may call (800)253-3931. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island either by emailing [email protected] or by calling (401)709-5010.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy R. Romero from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, and Deputy Chief Timothy Mellett and Trial Attorney Maria Rios of the Voting Section in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
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consent_order.pdf pawtucket_doj_filed_complaint.pdfJustice Department Announces Multiple Drug and Firearms ArrestsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced a multi-agency law enforcement action, targeting armed drug trafficking networks in Washington, D.C., which resulted in 24 arrests in the past nine days. This action follows a surge in additional law enforcement tools and resources announced in January by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to fight violent crime in Washington, D.C.
“In January, the Justice Department surged law enforcement resources to the District of Columbia to further our efforts to target the individuals and organizations driving violent crime in the nation’s capital,” said Attorney General Garland. “Over the past nine days, as a result of a multi-agency investigation, we have arrested 24 individuals we allege have fueled drug trafficking and community violence in Washington, D.C. The Department will continue to leverage our partnerships, our resources, and our investigative and prosecutorial tools to reduce violent crime and keep communities safe.”
“The FBI will remain relentless in the pursuit of those who attempt to make money by selling fentanyl and other deadly drugs in our communities,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We are firmly committed to working with all of our partners and using all tools available to curb the violence impacting the American people – here in Washington, D.C., and across the country.”
Nine defendants were arrested today in connection with a Trinidad-based drug trafficking investigation. Three of the defendants arrested today are charged in a 13-count indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, crack cocaine, and heroin and several firearms offenses. Two additional defendants arrested today are charged in a separate multiple-count indictment on fentanyl and fentanyl analogue distribution and firearms charges. These arrests follow another law enforcement action last week, in which 15 people were arrested, 10 of whom are named in a 17-count indictment as alleged members of a drug trafficking crew operating near 21st Street and Maryland Avenue, NE, and who are charged with participation in a fentanyl and cocaine distribution conspiracy and additional firearms counts.
Today’s arrests grew out of an investigation into an open-air drug market around the 1100 block of Raum Street, NE, in the Trinidad neighborhood that was commenced in summer 2023 in response to 59 violent crime incidents and 119 bursts of gunfire occurring in the area from January to July 2023. Agents conducted numerous controlled buys of fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, cocaine base, and firearms in connection with this investigation.
During the investigation, multiple search warrants were executed at several locations. Law enforcement executed 14 residential search warrants today in connection with the Trinidad investigation in the District and Maryland and seized 15 firearms, large amounts of ammunition, and alleged drug proceeds as part of the operation. At least three of the five defendants arrested today have been indicted on firearms charges, including possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
“As alleged in the indictments, the defendants sold fentanyl and other dangerous drugs on the streets of Washington, D.C. Some of them also carried guns,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “When armed drug dealers sell deadly drugs like fentanyl, they make our communities more dangerous places to live and work. Today’s arrests reflect the Criminal Division’s commitment to working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and our law enforcement partners to protect our neighborhoods from armed drug dealers and other dangerous offenders.”
“The data tells us that a relatively small group of people in our community are the primary drivers of gun violence and that the bulk of the gun violence is clustered in a relatively few blocks of our city,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “For years, we and our law enforcement partners have been focused on developing effective strategies for how we can best build cases against these relatively few people driving violence because we know that proactively removing these people from our streets is the most significant thing we can do as prosecutors to impact violent crime trends.”
“Street-level drug traffickers are directly responsible for extreme violence and devastating drug poisonings in communities across the country,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “The individuals charged today are alleged members of one of the most violent criminal groups in Washington, D.C., perpetrating countless acts of violence and selling deadly fentanyl. The excellent investigative work by the DEA’s Washington Field Division, and our partners, has made this community safer. These arrests are a warning to all criminals peddling poison on American streets that the DEA will use every available resource to save lives.”
“Today's arrests show that the partnerships among federal and local law enforcement agencies are stronger than the illicit ties among members of drug trafficking organizations,” said Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division. "The FBI vows to continue to work with our partners to protect communities from violent crews who peddle drugs and wield illegal firearms.”
“Many Washingtonians have raised concerns about local drug trafficking crews that have been taking over their neighborhoods through violence and the distribution of fentanyl and other illegal drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the DEA Washington Division. “Drug trafficking and violence are undeniably connected, and we are addressing this issue directly by taking a strong stance and implementing strict measures to combat the illegal manufacture and distribution of drugs, as well as removing firearms from the streets. Whether it's through increased law enforcement efforts, educational programs, or providing support for those struggling with substance misuse, we are confronting this problem head-on to restore the communities to the residents.”
“The success of these operations would not have been possible without the collaboration, dedication, and support of the officers, investigators, and detectives of the Metropolitan Police Department, our federal partners at the FBI and DEA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The unwavering commitment to upholding the law and protecting our communities is truly commendable,” said Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. “To those who continue to engage in violent crimes, drug sales and the illegal possession and use of firearms: let this serve as a clear message. Your actions bring tremendous harm to our communities, and they will not be tolerated. Operations like these will continue, our investigations are ongoing, and our resolve is steadfast.”
The Trinidad fentanyl trafficking investigation was a multi-agency effort between the DEA’s Washington Division, Metropolitan Police Department, and FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. Trial Attorney Gerald A. A. Collins of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance was provided by VCRS Trial Attorneys Christina Taylor and Gaelin Bernstein.
The Carver-Langston fentanyl trafficking investigation was a multi-agency effort between the Metropolitan Police Department, FBI Washington Field Office’s Cross-Border Task Force, DEA’s Washington Division, and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrea Duvall and Solomon Eppel for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Justice Department Announces Achievements in Police Reform in Suffolk County, New YorkRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that the Suffolk County, New York, 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.
Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt. Additional information about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, including the Office’s Civil Rights Division work, is available at www.justice.gov/usao-edny/civil-rights.
Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Armed Robbery and Burglary in 2020 Northeast Barbershop RobberyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Elliot Jacobs, 32, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty after trial of multiple charges arising from a mid-day robbery at a Northeast barbershop, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The Superior Court jury found Jacobs guilty of two counts of armed robbery, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, second degree burglary while armed, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. The jury returned the verdict on May 22, 2024. The Honorable Heidi Pasichow scheduled sentencing for August 16, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, on August 8, 2020, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Jacobs went to the Benning Road Barbershop and asked for a trim. Because of the pandemic, the barbershop did not take walk-in customers, so Jacobs exchanged phone numbers with one of the barbers, who told him to call back in about fifteen minutes. Jacobs called the barber using a three-way call to disguise his number, and the barber told Jacobs that he was ready for him.
Jacobs returned, sat in the barber chair, and spoke with the barber for several minutes. During their conversation, a second man appeared at the shop, and both Jacobs and that accomplice pulled handguns and pointed them at the two barbers. Jacobs then robbed both barbers before fleeing with his accomplice.
MPD detectives subsequently used Jacobs’ cellphone number to develop him as a suspect. Jacobs was arrested on August 26, 2020, and he has been held in custody since.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sabena Auyeung and William Lawrence.
Jamestown man sentenced on meth chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joshua Doud, 42, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to time served (56 months) by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that between February and May 2019, investigators made four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Doud. Three of the for purchases were conducted at Doud’s Jamestown residence.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.
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Jamestown man going to prison on drug conspiracy chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jacob Komenda, 27, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, five grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that on April 27, 2019, members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Komenda’s residence in Jamestown. Officers recovered methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia throughout the residence, as well as a 12-gauge shotgun and a stun gun. On September 5, 2019, investigators executed a second search warrant at Komenda’s residence. Komenda had $3,182 in cash in his shorts pocket, which was proceeds of his drug trafficking activities. Investigators also recovered methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia from the residence.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino, New York Field Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
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Jamestown man going to prison for more than 26 years on meth chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Luis Martinez, 52, a/k/a Noel a/k/a Noelly, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 318 months in prsion by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan K. Glaberson and Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that in May and June of 2020, Martinez conspired with others to sell methamphetamine. On June 5, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at a Water Street residence, recovering approximately 20 grams of cocaine, a loaded Glock, $3,534 in cash, 14 individually wrapped plastic bags containing a total of approximately 363 grams of methamphetamine, a kilo press, two digital scales, a number of cell phones and tablets, additional smaller bags of cocaine and methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia. On June 10, 2020, investigators received information that Martinez had an outstanding parole warrant issued against him, at which time he was located in a vehicle on Price Street and taken into in custody. Law enforcement also recovered another $37,670 in cash behind a residence.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Stanley Edwards, III.
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Indianapolis Man Federally Charged for Setting Fire to IndyGo Bus and Bus Station in April Causing Injury and $2.1 Million in DamagesRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Demarcus McCloud, 45, of Indianapolis, has been charged with arson of property and vehicle receiving federal funds after making his initial appearance in federal court.
According to court documents, on April 24, 2024, around 5pm, Indianapolis Fire Department and IMPD officers responded to a report of a fire at the IndyGo bus stop at 38th and North Meridian Streets. When first responders arrived, the inside of the bus and front half of the exterior were completely engulfed in flames.
Witnesses claimed that the fire was started by a passenger, identified as Demarcus McCloud. IMPD Officers located McCloud in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant and found him holding two butane lighters in his hand. He was arrested and transported to Eskenazi hospital to be assessed for physical injuries.
Surveillance cameras show McCloud boarding Bus #1993 at the Julia Carson Transit Center on Washington Street carrying a jug full of liquid and two butane lighters. After boarding, McCloud chose a seat in the back of the bus and lit a cigarette while hiding under a blanket. McCloud allegedly threw the butt of the cigarette on the floor, then lit a piece of paper before extinguishing it and moving to another section of the bus. As the bus approached the stop at Meridian and 38th Streets, McCloud began pouring out liquid from the jug onto the floor of the center aisle. He left the open jug laying on its side and began to exit the bus as the liquid continued to flow out. As he approached the bus door, he lit another piece of paper and threw it on the floor. The puddle ignited immediately, and McCloud ran from the station.
During this incident, a passenger on the bus suffered from smoke inhalation after exiting the vehicle and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
IndyGo operates their public transportation buses under the Federal Transportation Administration. It is estimated that Bus #1993 sustained approximately $2.1 million in damages, and the bus stop sustained approximately $25,000 in damages.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating this case. If convicted, McCloud faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash, who is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Hot Springs Man Sentenced for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jonathan A. Kobes, sitting in district court in Rapid City, South Dakota, has sentenced a Hot Springs, South Dakota, man for Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on May 14, 2024.
Christian Justus Willard, a/k/a “Bamalife24”, age 24, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Willard was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and $3,000 in restitution to his victim.
A federal grand jury indicted Willard in August of 2023 for offenses relating to sexual exploitation of a minor. On March 8, 2024, he pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography.
Willard used the internet-based application Snapchat and his cellular phone to entice a 13-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit activity. Despite knowing the victim’s age, Willard solicited sexually explicit photos and videos from the victim and offered her drugs. Willard saved several of the illegal photos and videos on his cellular phone.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Hot Springs Police Department, and the Fall River County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox prosecuted the case.
Willard was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Habitual Offender Sentenced for Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man was sentenced to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to domestic assault by a habitual offender and assault by an intimate partner by strangling, suffocating or attempting to strangle or suffocate.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on December 26, 2021, Matthew Vicenti, 34, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, assaulted the mother of his two children over two days at his Dulce home on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Vicenti slapped, pushed, punched and strangled the victim, breaking her phone and taking her shoes to prevent her from leaving. When police arrived, Vicenti turned off lights, cut the WiFi and covered the victim's mouth, and choked her, causing bruising to her throat. Vicenti was on probation at the time and was concerned about getting in trouble.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Vicenti will be required to serve three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Jicarilla Apache Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Bell is prosecuting the case.
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Guilty Verdict for District Man on First-Degree Murder Charges for 2021 StabbingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A jury sitting in Superior Court yesterday found Aaron Jackson, 30, of Washington, D.C., guilty of first-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon in the June 2021 stabbing death of Damohn Gill. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Sentencing is scheduled for August 9, 2024.
According to the government’s evidence, at 7:50 p.m. in the evening of Thursday, June 24, 2021, the victim, Damohn Gill, 27, of Washington, D.C., pulled into the parking lot of the Orchard Park Apartments with his pregnant girlfriend. Around the same time, the defendant, Aaron Jackson, parked on the street near the parking lot. Both men got out of their cars and hugged on the sidewalk. The men spoke briefly before Jackson pulled out a knife and aggressively approached Mr. Gill. Mr. Gill raised his hands in the air at which point the defendant grabbed the victim by the throat. Mr. Gill pulled away and attempted to run, but Jackson held onto the victim and proceeded to stab him nine times in the back, face, arm, and abdomen leaving him disemboweled. The defendant then fled the scene. A few days after the murder, Jackson posted to Instagram to brag and sing about killing the victim.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and Assistant United States Attorney Peter Roman. It is being prosecuted and tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Wes Faulkner and Marybeth Manfreda.
Gregg County man sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Kilgore man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking drugs in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Rodney Dewayne Fagans, 39, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on May 22, 2024.
According to information presented in court, Fagans and his co-conspirators admitted to selling large quantities of methamphetamine on numerous occasions in Gregg County. Fagans was identified as the supplier for three separate illegal drug transactions totaling 598.72 grams of methamphetamine. Fifteen others involved in the drug distribution scheme have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to federal prison.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Gregg County Sheriff's Office, and Longview Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.
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Goshen Man Sentenced to 84 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Koby Eldridge, 31 years old, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm after being adjudicated mentally defective, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Eldridge was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in May, 2023, Eldridge was found to be in possession of five loaded firearms that were recovered from his car. On that same date, another loaded firearm and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition that were recovered from his residence. Eldridge had previously been adjudicated to be incompetent to stand trial in Elkhart Superior Court in February 2021, and had been committed to a mental institution, such that he was precluded from possessing these firearms.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Goshen Police Department, the Elkhart Police Department, and the Elkhart Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.
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.
Georgia Man Sentenced to Two Years for Laundering Fraudulently Obtained MoneyRead the Press Release
DETROIT - A Georgia resident was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for his role in helping fraudsters steal money from both individual and business victims, some of them from Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division.
Christian Ogunghide, 48, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty, earlier this year, to laundering money derived from wire fraud, by United States District Judge Gershwin A. Drain.
According to Court records, in 2016-2017, through various bank accounts, Ogunghide engaged in numerous financial transactions, each transaction well over $10,000, involving over $1 million in the proceeds of wire fraud, that is, funds obtained by others through business email compromise fraud schemes and romance fraud schemes. When Ogunghide engaged in these monetary transactions, he knew that the transactions involved criminally derived property. He allowed fraudsters to use bank accounts he controlled to receive monies fraudulently taken from both individuals and businesses. He then disseminated the funds, effectively eliminating any chance the victims had to get their money back. He played a vital role in enabling the fraudsters to complete their fraud. And Ogunghide benefited immensely, including by the use of nearly $300,000 in fraudulent funds to buy himself a home that he lived in for years.
The Court ordered Ogunghide to pay $1,207,155.66 in restitution to the victims in this case. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of a Georgia home purchased with funds traceable to the fraud scheme, and entered a forfeiture money judgment of $1,206, 155.66.
United States Attorney Ison stated: “Those who enable the victimization of others need to be held accountable. As a money launderer, Ogunghide repeatedly helped to facilitate fraud. We are committed to prosecuting those who choose to enrich themselves by enabling others to commit crimes.”
"Mr. Ogunghide illicitly laundered over a million dollars obtained through fraud from victims, encompassing individuals and businesses across multiple states," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "Combatting white-collar crime stands as a foremost priority for the FBI, and with the assistance of our law enforcement allies, we will persist in uncovering and dismantling financial schemes."
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick E. Corbett and Adriana Dydell. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Georgia Felon Who Assaulted Clearwater Police Officer During Traffic Stop Convicted at Trial for Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Cleveland Sanders (41, Covington, Georgia) was found guilty of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon following a bench trial before United States District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle. Sanders faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, on January 3, 2023, an officer with the Clearwater Police Department stopped Sanders for multiple traffic infractions near North Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Grant Street in Clearwater, Florida. During the stop, the officer noticed a large handgun in the driver’s side doorjamb. After being ordered to remain in the vehicle, Sanders instead got out and punched the officer several times in the face and dislodged the officer’s body camera. Sanders then fled the scene but was later arrested.
The firearm was recovered from the doorjamb of the vehicle. At the time of the offense, Sanders had a prior felony conviction and had served 15 years in a Florida prison for aggravated battery with great bodily harm. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and David Sullivan.
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.
Gang Member Sentenced to 178 Months in Prison for Racketeering Charge and Related CrimesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang was sentenced today to 178 months in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Tyheim Terry, aka “Ty,” aka “Rollin’ Ty,” 25, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to a superseding indictment that charged him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, carjacking, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the carjacking. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, Terry was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere. On Feb. 21, 2021, Terry worked with others, including members of the gang, to attempt to carjack a victim. On April 5, 2021, Terry worked with other members of the gang to shoot another victim. On April 11, 2021, Terry brandished a firearm and carjacked a third victim.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Terry to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Ross A. Marchetti; investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé; the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi; the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves; the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel; the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero; and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, with the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips investigation.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Nasar of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit.
Gainesville Man Convicted for Making Threats Against Roanoke Federal Credit UnionRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A Gainesville, Virginia man, who threatened to “blow-up Roanoke” and to rape and kill two credit union employees, was convicted last week of making threats in interstate commerce following a two-day trial.
Brandon Hayward, 35, was convicted of two counts of knowingly transmitting in interstate commerce threats to injure two employees of the InFirst Federal Credit Union.
According to evidence presented at trial, on August 15, 2022, Hayward called the InFirst Federal Credit Union customer service line with a complaint about his account. Unsatisfied with the assistance he was receiving, he proceeded to threaten two different employees of the credit union.
Hayward specifically threatened to rape and kill Victim 1, adding that he was going to get his shotgun. Hayward further threatened to find Victim 1 by searching for her last name and stated, “You think you’re safe in Roanoke; you’re not.” Hayward later threatened to come to Victim 2’s home and rape her. Both victims had prior experience with Hayward in the course of their employment with InFirst.
At sentencing, Hayward faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to five years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.
The Department of Homeland Security and Federal Protective Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin B. Johnson and Lee Brett are prosecuting the case for the United States.
Fugitive who fled to the Dominican Republic sentenced for laundering millions of health care fraud proceedsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 22, a Miami federal district judge sentenced a fugitive to 87 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a multimillion-dollar conspiracy to commit money laundering. The judge also ordered him to pay $3,709,860 in restitution.
From August 2020 to August 2022, Julio Arsenio Rodriguez, 62, Hialeah, Florida, conspired with a network of South Florida clinics to submit millions of dollars in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid for durable medical equipment (DME) that was medically unnecessary and that was not provided to the patients. Also, Rodriguez served as the legal owner and registered agent of several fictitious companies which he used to launder those health care fraud proceeds.
In March 2023, Rodriguez failed to appear at a calendar call and a federal judge issued a warrant for his arrest. Eight months later, Rodriguez was located in the Dominican Republic, attempting to open businesses in that country. In November 2023, Rodriguez surrendered to the United States authorities and returned to Miami to face charges for the money laundering conspiracy. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in January.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Stephen Mahmood of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Region; and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody for the Florida Office of the Attorney General made the announcement.
FBI Miami, HHS-OIG Miami, and the Florida Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) investigated the case. The U.S. Marshals Service Office of International Operations (OIO) Dominican Republic Foreign Field Office (DRFFO) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division Financial Investigative Team provided valuable assistance in securing the arrest and deportation of Rodriguez back to the United States. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Canzio prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon handled 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 22-cr-20541.
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Fridley Felon Pleads Guilty to Shooting 11-Year-Old on New Year’s DayRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Fridley man has pleaded guilty for possession of ammunition as a felon after firing multiple shots from an AR-style rifle, one of which struck an 11-year-old child in the face, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, just after midnight on January 1, 2024, officers of the Minneapolis Police Department received a report of a shooting at a residence in north Minneapolis. When officers arrived at the scene a woman told them that shots had been fired outside the residence and a round had struck the woman’s 11-year-old child in the face. The minor victim was sitting in a second-story bedroom when they heard gunshots outside the residence at approximately midnight. The minor victim went to the window to observe when a round came through the window and hit them in the face.
According to court documents, officers obtained a Snapchat video of James William Turner, 44, that was filmed just prior to the shooting. The two-minute video showed Turner outside, near the victim’s residence, speaking angrily to the camera before panning it to show an AR-style rifle lying across the driver’s seat of a vehicle. A neighbor provided officers with a doorbell surveillance video that showed Turner fire multiple rounds in the direction of the victim’s bedroom window. Officers found eight live cartridges and 24 discharged cartridge casings throughout the boulevard, sidewalk, and yard.
Because Turner has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
Turner pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of possession of ammunition as a felon.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department, with assistance from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian C.S. Weir is prosecuting the case.
Fresno Man Indicted for Throwing Methamphetamine into Mendota Prison YardRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Garrett Scott Wheelen, 33, of Fresno, charging him with possessing methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on May 1, 2024, Wheelen arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution Mendota wearing a facemask, baseball cap, and hoodie to conceal his identity. In broad daylight, Wheelen ran to the prison fence and tossed four packages into the prison’s recreation yard. He was quickly apprehended after attempting to flee. The packages contained over 3 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to the criminal complaint, none of the inmates who were in the recreation yard retrieved the packages that were thrown.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mendota Police Department, and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Romero faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $1 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Four Men Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charge for Allegedly Murdering Man to Increase Position in Chicago Street GangRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — Four men have been indicted on a federal racketeering charge for allegedly murdering a man to maintain and increase their positions in a violent Chicago street gang.
JOSHUA BROUGHTON, 34, of Chicago, CHRISTOPHER SINGLETON, 24, of Chicago, JARON DAVIS, 22, of Lansing, Ill., and GRIEG MACON, 27, of Chicago, are charged with racketeering and firearm offenses in an indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The indictment accuses the four defendants of murdering Ogonnia Okeke on June 1, 2021, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the Rack City street gang. Okeke, 25, was fatally shot in the Princeton Park neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side.
The indictment alleges that the Rack City gang is a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in narcotics trafficking and committed acts of violence to preserve and protect the gang’s perceived territory. Members of the gang intimidated rivals, victims, and witnesses through acts and threats of violence, boasted about their gang on social media, and took steps designed to prevent law enforcement from detecting their criminal activities, according to the indictment. Eight other alleged members or associates of the Rack City gang were charged last year with firearm or drug offenses as part of the federal investigation.
Davis was arrested on Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Chicago. The three other defendants were previously arrested and remain in federal custody. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will seek to keep all four defendants detained pending trial.
The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Illinois State Police Firearm Investigation Unit, IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office, Rosemont, Ill. Police Department, and Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jimmy L. Arce, Margaret A. Steindorf, and Elly M. Peirson.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers and other criminal offenders that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement against criminal networks.
Murder in aid of racketeering is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and the death penalty is also possible. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Broughton et al indictmentFort Wayne Man Sentenced to 240 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Payne T. Randle, 40 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after being found guilty by a jury for possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Randle was sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on February 4, 2021, the Allen County Drug Task Force was notified by a commercial carrier of a suspicious package addressed to Randle’s residence. A search warrant for the package revealed it contained approximately 368 grams of methamphetamine and 444 grams of marijuana. A subsequent search warrant and stop resulted in the recovery of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana, a loaded firearm, a 50-round drum-style magazine, and numerous boxes of ammunition as well as additional methamphetamine and four more firearms. Randle has previous felony drug convictions and a felony robbery conviction, which prohibited him from possessing the firearms.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Allen County Drug Task Force, the Allen County Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory, and the Indiana State Police Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey R. Speith and Justin C. Sheridan.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 135 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Dejon Parks, 28 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.
Parks was sentenced to 135 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in October 2022, Parks mailed two packages containing a large amount of fentanyl pills from Tempe, Arizona, to an address in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A United States Postal Inspector intercepted the packages and obtained a federal search warrant, discovering the packages contained a total of more than three kilograms of fentanyl pills.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Indiana State Police, the Fort Wayne Police Department, and the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Former title agent sentenced to 36 months in prison for $6.6 million mortgage fraud schemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – On May 22, a former title agent was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $6,634,750.00 in forfeiture for carrying out a $6.6 million mortgage fraud scheme. A restitution hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16.
Dora Ameneiro Martinez, 45, Haines City, Florida, was a licensed title agent in the State of Florida. She owned Apex Title Agency Incorporated (Apex Title), a title company in Haines City. Between June 2019 and July 2022, Martinez participated in approximately 30 fraudulent real estate transactions. Martinez made false and fraudulent statements to a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured financial institution and to various non-FDIC insured private mortgage lenders to defraud them into approving mortgages and lending money. The fraudulent real estate transactions totaled $6,634,750 in fraudulent proceeds.
As part of her scheme, Martinez prepared false and fraudulent mortgage applications and other related documents on her behalf, Apex Title, other companies she owned and other homeowners. The mortgage documents submitted to lenders contained false and fraudulent statements and representations relating to existing mortgages on the properties and other information necessary for the lenders to assess the qualifications of the homeowners to borrow money.
The title paperwork and Closing Disclosures falsely stated that there were no existing mortgages on properties, inducing the lenders to fund mortgage loans on properties in the Southern District of Florida and elsewhere. In reality, the properties were encumbered by existing mortgages that were not disclosed to the lenders in the title paperwork and Closing Disclosures, causing the new lenders to be placed in an inferior lien position to the existing lenders. Relying on these misrepresentations, the financial institution and private mortgage lenders lent money to the homeowners, believing that they were in first position and the mortgage was secured by a property that was unencumbered. Then, the financial institution and private mortgage lenders wired the loan proceeds to Martinez or Apex Title.
Martinez also falsely and fraudulently applied for and processed a mortgage refinancing loan that, upon receiving the newly refinanced mortgage loan funds as the settlement agent, failed to satisfy the existing mortgage and diverted the proceeds for her own personal use. The lender would have not lent the money to Martinez if they would have known that Martinez was not going to immediately pay off the existing mortgage in accordance with the Closing Disclosure. The lender relied on Martinez to pay off the existing mortgage to be in first position.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Brian Tucker of the Eastern Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (FRB-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Edwin S. Bonano of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG) announced the sentence imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga.
FRB-OIG and FHFA-OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Manolo Reboso is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove 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 23-cr-20451.
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Former Venezuelan military official sentenced for money laundering and bribery schemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A former officer in the Venezuelan National Guard was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for participating in a money laundering scheme that involved bribes to foreign officials and defrauding foreign financial institutions.
According to court documents, Nepmar Jesus Escalona Enriquez, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and formerly of Venezuela, participated in an illegal scheme to finance purported food imports to Venezuela that was facilitated by bribery and false pretenses. Escalona and his co-conspirators carried out the scheme, in part, by knowingly submitting fraudulent applications to the Venezuelan currency regulation authority, also known as CADIVI, to deceive Banesco Bank, the Central Bank of Venezuela, and Venezuelan customs authorities into releasing U.S. dollars to Escalona and his co-conspirators outside of Venezuela. The fraudulent applications were submitted to purportedly finance food imports into Venezuela, but in reality were an artifice to enrich the conspirators. This conduct resulted in the transfer of nearly $1.7 million in U.S. dollars from Banesco Bank into an account controlled by the conspirators.
Escalona further admitted that, in at least one instance, the co-conspirators arranged for a series of bribes to be paid to officials in Venezuela to prevent the detection of their fraudulent scheme. Escalona also admitted in another instance to instructing a co-conspirator to wire transfer proceeds of the fraud, as well as funds constituting bribes, to four financial institutions in the United States. The five illicit wire transfers totaled approximately $420,847.
Escalona pleaded guilty on March 4 to one count of money laundering conspiracy.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Miami Field Division made the announcement.
The DEA’s Miami Field Division is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Goldbarg, Trial Attorney Emily Cohen and Deputy Chief Joseph Palazzo of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and prosecuted the case.
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.
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Former Venezuelan Military Official Sentenced for Money Laundering and Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
A former officer in the Venezuelan National Guard was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for participating in a money laundering scheme that involved bribes to foreign officials and defrauding foreign financial institutions.
According to court documents, Nepmar Jesus Escalona Enriquez, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and formerly of Venezuela, participated in an illegal scheme to finance purported food imports to Venezuela that was facilitated by bribery and false pretenses. Escalona and his co-conspirators carried out the scheme, in part, by knowingly submitting fraudulent applications to the Venezuelan currency regulation authority, also known as CADIVI, to deceive Banesco Bank, the Central Bank of Venezuela, and Venezuelan customs authorities into releasing U.S. dollars to Escalona and his co-conspirators outside of Venezuela. The fraudulent applications were submitted to purportedly finance food imports into Venezuela, but in reality were an artifice to enrich the conspirators. This conduct resulted in the transfer of nearly $1.7 million in U.S. dollars from Banesco Bank into an account controlled by the conspirators.
Escalona further admitted that, in at least one instance, the co-conspirators arranged for a series of bribes to be paid to officials in Venezuela to prevent the detection of their fraudulent scheme. Escalona also admitted in another instance to instructing a co-conspirator to wire transfer proceeds of the fraud, as well as funds constituting bribes, to four financial institutions in the United States. The five illicit wire transfers totaled approximately $420,847.
Escalona pleaded guilty on March 4 to one count of money laundering conspiracy.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida; and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Miami Field Division made the announcement.
The DEA’s Miami Field Division is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Emily Cohen and Deputy Chief Joseph Palazzo of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Goldbarg for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted the case.
Former Rochester bus driver pleads guilty to child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Tomas Rosario, 75, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to attempting to receive child pornography, before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that Rosario was a school bus driver in Monroe County. On March 11, 2022, without any other adults or children present, Rosario transported a 13-year-old (victim) to school. During the ride, Rosario allowed the victim to sit in the front seat and proceeded to engage her in personal and sexually explicit conversation, including asking the victim if she had ever engaged in sexual conduct with her boyfriend. At the end of the day, Rosario picked the victim up from school, and again allowed her to sit in the front seat. Rosario continued to engage in sexually explicit conversation with the victim, and ultimately subjected her to instances of sexual contact. In addition, Rosario gave the victim his phone number, showed the victim his home, and encouraged the victim to call and visit if she ever wanted to skip school. Rosario’s actions were recorded on the bus surveillance system. In one instance, Rosario instructed the victim to take sexually explicit photos of herself and send them to him. On the following day, Rosario encountered the victim in a convenience store and warned her not to tell anyone what he had done the day before. That encounter was captured by the store’s security cameras.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief David Smith, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 12, 2024, before Judge Geraci.
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Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmate in His CustodyRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) Corrections Officer, Robert D. Smith, 39, was sentenced today in federal court to 24 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for sexually abusing an inmate while he was a corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Institution, in Aliceville, Alabama (FCI-Aliceville).
Smith previously pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a ward on Jan. 11.
“Robert Smith’s egregious acts have no place in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and he has been held to account for abusing of his position of trust,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today sentence marks the latest effort in the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to root out sexual misconduct within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Department will continue our efforts to hold accountable employees who fail to uphold their oath to protect those in their care.”
“Beyond the view of the cameras and the eyes of potential witnesses, this defendant sexually abused and assaulted vulnerable women inmates and thought he would get away with his crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This case should send an unequivocal message to officials working in correctional settings that we have zero tolerance for sexual assaults of women held inside jails and prisons. We encourage the survivors of these heinous crimes to report acts of official misconduct and violence to the FBI. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute those who violate the civil and constitutional rights of people detained in correctional facilities.”
“Corrections officers have the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of those incarcerated in our nation’s prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute corrections officers who abuse inmates and violate positions of public trust.”
“Today’s sentencing holds Smith accountable for the serious crimes he committed,” said Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Smith sexually abused multiple inmates and he did so by taking them to areas of the prison without camera coverage. As the OIG has repeatedly found, the effective use of cameras by the FBOP is critical to preventing and deterring such criminal wrongdoing at its facilities.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Smith worked as a corrections officer at FCI-Aliceville, which is a low-security federal prison. As part of his duties, Smith was to ensure the safety and security of inmates housed at FCI-Aliceville and to uphold the U.S. Constitution.
While acting in his capacity as an officer, in or around February 2019, Smith knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a female inmate in official detention, who was under Smith’s custodial, supervisory or disciplinary authority. Smith committed this criminal act when he and his victim were in his office in the facilities department, which was away from cameras and other inmates and officers.
Smith also admitted to sexually abusing another inmate on a different occasion. Specifically, also while acting in his capacity as an officer, between on or about July 6, 2018, and Nov. 15, 2018, Smith knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a female inmate in official detention, who was under Smith’s custodial, supervisory or disciplinary authority. Smith committed this criminal act in the mechanical room, which Smith accessed with a key, and which was also away from cameras and other inmates and officers.
DOJ-OIG investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Royster for the Northern District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the department’s reform efforts.
Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmate in His CustodyRead the Press Release
A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) Corrections Officer, Robert D. Smith, 39, was sentenced today in federal court to 24 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for sexually abusing an inmate while he was a corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Institution, in Aliceville, Alabama (FCI-Aliceville).
Smith previously pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a ward on Jan. 11.
“Robert Smith has been held to account for abusing his position of trust by sexually assaulting an adult in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today’s sentence marks the latest step forward in the Justice Department’s ongoing campaign to root out sexual misconduct from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Department will continue to hold accountable any BOP employee who violates their oath to protect those in their care through sexual assault.”
“Beyond the view of the cameras and the eyes of potential witnesses, this defendant sexually abused and assaulted vulnerable women inmates and thought he would get away with his crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This case should send an unequivocal message to officials working in correctional settings that we have zero tolerance for sexual assaults of women held inside jails and prisons. We encourage the survivors of these heinous crimes to report acts of official misconduct and violence to the FBI. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute those who violate the civil and constitutional rights of people detained in correctional facilities.”
“Corrections officers have the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of those incarcerated in our nation’s prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute corrections officers who abuse inmates and violate positions of public trust.”
“Today’s sentencing holds Smith accountable for the serious crimes he committed,” said Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. “Smith sexually abused multiple inmates and he did so by taking them to areas of the prison without camera coverage. As the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has repeatedly found, the effective use of cameras by the FBOP is critical to preventing and deterring such criminal wrongdoing at its facilities.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Smith worked as a corrections officer at FCI-Aliceville, which is a low-security federal prison. As part of his duties, Smith was to ensure the safety and security of inmates housed at FCI-Aliceville and to uphold the U.S. Constitution.
While acting in his capacity as an officer, in or around February 2019, Smith knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a female inmate in official detention, who was under Smith’s custodial, supervisory or disciplinary authority. Smith committed this criminal act when he and his victim were in his office in the facilities department, which was away from cameras and other inmates and officers.
Smith also admitted to sexually abusing another inmate on a different occasion. Specifically, also while acting in his capacity as an officer, between on or about July 6, 2018, and Nov. 15, 2018, Smith knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a female inmate in official detention, who was under Smith’s custodial, supervisory or disciplinary authority. Smith committed this criminal act in the mechanical room, which Smith accessed with a key, and which was also away from cameras and other inmates and officers.
The Justice Department OIG investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Royster for the Northern District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
FBOP is committed to rooting out misconduct within its ranks and working with law enforcement partners to prosecute violations of federal law. The numerous FBOP employees working diligently to ensure justice for the victims of misconduct are critical to the department’s reform efforts.
Former Boilermakers Union Chief of Staff Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A Missouri man pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy in connection with his involvement in serious financial misconduct at an international labor organization.
According to court documents, Tyler Brown, 44, of Kansas City, Missouri, was employed by the Kansas City, Kansas, headquarters of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmith, Forgers, and Helpers (the “Boilermakers Union”) as chief of staff of the Boilermakers Union and special assistant to the International President of the Boilermakers Union. From 2013 through October 2022, Brown reported directly to the International President and carried out his directives. Between those dates, Brown was involved in numerous instances of unlawful misappropriation of union funds, including:
- purchasing merchandise and hundreds of restaurant meals for the International President and his wife in their hometown that were not necessary to conduct union business or benefit the union or its members;
- employing several family members of international officers who received several hundred thousand dollars in salary, reimbursed expenses, unearned vacations, and benefit contributions for minimal or no productive work; and
- paying for dozens of international trips to Europe, Asia, and Australia for large entourages of international officers and employees of the Boilermakers Union, their families, and outside guests whose travel was not necessary to conduct union business or benefit the union or its members.
Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 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; U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District Kansas; Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office; and Denver-St. Louis District Director Christiane Abendroth of the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards made the announcement.
The FBI and Department of Labor are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Vincent Falvo of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra and Jabari Wamble for the District of Kansas are prosecuting the case.
Former Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby Sentenced to Twelve Months of Home Confinement, with Electronic Monitoring and Ordered to Forfeit 90% of Property ValueRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby today sentenced Marilyn J. Mosby, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland to twelve months of home confinement as part of thirty-six months of supervised release, for making a false mortgage application and two counts of perjury. During the first twelve months of her supervised release Judge Griggsby also ordered Mosby to remain on home confinement, with electronic monitoring. Judge Griggsby further ordered forfeiture of 90% of the property purchased with the fraudulently obtained mortgage, including any appreciation. The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
On February 6, 2024, Mosby was convicted on the federal charge of making a false mortgage application when she was Baltimore City State’s Attorney, relating to the purchase of a condominium in Long Boat Key, Florida. Previously, on November 9, 2023, Mosby was convicted on two counts of perjury, relating to the withdrawal of funds from the City of Baltimore’s Deferred Compensation Plan claiming that she suffered adverse financial consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic while she was the Baltimore City State’s Attorney.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and IRS-CI agents for their work in the investigation and thanked the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General for its assistance and invaluable public service. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean R. Delaney and Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, who prosecuted the federal cases.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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