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Thursday 21 March 2024
Justice Department Sues Apple for Monopolizing Smartphone MarketsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, joined by 16 other state and district attorneys general, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Apple illegally maintains a monopoly over smartphones by selectively imposing contractual restrictions on, and withholding critical access points from, developers. Apple undermines apps, products, and services that would otherwise make users less reliant on the iPhone, promote interoperability, and lower costs for consumers and developers. Apple exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others. Through this monopolization lawsuit, the Justice Department and state Attorneys General are seeking relief to restore competition to these vital markets on behalf of the American public.
“Consumers should not have to pay higher prices because companies violate the antitrust laws,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. If left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly. The Justice Department will vigorously enforce antitrust laws that protect consumers from higher prices and fewer choices. That is the Justice Department’s legal obligation and what the American people expect and deserve.”
“No matter how powerful, no matter how prominent, no matter how popular — no company is above the law,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Through today’s action, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to that principle.”
“When corporations engage in anticompetitive conduct, the American people and our economy suffer,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Today’s action against Apple sends a strong signal to those seeking to box out competitors and stifle innovation — that the Justice Department is committed to using every tool available to advance economic justice and root out anticompetitive practices, wherever they arise.”
“For years, Apple responded to competitive threats by imposing a series of “Whac-A-Mole” contractual rules and restrictions that have allowed Apple to extract higher prices from consumers, impose higher fees on developers and creators, and to throttle competitive alternatives from rival technologies,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold Apple accountable and ensure it cannot deploy the same, unlawful playbook in other vital markets.”
As alleged in the complaint, Apple has monopoly power in the smartphone and performance smartphones markets, and it uses its control over the iPhone to engage in a broad, sustained, and illegal course of conduct. This anticompetitive behavior is designed to maintain Apple’s monopoly power while extracting as much revenue as possible. The complaint alleges that Apple’s anticompetitive course of conduct has taken several forms, many of which continue to evolve today, including:
- Blocking Innovative Super Apps. Apple has disrupted the growth of apps with broad functionality that would make it easier for consumers to switch between competing smartphone platforms.
- Suppressing Mobile Cloud Streaming Services. Apple has blocked the development of cloud-streaming apps and services that would allow consumers to enjoy high-quality video games and other cloud-based applications without having to pay for expensive smartphone hardware.
- Excluding Cross-Platform Messaging Apps. Apple has made the quality of cross-platform messaging worse, less innovative, and less secure for users so that its customers have to keep buying iPhones.
- Diminishing the Functionality of Non-Apple Smartwatches. Apple has limited the functionality of third-party smartwatches so that users who purchase the Apple Watch face substantial out-of-pocket costs if they do not keep buying iPhones.
- Limiting Third Party Digital Wallets. Apple has prevented third-party apps from offering tap-to-pay functionality, inhibiting the creation of cross-platform third-party digital wallets.
The complaint also alleges that Apple’s conduct extends beyond these examples, affecting web browsers, video communication, news subscriptions, entertainment, automotive services, advertising, location services, and more. Apple has every incentive to extend and expand its course of conduct to acquire and maintain power over next-frontier devices and technologies.
For over a century, the Department has enforced the antitrust laws against illegal monopolies, deploying the Sherman Act to unfetter markets and restore competition. As alleged in the complaint, the Department is seeking equitable relief on behalf of the American public to redress Apple’s long-running, pervasive anticompetitive conduct.
Apple Inc. is a publicly traded company incorporated in California and headquartered in Cupertino, California. In fiscal year 2023, Apple generated annual net revenues of $383 billion and net income of $97 billion. Apple’s net income exceeds any other company in the Fortune 500 and the gross domestic products of more than 100 countries.
apple_file_stamped_complaint_3.21.24.pdfJustice Department Secures Settlement with Ohio Manufacturing Company to Resolve Alleged Discrimination Against National GuardsmanRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has resolved its lawsuit against U.S. Development Corporation, doing business as Akro-Plastics, on behalf of Ohio National Guardsman Staff Sergeant Nicholas Whitman. The department alleged that Akro-Plastics violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) when it failed to promote Sergeant Whitman to a human resources position based on his military service obligation and constructively discharged him on his return from military service.
“Federal law safeguards the civilian employment rights of our nation’s servicemembers and ensures that their career opportunities aren’t harmed because of their military duties,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Employers must ensure that servicemembers receive all career advancements that they deserve.”
“American servicemembers make great sacrifices to protect our citizens and the freedoms, liberties and civil rights that we all enjoy,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is committed to protecting all its citizens from discrimination, including servicemembers who employers discriminate against by denying them deserved workplace opportunities because of their past, present or future military service.”
According to the complaint, Sergeant Whitman started working at Akro-Plastics in June 2022. He applied for a human resources job in September 2022 and went through three interviews. Supervisors and officials knew about his upcoming three-month military deployment and repeatedly cited it as the reason for not promoting him. From December 2022 to April 2023, Sergeant Whitman fulfilled his military duties with the National Guard. Following his deployment, he returned to work for a short while before being forced to leave due to hostility from Akro-Plastic’s management. Under the settlement agreement, Akro-Plastics will pay Sergeant Whitman monetary damages. The company will also revise its policies, practices and trainings to prevent violations of USERRA.
The Department of Labor (DOL) referred this matter to the Justice Department following an investigation by its Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.
The Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section continues to work collaboratively with the DOL to protect the jobs and benefits of military members. The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of servicemembers’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found at www.justice.gov/crt/laws-we-enforce and www.justice.gov/servicemembers, as well as on the DOL’s website at www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra.
Jury Finds District Woman Guilty of Two Counts of First-Degree Child Sexual Abuse with Aggravating CircumstancesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Griselda Martinez-Moz, 42, of Maryland, was convicted today of two counts of first-degree child sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances. The verdict, announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), follows a seven-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Michael O’Keefe scheduled sentencing for June 14, 2024.
According to the evidence and testimony presented at trial, on two occasions in 2015 and 2016, Martinez-Moz sexually abused a child who was eight years old at the time. A close friend of the child’s family, Martinez-Moz, on multiple occasions, subjected the child to sexual acts.
Martinez-Moz faces the potential of life imprisonment without the opportunity of release. If she were to be released, Martinez-Moz would be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of her life.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen Houck, Niki Holmes, and Dana Joseph, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Felice Roggen and Bryan Han.
Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Jackson man pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Cameron Antonious Lee, 27, was found in possession of a firearm by MBN Agents and Capitol Police Officers at a driver’s license checkpoint during a crime suppression operation in Jackson involving multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Lee was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Lee is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee, and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Goff.
U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee, and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, Sentenced to Serve an Additional Six Months in Prison for Possession of ContrabandRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Tyrik Brown, age 29, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on March 20, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to serve an additional six months in prison on the charge of possession of contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Brown, formerly of Washington D.C., previously pleaded guilty and admitted to possessing a dangerous prison-made weapon, commonly known as a “shank.” The charge stems from an incident in April 2023 in which staff at FCI Schuylkill found Brown in possession of the weapon.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
At the time of the incident at FCI Schuylkill, Brown was serving a sentence from Washington D.C. for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. That sentence does not expire until November 2024. The sentence imposed by Judge Mariani for the charge of possession of contraband in prison will run consecutively to the Washington D.C. sentence.
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Hoboken Woman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for $1.5 Million Fraud Scheme that Targeted over 100 Non-Profit Victims, Including Schools and Religious InstitutionsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey, woman was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for stealing over $1.5 million from over 100 victims made up mainly of non-profits, private schools, and religious institutions throughout New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Yezenia Castillo, 47, of Hoboken, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S District Judge Susan D. Wigenton, to an information charging her with one count each of wire fraud and tax evasion. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From 2012 through 2021, Castillo falsely claimed to be a CPA who could provide various financial and accounting services to non-profit organizations throughout New Jersey, including private schools and religious institutions. Castillo was not a CPA and never provided any of these promised services. After she was hired, Castillo used various ways to steal from her clients, including collecting fees for services that she never performed and transferring client funds to herself without authorization. Castillo also collected funds from clients by falsely claiming she would use it to pay their taxes, but she instead kept the money. To conceal her fraud, Castillo told victims that she had filed and paid their taxes, and she falsified receipts to make it appear to the victims as if their taxes were paid. Castillo defrauded over 100 victims, resulting in financial losses totaling over $1.5 million.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Castillo to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $3.25 million and forfeiture of $3.25 million.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William Woolard; and special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy L. Tomlins, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
Hobbs Man Sentenced for Cyberstalking and Federal Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Albuquerque – A federal judge sentenced a Hobbs man to federal prison for cyberstalking Jane Doe and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition which he used to shoot and murder her in 2022. Guadalupe Antonio Navarrete, 37, of Hobbs, New Mexico, was sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by 6 years of supervised release.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on Nov. 18, 2022, deputies from the Lea County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to Navarrete’s residence in Hobbs following a report of an unwanted subject on the premises. Upon arrival, they discovered Jane Doe deceased from a gunshot wound to the temple in the driver’s seat of her vehicle.
In the days and weeks preceding her death, Navarrete had sent multiple threatening text messages and voicemails to Jane Doe, including a threat to shoot her mere hours before she was killed and a threating voicemail only minutes before shooting her.
Investigators determined that Navarrete was sitting in the rear passenger seat of Jane Doe’s vehicle when he fired a gun through front passenger headrest, striking her through the temple while she was seated in the driver’s seat and leaning over the front passenger area.
On March 10, 2023, Navarrete pled guilty to cyberstalking resulting in life threatening bodily injury and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Lea County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Joni Autrey Stahl and Mark A. Saltman prosecuted the case.
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Hays man admits distributing meth on Fort Belknap Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Hays man accused of selling methamphetamine from a yellow school bus he used as his residence on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation admitted to a trafficking charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Lyle Gilbert Snow, Sr., 64, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. Snow faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine and at least three years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for July 31. Snow was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that in April 2022, the FBI received information that Snow was selling meth on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and had been selling gram quantities since at least 2021 from the yellow school bus in which he lived. Law enforcement made a series of controlled purchases of meth from Snow. In June 2023, law enforcement served a federal search warrant on the yellow school bus and recovered a loaded .270-caliber rifle, ammunition and a flip phone. Messages on the phone indicated drug trafficking. While the search was under way, law enforcement saw Snow pull off the highway and begin to drive down his driveway. When he saw law enforcement, Snow pulled out of the driveway and began traveling away from his residence. Snow was pulled over a because he was driving with a suspended license. Snow possessed $1,537 in cash, including $20 bills identified as having been used in a controlled buy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda L. Myers is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Hanover Man Charged with Hobbs Act RobberiesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mark S. Herrick, age 47, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for five counts of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between October 24, 2023 and October 29, 2023, Herrick robbed, or attempted to rob, five different businesses with a knife. The five businesses stretched across three counties within the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Palmyra, Swatara, and Lower Allen Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Dukes is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Greenfield Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Children in Person and Online, via Instagram, Snapchat, and X (Twitter) Account “maps.syb”Read the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Bobby Cyprus Linhart, 22, of Greenfield, Indiana has been charged with one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to the complaint, on May 13, 2023, investigators with the Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force (HCMCETF) received a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children regarding suspected files of child sexual abuse material that had been uploaded to accounts on popular social media sites, Instagram, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) by a user called “maps.syb.”
According to the complaint, “Maps.syb” was an account used by Bobby Linhart. Linhart was allegedly engaging in sexually explicit conversations with girls who identified themselves to be between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. In addition to having sexually explicit conversations, Linhart was able to coerce the children to produce and send to him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. Linhart also allegedly arranged to meet minors in person to engage in sexual activity.
HCMCETF discovered that Linhart traveled to at least three different cities, one which was out of state, to have sex or attempt to have sex with underage children. In at least one of these instances, Linhart sexually abused a 12-year-old girl. Further, Linhart distributed videos and pictures of children that he had obtained from various victims to another child.
On March 19, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at Linhart’s home in Greenfield and recovered 40 THC vape pens, marijuana, fentanyl drug test kits, suspected cocaine, LSD, and Xanax, and a Springfield XD 9mm handgun. They further seized devices containing evidence of possession of sexually explicit depictions of children.
Investigators believe that Linhart messaged and abused other victims. If you or your child believe you have been a victim of “map.syb” or Bobby Linhart, please contact 317-595-3300 or online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=945#
Hamilton County Metro Child Exploitation Task Force (affiliate of the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force) and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating this case. Should Linhart be convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany J. Preston and Meredith Wood, who are prosecuting this case.
This investigation is being conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/ to learn more about their efforts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
A complaint 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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Grand jury indicts Butler County man for sexually exploiting toddler on SnapchatRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Middletown man has been indicted for sexually exploiting a toddler. The defendant shared the alleged sexually explicit conduct on Snapchat.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment against Daveion Wright, 31, on March 20.
According to the indictment, on at least five instances in January 2024, Wright sexually exploited a 2-year-old victim and shared the explicit conduct on Snapchat.
Law enforcement officials ask members of the public to call the FBI at 513-979-8821 if you believe you have information related to victimization of other minors by Wright.
Sexually exploiting a minor is a federal crime punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison.
Wright has also been charged locally and those charges remain pending.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division and Middletown Acting Police Chief Eric Crank announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.
An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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Gangster Disciples and Sisters of the Struggle Members Sentenced for Gang-Related MurdersRead the Press Release
A high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples and a leader of its parallel female organization, the Sisters of the Struggle (SOS), were sentenced yesterday for their roles in a murder conspiracy stemming from gang-related retribution that resulted in the shooting deaths of three men.
Philmon Deshawn Chambers, also known as Dolla Phil, 35, of Atlanta, was sentenced to serve two consecutive life terms in prison plus 10 years in prison. Andrea Paige Browner, also known as Drea, 29, of Athens, Georgia, was sentenced to serve two concurrent sentences of 30 years in prison.
According to court documents, Chambers held a “Position of Authority” within the national Gangster Disciples criminal organization, which included overseeing members of the “Enforcement Team.” Enforcement teams within the Gangster Disciples are directed to discipline gang members for violations of gang rules through physical assault or murder. Co-defendant Lesley Chappell Green, also known as Grip, 35, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was a member of the Enforcement Team and held the title of “Assistant Chief Enforcer.”
On Dec. 10, 2018, a Gangster Disciples member was murdered in Athens. Chambers and Browner sought retaliation for the member’s death and believed three unnamed Athens residents were responsible. On Dec. 14, 2018, Browner met an individual at a downtown Athens motel and learned that he was related to one of the individuals she believed killed the Gangster Disciples member. Browner sent text messages directing Chambers to travel to the motel, which he did. Chambers then followed the individual home and shot and killed him. Browner notified a Gangster Disciples associate that she and Chambers would be leaving town because the police would be looking for them.
On Dec. 15, 2018, Browner was taken into custody in Mt. Enterprise, Texas; however, Chambers, who had been in the vehicle with Browner, fled from law enforcement. Chambers was suspicious that someone was cooperating with law enforcement, and incorrectly concluded that two individuals were “snitches.” Chambers directed Green to carry out the murders of those two individuals. The two individuals were lured by Green, as directed by Chambers, to drive from Athens to Lawrenceville, Georgia, to break into storage sheds and steal items to send to Chambers as “aid and assistance” as he was hiding out from law enforcement in a Gangster Disciple “safe house” in Killeen, Texas. On Dec. 19, 2018, the two individuals were murdered and their bodies were concealed in the storage unit. Chambers and Green, along with Robert Maurice Carlisle, also known as Different, 37, of Lithonia, Georgia, and Shabazz Larry Guidry, also known as Lil Larry, 29, of Decatur, Georgia, conspired to dispose of the victims’ bodies, which included potentially burning the bodies or dumping the bodies in a landfill.
A federal jury convicted Chambers in August 2023 of racketeer influenced and corruption organization (RICO) conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, carry and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and causing the death of a person using a firearm. Browner was also convicted in August 2023 of RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and causing the death of a person using a firearm.
Carlisle and Guidry both pleaded guilty on June 8, 2023, to RICO conspiracy and are scheduled to be sentenced on March 22. Green was sentenced on Feb. 20 to life in prison after a federal jury convicted him on Aug. 17, 2023, of RICO conspiracy.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia; Supervisory Senior Special Agent Robert Gibbs of FBI Atlanta Field Office; and Chief Jerry Saulters of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department made the announcement.
The FBI Athens Resident Agency Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and Gwinnett County Police Department investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Kenneth Kaplan, formerly of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison for the Middle District of Georgia are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Walker for the Middle District of Georgia.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Justice Department’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Franklin Man Indicted on Child Exploitation and Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – A Franklin, Tennessee, man is facing federal criminal charges after law enforcement officers executed multiple search warrants and discovered child pornography and fraudulent immigration documents, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis.
The indictment, returned yesterday by a federal grand jury, charges Camilo Campos-Hurtado, 63, with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of receiving visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, one count of using or possessing fraudulent immigration documents, and one count of possessing an identification document or authentication feature which was stolen or produced without lawful authority.
If convicted, Campos-Hurtado faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years and a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Franklin Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica R. Morrison and Kathryn Risinger are prosecuting the case.
If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of, or have any information about, the conduct alleged in the indictment, please contact the Franklin Police Department at (615) 550-6829 or the Department of Homeland Security at (866) 347-2423.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Worcester Resident Indicted for Firearms Dealing, Possession of a Machinegun and Cocaine DistributionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Worcester resident has been indicted for firearms offenses and distributing cocaine.
Juan Otero, 22, of Franklin, was indicted on one count of dealing in firearms without a license; one count of receiving a firearm while under indictment; one count of possession of a machinegun; and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. Otero was previously charged by criminal complaint on March 4, 2024 with dealing in firearms without a license and receipt of a firearm while under indictment.
Between Nov. 27, 2023 and Jan. 23, 2024, Otero allegedly sold five firearms on four different occasions. It is alleged that one of the firearms was a Glock pistol with a machinegun conversion device, also known as a “Glock switch,” attached. Otero also allegedly sold large capacity magazines and multiple rounds of ammunition. It is further alleged that Otero distributed or possessed with intent to distribute cocaine on or about Dec. 6, 2023,
According to court documents, in 2022, Otero was indicted in Worcester Superior Court for multiple state crimes, including the unlawful possession of a large capacity weapon, unlawful possession of a loaded firearm, unlawful possession of a large capacity firearm and ammunition and attempted assault and battery. Otero was on release pending trial on the state court charges at the time of his firearm sales in this matter.
The charges of dealing in firearms without a license and receipt of a firearm while under indictment both provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unlawful possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of cocaine carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Paul Saucier, Interim Police Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Franklin, Mansfield and Auburn Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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.
Former Town Clerk and Town Council Member Indicted for Stealing More Than $195,000 from Town of CusickRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – On March 19, 2024, a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned an indictment charging Luke Michael Servas, age 38, with 25 counts of Wire Fraud, 26 counts of Bank Fraud and 25 counts of Aggravated Identity Theft.
According to court documents, Servas embezzled more than $195,000 while employed as the Town Clerk for the town of Cusick, Washington between October 2022 and March 2023. During that time period, Servas was also an elected member of the town council.
Like many cities and towns, Cusick residents elect a town council, which selects a town clerk. The clerk has responsibility to keep accurate records of city council financial accounts, and acted as custodian for Cusick’s operating bank account used to receive and safeguard public funds and to make public expenditures on behalf of the town. Cusick’s account also had two credit cards issued to make purchases on behalf of the town: one issued to Cusick’s elected mayor, and one issued to Servas as town clerk. Both credit cards were only for authorized public purchases and expenses, and were only to be used by the specific official to whom they were issued.
The Indictment alleges that Servas fraudulently and without authority used the mayor’s town credit card, as well as his own town credit card, to embezzle and transfer more than $190,000 in public town funds from Cusick’s bank account to PayPal accounts owned and controlled by Servas and his spouse, and to a cryptocurrency account owned and controlled by Servas.
According to the Indictment, in March of 2023, other town officials expressed concern that funds were missing from the town’s account. The Indictment alleges that Servas then contacted the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office to report that between $150,000 and $200,000 had been stolen from the Town of Cusick’s operating bank account, using the mayor’s credit card account to which Servas stated only the mayor had access. The Indictment further alleges that, after making this report, Servas wrote a fraudulent $4,961 check from Cusick’s account to himself, forged the mayor’s signature as well as that of another town official, and cashed the check on or about March 20, 2023.
“An elected public official, entrusted with the funds to keep communities safe and strong, has a moral duty and legal responsibility to protect that money”, stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “My office is committed to stopping all fraudsters, especially those who abuse their positions of trust.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Agency, with investigative and logistical support from the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Auditor’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Princeton Resident Indicted in Connection with Multimillion-Dollar Schemes Involving Securities Fraud, Credit Card Fraud, and Business E-Mail Compromise FraudRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A former Princeton resident was charged today with engaging in multiple fraudulent schemes intended to steal millions of dollars from individual and institutional victims, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.
Ford Graham, 60, formerly of Princeton, New Jersey, is charged in a 29-count indictment with 14 counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, nine counts of money laundering and one count of engaging in unlawful money transactions.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger“As alleged in the indictment, this defendant used multiple schemes to steal millions of dollars from victims. The indictment sets forth the different strategies the defendant allegedly employed to dupe innocent third parties into giving the defendant their hard earned money. My office will continue to devote substantial resources to investigating and prosecuting fraudsters who take advantage of the financial system for illicit financial gain.”
“We allege Graham used a litany of fraud schemes to steal money from his investors,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Our thorough investigation illustrates how he moved from one to the next, using millions of dollars to fund his lavish life but not his promised investments. The victims in this case, and thousands of others across the country, are losing incredible amounts of money to fraudsters who only see them as personal piggy banks. FBI Newark and our law enforcement partners tackle the mountain of evidence all with the sole purpose of bringing these criminals to justice.”
“Today's indictment of the defendant sends a clear message, that we have the tools and internal fortitude to protect our financial systems by investigating, prosecuting, and holding accountable, those who seek to defraud the public,” Tammy Tomlins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS - Criminal Investigation Newark Field Office, said. “IRS - Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners are committed to safeguarding the public.”
According to the criminal complaint and statements made in court:
From December 2012 to September 2013, Graham held himself out as the owner, chief executive, chairman, manager, and/or principal member of dozens of corporate entities purporting to do business under an umbrella organization, Vulcan Capital Corporation (Vulcan). Acting through and on behalf of Vulcan and its associated entities, Graham held himself out as a highly successful financier who had vast experience sponsoring complex energy and natural resource projects and other investment deals. In connection with one such investment that Graham and a Vulcan entity sponsored, one victim invested more than $2 million with Graham, relying on Graham’s misrepresentations and omissions regarding the investment. The investigation revealed that Graham misappropriated substantial amounts of the victim’s investment money and used it for his own personal benefit and enrichment – including, among other things, international vacations, private school tuition for his children, and other personal amenities – instead of the investment purpose that Graham had marketed. Through this and other fraudulent misrepresentations uncovered during the investigation, Graham caused multiple victims to lose a total of more than $2.6 million.
Graham also actively participated in a scheme to defraud merchant processing institutions through fraudulent credit card transactions. From December 2017 to February 2018, Graham used at least one payment processing platform to process fraudulent charges on stolen credit card numbers that he obtained. After the payment processing platform credited Graham’s account with the payments requested, Graham quickly transferred or caused to be transferred the fraudulently obtained money to other accounts before the victim institutions could act. When requested by the victim payment processing company to provide supporting documentation, Graham submitted false documentation, including fabricated invoices and credit card authorization forms, fabricated e-mails, forged signatures, altered bank statements, and other false and fraudulent information. This scheme resulted in tens of thousands of dollars of losses and the misappropriation of multiple victims’ personal identification information.
From February 2017 to June 2018, Graham conspired with others to defraud victim institutions and individuals of millions of dollars through a business email compromise scheme. Members of the conspiracy sent fraudulent e-mail communications to victims who were scheduled to make substantial outgoing wire transfers to third parties. These fraudulent e-mails created the appearance that they had been sent by the intended third-party recipients of the scheduled payments when, in fact, they were sent by members of the conspiracy. The fraudulent emails requested the victims to reroute the scheduled payments to different bank accounts that Graham and his conspirators controlled. In one instance, a fraudulent email successfully induced one victim to reroute a payment of more than $650,000 to a bank account that Graham controlled. Graham transferred or caused to be transferred substantial portions of those funds to other accounts that he controlled, and which he used and intended to use for his own personal benefit. Through the business email compromise scheme, Graham and his conspirators attempted to defraud multiple victims of at least $6 million.
The wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The securities fraud charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Each count of aggravated identity theft is punishable by a statutory mandatory consecutive sentence of two years, which must run consecutively to any other sentence. Each count of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine of $500,000 or not more than twice the value of the property involved in the transaction. The charge of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense or not more than twice the amount of the criminally derived property involved in the transactions.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, with the investigation leading to the charges. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also thanked investigators with the New Jersey Bureau of Securities, under the direction of Chief Christopher W. Gerold, for their assistance in connection with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha K. Nye of the Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
graham.indictment.pdfFormer Kentucky Probation and Parole Officer Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Women Under His Supervision and Covering up His MisconductRead the Press Release
Ronald Raye Tyler, 56, of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison and two years of supervised release for using his former position as a probation and parole officer at the Kentucky Department of Corrections to engage in unwanted sexual contact with women under his supervision.
In December 2023, Tyler admitted to engaging in unwanted sexual contact with three women who were under his supervision and to making false statements during an interview with the Kentucky State Police for the purpose of obstructing an investigation into allegations that he had sexually assaulted women under his supervision.
“The defendant is being held accountable for preying upon women who were under his supervision because of their probationary status,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Probation officers should not use their position of authority to make unlawful and unwanted sexual advances on women, regardless of whether they are in custody or on probation. The Justice Department will continue to pursue justice for victims of sexual misconduct and hold law enforcement accountable for their actions.”
“I commend the FBI Louisville Field Office and Louisville Metro Police Department for their outstanding work in investigating this case,” said U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky. “Citizens involved in our system of justice have every right to be treated with respect and dignity by employees within the system who exercise authority over them. We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those employees who abuse their positions of trust.”
“When allegations of abuse of power are brought to our attention, the FBI will stop at nothing to uncover all of the relevant facts,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office. “In this case, these women were preyed upon by an officer whose duty it was to protect them. Our hope is that today’s sentencing will bring some semblance of closure to the victims and their families, send a message that we will not ignore such egregious behavior, and begin to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement that was once placed in this officer.”
The FBI Louisville Field Office and Louisville Metro Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit jointly investigated the case through the Louisville Public Corruption Civil Rights Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda E. Gregory for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorneys Tara Allison and Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
Former Honolulu Resident Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
A former resident of Honolulu pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the IRS by fraudulently obtaining a tax refund and then thwarting efforts to recoup it.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sook Young Jung conspired with others to file a false 2015 individual income tax return in her name. As part of the conspiracy, Jung’s co-conspirators created a fake tax form purportedly issued by a mortgage lender to Jung, which Jung attached to her return. The form falsely reported that Jung withheld over $1.7 million in taxes. As a result of this fraudulent submission, the IRS paid Jung a refund of $1,147,036.
After filing the false tax return and submitting the fake tax form, Jung took steps to try and ensure that the IRS could not recover the fraudulently obtained refund. For example, she deposited the refund check into a newly opened bank account and immediately withdrew most of the funds in cashier’s checks. She also paid, through nominees, one of her co-conspirators $500,000 for the co-conspirator’s assistance in obtaining the fraudulent refund.
Jung is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date 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 Clare E. Connors for the District of Hawaii made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and FBI are investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Sarah Kiewlicz and Sara Henderson of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg Paris Yates for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.
Former Grass Seed Company Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Schemes to Defraud SimplotRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— An Idaho man who formerly supervised order-fulfillment and warehousing operations for the Jacklin Seed Company, a Liberty Lake, Washington producer and marketer of grass seed and turfgrass, was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in multiple schemes to defraud the J.R. Simplot Company and Jacklin, its former subsidiary.
Richard Dunham, 66, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Dunham was also ordered to pay $348,065 in restitution to Simplot.
According to court documents, from 1997 until its sale in 2020, the J.R. Simplot Company, a major privately held supplier of agricultural products headquartered in Boise, Idaho, owned and operated Jacklin. During this time, much of Jacklin’s business operations, including a seed-blending and warehousing facility, were located in and around Albany, Oregon. Dunham, who supervised Jacklin’s Albany operations, had the authority to purchase grass seed from certain Oregon growers over others.
At some point between 2013 and 2015, Dunham, Jacklin general manager Christopher Claypool, of Spokane, Washington, and others realized that growers’ preference for higher-yield grasses was creating substantial shortages of lower-yield varieties Jacklin had contracted to deliver to its customers. Dunham and Claypool recognized that these shortages would either cause Jacklin to fail to deliver on its existing contracts or require Jacklin to pay a premium to growers to acquire necessary inventory, substantially eroding company profits. The pair anticipated that either result would negatively affect their careers.
From January 2015 and continuing until at least the summer of 2019, Dunham and Claypool directed Jacklin employees, at the Albany facility and elsewhere, to fulfill customer orders with different varieties of grass seed than the customers had ordered, to conceal such substitutions from the customers, and to invoice the customers as though no substitutions had taken place. Together, they referred to this scheme as “getting creative.”
To conceal the unauthorized substitutions, Dunham and Claypool directed Jacklin employees to package the substitute seed varieties with false and misleading labels. They also directed employees to invoice the customers under the original terms of their contracts, notwithstanding the unauthorized substitutions. As a result of this scheme, Simplot refunded or credited more than $1.5 million to defrauded buyers.
During the same time, Dunham and Claypool also agreed to import mislabeled seeds from Moore Seeds, a Jacklin supplier based in Debolt, Alberta, Canada, to offset the shortage of one of Jacklin’s best-selling grass seed blends. In doing so, Dunham conspired with the owner of Cankiwi Ventures, Ltd., Moore’s managing entity, to purchase a less expensive seed blend at above-market rates in exchange for Moore’s falsely labeling the seed as Jacklin’s premier blend and shipping it, under that false pretense, to Jacklin in Oregon.
In additional to the undisclosed seed substitutions, Dunham engaged in another scheme while employed with Jacklin. Beginning no later than April 2015, Dunham conspired to obtain kickback payments from grass seed growers and brokers that regularly did business with Jacklin, including Ground Zero Seeds, International, of Yamhill, Oregon, and ProSeeds Marketing, Inc., of Jefferson, Oregon. Between April 2015 and September 2019, Dunham successfully solicited more than $191,789 in kickbacks from Ground Zero and $156,275 from ProSeeds.
On July 7, 2021, Claypool was sentenced to three years in federal prison and three years’ supervised release after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wired fraud and money laundering.
On April 29, 2022, Dunham was charged by federal criminal information with two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and, on July 7, 2022, pleaded guilty to both counts.
In two separate cases, Ground Zero Seeds International and ProSeeds Marketing, Inc., pleaded guilty to knowingly concealing schemes to defraud Jacklin. Both companies were sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay criminal fines of $40,000 and $5,000, respectively. In addition, Ground Zero was ordered to pay Simplot $516,000 in restitution, and ProSeeds was ordered to pay Simplot more than $78,000.
In a third separate case, CanKiwi Ventures, Ltd., the manager of the Canadian grower Moore Seed, pleaded guilty on March 7, 2024, to smuggling mislabeled seed into the United States using false documents and was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $100,000.
This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Ryan W. Bounds, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Former Foundation Director Sentenced for Bank and Tax FraudRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Roslyn Melodie Haile, age 64, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for one count of Bank Fraud and one count of Tax Fraud, to be served concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, Haile was ordered to pay $428,271.26 in restitution to The MORE Foundation, and to pay an additional $120,777.02 in restitution to the IRS.
The charges arose from investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS-Criminal Investigations.
On February 28, 2023, Haile entered a plea of guilty to an information of one count of bank fraud and one count of tax fraud. According to investigators, from 2017 until mid-2021, while employed as Executive Director of The MORE Foundation, a nonprofit that funds continuing education scholarships to Carter County high school graduates, Haile embezzled over $428,271.26 from the foundation’s bank accounts for personal use. During that time, Haile embezzled funds through multiple different means, including bank transfers to pay off her personal credit card, ATM withdrawals, and the issuance of fraudulent payroll checks to herself. Haile also falsified a 2018 U.S. Individual Tax Return by underreporting personal income, resulting in a total loss of $120,777.02 to the U.S. Treasury. Based on these crimes, the court assessed Haile a total restitution of $591,761.28.
“As Executive Director of The MORE Foundation, Ms. Haile had the fundamental responsibility of managing scholarship funds efficiently, ethically, and with the upmost integrity. The students of Carter County and the generous donors deserve nothing less,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who unlawfully enrich themselves at the expense of others.”
“The financial expertise of IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents was critical in detecting the illegal activity of Ms. Haile,” said Christopher J. Altemus Jr., IRS:CI special agent in charge of the Dallas Field Office. “She willfully stole money from an organization devoted to helping people obtain higher education and knowingly falsified her taxes to hide her ill-gotten gains. I’m proud of the diligent work done by members of CI along with the FBI to uncover her illegal actions and hold her accountable. Between what she embezzled from the non-profit and withheld from the IRS, she stole more than half a million dollars. In addition to time in jail, she is also required to pay restitution as part of her sentencing.”
“Fraud is not a victimless crime: Ms. Haile abused her position and plundered a fund she knew was intended to benefit Carter County’s students and greater community,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “This office stands firm in its commitment to prosecute those who engage in predatory schemes, and I commend the work of FBI and IRS-CI agents whose investigations uncovered Ms. Haile’s years-long theft.”
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Haile will self-report on May 1, 2024, to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Kyra Jenner represented the United States.
Former Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Sentenced to 234 Months for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Todd Eric Tripp, age 35, of Sorrento, Louisiana, to 234 months in federal prison following his conviction for receipt of child pornography. Tripp must serve five years of supervised release upon completing his term of imprisonment, and he must complete sex offender treatment. The Court also ordered Tripp to pay $9,000 in restitution and ordered him to register as a sex offender upon his release.
Tripp, a former Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy, used a multimedia instant messaging application to obtain child pornography from multiple victims. From March 2020 and continuing until October 2020, Tripp received at least 15 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Tripp was previously convicted and sentenced for child sexual exploitation and abuse crimes.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the York County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Edward H. Warner and Criminal Chief Jamie A. Flowers Jr.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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 http://www.justice.gov/psc.
Florida Man and Brazilian National Indicted for Decade-Long Scheme to Defraud the IRSRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Miami returned an indictment today charging Dan Rotta, of Aventura, Florida, and Sergio Cernea, of Sao Paolo, Brazil, with conspiring to defraud the United States by concealing income and assets in Swiss bank accounts. The indictment also charged Rotta with tax evasion, filing a false tax return, making a false statement and failing to file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. Rotta was arrested on a related criminal complaint on March 8, 2024.
According to the indictment, between 1985 and 2020, Rotta hid more than $20 million in assets in at least two dozen secret Swiss accounts at five different Swiss banks, including UBS, Credit Suisse, Bank Bonhôte and Bank Julius Baer. The accounts were allegedly held in his own name, in the names of sham structures and, in one instance, a pseudonym. Over the years, Rotta allegedly earned substantial income from these assets that he did not report on his tax returns.
From 2001 through 2017, Rotta allegedly falsely represented to the banks that he was a Brazilian citizen residing in Brazil, even though he had been a naturalized citizen and resident of the U.S. since the 1970s. During those years, Rotta and a company he controlled allegedly received millions of dollars in transfers from his secret Swiss accounts.
Starting in 2008, after it was reported publicly that UBS and its bankers were under criminal investigation for helping U.S. taxpayers evade their taxes, Rotta allegedly took steps to continue concealing his offshore assets, including by closing his UBS account and moving the funds to Credit Suisse and Bank Bonhôte.
According to the indictment, in 2011, after the IRS obtained records related to one of Rotta’s Swiss accounts, Rotta nominally changed the documentation of his accounts at Credit Suisse and Bank Bonhôte to make it appear that Sergio Cernea, a Brazilian national, owned the assets in the accounts. Despite the change, Rotta allegedly continued to control the assets and transferred millions of dollars out of those accounts for his use.
Shortly after Rotta changed the account documentation, the IRS allegedly began auditing Rotta. During the audit, Rotta allegedly falsely denied that he owned the assets in the foreign financial accounts and, instead, claimed that the millions of dollars he withdrew from the accounts were non-taxable loans from Cernea and others. Rotta allegedly provided the IRS with fake promissory notes and false affidavits from Cernea and others to corroborate his claims.
The IRS allegedly did not believe Rotta and assessed millions of dollars of additional taxes as well as penalties and interest against him. According to the indictment, Rotta sought to reverse the assessments by causing the filing of a U.S. Tax Court petition that sought a redetermination of the IRS’s assessments. In that petition, Rotta, through his attorney, allegedly falsely denied having any foreign accounts and attached the fictitious loan documents. Furthermore, Cernea and another co-conspirator allegedly traveled to the United States to retell the false loan story to IRS attorneys. In 2017, after Rotta allegedly presented evidence that the purported loans had been repaid, the IRS reversed the deficiencies and agreed that Rotta owed no additional tax. Unbeknownst to the IRS, however, the funds that Rotta purportedly repaid to Cernea and others allegedly went into accounts that Rotta controlled.
According to the indictment, as part of the conspiracy, in 2016, Rotta had attorneys create trusts in the United States that Cernea funded with the assets transferred from the Swiss accounts and held for the benefit of Rotta. In fact, the funds in the trusts allegedly belonged to Rotta, and Rotta controlled the trusts.
In 2019, Rotta allegedly became aware that the IRS would receive additional account records from Switzerland that contradicted the false claims that he had previously made. To avoid criminal liability, Rotta allegedly applied to participate in the IRS’s voluntary disclosure practice. Under that practice, taxpayers who willfully do not comply with their tax and reporting obligations can make timely, accurate and complete disclosures of their conduct, which may be a way to resolve their non-compliance and limit their criminal exposure. According to the indictment, Rotta made a number of false statements in his submission, including falsely claiming the assets in the Swiss accounts mostly belonged to Cernea and that Cernea was providing Rotta with millions of dollars because Cernea had no children when, in fact, Cernea had two.
If convicted, Rotta and Cernea face a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion, failure to file a report of bank and financial accounts and making a false statement. They face a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of filing false tax returns and one year in prison for each count of failing to file tax returns. 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 Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.
The International Tax and Financial Crimes group of IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Senior Litigation Counsels Sean Beaty and Mark Daly and Trial Attorneys Patrick Elwell and William Montague of the Justice Department’s Tax Division as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Homer for the Southern District of Florida, are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Rotta Cernea Indictment 03.22.24.pdfFlorida Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlicensed Dealing in Firearms and Falsification of Gun Purchase RecordsRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John C. Antoon II has sentenced Kingsley Wilson (35, Kissimmee) to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for dealing in firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL), and causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. His co-defendant, Viviana Rodriguez (41, Kissimmee), has been sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in federal prison for dealing in firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to an FFL, and causing an FFL to maintain false information in its official records. Both Wilson and Rodriguez entered guilty pleas in late 2023.
According to evidence presented in court, between January 2022 and July 2023, Wilson purchased 92 firearms from multiple gun dealers in the Middle District of Florida. Rodriguez, Wilson’s girlfriend, purchased an additional 48 firearms during that same period.
While purchasing the firearms, Wilson and Rodriguez each falsely certified on ATF Form 4473s (Firearm Transaction Records) that he or she was the “actual transferee/buyer” of the firearms. In actuality, Wilson and Rodriguez were purchasing these firearms for others in exchange for monetary payments. Wilson’s cellphone revealed numerous conversations between Wilson and others, including Rodriguez, about the illegal purchases and transfer of these firearms.
To date, 24 of the firearms purchased by Wilson and Rodriguez have been recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes involving drug trafficking, illegal firearm possession by felons, shootings, and homicides. Of the 24 recovered firearms, 12 were found in The Bahamas and another 12 in Canada. This firearms trafficking prosecution was made possible, in part, by firearms tracing conducted in cooperation with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Ontario Provincial Police, and ATF’s International Affairs Division.
“Gun traffickers are the purveyors of violent crime,” said ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Our investigators immediately stopped the illegal flow of crime guns to neighboring countries and then worked with partners to bring two conniving suspects to justice.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Royal Bahamas Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Flint Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Pandemic Loan FraudRead the Press Release
FLINT — Antonio Lynn Fluker, Jr., 36, of Flint, Michigan was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison following his conviction for wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a multi-million-dollar pandemic loan fraud scheme, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced. Fluker was also ordered to pay $3.8 million in restitution.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Douglas Zloto, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Detroit Field Office.
U.S. District Court Judge F. Kay Behm imposed sentence on Fluker following his guilty plea to wire fraud and money laundering. According to court documents, Fluker defrauded the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These programs were intended to provide critical financial assistance to small businesses suffering economic harm because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of his scheme, Fluker prepared and submitted false applications in the names of multiple individuals and companies to obtain approximately 23 loans and loan advances, resulting in more than $3.6 million in fraud. Fluker then used this money for his own personal expenses, including sending $75,000 in loan proceeds to a luxury car dealer to obtain a Lamborghini.
As part of his plea agreement, Fluker also admitted to obtaining more than half a million dollars through bank fraud and another approximately $170,000 from credit cards obtained through identity theft.
Fluker was on federal supervised release for prior fraud-related and escape from custody convictions at the time of the offense. U.S. District Court Judge Behm also sentenced Fluker to 24 months in prison for his supervised release violations, to be served concurrently to his 135-month sentence.
“Those who defraud federal programs like the PPP and EIDL programs cause real harm to communities by taking away critical emergency relief funds from the hard-working small business owners and employees who need them,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of fraud schemes relating to the pandemic.”
“Antonio Fluker was able to defraud the EIDL and PPP loan programs designed to assist the American people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The monies Fluker stole were intended to help honest businesses and hard-working individuals living in Flint, MI. Postal Inspectors from the USPIS and agents from OIG-SBA and USSS, with the assistance of the US Attorney’s Office, were able to investigate, arrest, and convict Antonio Fluker as well as seize funds he illegally obtained through his fraud scheme. We are glad to see that justice prevailed in this case and continue to investigate individuals who took advantage of the global pandemic to enrich themselves with COVID Relief Disaster Funds,” said Special Agent Zloto.
This investigation was conducted by special agents of the U.S. Secret Service Saginaw Resident Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ann Nee, Blaine Longsworth, and Jules DePorre.
Felon Who Possessed Ammunition Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Quincy Martez Chambers, multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 30 years in federal prison for illegally possessing ammunition. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
A federal jury found Chambers, 32, of Cedar Hill, Texas, guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition on October 18, 2023. That conviction was based on Chambers shooting a former girlfriend outside of an apartment she visited, brandishing a firearm at a witness, and shooting multiple rounds of ammunition into an apartment unit where the victim and her young son sought refuge following her shooting.
“The sentence handed down by the judge underscores our goal to remove violent people who continuously terrorize the community and have no respect for the life of others,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Arkansas. “The collaboration of federal, state, and local partners is an integral partnership in the comprehensive strategy to make communities safer through an aggressive pursuit and prosecution of violent offenders.”
At Chambers’ sentencing hearing, Judge Moody heard arguments regarding Chambers’ history of violent felony and domestic battery convictions. At the hearing, Judge Moody determined that Chambers qualified as an Armed Career Criminal, which carries a sentence of not less than 15 years’ imprisonment, and not more than life imprisonment, a term of up to five years of supervised release, a fine of not more than $250,000, and a $100 special assessment. Judge Moody sentenced Chambers to 30 years imprisonment with five years of supervised release to follow his prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. Chambers was not assessed a fine, but ordered to pay a special assessment of $100.
“Firearms possessed by violent felons, especially when involved in domestic abuse, frequently lead to an increase of violent crime within our communities,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today sends a message to the community that violent individuals will be held accountable as we work to keep our neighborhoods safe as a top priority for ATF.”
“Through collaboration and dedication, we stand united in our pursuit of justice. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in the criminal justice process, as we work together to serve and support the victims and their families,” said Chief Heath Helton, Little Rock Police Department. “The unwavering commitment of our partners as well as the men and women of the Little Rock Police Department is truly commendable.”
“Quincy Chambers’ sentence of 30 years in federal prison is a direct result of a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pine Bluff Police Department,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarad O. Harper with the DEA Little Rock District Office. “Since January 2022, the DEA and Pine Bluff Police have been working together under Operation Overdrive, a nationwide DEA-led initiative to reduce violent crime in areas most deeply affected, like Pine Bluff. Chambers’ status as their top violent offender demonstrates the severity of his acts. This significant sentence is a testament to law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to protecting the public and reducing gun violence in our communities.”
“The appreciation for the U.S. Attorney’s Office cannot be stated enough. Local law enforcement leaders know that we are limited in many ways when it comes to prosecutions and sentencing. The connection to our federal partners to help us make our communities safer is an important and necessary component of what we do,” said Chief Denise Richardson, Pine Bluff Police Department. “The sheer determination of the AUSA in this case is to be commended. What they have truly done is made Pine Bluff safer and that is the ultimate goal for us.”
The investigation was conducted by the Little Rock Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda Fields and Bart Dickinson.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
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@USAO_EDAR
Essex County Man Admits Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a narcotics conspiracy involving approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl, possessing with intent to distribute approximately 482 grams of cocaine, and possessing three firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Carlos Ovidio Gonzalez, 36, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. district Judge Cecchi in Newark federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On Dec. 19, 2022, Gonzalez and another individual conspired to distribute approximately one kilogram of cocaine and 100 grams of fentanyl and were arrested shortly after arriving at an agreed-upon location in Kearny to complete the sale. After their arrests, a search of Gonzalez’s home and an apartment uncovered two loaded firearms, an unloaded firearm, ammunition, drug packaging materials, and drugs, including approximately 482 grams of heroin. Gonzalez had previously been convicted, in New Jersey Superior Court, Morris County, of first-degree drug distribution, second degree weapons possession during a controlled substance offense, and second degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and was sentenced in 2009 to 30 years in prison.
The counts of fentanyl and cocaine conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine carry maximum penalties of 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine. The felon in possession count carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and officers with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked Newark Police Department for its assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
gonzalez.information.pdfDorchester Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dorchester man pleaded guilty today to receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) obtained via Zoom chat rooms.
Beau Christopher Benson, 35, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2024. Benson was charged by criminal complaint in November 2023.
In April 2023, law enforcement was notified that Benson participated in Zoom video chat rooms used to share and view CSAM. Benson recorded his participation in the chat rooms and saved the recordings – which featured videos of CSAM and conversations between Benson and others about the CSAM – to his social media account. Approximately 15 video files depicting CSAM were found saved in his Dropbox. In addition, Benson was identified as an online user who had uploaded two files containing CSAM to a Dropbox account. Specifically, the files depicted children who appear to be approximately two to four years old.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.
UPDATE: This press release was amended on March 22, 2024 to reflect that the defendant is no longer employed by Northeastern University.
Doctor at L5 Pain Clinic Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison, Ordered to Pay over $200,000Read the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A doctor from North Carolina, who was assigned to several pain clinics in Virginia but was rarely physically on-site at any of them, was sentenced this week to 18 months in prison for conspiring with others to use a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number issued to another person. Randall was also ordered to pay $205,000 in fines and forfeiture.
Wendell Lewis Randall, 71, of Millers Creek, N.C., pled guilty in November 2023 to conspiring to use, in the course of dispensing and distributing controlled substances, a DEA registration number issued to another person. DEA registration numbers are unique identifiers issued to medical providers in order to track who issues drug prescriptions and to ensure only qualified providers prescribe controlled substances.
According to court documents, between 2017 and 2020, Randall—a medical doctor who operated his own practice in North Carolina—was affiliated with L5 Medical Holdings, an LLC which was doing business as Pain Care Center, a line of pain clinics operating in Woodlawn, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg.
Randall was nominally assigned to the Woodlawn clinic, but he was only occasionally ever on-site. He was also absent from the Christiansburg and Madison Heights clinics, but Randall allowed other, unqualified medical providers to use his DEA registration number to prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine) in his name, even though he had never actually seen the patients who received the drugs.
Court documents, including text messages, show L5 paid Randall in exchange for being able to use his DEA registration number. Randall acknowledged in these messages that he was not seeing patients at L5’s clinics and that he was aware his arrangement with L5 was illegal.
Court documents also revealed Randall’s colleagues repeatedly warned him that his prescribing practices for Schedule II opioids were improper. Randall received over $300,000 in exchange for renting out his DEA credentials and for his supposed supervision of nurses who, in truth, Randall failed to supervise.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Dillon found that Randall’s conduct endangered patients over several years and that imprisonment was needed to punish Randall and to deter others from committing similar crimes.
Randall is the third defendant sentenced in connection with L5’s operation of pain clinics in western Virginia. Charles Wilson Adams, Jr., is currently serving a two-year prison sentence, and former nurse practitioner Debra Kay Shaffer was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and a fine. Three other defendants—L5 owner Greg Barnes, former doctor Duane Dixon, and L5 itself—have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. A seventh defendant has pled not guilty to drug conspiracy, health care fraud, wire fraud, and false statement charges and is awaiting trial.
United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Special Agent in Charge Jared Forget of the DEA’s Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of HHS-OIG’s Philadelphia Region, Colonel Gary Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement today.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Attorney General’s Office - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Cagle Juhan, Jason M. Scheff, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Janine M. Myatt, Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, prosecuted the case.
District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Theft from Target in NorthwestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Shawn Hunter, 28, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of second-degree theft (felony) with offense committed during release enhancement, stemming from events occurring on February 27, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Hunter is to be arraigned on March 20, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 27, 2024, Hunter took a range of merchandise without paying from the Target store located at 3505 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. Hunter was quickly located and arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department.
Hunter has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
Since September 1, 2023, including the aforementioned case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has indicted 36 cases involving a felony second-degree theft charge based on a defendant’s two or more prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Campbell.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for Theft from CVS in NorthwestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Michael Smith, 26, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on October 6, 2023, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Smith is to be arraigned on April 8, 2024, before a Superior Court judge.
According to the government’s evidence, on October 6, 2023, Smith stole several items from a CVS store on Georgia Avenue in Northwest, Washington, DC, by putting store merchandise into a bag in the store before walking out.
Smith has two or more prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
Since September 1, 2023, including the aforementioned case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has indicted 36 cases involving a felony second-degree theft charge based on a defendant’s two or more prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erika Norman.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
District Man Indicted on Enhanced Second-Degree Theft for CVS Theft in Adams MorganRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 20, Travon Carter, 31, of Washington, D.C., was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on one count of felony second-degree theft stemming from events occurring on February 27, 2024, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced.
Carter is to be arraigned on April 4, 2024, at a hearing before a Superior Court judge.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 27, 2024, Carter entered the CVS located at 1781 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC; took numerous items for sale; and left the store without paying. Carter was later located and arrested after investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department.
Carter has more than two prior theft convictions, though not from the same occasion, and therefore is subject to enhanced penalties for his alleged theft, including a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for each count of theft for which he is indicted.
Since September 1, 2023, including the aforementioned case, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has indicted 36 cases involving a felony second-degree theft charge based on a defendant’s two or more prior theft convictions, not from the same occasion.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Wessel.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
Dearborn Man sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a ChildRead the Press Release
DETROIT – A Dearborn resident was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Division.
Haitham Sami Bazzi, 28, was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence Berg.
According to court documents, Bazzi met the 16-year-old victim in an online dating application in the summer of 2021. Bazzi engaged in sex acts with the victim, provided the child methamphetamine, and recorded the sexual exploitation. A concerned adult reported Bazzi to the Dearborn Police after Bazzi showed him child sexually abusive material on Bazzi’s phone. The Dearborn Police executed a search warrant and recovered multiple devices from Bazzi’s residence, which police then turned over to the FBI for further investigation. The FBI analyzed the devices and found numerous images and videos of child sexually abusive material, including a video of the minor victim.
“Protecting our most vulnerable residents is one of my office’s top priorities – we must do everything in our power to protect our children from those who seek to cause them enduring harm. By seeking just punishment, we acknowledge this victim’s trauma and hope that this sentence helps the child’s journey toward a full recovery,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.
"Our top priority is to protect our communities' youngest members from individuals who mean to take advantage of them. This sentencing and path to accountability would not be possible without the men and women of the Dearborn Police Department and the United States Attorney's Office,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Michigan. “I would also like to thank the concerned citizen who dared to stand up to Mr. Bazzi and speak for our victim by reporting his heinous crimes to law enforcement. As a member of the law enforcement community, we can achieve tremendous success in partnership with our concerned citizens. If you know of someone victimizing our youth, please call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or you may submit an online tip at TIPS.FBI.GOV."
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Dearborn Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Rawsthorne and Tara Hindelang.
California man sentenced to federal prison for defrauding local business out of $10 millionRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A California man was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 51 months in prison for embezzling more than $10.2 million from his employer and violating orders of the Court in a related civil lawsuit against him.
Brinson Caleb Silver, 43, of Culver City, California, used his position as a high-level executive to create a scheme involving shell companies, inflated contracts and a stolen identity.
Silver pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count each of wire fraud and contempt of court. As part of his sentence, Silver is ordered to pay more than $10.2 million in restitution.
According to court documents, Silver was the Chief Marketing Officer of Root, Inc., an online car insurance company based in Columbus. From November 2021 through November 2022, Silver entered into contracts with four vendors for marketing services. Silver directed the vendors to send a portion of their contract proceeds to bank accounts in the names of businesses that Silver owned and controlled. Those diverted payments totaled more than $10.2 million.
Silver used the millions he embezzled to buy a $1.4 million dollar yacht, a Mercedes-Benz G550 for nearly $165,000, an amphibious plane, luxury watches and other items.
As a result of his fraud scheme, in February 2023, Root sued Silver. As the civil case progressed, Silver violated multiple court orders. For example, he flouted an order entered by the Court in his civil suit that limited him to financial transactions no greater than $5,000. In addition, Silver failed to appear in court for a hearing related to his civil suit and instead spent lavishly while traveling the globe.
His expenditures in February and March 2023 violated the Court’s orders and include $20,000 on plastic surgery, nearly $25,000 at Indonesian businesses (including $8,000 at a luxury resort in Bali) and in withdrawals made in Indonesia, and more than $88,000 through PayPal to individuals. Silver also withheld from the Court information about a $1.8 million house he owned in California. Before the civil or criminal cases were filed, Silver also made two phone calls to an “international relocation” company and asked for citizenship within a country that would not extradite him to the United States, and a foreign bank account that the United States could not freeze.
Silver was charged criminally and arrested in June 2023. A grand jury indicted him in October 2023, and, in November 2023, a superseding information was filed to which he pleaded guilty.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and David J. Twombly are representing the United States in this case.
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Browning man admits strangling dating partner on Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of strangling his dating partner on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to an assault charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Alphonse Trevon Bird IV, 19, pleaded guilty to assault of a dating partner by strangulation and suffocation. Bird faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for July 31. Bird was detained pending further proceedings.
In court documents, the government alleged that Bird and the victim, Jane Doe, were in a dating relationship. On Dec. 27, 2023, Bird, Doe and two others were in a vehicle when Bird and Doe got into an argument and pulled over to the side of the road. Doe got out of the vehicle and Bird tried to pull her back. Doe tried to run away, but Bird chased her down, got on top of her stomach and put her in a chokehold. Bird assaulted and strangled Doe. At the time of the assault, Bird had been ordered by a court to have no contact with Doe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services investigated the case.
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Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Strongarm Extortion SchemeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Brooklyn man was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his role in for conspiring with others in a week-long strongarm extortion scheme in 2019, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced today.
Endrit Kllogjeri, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, was previously convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion and attempt to commit Hobbs Act extortion following a one-week jury trial in June 2023 before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi. Judge Quraishi imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court. Kllogjeri’s codefendant, Francis Garzon previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 121 months in prison by Judge Quraishi in January 2024.
According to documents filed in this case, statements made in court, and the evidence at trial:
From Dec. 1, 2019, through Dec. 9, 2019, Kllogjeri and Garzon conspired and attempted to extort a resident of Monmouth County, New Jersey and the resident’s son, who lived in Brooklyn, New York. The victim was allegedly threatened with physical harm if the victim did not recover a bag containing property allegedly valued at $100,000 from the victim’s son. Garzon and Kllogjeri further demanded an additional payment of $100,000 as “interest” for the son’s possession of the bag. Over the ensuing week, Garzon and Kllogjeri communicated regularly with the victim’s telephone, continuing to threaten the victim and the victim’s family. Garzon and Kllogjeri were arrested together in a vehicle on Dec. 9, 2019 in Brooklyn. Moments before the arrest, Garzon had attempted to send the victim a text message confirming the victim’s plan to pay the demand.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Quraishi sentenced Kllogjeri to three years of supervised release following Kllogjeri’s release from prison.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction. He also credited the Marlboro Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter Pezzullo; and the New York City Police Department for their assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge of the Trenton Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian D. Brater of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
Bronx Daycare Provider Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of A Child and Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SILFREDO CASTILLO MARTINEZ pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer to a Superseding Information charging him with sexual exploitation of a child and production of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Silfredo Castillo Martinez exploited the trust placed in him as a daycare provider by sexually abusing one of the minor children under his care and by forcing that child to perform sex acts on him. Additionally, Castillo Martinez had nearly 10,000 images depicting child pornography in his possession, all the while caring for children on a daily basis. Castillo Martinez’s conduct is reprehensible, and he now faces more than a decade in prison for his crimes.”
According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Information and the Complaint filed on March 10, 2023:
From in or about July 2015 through in or about at least May 3, 2022, CASTILLO MARTINEZ operated a licensed daycare facility for children at his residence in the Bronx, New York (the “Daycare Facility”).
From at least in or about May 2018 through at least in or about July 2018, CASTILLO MARTINEZ induced an 11-year-old minor (“Minor Victim-1”) who attended the Daycare Facility to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him at the Daycare Facility while CASTILLO MARTINEZ recorded that conduct on his cellphone and camera.
On or about May 3, 2022, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at CASTILLO MARTINEZ’s residence and seized several electronic devices belonging to CASTILLO MARTINEZ. Those devices contained, among other things, several images and a video containing child pornography depicting Minor Victim-1 and approximately 9,800 other images depicting child pornography.
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CASTILLO MARTINEZ, 34, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of production of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. CASTILLO MARTINEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Engelmayer on June 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Secret Service’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New York City Police Department. Mr. Williams also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jackie Delligatti is in charge of the prosecution.
Broker for Colombian Money Laundering Organization Sentenced to More Than Three Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian man was sentenced yesterday for his role in a sophisticated money laundering organization that laundered approximately $1 million in proceeds from drug trafficking through United States banks.
Luis Fernando Galindo Ramos, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 38 months in prison. In December 2023, Galindo Ramos pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy, seven counts of laundering of monetary instruments and eight counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Galindo Ramos was arrested in Cali, Colombia in November 2021 and extradited to the United States in June 2023.
In or about August 2016, Galindo Ramos was identified as a member of a sophisticated money laundering organization located primarily in Cali, Colombia that laundered approximately $1 million in drug proceeds through intermediary banks in the United States – including banks in Massachusetts – by use of the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange (BMPE).
As a money broker for the organization, Galindo Ramos arranged the domestic transfer of substantial amounts of bulk cash within the United States. He maintained the security of those funds during the transfers through the exchange of passcodes. The funds were subsequently integrated into bank accounts located in the United States and held in the names of businesses and individuals in order to repay drug suppliers in Colombia. By using the BMPE, Galindo Ramos conspired to conceal drug trafficking activity and proceeds from law enforcement. Approximately $550,000 in laundered bulk currency was seized during the investigation.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Office of the Judicial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota provided critical assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Galindo Ramos. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Dolan and Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Boston Man Sentenced to Decade in Prison for Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday for his role in a money laundering conspiracy.
Mark Anthony Figueroa, 50, a/k/a Angel Figueroa, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Figueroa was also ordered to pay a fine of $30,000 and forfeiture of more than $700,000. In March 2023, Figueroa was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Figueroa used clandestine deliveries of cash to currency couriers to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking on behalf of Mexican drug cartels. Between February 2019 and May 2020, Figueroa conducted or attempted to conduct six money laundering transactions totaling more than $580,000 in cash. Once the couriers received the laundered cash from Figueroa, the organization Figueroa was working with transferred the funds via the U.S. banking system to Mexican accounts and exchanged it for pesos which could be used by cartels to pay for narcotics sold in the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah B. Foley and Evan D. Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Three Armed Commercial RobberiesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Gary Leon Holloway, Jr., age 46, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to committing an armed robbery and to using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The guilty plea was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; 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 Chief Amal E. Awad of the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, in January 2020, Holloway and his co-conspirators planned and committed armed robberies of three businesses. Specifically, on January 4, January 15, and January 22, Holloway and at least one of his co-defendants robbed cellphone stores in Ellicott City, Glen Burnie, and Dundalk, Maryland, respectively. Holloway brandished a gun in each robbery and he and his co-defendant stole cellphones and other electronic devices. In the first robbery, Holloway and his co-defendant also stole the wallets of two employees and in the third robbery, they forced the employees to open and empty the safe and stole cash in addition to the cellphones and electronic devices.
After the third robbery on January 22, 2020, Holloway and two co-defendants (the other robber and the get-away driver) were arrested. Detectives later learned that Holloway was related to two of his co-defendants.
Holloway and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Holloway will be sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson has scheduled sentencing for June 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the Baltimore Police Department, the Howard County Police Department, and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant United States Attorney John W. Sippel, Jr. who is 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 https://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Related to Soliciting Sexually Explicit Images of ChildrenRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Eugene Edward Golden, age 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child and to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child in order to produce and transmit a visual depiction of the sexually explicit conduct.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Baltimore; Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (“MSP”); Chief Gregory Der of the Howard County Police Department; and Commissioner Richard Worley of the Baltimore Police Department.
According to his guilty plea, beginning in at least 2019, Golden located several females, specifically six co-defendants, using dating or prostitution websites, and communicated with each of them individually using texts, messaging applications and social media. Golden requested that each of the women produce sexually explicit videos and images of children, citing his a fetish, and then to send those files to Golden in exchange for financial compensation.
Golden’s co-defendants agreed to his requests and produced and distributed sexually explicit images and videos of at least 12 minor victims, using their cellphones. The victims ranged in age from approximately one year old to 13 years old. Images and videos documenting the sexual abuse were found in Golden’s online accounts. Golden produced and received well over 100 images and videos documenting the sexual abuse of children at his request.
Golden faces a maximum sentence of 90 years in federal prison—a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for each of the three counts. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox has not set a date for sentencing.
As detailed in Golden’s plea agreement, upon his release from prison, Golden will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”).
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 Attorney’s 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.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI, the MSP-led Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Howard County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn, who is prosecuting the federal 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/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Bakersfield Man Charged with Laser Strikes of Police HelicopterRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Jesse Torres-Alonso, 35, of Bakersfield, charging him with aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 28, 2023, Torres struck a Kern County Sheriff’s Office helicopter (Air One) 12 times with a dangerously bright green laser beam. The laser strikes interfered with the pilot’s ability to see and avoid other aircraft and effectively monitor the aircraft instrument panel. Law enforcement officers were able to locate and seize the laser device, which bore a prominent warning label, stating, “DANGER,” and warned against shining the light in the eyes.
The Federal Aviation Administration received 13,304 reports of laser strikes from pilots last year, marking a 41% increase over the 9,457 reported during 2022 and setting a record for the growing hazard.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Torres faces a maximum statutory penalty of five 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. The charge is only an allegation; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Arizona Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A southern Illinois district judge sentenced a man from Arizona to spend 20 years in federal prison after he admitted to distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Benjamin D. Rumbo, 46, of Benson, Arizona, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.
“We know child predators use the internet to exchange CSAM, which is why it’s critical for law enforcement officials to work in undercover capacities to detect and identify individuals scheming to abuse minors,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I’m grateful for our partnership with the FBI to apprehend and prosecute these criminals to improve public safety.”
According to court documents, an undercover agent working for the FBI created a social media account purporting to be the parent of a sexually active 10-year-old child. Rumbo had sexually explicit conversations with the undercover agent from January through April 2021 and sent several videos of CSAM.
Once law enforcement identified Rumbo as the account holder, agents obtained a search warrant on the contents of his account and uncovered 17 images and videos of child pornography.
“Protecting children is a priority for the FBI," said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. "This substantial sentence not only holds the subject accountable, but also serves as a deterrent to others."
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.
The FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Bloodworth and David Sanders prosecuted the case.
Wednesday 20 March 2024
Winston-Salem man sentenced to more than 7 years for distribution of child pornographyRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO – A Winston-Salem man, KIERRE ANTHONY CUTLER, 19, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC).
According to court records, in October 2022, the Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) executed a search warrant on CUTLER’s personal devices where they discovered more than 700 images of child pornography. In April 2023, acting on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, WSPD executed a search warrant on a Discord account associated with CUTLER and found it had been used to upload and distribute an image depicting sexual exploitation of an infant under one year of age.
United States District Court Judge Loretta C. Biggs sentenced CUTLER to an 87-month term of imprisonment followed by 15 years of supervised release. In addition, CUTLER was ordered to pay restitution to victims totaling $13,000.00 and special assessments totaling $1,100.00. He pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography on October 5, 2023.
The case was investigated by the Winston-Salem Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney K. P. Kennedy Gates.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
A copy of this press release will be posted on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 1:23CR261-1.Waterbury Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Multiple Federal OffensesRead the Press Release
EZRA ALVES, also known as “EJ” and “Ezzy,” 23, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to offenses stemming from his participation in the 960 gang, a violent Waterbury street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police have been investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging Alves and 15 other alleged 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice offenses.
Alves pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, three counts of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, two counts of carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances.
Alves specifically admitted that he and other 960 members were engaged in drug trafficking and violent activity, and conspired to shoot and murder members of rival gangs, including:
- On September 21, 2018, in retaliation for the murder of an associate, Alves and other 960 members participated in a drive-by shooting of an occupied residence on Scott Road in Waterbury.
- On October 6, 2018, in a drive-by shooting, Alves and other gang members attempted to murder individuals believed to be members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to an individual.
- On November 18, 2018, Alves and other gang members participated in a drive-by shooting of rival gang members, which resulted in gunshot wounds to two individuals.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for June 18, 2024, at which time Alves faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 17 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Alves has been detained since November 15, 2019.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF, and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Washington man admits unlawfully killing eagles on Flathead Indian Reservation to sell on black marketRead the Press Release
MISSOULA — A Washington man today admitted to conspiring to hunt and kill bald and golden eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and then selling them on the black market across the United States and elsewhere, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Travis John Branson, 48, of Cusick, Washington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles and violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate trade in wildlife that has been taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of federal or state law. The Lacey Act also prohibits any person from making or submitting any false record, account, label for or identification of wildlife that has been or was intended to be transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
In court documents, the government alleged that from about January 2015 until about March 2021, Branson and others hunted and killed eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Branson then sold the eagles on the black market across the United States and elsewhere. Brandon traveled from Washington to the Flathead Reservation, where he met co-defendant, Simon Paul, and they would then shoot, transport and ship bald and golden eagles for future black-market sales. Co-defendant Paul remains a fugitive.
The government further alleged that on March 1, 2021, a purchaser asked if Branson had any eagle feathers for sale. Branson responded by sending two pictures of golden eagle tail feathers.
The purchaser sent Branson $650 via PayPal. Branson sent a package to the purchaser that contained the eagle feathers, and the purchaser confirmed receipt of the package by text message.
On March 13, 2021, Branson shot and killed a golden eagle near Polson. Law enforcement stopped Branson and recovered from Branson’s vehicle the feet and feathers of the golden eagle.
Later, law enforcement recovered the remainder of the golden eagle carcass in a field.
During the stop, law enforcement also seized multiple phones. After obtaining a federal search warrant for the phones, law enforcement recovered numerous photos and text messages identifying the shooting, killing and ultimate selling of bald and golden eagles throughout the United States. Branson knew killing and selling eagles was illegal and that he did not have a permit for any of the activities. When negotiating a purchase price for eagle feathers with a potential buyer, Branson said:
“I don’t get em for free though ..out hear committing felonies”
Branson told another potential buyer he would obtain other eagle tails by “[g]oing on a killing spree.”
Further, Branson acknowledged that international shipping was illegal:
“International is still illegal ..I just get em for 99 cents ..price of a bullet..lol”
Branson faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the conspiracy and Lacey Act charges. Branson also faces a maximum of one year in prison, a $5,000 fine and one year of supervised release for the first conviction of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, a misdemeanor. Branson faces an enhanced felony provision, which applies to the second or subsequent convictions of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, of a maximum of two years in prison, a $10,000 fine and one year of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. A sentencing date was set for July 31 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Branson’s release was continued pending further proceedings.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Randy Tanner are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Flathead Tribal Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.
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Valparaiso Woman Sentenced to 10 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Randi Scannell, 66 years old, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
Scannell was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $460,182.69 in restitution.
According to documents in the case, Scannell was the owner of Custom Drying Solutions, a company that built and refurbished drum dryers. In 2015, Custom Drying Solutions started managing Company A’s production facility in exchange for a fixed amount of money each week. Company A also agreed to reimburse Custom Drying Solutions for labor and payroll. Between September 2015 and August 2020, Scannell sent scores of fraudulent invoices to Company A for reimbursement of payroll expenses incurred by Custom Drying Solutions. These invoices concealed weekly paychecks that Scannell directed a third-party payroll service to issue to herself and her family members. By paying the invoices, Company A unwittingly funded unearned paychecks totaling $460,182.69 for Scannell and her family members.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa.
USTP Protects Vulnerable Consumer Debtors by Obtaining Injunctions and Monetary Relief Against Two Bankruptcy Petition PreparersRead the Press Release
Two bankruptcy petition preparers that lacked legal credentials yet provided legal advice and disregarded disclosure requirements were barred from providing bankruptcy-related services, thanks to enforcement actions by the Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program (USTP).
On January 18, the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland entered an order permanently enjoining CA Enterprises, doing business as Premier Services and Premier Legal Services, from operating in the district. The order resolved a complaint filed by the U.S. Trustee’s office in Greenbelt, Maryland, and required Premier to refund $2,000 to the debtor in the case.
And on January 26, the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia permanently enjoined Malynda Perez-Combs from operating in that jurisdiction. Perez-Combs – who did not defend against a complaint filed by the U.S. Trustee’s office in Norfolk, Virginia – was also fined $15,000, ordered to return $300 in fees and pay $2,000 in statutory damages to the debtor.
“Unscrupulous bankruptcy petition preparers prey on vulnerable debtors,” said Director Tara Twomey of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees. “To protect consumer debtors, the Program stands firm in its commitment to keep fraudsters and scammers out of the bankruptcy system.”
The Bankruptcy Code strictly regulates the services of bankruptcy petition preparers, commonly known as BPPs. BPPs are not attorneys, cannot give legal advice or practice law and generally are limited to typing information provided by debtors into bankruptcy forms for the debtors to file. The Code requires BPPs to disclose information about their fees and their services to the debtors and to the bankruptcy court.
In the Maryland case, the debtor retained Premier and provided financial documents, believing the company would help her apply for a loan modification or other loan workout to stop a foreclosure on her home. Instead of working with the debtor’s mortgage lender, Premier emailed the debtor a completed chapter 13 bankruptcy petition and Social Security verification form and instructed her to file them with the bankruptcy court.
The debtor in the Virginia case hired Perez-Combs to prepare her bankruptcy documents. Perez-Combs recommended filing a case under chapter 7 and repeatedly provided other impermissible legal advice and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. For example, Perez-Combs determined how the debtor’s assets and liabilities should be characterized on the bankruptcy schedules and selected exemptions that were legally inapplicable. Perez-Combs, who has repeatedly engaged in similar conduct in other cases in other jurisdictions, did not respond to or otherwise defend against the U.S. Trustee’s complaint.
The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders – debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 89 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the Program at www.justice.gov/ust.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Meets with Faith Leaders to Promote the United Against Hate InitiativeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that as part of the Department of Justice’s United Against Hate initiative to better counter hate crimes and hate incidents in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, he has met and will continue to meet with religious leaders to discuss their concerns about extremism and threats to their places of worship and their members.
In December 2023, U.S Attorney Karam hosted two separate meetings in Scranton and in Harrisburg with local Jewish leaders to discuss their concerns about the recent uprise in antisemitic speech and incidents of hate. At those meetings, subject matter experts from the United States Attorney’s Office; Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigations; Pennsylvania State Police; Dauphin, Cumberland, Lackawanna, and York County District Attorney’s Offices; Harrisburg, Scranton, and York Police Departments; and York Human Relations Commission attended and listened to the leaders’ safety concerns and encouraged them to report all hate incidents and crimes. In February and March 2024, U.S. Attorney Karam had similar meetings with local Muslim, Islamic, and Arab Christian leaders to discuss the equally troubling uprise in threats to their members.
“We continue to strengthen our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement in conjunction with our stakeholders in the religious communities by holding these conversations to serve them better, said U.S. Attorney Karam. “Hate-fueled violence and incidents will not be tolerated in our district, and we will continue to unite our stakeholders with the shared goal of reporting, preventing, disrupting, and prosecuting these crimes.”
The United Against Hate initiative seeks to strengthen collaborative relationships of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with communities in order to build trust and encourage the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents.
Those who believe they are subject to hate crimes or incidents should contact local law enforcement and the FBI. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Launches Operation Safe Cities to Coordinate Regional Law Enforcement Response to the Most Violent Offenders Involved in Commercial Robberies and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Federal and local law enforcement officials today announced the launch of Operation Safe Cities, an initiative that includes new protocols, enhanced partnerships and a renewed emphasis on violent crime designed to increase federal prosecutions of the region’s most violent criminals, particularly those involved in commercial robberies, kidnappings, extortions and gun offenses.
Combatting violent crime is one of the Justice Department’s top priorities, and this United States Attorney’s Office is strengthening existing partnerships and creating new connections between federal and local law enforcement to take the most violent and repeat offenders off the streets.
Operation Safe Cities builds on long-standing connections between local authorities, federal agents and federal prosecutors. These relationships have yielded numerous significant and impactful cases over the years, and federal authorities now are strengthening these partnerships by conducting outreach to the officers and detectives who typically have the best knowledge of the most dangerous criminals and by streamlining the process to present cases to federal prosecutors.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will bring federal resources to investigations, which will be particularly helpful when, for example, robbery crews operate across jurisdictional lines or when sophisticated investigative tools are needed to develop leads, process evidence or track firearms. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office are part of the initiative, and other local agencies are expected to join in the near future.
Defendants charged in United States District Court with violent and gun-related offenses face significant sentences in federal prison, where there is no parole. For example, commercial robbery offenses charged under the Hobbs Act each carry up to 20 years in federal prison, and these sentences can be significantly increased if the perpetrator used – or simply possessed – a firearm. Under federal law, armed career criminals with three prior convictions for violent offenses face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm.
“Both individual victims and entire communities are being traumatized by the epidemic of gun violence, and the Justice Department is committed to saving lives and improving public safety by using every possible tool to target offenders,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We are increasing our collaboration among law enforcement agencies to lock up offenders who are a demonstrated threat. Violent crime threatens everyone’s sense of security, which is why we are fully committed to improving and expanding our response to the most dangerous criminals.”
“Violent criminals that inflict harm in our communities and threaten public safety need to be held accountable with the full weight of the justice system,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “Our coordinated efforts with local, state, and federal partners will safeguard our communities and keep dangerous, career criminal off the streets.”
“Violent crime has no place in any of our communities,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi. “Together, we are more effective, stopping gun and violent crime throughout the region. I am proud of our partnership with the U.S. Attorney, other Federal partners, as well as regional partners as we work towards safer communities collaboratively.”
“We are excited about strengthening an already solid relationship with our federal partners,” said Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff. “Having the full weight of the federal government behind our efforts to keep our communities safe from violent crime is not only important, it’s crucial. I appreciate the ongoing partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office as well as our alliance with other federal and local law enforcement agencies.”
Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. The United States Attorney’s Office has established protocols for the intake of cases that will go beyond the traditional federal-state task force model that has long been in place. Federal prosecutors will train state law enforcement partners on identifying and supporting federal prosecutions in these areas. A team of federal prosecutors will also be assigned to identify investigations and cases appropriate for prosecution. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.
“We have limited enforcement resources, but we can multiply our efforts by collaborating with our colleagues at local police agencies to have the most significant impact on violent crime,” U.S. Attorney Estrada stated. “Operation Safe Cities will allow us to identify and use the best available intelligence and information to assess the violent crime problem and the offenders who drive that violence.”
“The FBI and our partners in local law enforcement work together on task forces throughout the United States to investigate a range of violent and gun-related offenses targeting innocent victims,” said Amir Ehsaei, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “We look forward to the enhanced resources provided by the United States Attorney’s Office through the Safe Cities initiative in order to further pursue federal charges for crimes harming our communities.”
“Last year the ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division initiated almost 500 cases with 93% of those cases being firearms-related investigations,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bombardiere of ATF Los Angeles Field Division. “ATF reduces violent crime by partnering with the federal, state and local law enforcement as a force multiplier. By enhancing our existing partnership and providing federal investigate tools we aim to create safer cities throughout the Los Angeles area. ATF will continue to work tirelessly with its partners to target violent criminals, as well as identify, investigate and arrest those who illegally supply firearms to prohibited individuals.”
The United States Attorney’s Office has worked with its law enforcement partners for years to address gun-related crime and recently has increased the number of federal cases against violent criminals engaged in Hobbs Act violations, including commercial robberies and extortions. Already this year, the office has obtained four indictments naming a total of nine defendants who allegedly participated in commercial robberies, with three of those cases involving firearms and one alleging a “smash and grab” robbery at a jewelry store.
In 2023, grand juries indicted 16 Hobbs Act robbery cases (two of which involved carjackings), eight bank robbery cases, a stand-alone carjacking case, a Hobbs Act extortion and a kidnap for ransom case.
In 2022, federal prosecutors secured indictments in 18 Hobbs Act robbery cases, three bank robbery cases and three postal robberies, one of which involved a postal carrier robbed at gunpoint. These 24 cases charged a total of 40 defendants.
Since the beginning of 2022, the United States Attorney’s Office has charged nearly 600 defendants with illegal gun possession offenses, and nearly 30% of these cases involved “ghost guns.” Approximately 450 of the defendants in these firearms cases were allegedly felons in possession of firearms or ammunition. Dozens of other defendants were charged with possessing machine guns and other illegal firearms, including short-barreled rifles and silencers.
Some of the recent cases handled by the office and involving partners in Operation Safe Cities include:
- A robbery crew dubbed the “all-armed bandits”
Federal prosecutors this week charged two additional defendants who allegedly were part of a 2023 string of armed robberies of pharmacies, restaurants and marijuana dispensaries – a total of 19 robberies that spanned Los Angeles County. Even after authorities arrested three of the alleged robbers in late October, members of the robbery crew continued committing crimes. On November 24, following the robbery of a CVS store, Inglewood police responded and, following a high-speed pursuit that ended with a vehicle collision, arrested two adults and a minor. A federal criminal complaint filed Tuesday charges the two adults – Adrian Timothy Bedran, 23, of Rosemead, and Kevin Antwan Gadley, 19, of San Fernando – meaning that six defendants have now been charged in federal court. Bedran and Gadley, who are currently in state custody, each are charged in the complaint with Hobbs Act robbery and using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. They are expected to be arraigned sometime next week. A federal grand last year returned a 26-count indictment that charged the three original defendants and fourth who allegedly participated in the robberies. A trial for these four defendants is currently scheduled for June 18. If convicted at trial, the ringleaders of the “all-armed bandits” would face mandatory minimum sentences of more than 40 years in federal prison, and potentially life imprisonment. The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are the lead investigating agencies on this matter, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Butler and Jena MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section.
- Massage parlor robberies
Two Los Angeles County men were indicted earlier this month for allegedly conducting a series of armed robberies of massage parlors earlier this year in Orange County and Torrance. Andy Cuellar, 28, of Hawthorne, and Arturo Morales, 27, of Downey, were arrested one month ago today. The 12-count indictment specifically charges the two defendants with robbing five massage parlors – two on January 22 – and using a firearm in all the incidents. Cuellar and Morales are also charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition, with the indictment alleging that Cuellar has prior convictions for burglary and a scheme to import methamphetamine and that Morales was previously found guilty of conspiracy and threaten with intent to terrorize. Both men are being held without bond and are currently scheduled to be tried on April 30. If they were to be convicted, Cuellar and Morales each would face potential sentences of more than 100 years in federal prison. The ATF, several Orange County police agencies and the LAPD are investigating this matter. AUSAs MacCabe and Butler are prosecuting this case.
- Felon in possession cases
In a case filed Tuesday, Rodolfo Hernandez Jr., 28, of Oxnard, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, specifically a .38-caliber revolver and several types of ammunition. Hernandez, who is currently in Ventura County Jail, was arrested February 28 after Oxnard Police officers stopped him in relation to a robbery investigation. When police searched his vehicle, they also recovered a Mac-11 machine gun. According to the federal criminal complaint, Hernandez has five prior felony convictions, including for assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. The FBI and the Oxnard Police Department under the auspices of the Ventura County Violent Gang Task Force, which includes the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, is conducting the investigation in this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph DeLeon filed the federal charges in this case.
An Inland Empire man – Frank Escobar Jr., 35, of San Bernardino – was sentenced in February to 15 years in federal prison for possession of ammunition, receiving the mandatory minimum sentence for being an armed career criminal. On May 13, 2023, Escobar threatened family members at their residence with a loaded firearm and discharged the gun multiple times. In a sentencing memo that recounts how Escobar fired the gun at the feet of the victims and into a wall of the residence, prosecutors argued that this “[d]efendant’s criminal history is marked by a pattern of extreme and repeated acts of violence.” Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Stimson of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this matter, which was investigated by the ATF.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Butler and Jena MacCabe, both of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, and Ian Yanniello and Ben Balding, both supervisors in the General Crimes Section, have been designated as Violent Crime Coordinators to implement the initiative, conduct further outreach and training to local police agencies, and oversee the prosecution of cases under Operation Safe Cities.
Two from McKees Rocks Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Two residents of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge related to the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Vincent Pappaterra, 49, and Amber Bond, 37, as defendants.
According to the Indictment, from on or about August 24, 2023, until on or about August 26, 2023, Pappaterra and Bond, through the use of communications involving cellular telephones, persuaded, coerced, and enticed a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Mitchell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security and Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.