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Thursday 28 March 2024
Arizona Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man faces federal charges for engaging in sexual acts with a child under the age of 12 over a seven-year period. Cedric Martinez, 30, of Round Rock, Arizona, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court for an initial appearance where the Court temporarily detained him pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for March 27, 2024.
The indictment alleges that between May 2009 and May 2012, Martinez engaged in sexual acts with a child who had not yet reached the age of 12 years. It further alleges that between May 2012 and May 2016, Martinez engaged in sexual acts with a child who had attained the age of 12 years, but had not attained the age of 16, by using force, threats, and instilling fear.
Martinez is charged with five counts of aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, Martinez faces a minimum sentence of 30 years up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced the charges today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany DuChaussee and Meg Tomlinson are prosecuting the case.
View the IndictmentAn indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Albuquerque Man Convicted of Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was convicted by a federal jury, after less than 40 minutes of deliberation, of a federal firearms offense after he shot his wife at her workplace.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on Oct. 21, 2022, Maurice Lacey, 65, of Albuquerque, entered the employee breakroom at the Walmart Neighborhood Market located a 4700 Cutler Ave NE in Albuquerque and shot his wife in the back of the head. Lacey then walked to the customer service desk near the front of the store, tossed a black handgun on the counter, and said “I just shot my wife.”
Lacey had been previously convicted of seven felony offenses, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and trafficking controlled substances. The evidence presented at trial proved Lacey knew that he was a convicted felon and therefore he could not legally possess a firearm and ammunition.
The Court ordered that Lacey remain in detention pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Lacey faces up to 15 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Patrick E. Cordova are prosecuting the case.
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Wednesday 27 March 2024
testRead the Press Release
Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Merwin J. “Pete” Wynos (age: 36), a former resident of Keshena and enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, received a sentence of 30 months following a conviction for theft in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 661 and 1153(a).
The sentence, imposed on March 20, 2024, by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of a guilty plea entered by the defendant on January 16, 2024. Wynos will also face three years of supervised release once he completes his sentence.
On September 25, 2023, several companies reported thefts of equipment from the site of the new Menominee Indian High School in Keshena. The resulting investigation by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and Menominee County Sheriff’s Office led to Wynos, who was found to have entered the closed, fenced, and locked construction site during nighttime hours. Wynos used a utility vehicle on the site to transport construction tools and electronics he took from construction trailers to his residence. Wynos attempted to sell some of the items at local pawn shops, which reported their suspicions to the police. Wynos was arrested after being caught with others in a car full of stolen construction tools and, after being released from tribal custody, entered the construction site again on November 25, 2023. Wynos was caught on the site in the middle of taking additional items and was re-arrested. Wynos admitted in court to being responsible for three separate theft incidents on the construction site and will pay over $29,000 in restitution to the victims.
In sentencing the defendant, Judge Griesbach noted the need to punish Wynos for the persistent nature of his crimes. Judge Griesbach said “Stealing from hard working people, especially those building a new school that will help your community, shows a persistent willingness to violate the law” requiring punishment. Judge Griesbach noted the need to show the community that there is a punishment for this sort of behavior.
The Menominee Tribal Police Department, Menominee County Sheriff’s Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case in U.S. District Court in Green Bay.
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Woman Accused of Possessing 11,700 Fentanyl Pills and Other Illicit Drugs with Intent to Distribute is Arrested and IndictedRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today, charging a foreign national living in Utah with multiple drug crimes. The woman allegedly possessed and intended to distribute large amounts of narcotics including heroin, methamphetamine and 11,700 fentanyl pills.
According to court documents, Martha Isela Navarro Chapas, 31, of West Jordan, Utah, and other members of a drug trafficking organization were believed to be distributing large quantities of narcotics in the District of Utah. On March 21, 2024, federal agents with the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force arrested Chapas. Agents advised Chapas they had two search warrants for her residences in West Jordan, Utah. During the arrest, agents also seized approximately 23.35 (package weight) grams of suspected fentanyl pills, approximately 2.05 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive cocaine, and $1,318, that Chapas possessed.
Shortly thereafter, during the execution of the search warrant at the first residence, agents seized 2,287 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive methamphetamine, 953 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive fentanyl, which included an estimated 9,500 pills, and 417 grams (package weight) of field-tested positive heroin.
During the execution of the search warrant at the second residence, agents seized 219 grams (package weight) of suspected fentanyl pills, which contained an estimated 2,200 pills. Agents also seized $25,598.
Navarro Chapas is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Her initial court appearance on the indictment was March 27, 2024, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Seth Nielsen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Williston, ND, Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting Several Minor ChildrenRead the Press Release
Bismarck – United States Attorney Mac Schneider, District of North Dakota, announced that Nicholas Anfin Nesdahl, age 29, from Williston, ND, appeared in Federal court on March 27, 2024, in Bismarck and pleaded guilty before District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor to seven counts of producing or attempting to produce images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors charged in the District of North Dakota and two counts related to producing or attempting to produce and receiving images and videos of minors that were charged out of the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Nesdahl is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24, 2024, is facing 360 to 3,240 months in Federal prison, with a mandatory minimum of 180 months.
Nesdahl’s conduct consisted of himself friending minors using various social networking platforms on the internet. Once his friend request was granted, Nesdahl would begin to groom the minors to produce images and videos of themselves nude or engaging in sexual activity. The activity was first discovered and reported to law enforcement by a parent of two victims located in Pennsylvania, which then resulted in a search of Nesdahl’s residence in Williston, North Dakota. As a result of that search, it was discovered that Nesdahl had victimized at least seven other victims that were located in North Dakota, Minnesota, Maryland, Texas, and New Jersey. The victims ages ranged from 6 to 15 years of age.
“Without the teamwork between our career prosecutors and their partners, this defendant would still be in the community preying on kids,” Schneider said. “While this guilty plea will increase public safety, it is also a reminder of the need to stay vigilant in the effort to protect children. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with state and federal law enforcement to aggressively pursue child predators.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) St. Paul special agents work tirelessly to combat child predators like Nesdahl,” said Jamie Holt, HSI St. Paul Special Agent in Charge. “We will continue to fight against the exploitation of children and support victims by providing critical resources and services. Well done to the HSI special agents in North Dakota and our law enforcement community partners for bringing Nesdahl to justice for his reprehensible crimes.”
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the nation, Project Safe Childhood, in conjunction with Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), help federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communications systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. The ICAC Program is a national network of 61 coordinated task forces engaging in proactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions. Project Safe Childhood also helps to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
For additional resources for survivors or victims, help is available at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) and CyberTipline URL https://report.cybertip.org.
This case is being investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gary Delorme, District of North Dakota.
# # #White Swan Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Carjacking and Violent Assault on the Yakama NationRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Sundron Larsell Miller, age 37, to 25 years in federal prison for Carjacking, Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Assault with Intent to Commit Murder. The Court also sentenced Miller’s codefendant, Paula Eulojia Cantu-Lopez, age 28, to 17 years in federal prison for Carjacking, Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. Chief District Judge Bastian imposed 5 years of federal supervision on both defendants upon their release from custody. Miller and Cantu-Lopez are each from White Swan, Washington.
According to court documents and information presented at trial and the sentencing hearing, Miller and Cantu-Lopez were romantically involved. On December 28, 2021, the victim was with both Miller and Cantu-Lopez driving in the area of Fort Simcoe Road on the Yakama Reservation. The victim was driving her pickup, and Miller began assaulting Cantu-Lopez. When the victim tried to intervene, both Miller and Cantu-Lopez turned and assaulted the victim, who is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation.
During the assault, the victim was pulled out of her own truck, and Miller attempted to shoot the victim with her own rifle. Miller pointed the rifle at the victim’s face, and the victim saw Miller pull the trigger and heard a “clicking “sound. Fortunately, the rifle was unloaded. After attempting to kill the victim, Miller and Cantu-Lopez beat the victim, threw her in the back of the truck and drove her to a residence in White Swan. After arriving at the residence, the victim was again beaten by Miller and Cantu-Lopez.
Ultimately, the victim was able to break away and run for her life. The Yakama Nation Police Department quickly responded and collected evidence of the crimes. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also assisted in the investigation.
Chief District Judge Bastian presided over the trial which began on August 7, 2023. A jury returned verdicts on August 11, 2023.
“The victim in this case suffered horrifying acts of violence. I applaud her bravery in escaping, and her courage to come forward and engage with law enforcement to seek justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I am grateful for our strong partnerships with the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department, the FBI, and community members. By working together, we can continue to build trust and foster safer and stronger communities on Tribal lands and throughout Eastern Washington.”
“The victim in this case was trying to break up an altercation when she became the target of a violent assault.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Fortunately, she was able to escape before being killed by Mr. Miller and Ms. Cantu-Lopez. The FBI is dedicated in working with our partners to put an end to this type of violence on our state’s reservations.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yakama Nation Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Michael Murphy, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
West Mifflin Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug and firearm charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Marcus Valenzi, 35, pleaded guilty before United States Senior District Judge David S. Cercone to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Valenzi was identified as a member of a drug trafficking organization operating within the Western District of Pennsylvania during an investigation conducted by federal and state law enforcement between August 2022 and November 2023. Federal search warrants executed upon residences used by the conspirators in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, firearms, and cellphones. A subsequent federal search warrant executed upon Valenzi’s residence on November 15, 2023, resulted in the seizure of over $16,000, multiple cellphones, and xylazine, a substance used as a cutting agent for fentanyl. A search of Valenzi’s phones revealed communications with a drug customer seeking the return of his firearm. Valenzi, who had a previous felony conviction in Florida for robbery, replied that he had thrown the gun in the river after the raids in McKees Rocks. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for July 18, 2024. The maximum penalty for the drug conspiracy charge is up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1 million fine, or both. The maximum penalty for the firearm charge is a term of imprisonment of up to 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Valenzi.
Virginia Businesswoman Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
A Virginia woman pleaded guilty last week to willfully failing to pay employment taxes to the IRS.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gail Jones, of Dumfries, Virginia, served as Director, Vice President and President of S&G Property Management Inc. (S&G), a parcel delivery service. Between 2013 and 2018, Jones caused income, Social Security and Medicare taxes to be withheld from S&G’s employees. However, Jones did not pay those withholdings to the IRS as she was required to do. Moreover, to thwart potential IRS levies and other collection activities, Jones opened new bank accounts using new Employer Identification Numbers and variations of her business’ name.
In total, Jones caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $950,000.
Additionally, Jones fraudulently applied for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, which were part of a COVID-19 relief program intended to provide loans to certain businesses to help them retain their employees or stay afloat during the pandemic. Jones applied for the loans even though S&G was no longer operating. She fraudulently received $20,800 in loans.
Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Marissa Brodney of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.
Violent offender sentenced for illegally possessing a firearmRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to two years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on Sept. 3, 2022, Richmond police officers stopped a car for speeding and running a stop sign. An officer observed an open liquor bottle in the backseat and asked the driver to step out of the car. As the driver got out of the car, she told the officer she was sitting on a firearm. The officers asked John Edward Mason III, 36, who was in the passenger seat, to get out of the car. During a protective sweep of the car, the officers found a loaded 9mm handgun under Mason’s seat.
In 2009, Mason was convicted of hit and run resulting in personal injury after driving into a man with his car. In 2011, Mason was convicted of malicious wounding after hitting a man in the face with a brick. As a previously convicted felon, Mason cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition. Mason’s release from supervised probation was less than six months from the date officers found him in possession of a firearm.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Craig Kailimai, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Wright and Peter Duffey prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-78.
UPS employee heads to prison for concealing cocaine in packagesRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 50-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Orlando Candelario Almanza pleaded guilty Oct. 23, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Almanza to serve a total of 75 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about Almanza’s high ranking position at UPS. He was not only a driver but was also responsible for delivering packages directly to UPS carrier airplanes for outbound delivery. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Almanza played a key role in the drug trafficking organization.
“Almanza chose to break not only the trust of his company but that of the community,” said Hamdani. “These men chose to help drug traffickers, in the end causing them to trade their brown uniforms for orange jumpsuits.”
Almanza was a UPS employee of over 20 years and used his knowledge to help circumvent security protocols and ship the cocaine filled packages on behalf of drug traffickers.
Law enforcement seized several packages of cocaine from across the country which were traced back to the McAllen UPS facility and to Almanza and another employee - Fidencio Salinas Jr.
In October 2022, after several months of investigation, authorities observed Almanza receive a package from drug traffickers while on shift. The package was destined for Tennessee and contained 10 kilograms of cocaine.
Drug traffickers paid Almanza approximately $300-$500 dollars per cocaine-filled package shipped.
Salinas Jr., 51, Pharr, a UPS employee for over seven years, previously received 27 months in federal prison.
Almanza was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration along with FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Resolves Disability Discrimination Investigation of Public Swimming PoolRead the Press Release
DETROIT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan resolved its investigation of the City of Trenton’s Kennedy Aquatic Center. The U.S. Attorney’s Office received a complaint alleging that the Kennedy Aquatic Center staff did not allow an individual who has a disability to use a water slide. The complainant is a capable swimmer; however, she has a disability that affects her stature. The U.S. Attorney’s Office investigated the complaint and successfully reached a settlement with the City of Trenton.
In the settlement agreement, the City of Trenton agreed to fully comply with the non-discrimination requirements of Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The ADA protects the rights of all individuals, regardless of disability, to fully and equally enjoy the benefits of the services, programs, or activities offered by public entities, which includes recreational centers and programs operated by state and local governments.
The settlement agreement requires the Kennedy Aquatic Center to adopt ADA policies to ensure that accommodations and modifications are made to allow people who have disabilities access to the recreational services offered at the Aquatic Center. For example, the settlement agreement requires the Aquatic Center to allow individuals who cannot meet the slide’s height requirement because of a disability to use the slide so long as they can demonstrate appropriate water safety skills.
“My office will vigorously protect the rights of individuals who have disabilities, especially children, to fully participate in our communities. Here, a child who simply wanted to enjoy all aspects of the local pool with friends and family was denied that opportunity because of a disability,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “I applaud the City of Trenton for its willingness to protect those opportunities in the future.”
The investigation was led by AUSA Michael El-Zein of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, a member of the Civil Rights Unit. The full and fair enforcement of the ADA is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan was established in 2010 with the mission of prioritizing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, including a copy of the agreement, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/programs/civil-rights.
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or experienced a civil rights violation can submit a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office by email at [email protected] or by phone at (313) 226-9151. Complaints can also be submitted to the Civil Rights Division through its complaint portal.
U.S. Attorney Dena J. King Joins State and Local Officials to Highlight Efforts to Combat the Fentanyl EpidemicRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – This morning, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King joined North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, local law enforcement officials and other partners to raise awareness about the fentanyl epidemic and highlight efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in our communities.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center in Charlotte, U.S. Attorney King said that federal prosecutors are focusing on disrupting and dismantling large trafficking organizations responsible for supplying the bulk of fentanyl distributed throughout the Western District of North Carolina, and holding accountable individuals who sell lethal substances like fentanyl, causing serious bodily injuries, drug poisonings, and overdose deaths. U.S. Attorney King emphasized the importance of working with government agencies, law enforcement, and organizations dedicated to the provision of services for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery to support communities across Western North Carolina.
“Families should not have to face this crisis alone,” said U.S. Attorney King. “My Office is committed to supporting our communities and our law enforcement partners through this crisis and bringing to justice those responsible for poisoning our friends, our neighbors, and our loved ones. Together, we will fight against this epidemic to free our communities from its deadly grip and make funding available to support vital prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.”
“The fentanyl crisis is devastating our people, and we need everyone at the table working together to combat fentanyl trafficking,” said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein. “I’m grateful to U.S. Attorney King and her office for their partnership in the Fentanyl Task Force and other efforts to hold drug traffickers accountable.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and remains the deadliest drug threat in the United States. Laboratory testing indicates 7 out of 10 pills seized by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. According to the DEA, in 2023, the agency seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. That’s equivalent to more than 376.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl - enough to kill every American across the country. So far this year, the 2024 fentanyl seizures represent over 82.6 million deadly doses.
For information and resources related to substance use disorder, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit the online treatment locator.
U.S. Attorney Cunha Appointed to Serve on Attorney General’s Advisory CommitteeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has appointed U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC).
The AGAC was created in 1973 and advises the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the nation’s 94 U.S. Attorneys Offices, and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorneys on essential matters facing the Department of Justice. U.S. Attorney Cunha is the third United States Attorney for Rhode Island to have been asked to serve in this role, following former Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Lincoln C. Almond, who served on the AGAC at the time of its creation, as did former U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha during his tenure in office.
“I am deeply honored to be asked to serve alongside my distinguished colleagues on the AGAC,” said United States Attorney Cunha. “The work of the United States Attorneys is critical to the safety and vitality of the districts in which we serve, and I am grateful for the opportunity to advise the Attorney General and engage with the Department of Justice’s senior leadership on the ways in which we can best deliver justice in and for all of our communities.”
U.S. Attorney Cunha will serve alongside chair Damian Williams of the Southern District of New York, vice chair Gary Restaino of the District of Arizona, and members Breon Peace of the Eastern District of New York, Matthew Graves of District of Columbia, Kenneth Parker of the Southern District of Ohio, Natalie K. Wight of the District of Oregon, Eric G. Olshan of the Western District of Pennsylvania, Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia, Rachelle Crowe of the Southern District of Illinois, Alamdar S. Hamdani of the Southern District of Texas, Alexander M.M. Uballez of the District of New Mexico, Jill Steinberg of the Southern District of Georgia, and Andrew M. Luger of the District of Minnesota.
President Biden nominated Cunha to serve as U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island on September 28, 2021, on the recommendation of U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on Dec. 7, 2021, and he was sworn into office on Dec. 13, 2021. As U.S. Attorney, Cunha serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer in Rhode Island, responsible for prosecuting and defending the interests of the United States in the federal court.
Mr. Cunha has served in the Department of Justice since 2005, when he was appointed as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York; he later served as a prosecutor in the District of Massachusetts before joining the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2013, where he held various roles, including Chief of the Civil Division, prior to his appointment as U.S. Attorney in 2021.
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Two sent to prison after drug trafficking in local parking lotRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – Two Mission men have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Eddie Perez, 29, and Juan Alberto Mendez Jr., 29, pleaded guilty April 24, 2023, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 20 kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now imposed a 120-month-term of imprisonment for Perez, while Mendez received 96 months. Both must also serve five and three years of supervised release, respectively, following their sentences. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about the criminal history of Perez including his three prior felony convictions.
In October 2022, Perez was to deliver narcotics to another individual on behalf of his friend Mendez.
Authorities conducted surveillance at a Best Buy parking lot in McAllen in anticipation of the narcotics deal. They saw vehicles approach, after which Perez removed bags containing bricks of cocaine from the trunk of his vehicle.
Mendez was parked in another vehicle with his wife and six children observing the transaction.
Law enforcement approached arrested Perez and Mendez and immediately seized a total of 20 kilograms of cocaine.
A subsequent search of Mendez home yielded another kilogram of cocaine.
Mendez was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Perez has been and will remain in custody.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
Two Peruvian Nationals Charged with Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses Related to Distraction Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging ANGEL GIANCARLO BELLIDO COSIO, also known as “Jesus Requejo,” 34, a citizen of Peru last residing in Paterson, New Jersey, and ANGEL EUGENIO BANCES CHAPONAN, 60, a citizen of Peru last residing in Queens, New York, with credit card fraud and identity theft offenses.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and elsewhere have been investigating a series of distraction thefts of wallets from victims at Trader Joe’s grocery stores and other retail stores. The investigation revealed that Bellido Cosio and Bances Chaponan rented vehicles using a fraudulent passport, traveled throughout the U.S., stole wallets from unwary victims at Trader Joe’s and other stores, and then used the victims’ credit and debit cards to purchase electronic devices and other items.
Bellido Cosio and Bances Chaponan were arrested on March 13, 2024, and are currently detained.
The indictment charges Bellido Cosio and Bances Chaponan with access device fraud, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and with aggravated identity theft, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Manchester (Conn.) Police Department, the Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department, the Spartanburg County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Office, and the Spartanburg Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Nathan J. Guevremont.
Three sentenced in deadly home robberyRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas - Three South Texas men have been sentenced following their conviction for a home invasion that led to the death of a homeowner, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Juan Antonio Moreno, 41, and Jesse Joe Mata, 32, both of Donna; and Alberto Vela, 43, Mercedes, pleaded guilty Aug. 4, 2012, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Moreno to serve a 115-month-term of imprisonment for the drug charge in addition to another 120 months for the firearms offense which must be served consecutively for a total 235-month federal prison sentence. Mata received a total of 212 months, while Vela was ordered to serve 12 years. His prison sentence will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release while the other two serve four years.
“For most of us, our homes are our sanctuaries,” said Hamdani. “We could never imagine, not for one moment, armed gang members breaking down doors and shooting us to death in such a sacred place. This case illustrates how the dirty, greedy and violent business of drug trafficking takes no prisoners and has no redeeming value. Our office will not rest until we can put drug traffickers out of business and eradicate this type of violence from our communities.”
“Our citizens deserve to feel safe in their homes, and the violent acts committed by the defendants in this case deprive everyone in the community of that right,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. “We would like to thank our partners with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), McAllen Police Department (MPD), Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) for their collective efforts to ensure every person has the opportunity to live and work in a safe community.”
Moreno had contacted members of the Tri-City Bombers, a violent criminal enterprise, to assist him and the others a home invasion to steal marijuana he believed was stored in the home.
On April 12, 2012, Moreno, Mata, Vela and others broke into the Edinburg residence. The homeowner was present and confronted them with a firearm. A struggle ensued and the homeowner was shot and killed. Vela was also shot.
FBI led the OCDETF investigation with the assistance of TABC, MPD and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.
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 on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anibal J. Alaniz and Casey N. MacDonald prosecuted the case.
Thoreau Woman Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree MurderRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Second defendant pleads guilty to the brutal 2020 murder of a Gamerco, New Mexico woman. Stacey Yellowhorse, 53, of Thoreau, New Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to second degree murder.
Yellowhorse’s co-defendant, Timothy Chischilly, pleaded guilty in federal court to second-degree murder on Feb. 6, 2024.
According to court documents, on Jan. 23, 2020, Yellowhorse and her then boyfriend, Chischilly, invited Jane Doe over to their house in Mexican Springs, New Mexico. During the night, Yellowhorse and Chischilly restrained Jane Doe and bludgeoned her to death. Afterwards, Yellowhorse and Chischilly burned Jane Doe’s remains.
The Court ordered that Yellowhorse remain in detention pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Yellowhorse faces up to life in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
Per the terms of her plea agreement, Yellowhorse faces 10 to 20 years at sentencing.
There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Gallup Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Brawley and Tavo Hall are prosecuting the case.
View the Plea Agreement# # #
Tennessee Man Indicted for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that BART GREEN, age 62, of Nashville, Tennessee, was indicted on March 22, 2024 for Bank Robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).
According to the indictment, on or about March 1, 2024, GREEN robbed a Regions Bank in New Orleans, Louisiana. GREEN obtained approximately $2000 in the robbery.
If convicted, GREEN faces up to twenty years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
United States Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on the Convictions of Three Lev Tahor Leaders of Child Exploitation and Kidnapping OffensesRead the Press Release
“Yoil Weingarten, Yakov Weingarten, and Shmiel Weingarten, leaders of Lev Tahor, an extremist Jewish sect based in Guatemala, have been found guilty of kidnapping a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl and transporting the 14-year-old girl outside the United States to continue a sexual relationship with her adult male ‘husband.’ With this verdict, all nine Lev Tahor leaders and operatives charged for these heinous crimes have been held accountable. The defendants’ conduct — which included forced child marriages, physical beatings, and family separations — is unthinkable and has caused irreparable harm to children in their formative years. Whether in the name of religion or any other belief system, subjecting children to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse will never be tolerated by this Office.”
Seventh Correctional Officer at Federal Facility in Dublin, California, Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Abuse of Female PrisonersRead the Press Release
A former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution Dublin (FCI Dublin), where he supervised prisoners, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for sexually abusing five inmates at FCI Dublin. This is the seventh correctional officer to be sentenced in connection with the wide-ranging investigation into sexual abuse of the inmates in the prison.
Nakie Nunley, 48, of Fairfield, California, pleaded guilty on Sep. 5, 2023 to four counts of sexual abuse of a ward, five counts of abusive sexual contact, and one count of making false statements in connection with the investigation into abuse allegations at FCI Dublin. In addition to admitting he was guilty of crimes related to his sexual acts and sexual contacts with five separate women, Nunley also describes in his plea agreement how he engaged in sexual acts with two other inmates and how he lied to Justice Department Office of Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) agents who were investigating allegations regarding his conduct.
“Nakie Nunley egregiously exploited his authority by sexually abusing multiple incarcerated women and then retaliating against those who blew the whistle,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As today’s sentence shows, the Justice Department will hold accountable officials who abuse their authority to harm those they are sworn to protect — and will not tolerate retaliation against victims.”
“Rooting out injustice in prisons is difficult work,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “But we will not shy away from the task. I want to thank the DOJ-OIG and the FBI for their continued partnership in prosecuting this case. With their help, we will ensure that prison personnel who violate the rights of inmates are held accountable.”
“Today’s sentencing holds Nunley accountable for his heinous abuse of his authority by sexually assaulting multiple inmates under his custody and care, and retaliating against his victims by threatening to take away their UNICOR jobs and transfer them to another facility,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz. of DOJ-OIG “The DOJ-OIG will continue to aggressively investigate sexual abuse at FCI Dublin and across the Federal Bureau of Prisons.”
"The defendant sexually assaulted multiple female inmates, disregarding their dignity and violating his responsibilities as a corrections officer,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s dedication to investigating civil rights violations and holding accountable any corrections officers who abuse their authority."
At the time that Nunley abused his victims, he was assigned to supervise prisoners who worked for UNICOR, a trade name for the federal prison industries. All of Nunley’s victims worked at the UNICOR call center at the time he abused them.
According to his plea agreement, Nunley admitted that, between March 2020 and November 2021, he engaged in sexual acts with two prisoners, including having oral and vaginal sex with one victim and digitally penetrating another victim on multiple occasions. He also admitted that he was guilty of crimes related to his illegal sexual contacts with three other prisoners.
In addition to his conduct with the five victims that resulted in criminal charges, Nunley admitted he sexually abused two additional prisoners and engaged in inappropriate conduct with multiple other prisoners who worked at UNICOR. With respect to one victim, Nunley admitted he digitally penetrated her vagina and caused her to touch his penis under his pants, resulting in him ejaculating in her hand. Further, Nunley admitted he caused another victim to perform oral sex on him. Moreover, Nunley wrote sexual notes to one of his victims and made sexual comments to multiple additional victims.
Nunley’s plea agreement also describes how he retaliated against prisoners who complained about his conduct. For example, the plea agreement describes how one of his victims approached Nunley about his conduct towards another victim. In response, Nunley threatened her by telling her she could get transferred to another facility and that she could lose her job. Similarly, Nunley admitted that he told another victim that if she wanted to keep her job at UNICOR, she needed to pull down her underwear and bend over. When she complied, Nunley slapped her buttocks several times.
In addition to admitting he engaged in illegal and improper conduct towards prisoners, Nunley also admitted in his plea agreement that he lied to federal investigators about sexually abusing his victims and about sending one of his victims sexually explicit notes.
DOJ-OIG and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Priedeman and Andrew Paulson for the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Legal Assistant Kay Konopaske.
Seventh Correctional Officer at Federal Facility in Dublin California Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Abuse of Female PrisonersRead the Press Release
OAKLAND – Nakie Nunley, a former correctional officer at FCI Dublin where he supervised prisoners, has been ordered to serve 72 months on prison for sexually abusing five inmates at the Federal Correctional Institute Dublin (FCI Dublin). This is the seventh correctional officer to be sentenced in connection with the wide-ranging investigation into sexual abuse of the inmates in the prison. The sentence was handed down by the Hon. Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, United States District Judge.
Nunley, 48, of Fairfield, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charges on September 5, 2023. Specifically, Nunley pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual abuse of a ward, five counts of abusive sexual contact, and one count of making false statements in connection with the investigation into abuse allegations at FCI Dublin. In addition to admitting he was guilty of crimes related to his sexual acts and sexual contacts with five separate women, Nunley also describes in his plea agreement how he engaged in sexual acts with two other inmates and how he lied to federal investigators who were investigating allegations regarding his conduct.
“Nakie Nunley egregiously exploited his authority by sexually abusing multiple incarcerated women and then retaliating against those who blew the whistle,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As today’s sentence shows, the Justice Department will hold accountable officials who abuse their authority to harm those they are sworn to protect — and will not tolerate retaliation against victims.”
“Rooting out injustice in prisons is difficult work,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey, “but we will not shy away from the task. I want to thank the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the FBI for their continued partnership in prosecuting this case. With their help, we will ensure that prison personnel who violate the rights of inmates are held accountable.”
“Today’s sentencing holds Nunley accountable for his heinous abuse of his authority by sexually assaulting multiple inmates under his custody and care, and retaliating against his victims by threatening to take away their UNICOR jobs and transfer them to another facility. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate sexual abuse at FCI Dublin and across the Federal Bureau of Prisons,” said Department of Justice Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz.
“This sentence is the result of the tireless efforts by the FBI and our partners to bring to justice Dublin FCI corrections officers and personnel who abused their positions to commit deplorable crimes,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “We continue to work with our partners to protect the safety and civil rights of all individuals and hold public servants accountable when they violate the law and betray public trust.”
At the time that Nunley abused his victims, he was assigned to supervise prisoners who worked for UNICOR, a trade name for the federal prison industries. All of Nunley’s victims worked at the UNICOR call center at the time he abused them.
According to his plea agreement, Nunley admitted that between March 2020 and November 2021, he engaged in sexual acts with two prisoners, including having oral and vaginal sex with one victim and digitally penetrating another victim on multiple occasions. He also admitted that he was guilty of crimes related to his illegal sexual contacts with three other prisoners.
Further, in addition to his conduct with the five victims that resulted in criminal charges, Nunley admitted he sexually abused two additional prisoners and engaged in inappropriate conduct with multiple other prisoners who worked at UNICOR. With respect to one victim, Nunley admitted he digitally penetrated her vagina and caused her to touch his penis under his pants, resulting in him ejaculating in her hand. Further, Nunley admitted he caused another victim to perform oral sex on him. Moreover, Nunley wrote sexual notes to one of his victims and made sexual comments to multiple additional victims.
Nunley’s plea agreement also describes how he retaliated against prisoners who complained about his conduct. For example, the plea agreement describes how one of his victims approached Nunley about his conduct towards another victim. In response, Nunley threatened her by telling her she could get transferred to another facility and that she could lose her job. Similarly, Nunley admitted that he told another victim that if she wanted to keep her job at UNICOR, she needed to pull down her underwear and bend over. When she complied, Nunley slapped her buttocks several times.
In addition to admitting he engaged in illegal and improper conduct towards prisoners, Nunley also admitted in his plea agreement that he lied to federal investigators about sexually abusing his victims and about sending one of his victims sexually explicit notes.
In sum, Nunley was charged by information with four counts of sexual abuse of a ward, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2243(b); five counts of abusive sexual contact, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4); and one count of making false statements to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2). He pleaded guilty to all counts.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Priedeman and Andrew Paulson are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kay Konopaske. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the FBI.
Second Kern County Resident Pleads Guilty to Distributing ExplosivesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Michael Roy Anglin, 22, of Wofford Heights, entered a guilty plea today to distributing explosives to a non-licensed person, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, in May 2023, Vigneault and Michael Roy Anglin, 21, of Wofford Heights, sold and delivered six full boxes and one partial box of Hydromite 880, an explosive, weighing approximately 350 pounds to a non-licensed person. Neither Vigneault, Anglin, nor the buyer were licensed to handle or transport explosives as required by federal law. Anglin knew that the Hydromite 880 was stolen from Austin Powder West LLC. The boxes containing the explosives were labeled “Explosive, Blasting, Type E” and “Blasting Agent.” The sticks of Hydromite 880 were also individually labeled “Danger” and “Explosive.” Hydromite is a high explosive containing ammonium nitrate and is used as a blasting agent.
Austin Powder West LLC, a licensed explosives manufacturer, confirmed that 295 sticks of Hydromite, weighing 702 pounds, went missing from its Lake Isabella storage facility sometime in May 2023. The missing explosives included the boxes that Anglin and Vigneault sold. The value of the unrecovered explosives is $7,603.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.
Anglin is scheduled for sentencing in federal court on July 29, 2024. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 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. Vigneault previously entered a guilty plea and is scheduled for sentencing on May 20, 2024.
Repeat felon pleads guilty to federal drug and firearms chargesRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to court documents, on Sept. 19, 2023, Richmond Police Narcotics Detectives and the Virginia State Police Tactical Team executed a search warrant at the residence of Errez Tekel Perry, 30. After there was no response when the team knocked and announced, the team breached the door and entered the residence. Perry ran from the front door area toward the rear of the house, ignoring the team’s commands, and was taken into custody.
Investigators recovered two semi-automatic firearms, ammunition, two drum ammunition magazines, approximately 64 grams of cocaine, packages of Suboxone, baggies with numerous pills, several baggies with approximately 200 grams of suspected marijuana, baggies with residue, digital scales, a cash counter, and two cellphones.
Perry had been convicted previously of felony drug trafficking, felony drug possession, possession of a firearm with Schedule I and II controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. As a previously convicted felon, Perry could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
Perry is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division; Rick Edwards, Chief of Richmond Police; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent, made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted the plea.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia L. Norman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen Hubbard, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:23-cr-163.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident who is a registered sex offender was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 10 years in prison to be followed by 35 years of supervised release for unlawful possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his cell phone.
According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) forwarded a CyberTip to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department that a user uploaded 30 files containing CSAM. On September 30, 2021, William Spahr – a sex offender who was convicted of lewdness with a child under the age of 14 in Clark County – was arrested for failing to register his current address which is required under the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act. A forensic examination of Spahr’s cell phone revealed that he had a total of 33 images of CSAM on the device.
In October 2023, Spahr pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. An Assistant United States Attorney prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.
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Portland Area Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A local drug trafficker who sourced large quantities of fentanyl from out-of-state contacts with ties to Mexican cartels for redistribution and sale in the Portland area and directed the transport and sale of firearms was sentenced to federal prison today.
Francisco Moncada, 28, who maintained residences in Portland and Vancouver, Washington, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.
According to court documents, in October 2021, special agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Portland District Office began investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in the Portland area and parts of Washington State. In April 2022, investigators learned that Moncada, who was later determined to be a manager within the drug trafficking organization, was communicating with multiple Portland area drug traffickers to discuss fentanyl sourcing.
On April 18, 2022, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle being used by Moncada and several associates to transport approximately 15 pounds of fentanyl. Just under two weeks later, on April 28, 2022, officers stopped Moncada a second time and seized an additional 10 pounds of fentanyl. Within days, investigators also obtained information that Moncada had instructed other members of his organization to sell various firearms.
On May 20, 2022, investigators searched Moncada’s Portland and Vancouver residences and seized seven firearms and two pounds of fentanyl. Between October 2021 and August 2022, investigators located and seized 50 pounds of fentanyl, 40 pounds of methamphetamine, and smaller quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from Moncada and his associates, and made 16 arrests connected to their organization.
On May 21, 2022, Moncada and three others were charged my federal criminal complaint with conspiring with one another to possess and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. On June 14, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Moncada and eight associates for conspiring with one another to distribute fentanyl. Moncada was also charged with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On December 20, 2023, Moncada became the tenth member of his organization to plead guilty and, today, becomes the seventh member to be sentenced to federal prison. Four others are awaiting sentencing, and one is a fugitive.
This case was investigated by DEA with assistance from the FBI Vancouver Resident Agency, Vancouver Police Department, Oregon State Police, Oregon City Police Department and Washington State Department of Corrections. It was prosecuted by Bryan Chinwuba, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
This prosecution is the result 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 U.S. 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.
Owner of Massage Parlors Offering Commercial Sex Federally ChargedRead the Press Release
A massage parlor owner whose employees offered illicit commercial sex has been federally charged, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Shaoping Wen, 64, and her associate, Xu Wang, 41, were charged via criminal complaint with conspiracy to use interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises. They were arrested in New Mexico on March 21 and made their initial appearances in Las Cruces Wednesday. They are now awaiting removal to Lubbock to face justice in a Northern District of Texas federal court.
According to the complaint, Ms. Wen allegedly owned and operated at least seven massage parlors where Asian women engaged in commercial sex. Mr. Wang, who identified himself as Ms. Wen’s son, allegedly operated the parlors on her behalf when Ms. Wen was out of state.
On at least 10 occasions between June 2023 and February 2024, undercover officers purchased $60 massages at Ms. Wen’s parlors in Texas and New Mexico. The officers were generally greeted by lingerie-clad women who allegedly agreed to have sex with them for an additional fee of between $140 and $200. Several of the women allegedly used translation apps to negotiate sexual services.
When the women were arrested for prostitution, they identified themselves as Chinese citizens and listed their occupation as simply, “laborer.” On multiple occasions, Ms. Wen or Mr. Wang allegedly showed up to pay the arrested women’s cash bond.
Officers also observed Ms. Wen’s vehicle transporting Asian females directly from the airport to her massage parlors. Neighbors said the women never left the building. Searches of the premises revealed beds placed on the floors, suggesting the women lived at the massage parlors.
On at least one occasion, a passerby heard a woman screaming and entered the parlor to check-in. He reported seeing three women between the ages of 30 and 50 dressed in provocative clothing.
Officers found the massage parlors advertised on sites often used to advertise commercial sex. The ads included photos of partially naked women and promoted “100% sexy” girls who “like to spend time with nice upscale gentlemen.” They advertised the “girlfriend experience,” “porn star experience,” and “fantasy outfits on request.”
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, Ms. Wen and Mr. Wang face up to five years in federal prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency, Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Lubbock Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, HSI’s Albuquerque Field Office, the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Wolfforth Police Department, the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, the Carlsbad Police Department, the Roswell Police Department, the Clovis Police Department, the Roswell Fire Department, the Carlsbad Fire Department, the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam is prosecuting the case.
Omaha Man Sentenced for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dominique Boyd, age 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 27, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for failure to register as a sex offender. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Boyd to 18 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Boyd’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Boyd has a lifetime registration requirement to register as a sex offender due to a 2010 conviction for Attempted Sexual Assault in the First Degree in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. Boyd had previously registered as a sex offender in the state of Nebraska and moved to the state of Michigan in February 2023. Between May 13th and August 8th of 2023, Boyd returned to Nebraska from Michigan and failed to update his sex offender registration as required.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
Omaha Man Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Program FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Richard L. Kelly, 61, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 27, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for wire fraud. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Kelly to 5 years’ probation and ordered him to pay $196,029.15 in restitution, which reflects the balance remaining after a payment of $9,831.00 was applied before sentencing. As a condition of probation, Kelly must pay at least $1,000 per month toward restitution.
During 2020 and 2021, Kelly, assisted by another person, submitted applications for Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program loans. Those loan programs were created or expanded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The applications misrepresented how much Kelly’s business had paid employees in past compensation and how much revenue Kelly’s business had received, resulting in applications for significantly inflated loan amounts under the PPP and EIDL programs. The PPP applications were supported by false tax documents. The fraudulent applications on behalf of Kelly sought loans totaling approximately $675,094, and he obtained $189,997.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General.
Ocean County Man Admits Conspiring with Convicted Ponzi Schemer and Others to Defraud Investors of Tens of Millions of Dollars and Obstruct JusticeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, man today admitted conspiring with Eliyahu “Eli” Weinstein, whose 24-year federal prison sentence was commuted after being twice convicted of defrauding investors of a total of $230 million, and others to defraud investors of more than $35 million in a new fraud scheme and to obstruct justice, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Joel Wittels, 57, of Lakewood, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, and one count of conspiracy to engage in the unlicensed wholesale distribution of prescription drugs.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“Wittels scammed innocent victims into handing over their money by hiding a twice-convicted fraudster’s identity and capitalizing on the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and even shortages of baby formula. Instead of investing the money in legitimate ventures, Wittels and his conspirators took it and used some of it to pay off other investors in a classic Ponzi scheme.”
Three of Wittels’ conspirators, Christopher Anderson, 47, and Richard Curry, 36, and Alaa Hattab, 35, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and are awaiting sentencing. Charges are still pending against Wittels’ conspirators, Weinstein, Aryeh “Ari” Bromberg, and Shlomo Erez.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Weinstein was convicted twice in New Jersey federal court for defrauding investors. His first case involved a real estate Ponzi scheme, and his second case stemmed from additional fraud Weinstein committed while on pretrial release. For these crimes, which resulted in combined losses to investors of approximately $230 million, Weinstein was sentenced to serve 24 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On Jan. 19, 2021, after Weinstein had served less than eight years, the President of the United States at that time commuted Weinstein’s term to time served, leaving intact the rest of his sentence.
Soon after being released from prison, Weinstein began orchestrating a new scheme to solicit money from investors through a company called Optimus Investments Inc. (Optimus). Using the fake name “Mike Konig,” Weinstein ran Optimus with Bromberg and Wittels.
Weinstein, Bromberg, and Wittels received the bulk of investor money through a second company, Tryon Management Group LLC, which was owned and controlled by Anderson and Curry. Tryon promised these individual investors – consisting mostly of friends and family – lucrative opportunities to invest in deals involving COVID-19 masks, scarce baby formula, and first-aid kits supposedly bound for wartime Ukraine. Posing as Mike Konig, Weinstein provided information for these supposed deals. Based on that information, investors gave money to Tryon, believing the deals were legitimate and not knowing about Weinstein’s involvement. In turn, Tryon transferred those funds to Optimus.
In February 2022, almost immediately after Tryon and Optimus started receiving investor money, Tryon was unable to pay its investors. Rather than reveal this information to investors, the conspirators agreed to pool money from existing investors of both Optimus and Tryon and use it to make monthly payments to other investors in a Ponzi-like fashion. The conspirators concealed this arrangement from investors by falsely telling investors that the payments derived from legitimate investment returns, not other investors’ money.
In August 2022, the conspirators had a series of meetings in which Weinstein revealed his true identity to Anderson and Curry. In these meetings, at least two of which included Wittels, Weinstein also admitted to making various false statements about purported Optimus deals and to misappropriating Tryon investor money. Both during and after these August 2022 meetings, the conspirators agreed to continue concealing Weinstein’s identity from investors and to raise additional money to pay off existing Tryon investors, all in an effort to stop the Ponzi Scheme from falling apart and to cover up the conspirators’ fraud.
In addition to defrauding investors, Wittels also conspired with Weinstein, Bromberg, and others to obstruct justice. They helped hide Weinstein’s assets that should have been used to pay over $200 million in restitution that he still owes his previous victims. They also concealed Weinstein’s myriad business activities, which he was required to disclose to the court and which were expressly prohibited by the terms of his supervised release.
Wittels also engaged in a separate criminal conspiracy with Curry and others to distribute wholesale quantities of prescription drugs, including insulin, on the secondary market without a wholesale license.
The conspiracy charges are each punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a maximum fine of either $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations’ Metro Washington Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George Scavdis, with the investigation leading to the charges in this case. He also expressed appreciation for the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the direction of Antonia Apps, Director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Silane, Jonathan Fayer, and Marko Pesce, of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegatioins against Weinstein, Bromberg, and Erez are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
wittels.information.pdfNew Haven Man Admits Stealing and Selling Catalytic ConvertersRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL ALMODOVAR, also known as “Eme ElColorado,” 30, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to offenses related to his participation in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement has been investigating the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut. A catalytic converter contains precious metals, can easily be removed from its vehicle, and is difficult to trace, making it a desirable target for thieves. The average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component.
The investigation revealed that Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC (“Downpipe Depot”), which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford, purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, including Almodovar, and then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey.
Business records seized during the investigation revealed that, between March 2022 and May 2022, Downpipe Depot paid Almodovar $34,445 for catalytic converters. In one incident, while Almodovar was in the process of stealing a catalytic converter from a car parked in a parking lot, he was interrupted by a witness who used his cellphone take pictures of Almodovar. Almodovar attacked the witness, smashed his car window, cut him with the saw he used to steal the converter, and then fled. The next day, Almodovar sold six converters to Downpipe Depot in exchange for $2,180.
Almodovar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for June 18.
Almodovar was arrested on November 28, 2023. He is detained pending sentencing.
This investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and the East Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and A. Reed Durham.
Nampa Man Sentenced to over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute 10 Pounds of FentanylRead the Press Release
BOISE – Tyler Watson, 40, of Nampa, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for possessing ten pounds of fentanyl with intent to distribute it to others, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.
According to court records, Watson was a mid-level fentanyl distributor for a large drug trafficking organization with direct ties to Mexico. Watson locally sold approximately $15,000 worth of fentanyl pills and powder on a weekly basis. When he was arrested on June 7, 2022, he had four and a half kilos (approximately ten pounds) of fentanyl powder, 74.63 grams of fentanyl in pill form (approximately 750 pills), 55 grams of methamphetamine, and $8,608 in drug proceeds.
“With our law enforcement partners, our office will continue to vigorously pursue fentanyl traffickers,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “A tiny amount of fentanyl is considered a lethal dose, and in this case, it is estimated that the defendant possessed enough fentanyl to theoretically kill 439,000 people. The magnitude of this threat is sobering, but cases like this demonstrate that, together, law enforcement is rising to the challenge of keeping Idahoans safe.”
“The Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners will work tirelessly to stop drug traffickers like Mr. Watson from dealing their poison in our communities,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The lengthy prison term that Mr. Watson received should serve as a warning to those who would seek to destroy others’ lives for their own financial gain because, if they do, we will find them and bring them to justice.”
“Collaboration and teamwork with local, state, and federal partners is necessary to keep the pressure on drug dealers,” said Nampa Police Chief Joe Huff. “These criminals need to understand we’re working together all of the time, and on every level, to keep the Treasure Valley safe. I’m very proud of the work that’s happening in my community.”
“This case illustrates the sheer magnitude of dangerous, illicit drugs with direct ties to Mexico and the Mexican Drug Cartels that are in our communities and on our streets here in Idaho,” said Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue. “And this is just one example. We must continue working collaboratively with our local, state, and federal partners to enforce the rule of law and stop this blatant criminality. The very safety of our republic depends on it.”
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Watson to pay a $1,000 fine and to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Watson pled guilty to the charge on November 13, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force consisting of officers from the United States Marshals Service, the United States Probation Office, the Nampa Police Department, the Boise Police Department, the Meridian Police Department, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Correction Probation and Parole. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Mobile Man Sentenced to 300 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 240 months in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine and a consecutive 60 months in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, Edward Duran McGee, 42, was arrested by Mobile police in July 2021 during a traffic stop. As officers approached the vehicle, they saw drug paraphernalia in the door pocket and an open bag of white powder on the passenger side floorboard. During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded Kahr CW40 pistol. Officers also found a black digital scale, four bags of green plant material, two large bags of powder cocaine, one large bag of crack cocaine, and a large bag of assorted pills.
In addition to the 300-month prison sentence, United States District Judge William H. Steele ordered McGee to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Steele ordered McGee to pay $200 in special assessments and forfeited McGee’s pistol and four rounds of ammunition to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis F. Peral and Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Middlesex County Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Embezzling $2.37 Million from his Employer while the Controller of CompanyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J.– A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to 27 months in prison for his role in a scheme to embezzle $2.37 million from his employer while his was the company’s controller, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Gerard Beauzile, 63, South Plainfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before former Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson, an indictment charging him with one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp imposed the sentence on March 26, 2024, in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
From 2014 through December 2020, Beauzile abused his position as controller of a New York-based company to embezzle funds by issuing fraudulent company checks to himself and then depositing those checks into his bank account for his own personal benefit. Beauzile issued approximately 140 company checks to himself with a total value of $2.37 million. Beauzile concealed the theft from the company by falsely entering the fraudulent checks into the company’s accounting system under various company vendor names as the payees, causing the accounting system to falsely reflect that the checks were made payable to company vendors instead of to Beauzile. He also falsified vendor invoices to correspond to the entries made in the accounting system, and company bank statements by removing and altering opening, running, and closing balances, check payment entries, summary check listings, and inter-account transfers.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Beauzile to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $2.37 million and forfeiture of $2.37 million.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
Mexican resident convicted of trying to smuggle ammunition and firearms back to MexicoRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 67-year-old resident of Guadalajara, Mexico, has pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in vehicle roof rack, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
On Jan. 11, Jose De Jesus Pena Dieguez attempted to enter Mexico through the Progreso Port of Entry in a Nissan Xterra. Upon inspection, authorities noticed tampering on the screws of a compartment connected to the vehicle's roof rack. An x-ray examination also showed anomalies within the compartment.
A subsequent search revealed 16 firearms, 31 firearm magazines, assorted firearm parts and 800 rounds of ammunition.
"Dieguez potentially put lives at risk for his own personal gain - intending to profit by selling firearms illegally smuggled out of the United States,” said Hamdani. “These crimes not only affect our residents, they also endanger innocent Mexican citizens. It’s an international issue, and we remain relentless in our efforts to bring safety and security in taking these traffickers off the streets. Put simply, try to take guns to Mexico and you will pay for it with your freedom.”
Dieguez admitted he purchased the firearms and intended to illegally export them to Mexico.
U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane will impose sentencing June 11. At that time, Dieguez faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Customs and Border Protection conducted the joint investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan is prosecuting the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old, evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
Mexican National Sentenced to 5 Years’ Imprisonment for Cocaine and Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jesus Camarillo-Soria, 45, of Guanajuato, Mexico, was sentenced March 20, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Camarillo-Soria to 60 months and 1 days’ imprisonment. After Camarillo-Soria’s release from prison, he will be deported to Mexico as he is not a United States citizen.
On August 14, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Camarillo-Soria's residence in South Omaha and found 141 grams of cocaine along with a digital scale inside a shoebox. Cash in the amount of $881 was found inside Camarillo-Soria's wallet. Within a few feet of the drugs, officers found a Ruger Redhawk 44 magnum pistol and venue to Camarillo-Soria underneath the pistol. During a post arrest interview, Camarillo-Soria admitted to possessing the cocaine and the pistol, and that he gave some of the cocaine to his friends.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Member of Skagit and Whatcom drug distribution ring sentenced to prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 38-year-old resident of Maple Falls, Washington was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to six years in prison for his role in distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jesse Witteveen was arrested November 1, 2022, when he fled at high speeds from law enforcement, tossing bags of drugs from the car. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Lauren King said, “Knowing what drugs have done to your life, you chose to perpetuate the cycle of drug addiction in others.”
According to records filed in the case, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bellingham Resident Office (DEA), working with the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force identified a drug trafficking organization spreading large amounts of fentanyl and meth in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Beginning in April 2022, law enforcement monitored various members of the drug conspiracy as they conducted their drug sales.
On November 1, 2022, law enforcement was surveilling Witteveen as he met with a drug supplier. They followed Witteveen, but since he was driving at a high rate of speed, surveillance was ended. A short time later, Whatcom County Sheriff deputies spotted the car near the town of Van Zandt and attempted to pull it over. Witteveen began driving at a high rate of speed. A bag – later found to contain fentanyl and methamphetamine – was thrown from the car. A search of Witteveen’s home and car turned up turned up fentanyl pills, meth, multiple cell phones, firearms parts, and ammunition.
Overall, in this case law enforcement seized: 11.5 kilos of fentanyl pills, 2.8 kilos of fentanyl powder, 5.7 kilos of cocaine, 1.6 kilos of heroin and 8.7 kilos of crystal meth, more than $186,000 in cash and nine firearms.
The leader of the drug ring, Enoc Martinez Lopez, aka “Victor,” 29, of Marysville, Washington was sentenced to eight years in prison; Casey Landis, 41, of Bellingham, a drug distributor was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Witteveen was sentenced to four years of supervised release to follow prison, and Judge King recommended he be admitted to the Bureau of Prisons residential drug treatment program.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bellingham Resident Office (DEA), working with the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, the CBP Air & Marine Operations, the Lummi Police Department, the Everson Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs.
Member of Minneapolis Highs Gang Pleads Guilty to Firearms Violations Involving Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A member of the Minneapolis Highs gang has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon and to carrying a firearm while trafficking fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, in March 2023, investigators with the Minneapolis Police Department received information that James Edward Hollman, Jr., 32, who at the time was on supervised release for a prior felon-in-possession conviction, carried a firearm while conducting narcotics transactions inside rental vehicles with out-of-state license plates. On March 15, 2023, officers went to Hollman’s apartment complex in Brooklyn Center to execute search warrants on Hollman’s person, rental vehicle, and apartment unit. When officers observed Hollman enter his rental vehicle parked at his apartment complex, they moved in and detained Hollman. Officers recovered a loaded Glock pistol with an obliterated serial number, an inserted high-capacity magazine, and an attached red laser pointer, a knotted plastic baggie containing 252 blue round “M-30” fentanyl pills, and Hollman’s driver’s license from the vehicle’s center console. Officers also recovered a loaded 50-round drum magazine from the front-passenger seat’s rear map pocket. Officers also recovered about $900 cash from Hollman’s apartment.
Hollman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minneapolis Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.
Maryland Man Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for Lying to a Federal Grand Jury in Connection with a MurderRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar today sentenced John Willie Kennedy, a/k/a “Cognac” and “Yak,” age 46, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for obstruction of justice, specifically for lying to a federal grand jury and to law enforcement in connection with a murder.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Gregory Der of the Howard County Police Department and Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson.
According to court documents, on September 3, 2017, Meiko Locksley was found shot in front of a townhouse in the 5500 block of Harpers Farm Road in Columbia, Maryland. Locksley was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Kennedy, who called 911 to report the shooting, lived in the townhouse row directly behind the townhouses where Locksley was found. In the days following the shooting, law enforcement interviewed Kennedy about the shooting, but Kennedy claimed he had not seen anything. Kennedy said he was at home and found Locksley after hearing a loud “bang” and going to investigate. Although Kennedy claimed not to have seen Locksley on September 3, phone records showed that the two had a series of calls shortly before Locksley was killed.
According to his plea agreement, on January 4, 2018, investigators interviewed Kennedy again, confronting him with the phone contact between his cellphone and Locksley’s cellphone. Kennedy admitted that he “might have” sold marijuana to Locksley but denied having any information about the shooting. Kennedy again maintained that he was in his house and only went out to investigate after hearing gunshots. After the murder weapon was found in Baltimore City in March 2020, federal investigators obtained a search warrant for location data for Kennedy’s cellphone at the time of the murder. The location data proved that at the time of the murder, Kennedy was in the parking lot in front of the townhouse where Locksley was killed.
As detailed in the plea agreement, on April 4, 2021, Kennedy falsely testified before the federal grand jury that he was in his house at the time that Meiko Locksley was shot. Federal investigators subsequently learned that witnesses saw Kennedy in front of the townhome where Locksley was shot immediately before and after the shooting. Kennedy was seen putting something in the back of his truck immediately after the shooting, then ran towards the direction of his townhome. Kennedy admits that he lied to the grand jury and that by doing so he obstructed the proceeding and impeded the investigation.
This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (“NIBIN”). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the Baltimore Police Department, the Howard County Police Department, and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Hagan and Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn, who prosecuted the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psn and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Maryland Fraudster Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Archie Arnold Paul, a/k/a “Carter Hill” and “Zion Davis,” age 31, of Laurel, Maryland, to 78 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Judge Messitte also ordered Paul to pay at least $151,091.16 in restitution and to forfeit a 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol bearing no serial number and more than 250 rounds of 9mm ammunition recovered during the execution of a search warrant at Paul’s residence on May 12, 2020.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron and Special Agent in Charge Christina Bentham of the U.S. Secret Service – Baltimore Field Office.
According to Paul’s plea agreement, he conspired with Jalen Craig McMillan, Jovan Bell, Tiffany Rainel Williams and John Fitzgerald Washington, and others to defraud Bank A. Specifically, Paul, the primary leader and organizer of the scheme, and his co-conspirators, obtained and used fictitious identities and the personal identifying information (“PII”) of real persons. Paul worked with Washington and others to manufacture and procure fraudulent identification documents displaying the PII of the victims, but photographs of others. Paul, Williams, and others used the fraudulent identification documents to impersonate the victims, open account using fraudulent information and make large withdrawals from Bank A that belonged to the victims. McMillan and Bell used their positions as “Member Service Representatives” at Bank A to facilitate both the opening of accounts in the names of identity theft victims provided by Paul and his co-conspirators, and subsequent financial transactions, including assisting with loans. Paul and his co-conspirators, using the information of more than 10 victims, successfully defrauded Bank A of $151,091.16 and tried to obtain more than $405,000.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the U.S. Secret Service for its work in the investigation and thanked the City of Laurel Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Bijon Mostoufi and Ranganath Manthripragada, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Luis Garcia-Perez, 23, a Mexican citizen living in Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced March 27, 2024, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Garcia-Perez to 108 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Garcia-Perez’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On August 2, 2023, Garcia-Perez arrived at an Autozone parking lot in Omaha to receive approximately 22.75 kilograms of meth coming from Texas. He was arrested by DEA agents along with three co-defendants. In a post-arrest interview after he was advised of his rights, Garcia-Perez admitted to agents that he was sent a message on Facebook to go to the Autozone parking lot to pick up some “things,” which he knew were drugs. Garcia-Perez further admitted this was not his first time picking up drugs.
Co-defendants Gregorio Mina-Falcon, 35, of Omaha and Eliuth Montero-Barrera, 24, of Dallas have pleaded guilty to the same charge and are scheduled to be sentenced in May. Co-defendant Alexis Rodriguez, 22, of Dallas is scheduled to plead guilty to the same charge on March 28, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Man Sentenced for $87M Healthcare Fraud Kickback ConspiracyRead the Press Release
UPDATE
The defendant’s conviction was overturned pursuant to a decision by the Seventh Circuit, and he was acquitted on all counts.
An owner of a durable medical equipment (DME) company was sentenced yesterday to three and a half years in prison and ordered to forfeit $1.8 million for his participation in a healthcare fraud kickback conspiracy.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mark Sorensen, 53, of Chicago, owned Symed Inc. (Symed), a Chicago DME pharmacy that paid illegal kickbacks to obtain patients to bill to Medicare, TRICARE, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. Between 2015 and 2018, Sorensen illegally bought patient leads from Bernie Perconti, who in turn obtained the leads from others, including Craig O’Neil and Christine Anderson. Sorensen and his co-conspirators also tricked patients into agreeing to receive braces. Many times, patients received braces that they did not need or want, and sometimes received four, five, or six braces. The co-conspirators also repeatedly called and faxed doctors to get them to sign the prescriptions authorizing the braces. In total, Sorensen and his co-conspirators, through Symed, fraudulently billed Medicare $87 million and received $23.6 million.
Perconti, O’Neil, and Anderson each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks in October 2019, July 2020, and January 2021, respectively. Perconti and O’Neil are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Anderson was sentenced in April 2022.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Robert W. Wheeler Jr. of the FBI Chicago Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Irene Lindow for the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG); and Special Agent in Charge Darrin K. Jones of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southeast Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI, HHS-OIG, DOL-OIG, and DCIS are investigating the cases.
Assistant Chief Leslie S. Garthwaite and Trial Attorney Jeffrey Crapko of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
Man Charged with Damaging Religious PropertyRead the Press Release
Suspect Painted Nazi Symbols on Jewish House of Worship
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today charged Jiafeng Chen, 27, with damaging religious property. The Information charges that in November 2023, Chen spray-painted swastikas on the Chabad House of Kalamazoo. A prominent menorah in front of the house was also defaced. The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum historically associated with the Jewish faith.
“Every faith community in this country has the right to gather and worship free from intimidation,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Defacing religious property is not mere vandalism. It’s an attack on a constitutional right that tries to tell certain people they’re not welcome in the community. We will continue to work with our partners to prevent these crimes and hold those who commit them swiftly accountable.”
The Information alleges that Chen vandalized the house because of the Jewish characteristics of individuals associated with it. The Chabad organization conducts religious, cultural and community activities at the house, including Jewish religious services.
“This single incident created confusion, fear, and intimidation in our community,” said Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen. “We are thankful to have such dedicated officers, like Detective Stolsonburg, who put countless hours into this investigation. Only due to the continued partnerships and support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, the FBI, and the Task Force Officer’s position, were we able to see successful charges in this investigation.”
“People of all faiths should not live in fear because of the religion they choose to practice,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners have remained vocal advocates of protecting all places of worship and are committed to removing those from our communities who resort to bias-motivated violence.”
The charge in an information is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Lyon County Man Sentenced to over Four Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Paducah, Ky. – A Lyon County, Kentucky, man was sentenced yesterday to 4 years and 3 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations Nashville and Lyon County Sheriff Brent White made the announcement.
According to the court documents, Taylor Glass, 34, of Kuttawa, Kentucky, was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography. Glass was also ordered to pay $41,000 in restitution to multiple victims in the case.
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Local students exposed to art through U.S. Attorney’s Office art mentoring programRead the Press Release
MIAMI – For the first time since COVID-19, the Artify Art Mentoring Program of the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Southern District of Florida has returned.
Part of the Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section, USAO, this program pairs Paul L. Dunbar K-8 Center students with art mentors from New World School of the Arts, Visual Arts Program, in Miami.
The program, which staff began in 2016, was started because research showed the arts provide students with more creative outlets, additional skills, and career options. The proximity of Dunbar K-8 Center to New World School of the Arts made it a natural choice to pilot the program.
“It’s a way for a seasoned college art student to provide knowledge on different art subjects to young students who may not get that exposure otherwise,” said Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Michael L. Martinez. “Each mentor may focus on different mediums. This year, for instance, we have one mentor who specializes in sculpting but has a background in drawing and painting.”
Job opportunities for art students include fine artist creating and selling original work; illustrator; graphic designer; art teacher; and interior/furniture designer, among others.
“We are always trying to find new ways to impact the lives of our youth and communities in the best way possible,” said Law Enforcement Coordination Specialist Mark McKinney. “Art is a way for students to express themselves and the feelings they have in that moment, plus learn life skills that may benefit them down the road.”
New World School of the Arts mentors work with the entire Dunbar 8th-grade class, which comprises 17 students. The mentors come to Dunbar and work with the class twice per month. The small class size ensures plenty of one-on-one instruction.
“The students see the same mentor each session,” said Martinez. “It’s a good way for them to establish trust and build a rapport. You can see the relationship grow. At first, the students may be hesitant to participate or ask questions of the mentor, but as time moves on, they really open up. It’s nice to see.”
Past ideas for the students have included new murals on school walls and minor repairs to existing murals, in addition to various assignments provided by the art mentor.
“Artify promotes self-esteem, fosters creativity, builds positive relationships, and teaches life skills like problem solving, persistence, and collaboration,” said Community Outreach Specialist Robin McCowen. “Students learn that they have options, and they feel empowered to make positive choices and contribute to their communities.”
It’s not just the students who are excited, the mentors also enjoy the interaction.
“They’re excited to be in the program,” said Martinez. “Their enthusiasm comes through when teaching the kids. You can see it when they have that lightbulb moment and learn a new skill. It’s special for the mentors.”
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
A New World School of the Arts mentor recently showed Paul L. Dunbar 8th-grade students techniques to produce art projects using a cyanotype paper, sun exposure, and water to create an almost x-ray effect. The mentorship program is a collaboration between Law Enforcement Coordination & Community Outreach Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Visual Arts Program of New World School of the Arts.
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Lancaster County Man Who Discarded Murder Victim on Westville Highway Sentenced to Federal Prison for Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Shannon Layne Myers, 51, of Lancaster, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a wide range of federal gun and drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, four counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine or heroin, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Evidence presented to the court showed that Myers was helping to lead a drug distribution operation in Lancaster and Kershaw counties, which was being directed by Daniel Shannon, an inmate serving a life sentence in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. After coming to believe that one of his drug couriers had been robbed, Shannon sent his associates to retaliate, and a Kershaw man was shot and killed in September of 2019. Daniel Shannon then sent Shannon Myers to help clean up the murder scene, and Myers discarded the victim’s body alongside a highway in Westville.
In November of 2019, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at Myers’ home in Lancaster, where they found over 700 grams of methamphetamine, smaller quantities of heroin and other drugs, cash, scales, drug ledgers, and several loaded firearms. Myers was arrested but released on bond in the spring of 2020. He and his associates quickly went back to dealing drugs, and he was even captured on video waiving a gun in front of drug customers, while weighing methamphetamine and counting money. Investigators searching his home in June 2020 once again found drugs, scales, and a loaded gun.
“These defendants operated without regard for life or the law,” said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “Illegal drug trafficking rings like this jeopardize the health and safety of our community.”
“This lengthy sentence highlights the severity of Myers’ actions and their impact on the community,” said Kyle Burns, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Charlotte, which covers North and South Carolina. “HSI is committed to holding those accountable who recklessly distribute their poison into our communities.”
“Inmates with illegal contraband cellphones are the biggest threat to public safety in America, and this is another tragic example,” said Bryan Stirling, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. “We need a permanent solution to remove this menace from society and make our communities safer.”
Myers pleaded guilty to all charges the day before he was scheduled for trial in October of 2023. The leader of the conspiracy, Daniel Shannon, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in federal prison in June of 2023.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Myers to 360 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, South Carolina Department of Corrections-Office of Inspector General, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Schoen, Everett McMillan, and Ben Garner prosecuted the case.
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La Vista Woman Sentenced to more than 11 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that, Asia Gabriel Blackburn, 29, of La Vista, Nebraska, was sentenced March 27, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Blackburn to 140 months’ imprisonment on the drug charge. After completing her term of imprisonment, Blackburn will be required to serve a 5-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On October 22, 2022, law enforcement located a suspicious parcel at a Omaha UPS facility. After a drug detecting canine indicated the presence of narcotics in the parcel, a search warrant was obtained. A subsequent search revealed approximately 123 grams of blue M-30 fentanyl pills, 523 grams of cocaine, and 13.4 grams of meth.
On October 24, 2022, law enforcement obtained an anticipatory search warrant for a controlled delivery to the South Omaha residence the parcel was addressed to. A law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity delivered the parcel where Asia Blackburn accepted it and took it inside the residence. The search warrant was executed shortly thereafter revealing the unopened package.
During the execution of the search warrant Blackburn’s cell phone was seized. A search warrant executed on Blackburn’s phone revealed text messages referencing delivery of the package to Blackburn’s residence.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Kern County Man Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison for $850,000 Credit Card Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Miguel Leyva, 36, of Wasco, was sentenced today to five years and five months in prison and ordered to pay $693,614 in restitution for conspiring to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in a long-running credit card fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court records, between February 2016 and August 2022, Leyva and his partner and co-defendant, Karina Arceo, stole the personally identifiable information (PII) for more than 125 victims. They stole much of the PII from patient files at health care providers in Kern County where Arceo worked.
According to court documents, Leyva and Arceo used the stolen PII to open thousands of fraudulent credit cards in the victims’ identities. They used false identification documents to open the credit cards and provided billing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses so that any communications related to the credit cards would go to them instead of the victims. They then made hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases on the credit cards in Kern County and elsewhere. The fraudulent purchases included home appliances, automobile accessories, designer clothing, tickets to concerts and sporting events, and travel, among other items.
Often times, Leyva and Arceo resold the items that they fraudulently purchased for cash and reaped a windfall because they did not actually pay for the items. They also used checks that had been stolen from companies in Kern County to access the companies’ bank accounts and make fraudulent payments towards the credit cards so as to keep their scheme going. Altogether, their scheme caused a loss of more than $825,000.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Barton and Arelis Clemente are prosecuting the case.
Charges are pending against Arceo. The charges are only allegations; she is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Keene Man Indicted for Possession and Access with Intent to View Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Keene man was indicted for possession and access with intent to view child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Connor Mueller, 29, was indicted on February 14, 2024, on one count of Possession and Access with Intent to View Child Pornography. Mueller will appear in federal court today at 4:15p.m.
According to the charging documents on or about August 24, 2023, Mueller possessed material that contained one or more images of child sexual abuse, including images depicting minors who have not attained 12 years of age. These images were transported in and affecting interstate commerce by any means, including by computer.
The charge of Possession and Access with Intent to View Child Pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Keene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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KC Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., tax preparer pleaded guilty in federal court today to a wire fraud scheme in which he filed federal income tax returns for his clients that contained false information.
Ebens Louis-Loradin, 44, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to one count of wire fraud and 10 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.
Louis-Loradin, who has been a tax preparer since 2012, admitted that he engaged in a scheme to defraud the IRS and obtain money by preparing and electronically filing federal tax returns containing false items over a six-year period from March 20, 2013, to April 14, 2019. Louis-Loradin claimed items on his clients’ federal tax returns that his clients were not entitled to claim, including dependents, inflated income tax withholding amounts, credits for child and dependent care expenses, American opportunity credits, earned income credits, itemized deductions, and business losses. These false claims had the effect of reducing his clients’ taxable income and increasing his clients’ tax credit eligibility.
Under federal statutes, Louis-Loradin is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole for his conviction of wire fraud and up to three years in federal prison without parole for his conviction on each of the 10 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns. 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 is scheduled on Aug. 1, 2024.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas P. Heberle. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Information Technology Staffing Company to Resolve Hiring Discrimination ClaimsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with Frank Recruitment Group Incorporated (FRG), an information technology staffing company that does business under eight brand names (Revolent Group, Nigel Frank International, Mason Frank International, Washington Frank International, Anderson Frank International, Nelson Frank International, Jefferson Frank International and FRG Technology Consulting) at locations throughout the United States. The agreement resolves the department’s determination that FRG violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by excluding or deterring certain non-U.S. citizens with permission to work in the United States from applying to job opportunities because of their citizenship status.
“Employers cannot unlawfully discriminate against individuals granted asylum or refugee status in hiring,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The department will continue to hold employers accountable for imposing barriers to employment based on citizenship status, in violation of our nation’s civil rights laws.”
The department’s investigation determined that FRG published several online job advertisements with language that restricted eligibility to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, even though FRG had no lawful basis to do so. FRG’s restrictive job ads excluded and deterred other potentially qualified individuals, including individuals granted asylum or refugee status by the federal government, based on their citizenship or immigration status. Under the INA, employers cannot discriminate in hiring based on citizenship or immigration status unless a law, regulation, executive order or government contract requires such discrimination.
Under the terms of the settlement, FRG will pay $100,000 in civil penalties to the United States, train its employees on the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to monitoring by the department.
The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute generally 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 about how employers can avoid discrimination in hiring and recruiting 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 or watch an on-demand presentation or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe for email updates from IER.