District of Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced an update on efforts made by law enforcement agencies to address the public safety crisis in rural Alaska.  In May 2019, Attorney General William P. Barr came to Alaska to personally examine the public safety situation in the vast rural areas of the state.  Based on that visit, Attorney General Barr declared a law enforcement emergency in rural Alaska under the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance (EFLEA) program, making $6 million immediately available to the State of Alaska for critical law enforcement needs.  Recognizing that Alaska has the highest per capita crime rate in the country, and the unique circumstances of Alaska’s geographical and jurisdictional landscape, the Attorney General authorized additional funding, and several long-term measures to support village public safety and victim services.  A summary of the grant awards and ongoing agency efforts are below.

Formation of the RAAVEN Working Group

 In his announcement of emergency funding for public safety in rural Alaska, Attorney General Barr tasked the U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska to form a rural Alaska violent crime reduction working group.  Within days, U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder formed the group, now called the Rural Alaska Anti-Violence Enforcement (RAAVEN) Working Group.  Initially, the group helped coordinate the law enforcement and prosecution resources provided by Attorney General Barr, including the $6 million EFLEA grant, and almost $5 million in Tribal Resource Grant Funds, both discussed below.  In addition to members from the federal, state, and local law enforcement community, RAAVEN will also form a consultation group with Alaska Native leaders, working on medium and long-term planning to address violent crime issues in rural Alaska.

EFLEA Grant Award to the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Based on the Attorney General’s declaration of a law enforcement emergency in rural Alaska, the State of Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) applied for, and was awarded, $6 million from DOJ’s EFLEA Program.  DPS proposed to use this funding to address the high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes in the state by subgranting funds to Alaska Native organizations and villages to address critical public safety infrastructure needs in rural Alaska to support law enforcement services within communities. 

DPS is actively developing the sub-grant solicitation for communities and tribal entities to apply for a portion of the $6 million made available through the EFLEA Program. The funding is expected to be available starting Oct. 1, 2019, for qualifying infrastructure projects, such as holding cells.  Quality infrastructure for public safety purposes will help ease recruitment and retention issues in rural Alaskan communities. 

With the notable call for more public safety options in rural Alaska, the Alaska Police Standards Counsel has increased its outreach to communities to help screen Village Police Officer (VPO) applicants.  Additionally, training opportunities for VPOs and Tribal Police Officers (TPOs), through Yuut Elitnaurviat (YE) Corporation, commonly known as Yuut, has increased.  An extra academy was added to the training schedule for October 2019.  Providing training in rural Alaska makes it less burdensome for recruits and existing VPOs to attend. Yuut provides training and education opportunities for the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region.

COPS Grant Award

On July 30, 2019, Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) awarded nearly $5 million through the Tribal Resources Grant Program for the hiring, equipping, and training of VPOs and TPOs working in rural Alaska.  The awards are as follows:

Tribal Agency

Funding for Equipment

Funding for Hiring

Positions Funded

Akiachak Native Community

$58,074

$241,429

3

Central Council Tlingit and Haida

$204,721

$0

0

Chickaloon Native Village

$4,378

$286,831

1

Holy Cross Tribe

$113,999

$185,457

1

Kasigluk Elders Council

$42,212

$255,077

1

Kodiak Area Native Association

$177,566

$0

0

Maniilaq Association

$253,562

$0

0

Native Village of Kipnuk

$41,199

$109,137

1

Native Village of Kwinhagak

$59,443

$108,211

1

Native Village of Mekoryuk

$7,260

$169,823

2

Native Village of Napaskiak

$31,829

$249,106

2

Native Village of Nulato

$58,837

$223,445

1

Native Village of Ruby

$79,681

$197,539

1

Native Village of Scammon Bay

$38,628

$249,216

2

Native Village of Tanacross

$75,074

$185,538

1

Native Village of Tununak

$73,017

$129,853

1

Northway Village

$70,819

$180,314

1

Sitka Tribe of Alaska

$300,000

$0

0

Venetie Village Council

$38,302

$249,944

1

Yakutat Tlingit Tribe

$241,681

$0

0

U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska

On July 24-25, 2019, representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in live trainings in Anchorage and Bethel, hosted by DOJ’s Office of Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Victims of Crime (OVC), COPS, and Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ), on providing guidance to potential applications and tribal associations on how to access the OCV tribal set-aside grants for victim services.  During the week of Aug. 18, 2019, U.S. Attorney Schroder joined community members, along with officials from the White House and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) at the Reclaiming our Native Communities Roundtable in Nome, Alaska. Members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office also attended a Public Safety Listening Session in Bethel, Alaska the same week to discuss ways to address public safety challenges in the region.

Part of the resources authorized by Attorney General Barr included three new federal prosecutor positions focused on rural Alaska.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has selected one new attorney and is currently reviewing resumes for two additional prosecutors who will have an emphasis on criminal cases in rural Alaska.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

In the last 30 days, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), and the Tanana Chief’s Conference, visited villages in the interior and the north coastal Alaska regions, discussing collaborative public safety and prevention measures with community leaders and local law enforcement officers.  DEA also held community outreach visits with the students of each village, highlighting gun safety and the DEA Red Ribbon program, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program.

Also, DEA Diversion Investigators visited with community leaders, pharmacists and medical professionals throughout the North Slope.  Productive conversations regarding the on-going opioid epidemic, record keeping and federal regulations were discussed.  Efforts are on-going and visits will continue throughout Alaska.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF)

Since Aug. 19, 2019, ATF, in partnership with DEA, AST, and the Tanana Chiefs Conference, traveled to villages in the interior and the north coastal Alaska regions, discussing collaborative public safety and prevention measures with the community leaders and local law enforcement officers.  During this time, ATF participated in community outreach visits with students of each village highlighting the importance of firearms safety. Additionally, ATF informed community leaders of existing federal firearm statutes that can be applied to address violent offenders within their communities and also provided information on resources available to victims of domestic violence. 

ATF efforts will continue throughout rural Alaska and will include training sessions for state and local law enforcement officers that will focus on firearms enforcement training to improve state and local law enforcement response to firearms related crimes, and identification of offenders suitable for prosecution. 

U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)

Starting on Aug. 18, 2019, the USPIS, DEA, HSI, and ATF, have been conducting drug enforcement operations looking for controlled substances destined to rural Alaska.  These operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 30,000 controlled pills along with other suspected controlled substances.

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)

The U.S. Marshals continue to work in partnership with AST in rural Alaska.  Rob Heun, U.S. Marshal for Alaska, is currently hosting the U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington to address the role the Marshals will play in Attorney General Barr’s initiative.  As part of this assessment, on Sept. 10, 2019, the USMS spent the day in Bethel and Tuntutuliak.  During this time, the USMS coordinated equipment needs for AST, met with the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), met with village leaders in Tuntutuliak, and coordinated with Yuut and the lower Kuskokwim School District regarding kid’s camps.

This announcement was made as part of the Rural Alaska Anti-Violence Enforcement (RAAVEN) Working Group’s ongoing efforts to build the capacity of federal, state, and tribal law enforcement in rural Alaska.  The RAAVEN Working Group, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, encourages extensive collaboration among law enforcement at all levels, rural communities, Alaska Native groups, victim service organizations, and care providers.  Current law enforcement members of the working group include the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), State of Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS), State of Alaska Department of Law (DOL), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), FBI, DEA, ATF, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the Anchorage Police Department (APD).

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Antoni Peralta, 33, of Anchorage, was found guilty on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, after a three-day federal jury trial.  The jury found Peralta guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and associated ammunition in connection with the December 2016 gunfight on Donna Road in Anchorage.

According to evidence presented at trial, on the evening of Dec. 16, 2016, Peralta had a confrontation with a man in an Anchorage bar.  Peralta then got into his vehicle and left the bar, turning onto Donna Road, out of suspicion that the man had followed him.  He saw a black SUV and a white SUV, and gunshots rang out down the residential street.  Peralta reached for his Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol and Federal .40 caliber ammunition and shot at the SUVs.  Peralta, injured by gunfire, crawled from his vehicle to the steps of a nearby home while the SUVs left the area.

Law enforcement officers arrived to investigate the shooting and approached Peralta who was still at the steps of a nearby home.  He required medical treatment and was hospitalized.  During a search of Peralta’s bullet-riddled vehicle, police found a pistol with a live round and a magazine with additional ammunition.

Peralta has five prior convictions within the state of Alaska for crimes including robbery, vehicle theft, felon in possession of a firearm, and failure to stop at the direction of a police officer.  As someone previously convicted of a felony offense, Peralta was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

As part of his 2005 robbery conviction, Peralta was involved in a Dimond Center mall shooting that led to the death of another individual.  Specifically, in efforts to avoid police contact after the shooting, Peralta hid out in a home in Wasilla for days.  After law enforcement officers found the hideout, Peralta and eight other people fled the home and packed into an SUV.  Law enforcement officers persuaded the driver to stop the vehicle.  As the driver opened the driver’s side door, Peralta pushed the driver out of the car and jumped into the driver’s seat.  Peralta led law enforcement on a 90-mile-per-hour chase for 21 miles.  After law enforcement officers deployed spike strips, Peralta drove the SUV until the tires shredded from the rims and finally stopped.  Alaska State Troopers found Peralta in the driver’s seat and six additional passengers inside, including one infant.

As a result of Peralta’s most recent federal conviction, he faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory, leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Vandergaw and Allison O’Leary.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Natascha Sabrina Clark, 35, of Fairbanks, has been named in an 11-count federal indictment charging her with fraudulent transactions with an access device, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.  Clark was arrested on Aug. 26, 2019, and has since been ordered detained pending trial.

According to the indictment, on May 25, 2017, Clark is alleged to have made several fraudulent transactions using a stolen credit card, including a $2,439.90 purchase to Evolve Skateboards.  From November 2018 to January 2019, using a stolen business credit card, Clark allegedly made an additional 61 fraudulent purchases totaling $4,854.14. 

The indictment further alleges that, in November 2018, Clark knowingly stole checks for an Alaska USA Federal Credit Union account from an individual’s mailbox and created or obtained a counterfeit identification document bearing that individual’s name, address, and driver’s license number, but with Clark’s photograph.  It is alleged that Clark then began executing fraudulent transactions using the individual’s stolen checks at numerous businesses for her personal benefit.  Specifically, over the course of three days in November 2018, Clark obtained money from Alaska USA Federal Credit Union by causing the transfer of funds to numerous businesses, including Ulta Salon, Barnes & Noble, and Fred Meyer. 

If convicted, Clark faces a maximum of up to 30 years in federal prison for the most serious charges alleged in the indictment.  In addition, Clark faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison on each aggravated identity theft charge.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD), and the North Pole Police Department (NPPD) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a Skagway man has been sentenced for illegally exporting a raw ivory tusk, using falsified forms to have it admitted to Indonesia, and thereafter illegally importing the carved tusk, for sale, back into the United States. 

James Terrance Williams, 67, of Skagway, d.b.a. Inside Passage Arts, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to serve two years of probation and to pay a $5000 fine.  Williams pleaded guilty to one felony count of Lacey Act false labeling and one felony count of smuggling goods into the United States.

According to court documents, in October 2014 and March 2016, Williams illegally exported raw, unworked, walrus ivory tusks from Alaska to Bali, Indonesia for carving.  He would then smuggle the carved walrus ivory back into the United States, disguising the illegal nature of the transportation by falsification of records, all in furtherance of illegal sales of the ivory. 

This scheme involved numerous Lacey Act violations.  Specifically, in the years 2014, 2015, and 2016, Williams would then sell the carved walrus ivory as merchandise, knowing that it had been unlawfully transported into the United States from a foreign county.  The investigation revealed that Williams knowingly made or submitted false records and accounts for the importation, transportation, and sale of carved walrus ivory tusks.  Williams regularly visited Bali, Indonesia to have specific Indonesian carvers work on provided wildlife raw materials that he would then import as carvings into the United States for merchandise sale.  The carvings were not traditional-style Alaska Native carvings, but were instead crafted in a “Balinese” style

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), walrus ivory cannot be exported out of the United States, nor imported into the United States, without a permit.  Furthermore, the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the sale of non-Alaska Native handicrafted walrus ivory.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Steven E. Skrocki.  

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a Wasilla man has been sentenced to prison on federal wire fraud charges which arose from a scheme that defrauded Alaska consumers. 

Dmitry Kudryn, 34, of Wasilla, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to serve one year in federal prison, a $100,000 fine, and the maximum three years of supervised release following his release from custody. 

In July 2014, Kudryn participated in a scheme based on his importation of furniture manufactured in China and then falsely advertising the furniture for sale as having been manufactured in Italy.  Specifically, Kudryn purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of wholesale furniture from a manufacturer in China and then re-sold the furniture as “Italian leather furniture” to retail purchasers in Alaska at a significant markup using the Craigslist.com internet marketplace.  He fraudulently sold hundreds of these sofa sets to individuals in Alaska, including an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigator.

The investigation revealed that the Craigslist advertisements falsely represented that each unit was worth $4800 “shipped from the lower 48.”  Kudryn would then arrange for the retail sale of the furniture to individuals in Alaska for approximately $2400 per unit, when in reality he purchased them for less than half that amount.

In pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to the sofa scheme, Kudryn also admitted his involvement in another long running scheme to obtain refurbished and or promotional Apple products, which were then repackaged in Alaska in counterfeit packing and sold as new to overseas purchasers using the Amazon and eBay marketplaces.  Kudryn forfeited $586,748.22 in illicit proceeds from that scheme. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Gleason noted that Kudryn had a history of fraudulent conduct in connection with his business activities in imposing sentence.  

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) conducted the investigation leading to successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Beau Cook, 32, an associate of a white supremacist gang known as the 1488s, has pleaded guilty to a federal kidnapping charge arising from the August 2017 beating, kidnapping, and murder of Michael Staton, aka “Steak Knife.”   

In March 2019, Cook, along with other 1488s members and associates including Filthy Fuhrer, (formerly Timothy Lobdell), Roy Naughton, Glen Baldwin, Craig King, and Colter O’Dell, was charged with murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit assault and kidnapping in aid of racketeering.  Two other key members, Nicholas M. Kozorra and Dustin J. Clowers, previously pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering.   

According to the plea agreement, on Aug. 3, 2017, Cook was instructed to prepare a room inside a Wasilla duplex where Staton, a known member of the 1488s, would be assaulted.  Cook prepared one of the bedrooms by lining it with plastic on the floor and partway up the walls to conceal evidence of the beating that was expected to occur.  Staton was brought to the duplex, already beaten and his hands bound, and was brought into the prepared room where he was further beaten by several 1488s members and associates.  A large knife was then heated up using a blowtorch, which was used to burn off Staton’s 1488 membership tattoo.  Cook was present in the room and witnessed the beating and patch burning of Staton.  After the beating and depatching, Staton was still alive and was rolled up in the plastic and the carpet from the bedroom.  Cook helped load Staton into the back of vehicle, in which Staton was driven away.  Cook later cleaned up the area where Staton had been beaten and was given a shot of heroin as compensation for his role. 

Cook faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, on the kidnapping charge.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant. 

The FBI and AST Alaska Bureau of Investigation Special Crimes Investigation Unit and Technical Crimes Unit, the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) Mat-Su Drug Unit, AST ‘B’ Detachment Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Suppression Unit, and AST’s participation in the Task Force Officer program led the investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Taylor and James Klugman of the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Chad McHenry of Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS). 

Anchorage, Alaska – the U.S. Attorney’s Office will join law enforcement, community leaders and residents on TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2019, at the Mountain View Boys & Girls Club from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.

This free community event is put on by the Mountain View Boys & Girls Club (315 Price Street, Anchorage, AK 99508) in partnership with the Anchorage Police Department.  The Anchorage community will be welcomed for a night of free food, games, prizes, a petting zoo, music entertainment, and much more.

National Night Out is a community-building and crime prevention campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Thousands of communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood block parties, festivals, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, and activities that heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts. Events such as these help to strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships, and demonstrate a shared commitment for strong and safe communities. 

“For 36 years, National Night Out has rallied neighborhood residents, law enforcement and community leaders in the common goal of strengthening relationships to help prevent and deter crime in our local community.  I am proud to stand with my colleagues and my neighbors to support safer streets and work together to drive out crime,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder.

Last year, over 1,500 people showed up in the rain at Anchorage’s National Night Out event.  National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday. 

For more information on National Night Out events, please visit https://natw.org/.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Christopher Kofi Noble, 41, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition.  Noble was linked to five separate shootings in Anchorage during a three-month period of time.  10 years in prison is the maximum sentence for this crime.

According to court documents, Noble was originally charged with five counts of felon in possession of ammunition, representing five separate events where different types of .45 caliber ammunition were used from the same firearm.  The Anchorage Police Department (APD) used the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) in order to link the shell casings from the five shootings to the same firearm.  The NIBIN system is a database that catalogues shell casings found at crime scenes and makes comparisons to other shell casings at other crime scenes.  It allows the Anchorage Police to compare shell casings and determine if the same firearm was used on different occasions during different shootings. 

The shootings where Noble possessed the firearm were an April 3, 2018, shooting where he shot at a female that owed him money; an April 18, 2018, shooting where he shot at an apartment building; a May 30, 2018, shooting where he shot at a man he had a verbal argument with; and a June 14, 2018, shooting where he handed a firearm to another man who shot and killed an individual.  After a May 18, 2018, report of gunshots near the Sullivan Arena, APD found .45 caliber shell casings on a trail behind the Arena that matched the .45 caliber shell casings from the other four shootings.  This type of ammunition or shell casings were found at each scene that all traced back to being shot from the same firearm.

Noble has five prior felony convictions out of Illinois, Indiana, and Alaska for crimes including assault, eluding law enforcement, and possession of cocaine.  As someone convicted of a felony offense, Noble was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

“This case highlights the use of an important new technology – NIBIN,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “The U.S Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners, in this case ATF and APD, will use every tool at our disposal to bring dangerous armed criminals to justice.”

“NIBIN has proven to be an invaluable tool in the fight against crime,” said Anchorage Police Captain Josh Nolder, Commander of the Detective Division. “Thanks to NIBIN, we can now link seemingly random cases to one firearm and bring the individual behind that firearm to justice.” 

“ATF is committed to working with our partners across the state to protect Alaskans from violent offenders like Mr. Noble, whose contempt for law and order led to his continued criminal use of firearms, placing the community at risk,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Darek Pleasants.  “Sentences like this one serve as a deterrent to others while removing a repeat violent offender from our streets.”

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Burgess noted that Noble has 28 prior criminal convictions, and had over 29 other arrests.  Judge Burgess was concerned about protecting the public from the defendant due to his history of violent and assaultive behavior and the serious nature of the defendant’s conduct.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh.

This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).  NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crime involving firearms.  NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.  For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Michael Don Robertson, 67, an Anchorage physician, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to one count of conspiracy to commit controlled substance fraud and one count of health care fraud.  Robertson knowingly and intentionally distributed controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. 

According to court documents, from May 2015 to March 2018, Robertson issued 465 prescriptions of meperidine to 30 different recipients, totaling 32,109 meperidine pills, knowing that the recipients did not truly need the medication for a legitimate medical purpose.  The investigation revealed that Robertson issued the meperidine prescriptions as part of a conspiracy in which the recipients filled the meperidine prescriptions and, then, distributed the meperidine to Robertson.  In exchange for the recipients diverting the meperidine to Robertson, Robertson provided prescriptions for controlled substances, including fentanyl and oxycodone, to the recipients.  Meperidine, commonly known as Demerol, is a Schedule II controlled substance, and is an opioid with an abuse liability similar to morphine. 

The investigation further revealed that Robertson failed to make and preserve accurate records regarding approximately 790 prescriptions for controlled substances, and failed to keep any medical records whatsoever regarding five patients to whom he wrote prescriptions for controlled substances.  In a scheme to obtain money from Medicaid, Robertson caused claims to be submitted to Medicaid regarding these 790 prescriptions, resulting in Medicaid paying $3,286.87 to Robertson’s medical practice.  Further, Medicaid paid $3,601.52 to pharmacies for these 790 controlled substance prescriptions. 

“The diversion of prescription drugs is a significant cause of the opioid crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “It is especially disappointing when the pills are diverted from appropriate medical use by physicians – those we trust to protect the health of the public.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our partners in the DEA, will do our job to protect the public by investigating and prosecuting all violators.”

The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 25, 2019, in Anchorage.  Robertson faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, on the charges.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant. 

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), the State of Alaska Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas M. Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Tyler Chance Bateman, 29, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for using the internet to threaten Bateman’s parents, two Anchorage Police Department officers and their families, and shoppers at a local business.  After a three-day trial in October 2018, a federal jury convicted Bateman on all eight counts of threatening interstate communications. 

According to evidence presented at trial, on Feb. 4, 2018, Bateman left his home in Anchorage on a one-way airline ticket to New York City.  On Feb. 26, 2018, while in New York, Bateman created a text message thread to three people – two family members and a former employer, writing about why he left Alaska, his plans for making a living in New York, how those plans failed, and asked that someone buy him a ticket back to Alaska.  After none of the text message recipients offered to buy him a ticket, Bateman responded with a series of messages threatening to shoot, poison, and cut the victims.  One of the threats suggested that Bateman would commit a mass shooting.

Later that same day, Bateman threatened, via social media, to shoot and poison an Anchorage Police Officer and “several other people.”  Bateman also sent threats to the Police Officer’s personal social media account.  Further, Bateman sent threats to APD’s public Facebook page saying, among other things, “I am going to walk into a building with an AR15. I am going to hurt a lot of people.” Approximately seven minutes later, Bateman sent a message to the same APD account alleging that a specific address is where the Chief of Police lived.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Burgess remarked that “words matter,” noting that the defendant’s threats had a “profound impact” on the victims.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the Anchorage Police Department (APD), conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas M. Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska will host a Department of Justice webinar that will review application procedures and the benefits to Alaska Native villages and American Indian tribes of awards to be made under the Department’s Fiscal Year 2019 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program.

Those benefits include funding to support the establishment of new—as well as coordination and expanding existing—victim service programs that address the needs of a wide variety of crime victims in tribal communities.

The webinar takes place tomorrow, July 24, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Alaska Daylight Time and will be facilitated by the Department’s Office for Victims of Crime and Office of Tribal Justice.

“Alaska Natives suffer disproportionate rates of domestic abuse, sexual assault and other violent crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder. “We encourage all of our native communities to participate in these webinars to learn how they can take advantage of these funds to provide and improve services to crime victims.”

This year’s solicitation builds on last year’s Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program, which directly funded 153 tribal applicants totaling an estimated $87.3 million (and another $20 million awarded in FY 2018 to fund other tribal victim services programs). The FY 2019 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program allows applicants to select objectives and activities that are relevant to their specific community’s victim service needs.

Alaska Native Villages and American Indian Tribes are encouraged to register and participate in any of the remaining online webinars:

Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (ADT)
Register: https://ojp.webex.com/ojp/onstage/g.php?MTID=e4027f1520d68bee24d87bd78b0ba2c4d 
Host: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Anchorage, Alaska

Date: Thursday, July 25, 2019
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (ADT)
Register: https://ojp.webex.com/ojp/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee12e99e1026d078d2b8cd756f42722bc 
Host: Yuut Elitnaurviat, Bethel, Alaska

Date: Monday, July 29, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST)
Register: https://ojp.webex.com/ojp/onstage/g.php?MTID=e09a221db081025d0c73ead7745420c53 
Host: United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee

Additionally, the Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services will share information about ongoing law enforcement and public safety training and programs available to tribal communities during the webinars.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Mark Norman Hanes, 52, of Sterling, Alaska, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to eight years in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for his role in a drug and money laundering conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine and heroin throughout Southcentral Alaska.  

According to documents filed in the case, between mid-2014 and Jan. 14, 2015, Hanes was part of a conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine and heroin throughout Southcentral Alaska.  Individuals in Anchorage supplied Hanes with the drugs, driving to meet him near his home in Sterling on at least two occasions to deliver product.  Payment for those drugs would then be made through deposits into bank accounts controlled by the conspiracy. 

During a search of Hanes’ property, law enforcement located approximately one pound of methamphetamine and a half-pound of heroin in a safe in his bedroom.  Also located in the safe was more than $5,000 in cash, a loaded Glock handgun, and an envelope that contained a U-Haul magnetic security card, and two keys.  Written on the outside of the envelope was “Casey, Emergency Only!”  Located in the storage locker was methamphetamine and heroin, as well as $148,000 in cash.

Hanes was not present at the residence at the time of the search, having traveled to Mexico approximately one week prior.  Following the search, Hanes stayed in Mexico and remained there until his arrest on or about Sept. 11, 2017. 

In January 2015, Hanes possessed more than 400 doses of methamphetamine and more than 2,000 doses of heroin.  At sentencing, Judge Gleason noted the large quantity of drugs distributed in this case, and the harm those drugs did in the defendant’s rural community.  “Drugs destroy so many lives,” said Judge Gleason.  Judge Gleason also noted that while Hanes was a drug user, the large volume of cash seized in this case made it clear that his dealing was not driven by his addiction, but rather, was driven by a profit motive.

The FBI Safe Streets Task Force and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Christopher L. Gordon, 35, of Kaktovik, Alaska, has been federally charged for knowingly taking a polar bear in a manner unlawful under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, by shooting and killing the polar bear and leaving the harvestable remains to waste.  Gordon has been charged in Fairbanks with one count of wasteful taking of a marine mammal.

According to the charging document, on Dec. 20, 2018, near the village of Kaktovik, Gordon allegedly left butchered whale meat outside in the front yard of his residence for a substantial period of time, which attracted a polar bear and other animals to his front yard.  Gordon then allegedly shot and killed the polar bear because it was trying to eat the improperly stored whale meat; the shooting was not done in self-defense.   

Between Dec. 20, 2018, and May 22, 2019, Gordon allegedly left the polar bear carcass in his front yard without salvaging any portion of the polar bear and allowing it to become covered with snow.  This caused a snow removal vehicle to move the polar bear carcass and rip off one of its legs.  On May 22, 2019, Gordon caused the polar bear carcass to be discarded and burned in the Kaktovik dump without using any of its parts for subsistence purposes. 

If convicted, Gordon faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey.

The charges in the information are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that, in the largest “mail dumping” case in Alaska history, a former U.S. Postal Service employee has been sentenced to federal prison for deserting more than 49 plastic tubs of mail that he was responsible for delivering. 

Thomas Gerald Hilty, 48, of Wasilla, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith to serve three years of probation, to complete 300 hours of community service, and to pay a $1,000 fine.  In April 2019, Hilty pleaded guilty to one count of desertion of mail.

According to court documents, over the course of two years, Hilty abandoned some of the mail along the route in unused mail receptacles, kept some of it in and around his home, and even destroyed mail by burning it.  The deserted mail included a passport, insurance correspondence, PFD letters, college acceptance letters, child support payments, among other unknown types of mail that Hilty burned.  The investigation revealed that Hilty simply tired of delivering the mail he was entrusted with delivering, and did not want to complete his assigned rounds.  This was the largest “mail dumping” case in Alaska history, as measured by the mail volume and number of victims – there were 467 identifiable victims in this case. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Smith noted that a higher fine could have been imposed, however federal law required the judge to consider Hilty’s inability to pay.

The U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas M. Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a father and son have been sentenced for their roles in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Juneau.  

Charles Edward Cotten, Jr., 53, of Juneau, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 10 years in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, after having pleaded guilty to four counts of drug distribution.  Cotten’s son and co-conspirator, Ricky Stapler Lisk, 37, of Juneau, was previously sentenced to serve five years in prison, followed by five of supervised release, after having pleaded guilty to one count of drug distribution.

According to court documents, in May and June 2017, Cotten distributed methamphetamine to individuals on four separate occasions in Juneau, for a total of 112 grams of methamphetamine.  During one of these transactions, Cotten was accompanied by Lisk and his late common law wife and had them handle money, drugs, or both during the transaction.  The investigation revealed that one of the transactions was conducted on Cotten’s recreational boat, M/V Northwind, and that Lisk received part of the drug proceeds.

At the time of Cotten’s arrest, he was in possession of a loaded .45 caliber firearm located inside his vehicle, and an additional 391.9 grams of methamphetamine.  The total amount of drugs seized during the course of the criminal conduct was over 500 grams of methamphetamine, which was either distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute in Juneau.  Law enforcement also seized Cotten’s motorcycle and the M/V Northwind, which were used in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.  According to court documents, the amount of drugs seized is enough dosage units to supply nearly 5,000 individuals (1/6 of the population of Juneau) with methamphetamine.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Juneau Police Department (JPD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Kek Nyathor Bol, 21, of Anchorage, has been charged by criminal complaint with bank robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, in connection with the June 15, 2019, robbery of Credit Union 1 located at 4020 Debarr Road. 

According to the criminal complaint, on June 15, 2019, Bol allegedly entered the Credit Union 1 branch armed with a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine wearing grey sweat pants, a grey sweatshirt, and a black bandana covering his face.  It is alleged that, immediately upon entering the branch, Bol fired a shot into the ceiling, and demanded money from the tellers while pointing the pistol at them.  He then ran out of the building after the robbery. 

The complaint explains that law enforcement obtained and reviewed video surveillance of a man who was running into and out of the credit union at the time of the robbery, and who dropped several items in the parking lot, later identified as bundles of cash.  The footage also identified a sedan that was seen near the man before and after the robbery.  Anchorage Crime Stoppers received an anonymous tip that led law enforcement officers to an Anchorage address where Bol resided.  A sedan matching the vehicle seen during the robbery was parked directly in front of the residence.  While searching the vehicle and the sedan, investigators located a black Glock Model 19 9mm handgun and ammunition, as well as thousands of dollars in cash, some of which they were able to match to the money taken in the robbery through a comparison of serial numbers.

Bol was arrested on the charges the evening of June 18, 2019, and was ordered detained pending trial.   Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD), as part of FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Klugman.

The charges in the criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Anchorage man has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm during a high speed pursuit in a stolen vehicle during which he fired shots from a sawed-off shotgun.  

Tony Tuaato, 25, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to serve 110 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In February 2019, Tuaato pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  Tuaato has a previous felony conviction in California for unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle.  As someone convicted of a felony offense, Tuaato was prohibited from possessing firearms. 

According to court documents, on Sept. 21, 2017, Tuaato was at a residence in Mountain View when Alex Lemana and another passenger arrived in a stolen white Chevrolet Suburban.  Knowing that police were in the area, Tuaato and others decided to move the stolen Suburban away from the residence.  Tuaato got into the front passenger seat, Lemana was driving, and a third passenger was in the back seat.  Tuaato brought an illegal sawed-off shotgun with him and Lemana brought a pistol.  

As they were leaving the area, an APD patrol vehicle started to pursue them, which led to a high-speed chase.  During the pursuit, the Suburban rammed one of the patrol cars, deploying the officer’s air bag and causing both vehicles to come to a stop.  Lemana was able to continue driving the damaged Suburban, reaching 80 mph through Mountain View, while he and Tuaato fired shots at pursuing police.  Tuaato, Lemana, and the third passenger abandoned the Suburban near 9th and L Street downtown and ran.  Lemana and the third passenger were caught nearby and taken into custody, however Tuaato continued to flee and avoided apprehension.  At the time, officers did not know Tuaato’s identity. 

Tuuato’s sawed-off shotgun was found on the floor of the front passenger side of the vehicle with a spent casing nearby.  Subsequent investigation revealed that a palm print on the sawed-off shotgun belonged to him. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Gleason observed that Tuaato’s crime put the community at serious risk, although Tuaato had not acknowledged that risk to date.  The Court noted that Tuaato had a history with stolen vehicles, firearms, and methamphetamine, which are a dangerous combination warranting deterrence.    

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Dwayne Dollison Jr., 36, and Kenneth Martin Douglas, 34, both of Anchorage, were found guilty yesterday after a 7-day federal jury trial.  The jury found Dollison and Douglas guilty of drug trafficking conspiracy, possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and for being felons in possession of a firearm. 

According to evidence presented at trial, the charges all revolve around a conspiracy that ended on Sept. 16, 2017, when Alaska State Troopers stopped both Dollison and Douglas in their vehicle, an SUV, as they approached the Fairbanks area.  Another vehicle, a red sedan with whom they were caravanning, stopped as well.  The occupants of the red sedan explained that they knew Dollison and Douglas, and they provided a rental receipt for the red sedan bearing Douglas’s name.  Both Douglas and Dollison, however, initially denied any connection with the red sedan.

A search of the red sedan later uncovered distribution amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in the vehicle’s trunk.  Some of the controlled substances were in socks in a red duffel bag that contained a firearm and clothing belonging to Dollison.  Baggies of controlled substances were also found loose in the trunk next to a green duffel bag, which contained a firearm and clothing belonging to Douglas.

Both Dollison and Douglas have prior federal felony convictions and were therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

As a result of their convictions, Dollison and Douglas face a maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

The Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Alaska Department of Public Safety Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Sayers-Fay and Allison O’Leary.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a Fairbanks man has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a handgun with a homemade suppressor, after being convicted of a crime of domestic violence.   

Kyle Steven Moody, 33 of Fairbanks, was sentenced today by Sr. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline, to serve 37 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  In March 2019, Moody pleaded guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, on Dec. 15, 2017, Moody was convicted in the State of Alaska of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, for violently assaulting his girlfriend, K.H.  On Dec. 6, 2018, the Alaska State Troopers received a report that Moody had again assaulted K.H. so badly that her eyes were swollen shut.  At that time, Moody was in violation of his conditions of release, where the court had ordered that he have no contact with K.H., who also had a restraining order against Moody.

Troopers identified Moody near his residence in a car with K.H., and he was arrested.  Troopers then observed a .22 caliber Ruger Mark IV handgun with a suppressor attached to the barrel under the passenger seat where Moody had been sitting.  Moody admitted the firearm belonged to him and that he purchased a kit to make the suppressor.

Moody has a history of domestic violence charges in the State of Alaska involving the same victim, and as someone previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, Moody was prohibited from possessing a firearm.  

At Moody’s sentencing hearing, Judge Beistline noted that Moody’s relationship with K.H. was “very deadly” and that “people in a domestic relationship should be protecting each other, not abusing each other.”  He also noted that Moody showed “no respect whatsoever for the law” when he repeatedly violated court orders not to contact K.H.  As a condition of his sentence and supervised release, Judge Beistline ordered Moody to undergo batterer intervention training and prohibited him from contacting K.H. 

The Alaska State Troopers (AST) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey. 

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that two North Pole men were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a sophisticated fraud, identity theft, and mail theft conspiracy involving numerous victims and thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases in Fairbanks and North Pole, Alaska.  

Andrew Mac Saunders, 43, and Ian David Bowman, 30, were sentenced in Fairbanks today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to serve 40 months and 52 months in federal prison, respectively.  In March 2019, Saunders and Bowman both pleaded guilty to federal identity theft charges.  Saunders and Bowman also agreed to pay $29,418 in restitution to the victims in this case, plus other yearly payments to compensate victims for costs associated with identity theft protection.  The Court set a final restitution hearing for Aug. 16, 2019.  

According to court documents, on Jan. 19, 2018, the Alaska State Troopers (AST) responded to a report that Saunders and Bowman were perpetrating a scheme to manufacture and use counterfeit identification documents and counterfeit checks.  A search warrant was executed on their shared residence in North Pole, where AST seized computers, hard drives, and printers that revealed that extent of the criminal scheme.  The seized computers contained 51 unique counterfeit identification documents, of which ten displayed Saunders’ photograph, 21 displayed Bowman’s photograph, and 20 others displayed the photographs of their co-conspirators, and all of which included the names and addresses of victims.  Numerous stolen identity documents were also seized that contained victims’ personal information.  

The investigation revealed that Saunders and Bowman would steal mail from the mailboxes of victims who reside in Fairbanks and North Pole.  They would then use that mail to create false driver’s licenses using specialized computer programs and printing equipment procured by Bowman, inserting his own and his co-conspirators’ photos along with the true name, address, and driver’s license number of victims.  Saunders and Bowman would then create counterfeit checks printed in the victims’ names, open lines of credit at various retailers, and open accounts at stores like Verizon and AT&T to purchase high-value merchandise, often presenting the false driver’s licenses to complete the transactions.  Saunders, Bowman and their co-conspirators sold this merchandise for cash, which they then used to purchase illegal narcotics.

At the sentencing hearings, Judge Beistline noted that this crime “involved greed,” was “sophisticated” and “premeditated,” and “required thought, effort, and work.”  Judge Beistline also noted the sharp rise in identity theft crimes in recent years, as well as the importance of general deterrence in fashioning the sentences that Saunders and Bowman received. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD), the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office of Law Enforcement and Security, and the Alaska State Park Rangers conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that two Anchorage men have each been sentenced to serve 10 years in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms during a 2017 home invasion style armed robbery. 

Manee Mulifai, 24, of Anchorage, was sentenced on Wednesday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess to serve 10 years in federal prison, after having pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  His co-defendant, Matthew Adrian Colding, aka “Money,” 24, of Anchorage, was previously sentenced to serve 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the same charge. 

According to court documents, on April 21, 2017, the Alaska State Troopers received reports of shots fired at a Wasilla residence.  The three occupants of the house (B.W., J.H., and F.A.) reported that an unknown female came to the door asking for help with a broken down car.  Shortly thereafter, Colding kicked in the door armed with a handgun.  Once inside, Colding asked for his “shit” and his money.  Colding then started to pistol whip B.W. and told J.H. to sit down or he would be killed.  F.A. ran out of the house but was chased down by both Colding and Mulifai. 

The robbery then led to a shootout between the two defendants, and the victims inside the residence.  Colding was shot several times and collapsed in the front yard.  Mulifai returned fire through the front window of the house before he fled the scene.  Prior to law enforcement arriving, Colding crawled to a nearby planter where he attempted to hide his firearm. The investigation revealed that Colding fired four rounds, Mulifai fired 10 rounds, and B.W. fired 10 rounds.  During the robbery, a safe and two firearms were stolen from the home. Mulifai was found with the two stolen firearms five days later during a visit to his state probation officer. 

The investigation further revealed that Mulifai and Colding are associated with the “Fight Squad” street gang.  Mulifai has a previous felony conviction for Burglary in the Second Degree, and Colding has a previous felony conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree.  Because of their felony convictions, Mulifai and Colding were both prohibited from possessing firearms. 

The Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Taylor.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a Wasilla man has been sentenced to federal prison after he and a co-conspirator stole a fossilized woolly mammoth tusk from an Anchorage BLM museum, and then cut the tusk into pieces and sold them for profit. 

Gary Lynn Boyd, 41, of Wasilla, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve 33 months in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to one count of removal of a paleontological resource.  After his sentence is served, Boyd will be on supervised release for three years.  In addition to the standard conditions of release, Boyd will not be permitted to visit National Parks, National Forests, or BLM land without permission of his probation officer.  Boyd was also ordered to pay $8,385.82 in restitution to the Campbell Creek Science Center. 

According to court documents, Boyd and his co-conspirator, Martin Thornley Elze, stole a mammoth tusk, which is an irreplaceable paleontological resource that had been displayed at the Campbell Creek Science Center (CCSC), a BLM museum, for approximately 20 years.  Specifically, on March 7, 2018, Boyd and Elze targeted the tusk in advance by visiting the CCSC and asked the staff specific questions about the weight and authenticity of the tusk.  Boyd and Elze returned to CCSC the next night, on March 8, 2018, when it was closed.  Boyd used a rock to break a window, causing $1,385.22 in damage, to unlawfully open a door at the CCSC.  After Boyd removed the tusk from the CCSC, he and Elze worked together to carry away the tusk, which was caught on the museum’s video surveillance system.

The investigation revealed that Boyd and Elze cut the mammoth tusk into pieces and sold them for profit.  As such, the mammoth tusk was never returned to the BLM.  According to court documents, when the tusk was in its original condition, prior to being plundered and cleaved, it was worth approximately $7,000 to $9,000. 

Last month, Elze was sentenced to serve 33 months in federal prison, after having pleaded guilty to one count of removal of a paleontological resource.  At Elze’s sentencing hearing, the Court heard that Boyd was known as “Booster Gary.” A “booster” makes his living stealing and selling stolen goods.  Boyd even offered his “boosting” services on social media, and had people contacting him to solicit his services as a thief.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office of Law Enforcement and Security, and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the joint investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas M. Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Cecil John Zak, 40, of North Pole, Alaska, has been federally indicted with attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.  Zak was arrested on May 20, 2019, based on a criminal complaint. 

According to the criminal complaint, on May 19, 2019, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed federal search warrants on two parcels originating from “Joe Wilcox” in California, to be delivered to “J. ZAK” in Fairbanks.  It is alleged that inside the parcels were nearly three pounds of methamphetamine and one half pound of heroin.  On May 20, 2019, U.S. Postal Inspectors conducted a controlled delivery on the intended address of the two parcels, and observed Zak take the parcels. 

Upon his arrest, Zak was transported to the Fairbanks AST post.  The complaint further alleges that a search of Zak’s residence revealed $3,000, several firearms, and drug trafficking paraphernalia including over five grams of methamphetamine, suspected ecstasy pills, money counter, digital scales, and suspected mephedrone.   

If convicted, Zak faces a statutory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the most serious charges alleged in the indictment.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU), which is comprised of officers from the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD), and the North Pole Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey.

The charges in the indictment and criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Brannon Finney, 32, of Bellingham, Washington, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Scoble after having pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful discharge of a pollutant, a violation of the Clean Water Act.  The Court ordered Finney to pay a fine of $8,000, pay an additional $2,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as a community service payment; and perform 40 hours of community work service.  Finney will be on probation for 18 months and is required to post a public apology.

According to court documents, Finney, as captain of the F/V Alaskan Girl, caused the crew to dump approximately 16,000 pounds of sandblast waste into Sumner Strait.  Specifically, on June 15, 2017, F/V Alaskan Girl was in route from Wrangell to Petersburg, Alaska with four bags, known as super sacks or brailer bags, on board.  Each bag weighed approximately 4,000 pounds and contained sandblast waste.  The waste, generated from the recent re-painting of the F/V Alaskan Girl, was a mixture of the copper slag used to remove the paint from the vessel as well as approximately 15 gallons of paint chips removed in the sandblast process.  The waste – totaling eight tons – had been loaded onto the vessel at the direction of Finney.

Along with Finney and two crewmembers, a cameraman was also on board the F/V Alaskan Girl, filming for a possible cable TV reality show.  Video footage taken during the trip from Wrangell to Petersburg captured one of the brailer bags hanging overboard the vessel while two crewmembers on board sliced through the bag with a knife.  Afterwards, black sandy waste spilled from the sliced bag into the water, while at least one of the crew audibly cheered.  

Once the vessel arrived in Petersburg, video footage showed an interaction between an Alaska Wildlife Trooper and Finney.  In the video, the Trooper informed Finney that he had received a complaint about the vessel leaving the shipyard in Wrangell with sandblasting waste.  When he asked where it went, Finney replied, “We just dumped it.”  The investigation revealed that Finney unlawfully discharged the waste into Sumner Strait with the goal of avoiding spending $1,460 to dispose of it properly.

“Maintaining the pristine waters of Alaska is important to all residents and visitors to our state, said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “The quality of our waters is essential to Alaska’s fishing fleet.  Fishing is one of the most important parts of our economy, and Alaska seafood is prized worldwide because of the quality of the catch.  Protecting our waters is vitally to our economy, as well as the environment.”

“Illegal discharges of pollution pose a serious threat to our oceans,” said Jeanne Proctor, Special Agent in Charge of EPA's criminal enforcement program in Alaska.  “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that EPA and its partner agencies are committed to protecting the marine environment and pursuing those whose illegal acts threaten our natural resources.”

The Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID); the Alaska Wildlife Troopers; and the Alaska Department of Law, Office of Special Prosecutions conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas M. Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that two Anchorage men were found guilty on all counts, in connection with the March 2018 robbery of the Credit Union One branch located at 3525 Eureka Street in Anchorage.

John Pierce, 30, and Michael Wayne Moore, 46, both of Anchorage, were found guilty yesterday after a seven-day jury trial.  The jury found Pierce and Moore guilty of conspiracy to commit credit union robbery, armed robbery of a credit union, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to and in furtherance of a credit union robbery.  As a result of their convictions, Pierce and Moore face a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in federal prison, along with a consecutive seven years for brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a credit union robbery.    

According to evidence presented at trial, on March 13, 2018, Pierce entered the Credit Union One, armed with a handgun, and was wearing a light colored mask, dark pants, dark gloves, a camouflage coat, and red shoes.  Pierce was brandishing a handgun with a laser sight attached and carrying a black gym bag.  As he was brandishing the gun, he demanded and obtained approximately $15,000 in cash from a number of tellers.  Pierce then ran west bound from the credit union and then got into a red sedan driven by Moore, who was waiting in a nearby parking lot.

Moore was almost immediately identified as the get-away driver when APD officers working with FBI special agents canvassed the scene and found surveillance footage of the getaway vehicle, driver, and passenger.  The surveillance footage revealed a partial license plate on the get-away vehicle, and that it was an older Chevrolet Lumina.  When Moore was interviewed, he denied knowledge of the robbery, but admitted that he had been in the same area as the bank robbery, but stated that it was because he was transporting narcotics – not robbing a bank.  During the course of the interview with Moore, investigators learned that he has three prior bank robbery convictions in the District of Alaska. 

A search of the vehicle revealed evidence associated with the credit union robbery, including the mask worn by Pierce, who was later identified through the use of cell phone location analysis and other investigative techniques.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD), as part of FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. The FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) also provided substantial assistance.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Alexander and Karen Vandergaw of the District of Alaska, and Trial Attorney C. Alden Pelker of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.   

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that two California men have been sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy to transport methamphetamine and heroin from the Lower 48 to Ketchikan for distribution.

Arthur Castillo, 32, of Fresno, California, and Alfonso Francisco Sandoval, 32, of Clovis, California, were both sentenced in Juneau today by U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 11 years and 6.5 years in federal prison, respectively.  In 2018, Castillo and Sandoval both pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges. 

According to court documents, beginning in June 2017 and continuing through October 2017, Castillo conspired with Sandoval and other co-conspirators, to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in Ketchikan, Alaska.  Castillo coordinated and directed the distribution of methamphetamine and the collection of drug proceeds from co-conspirators.  Castillo would then take the money to the Lower 48 to pay for additional drugs for the conspiracy. 

The investigation revealed that Castillo utilized shipping methods to transport methamphetamine and other drugs to various addresses in Ketchikan, and coordinated and directed several individuals to either receive drug packages, or send drug proceeds to the source of supply in California.  Sandoval joined the conspiracy by helping Castillo transport drugs to Ketchikan and by assisting in the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin by driving Castillo to drug deals and acting as a guard during drug transactions. 

The total amount of drugs seized during the course of the conspiracy was approximately 753 grams of methamphetamine, 75 grams of heroin, and marijuana intended for distribution in Ketchikan.  Law enforcement also seized $16,710 in drug proceeds and property, including several firearms which were used in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.  According to court documents, the amount of drugs seized is enough dosage units to supply nearly a quarter of the population of Ketchikan with methamphetamine, and nearly 750 people with heroin. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), and Ketchikan Police Department (KPD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a convicted felon was sentenced today for illegally possessing a firearm at Juneau International Airport. 

Ryan Matthew Neely, 41, of Woodenville, Washington, was sentenced in Juneau by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In October 2018, Neely pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, on Feb. 20, 2018, Neely was trying to clear security at Juneau International Airport with a duffle bag that contained a loaded firearm with a round in the chamber.  When confronted by law enforcement, Neely claimed he had no knowledge about the firearm and that he grabbed the bag from someone else, not knowing there was a firearm inside. 

When Neely was taken to the Juneau Police Department for further questioning, he lied about his identity and presented a stolen identification to the officer, and claimed to be that person.  After providing his true identity, officers were able to determine that Neely was prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior convictions for theft, possession of stolen mail, and identify theft.  At the time of his arrest, Neely was in possession of $8,000, 1.75 grams of heroin, .45 grams of methamphetamine, and .19 grams of buprenorphine.  According to court documents, Neely was immediately released from state custody on bail and later absconded once he learned he was facing federal felon in possession charges. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Juneau Police Department (JPD), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that a Naknek woman has been sentenced for embezzling approximately $510,181 from Naknek Electric Association (NEA), an organization receiving federal funds.

Donna Vukich, 60, of Naknek, Alaska, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess to serve 34 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In January 2019, Vukich pleaded guilty to theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, and filing a false tax return.  Vukich has repaid $510,181 in restitution to NEA. 

According to court documents, from January 2011 through December 2015, Vukich was the General Manager of NEA. As part of her duties as General Manager, Vukich was in possession of a company-owned credit account for the purpose of making business purchases for NEA.  During this time, Vukich paid approximately $510,181 in unauthorized personal expenses with a company credit card and used NEA funds to pay the credit card bill.  The unauthorized expenditures included paying for travel, for her daughter’s college tuition, cash advances, and entertainment items for her, her family, and friends.  Vukich spent approximately $51,000 at Norwegian Cruise Lines, approximately $62,000 on Alaska Airlines flights, approximately $16,000 at Little Creek Casino Hotel and Resort in Washington, and approximately $7,000 at dōTERRA.

As General Manager, Vukich was responsible for the financial reporting of NEA, to include overseeing the identification of expenditures and assigning the expenses to various general ledger accounts.  The investigation revealed that Vukich falsely assigned the charges for her personal expenditures to multiple general ledger expense accounts in order to conceal the nature of her unauthorized expenditures. 

The investigation further revealed that Vukich intentionally filed false income tax returns for calendar years 2011 through 2015.  She willfully did not report the amount of money she had knowingly converted from NEA during those years, which resulted in a tax loss to the United States of $138,689. 

IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aunnie Steward and Anne Veldhuis.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Michael Lee Graves, 20, of Anchorage, has been charged by criminal complaint with illegal possession of a machinegun and possession of an unregistered firearm (silencer).  Graves was arrested on the charges on May 7, 2019, and was ordered detained pending trial.

According to the complaint, on April 28, 2019, the FBI received an online tip that Graves was posting racially motivated extremist views on his social media accounts, that he had weapons, and that the tipster was concerned about his potential for violence.  That same day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted a package from China addressed to “Mike G” at an Anchorage address.  The complaint alleges the package contained a full auto selector switch for a Glock handgun.  A full auto selector switch, which is not an authentic Glock part, is designed and intended to convert a semi-automatic pistol into a machinegun.    

On May 7, 2019, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) conducted a controlled delivery of the package to Graves.  The complaint alleges that Graves admitted to ordering the selector switch online, and that he also manufactured silencers from parts purchased online.  A search of Graves’ apartment revealed two unregistered silencers, one of which had a swastika and “1488” painted on it.         

If convicted, Graves faces a maximum of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sayers-Fay.

The FBI notes that this investigation began with a tip from a concerned citizen.  The FBI encourages Alaskans who may have concerns or information about similar crimes to contact the FBI at 907-276-4441 or through its online anonymous tip portal.

The charges in the criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Jose Luis Arenas, 64, of Anchorage, was named in an indictment charging him with 32 counts of aiding and assisting in preparation of false federal individual income tax returns.

According to the indictment, beginning in 2013, Arenas prepared tax returns for Alaska clients who paid him for his services.  The indictment alleges that for tax years 2013 through 2016, Arenas willfully reported false itemized expenses to the IRS on behalf of his clients.  Arenas’ false submissions allegedly included false medical and dental expenses that fraudulently reduced the amount of income tax owed, and/or fraudulently inflated his clients’ income tax refunds. 

If convicted, Arenas faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sayers-Fay.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that three Anchorage residents have been sentenced for their roles in an Anchorage mail theft scheme, which involved obtaining checks from the mail, and then negotiating the stolen checks at different banks using stolen identities and bank accounts.

The last of three defendants in this case, Ronald Travis Hecker, 36, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to serve 3.5 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.  In November 2018, Ronald Hecker pleaded guilty to conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen mail.  As part of his sentence, Ronald Hecker was ordered to pay approximately $50,000 in restitution, joint and severally with his co-conspirators. 

Ronald Hecker’s co-conspirators were each sentenced in April 2019 for their roles in the conspiracy, after previously pleading guilty.  Amber Hecker, 35, and leader of the conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 3.5 years in prison for conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identify theft, and possession of stolen mail.  Richard Hoglin, 36, was sentenced to serve 2 years and 3 months in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identify theft.

According to court documents, from April 2017 to April 2018, Ronald Hecker conspired with his wife, Amber Hecker, along with Richard Hoglin, to steal mail and pass stolen checks with stolen identities at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.  They stole checks from the mail including convenience checks from Bank of America, Capital One, and Citibank.  The stolen identities used by Ronald Hecker and his co-conspirators to pass the stolen checks came from committing vehicle break-ins, as well as backpack and purse snatching from places like Chuck E. Cheese and daycare centers.  They would then falsely alter the stolen checks to deposit them in the accounts associated with the stolen identities and then make cash withdrawals.  Specifically, the stolen checks were falsely made out to make the payee a separate stolen identity that was used by the defendants to negotiate the stolen checks. 

After her husband’s arrest, Amber Hecker recruited Hoglin to help steal mail and pass stolen checks with stolen identities at Alaska USA.  Hoglin was involved in nine successful transactions in March 2018.  He also assisted Amber Hecker in depositing $9,425 in stolen and forged checks and withdrawing $4,600 in cash. 

In addition to the stolen identifications used in the approximately 88 fraudulent transactions during the course of the conspiracy, Ronald and Amber Hecker also had stolen identification information including social security cards, identification cards, and credit cards, of approximately 500 victims.  This was the largest amount of victims impacted by a mail theft ring in Alaska.  The investigation revealed that the total loss amount during the course of the conspiracy was $81,342.  

Judge Gleason noted that these kinds of crimes are very serious because they “destroy the sense of community” and erode trust.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), along with the Anchorage Airport Police, conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a former Ravn Alaska supervisor has been sentenced for his lead role in a mail theft conspiracy, which involved stealing 60 Apple computers and over $100,000 worth of phones and tobacco products from the United States mail.   

Congress Lepou, 30, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to serve 12 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In addition to his sentence, Lepou was ordered $199,143 in restitution.  In December 2018, Lepou pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of mail theft, and one count of possession of stolen mail.

According to court documents, Lepou was the leader of the mail theft conspiracy involving a total of six former Ravn employees.  Lepou and his co-defendant, Breadoflife Faiupu, abused their positions as supervisors at Ravn Alaska to steal computers from the mail, and then recruited those they supervised to help find buyers for the stolen computers.  The investigation further revealed that Faiupu and Lepou would then share the proceeds from the sales with those they were tasked to supervise, thus ensuring their silence. 

Specifically, from March 2015 to April 2017, Lepou and Faiupu used Ravn Alaska’s supervisor truck – intended for the transportation of mail from the U.S. Postal Service facility to Ravn airplanes for delivery to Alaska villages – to take articles stolen from the mail and drive them to the Ravn employee parking lot to load into their personal vehicles.  The stolen computers were intended for village schools.  Lepou and Faiupu recruited ramp agents Hubert Barte, Paulo Maae, Rogelio Daquis, as well as former ramp agent Harold Velicaria, to help find buyers for the stolen Apple computers.  The proceeds from the stolen computers were shared among the co-conspirators. 

During the course of the conspiracy, Lepou and Faiupu stole approximately 60 Apple computers from mail. The total approximate retail value of stolen Apple computers attributable to the conspiracy is $90,000. The majority of those computers were intended for delivery to school districts in Alaska villages.  Lepou also stole over $100,000 worth of phones and tobacco products from the mail intended for rural stores in addition to the computers. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Gleason noted the serious impact to village school districts and communities as a result of the defendant’s thefts.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  The Alaska State Trooper Technical Crimes Unit also assisted in the investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Gerardo Adan Cazarez Valenzuela, a/k/a “Gary Cazarez,” 34, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 10 years in prison, with no credit for seven years he served in a Mexican prison.  In January 2019, Valenzuela pleaded guilty to theft of bank funds, as charged in a 2011 superseding indictment. 

According to court documents, on or about July 29, 2011, Valenzuela was the Vault Manager for KeyBank when he stole approximately $4.3 million dollars in U.S. Currency from KeyBank in Anchorage, and then flew in a chartered jet to Washington, bought a car, obtained an AK-47 for protection and drove to Mexico.  He mailed his and his girlfriend’s cell phones to Florida and New York to throw off investigators.  The investigation revealed that Valenzuela’s motive to rob his employer was his concern that Keybank was going to make his position obsolete and he would be out of a job. 

Months prior to his theft, Valenzuela told his girlfriend that he could rob the bank noting that the bank had video surveillance, but no physical surveillance at that time.  In June 2011, he started to put his plan into action, which began with requesting that his brother obtain a firearm for him.  On July 8, 2011, Valenzuela falsely trained new employees on vault procedures, effectively removing dual controls over the vault and laying the groundwork for his ability to steal $4.3 million a few weeks later. 

On July 26, 2011, Valenzuela purchased an airplane ticket for his girlfriend from Anchorage to Seattle.  Two days later, he then stole $30,000 from Keybank, which he used $24,000 to rent a private jet for himself to make his escape the next day.  On the day of his theft, July 29, 2011, Valenzuela told the branch manager he was going to organize an ice cream social for bank customers, giving him an excuse to stay late as he cleaned up.  Late at night and without dual controls in place, Valenzuela was able to access the vault without another employee present.  He boxed up $4.3 million in cash, rolled it out of the vault to his car in the parking lot, and loaded the money into his car.  Valenzuela drove to where the private jet was waiting for him in Anchorage and he flew to Seattle. 

Valenzuela had set the timer on the vault lock for the maximum time allowable, giving him six days to escape to Mexico.  By the time Keybank discovered his theft, Valenzuela and his girlfriend were already in Mexico; however, Valenzuela was arrested by Mexican authorities on Aug. 2, 2011, when a random search of his luggage at a checkpoint revealed $3.8 million in cash, firearms, and ammunition. 

Cazarez was charged and convicted in Mexico of criminal offenses analogous to money laundering and illegal possession of firearms for smuggling the cash and firearms into Mexico.  After serving a term of seven years in prison for his Mexican conviction, Cazarez was extradited to the U.S. for the crimes charged in the superseding indictment.

Chief Judge Burgess noted that the most important sentencing factors in this case were the “magnitude of the crime” and Valenzuela’s lack of candor with the court.  At the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented that Valenzuela had executed a “fail safe plan” that included stashing $500,000 in Washington before he fled to Mexico so that if he were caught he would still have money when he was released.  That money has still not been recovered.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.  The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in the case, as did the government of Mexico.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Abdul Karim Oluwafemi Adepoju, 33, of Fairbanks, was sentenced on Friday, April 26, by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to serve 68 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  In January 2019, Adepoju pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, on Sept. 29, 2018, an Alaska State Trooper went to a residence in North Pole, Alaska, to serve two outstanding warrants on Adepoju for State of Alaska probation and parole violations.  The trooper had received a report that Adepoju was observed sitting in the driver’s seat of a green Mitsubishi car parked in front of the residence.  The trooper learned that Adepoju was inside the property and subsequently arrested him. 

Upon his arrest, Adepoju provided a false name to the trooper.  The trooper confirmed his real identity, and determined that the name provided was Adepoju’s brother.  When the trooper was reporting Adepoju’s arrest to dispatch, Adepoju attempted to throw something from his jacket toward the rear of the patrol vehicle.  When Adepoju was searched, $2,791 was recovered from his person, and the item recovered from behind the patrol vehicle was a clear gallon sized Ziplock bag containing drugs.  Adepoju denied the drugs were his, and began walking away.  The trooper placed the Ziplock bag on his patrol vehicle, attempted to stop Adepoju, and called for backup.  Adepoju then grabbed the Ziplock bag and started running away from the trooper.  The trooper chased the defendant and wrestled him to the ground.  While Adepoju was in handcuffs, he repeatedly tried to stand up and wrestle free.  At that time, the trooper finished searching Adepoju and located a set of Mitsubishi keys. 

A court-authorized search of the green Mitsubishi revealed a black zip-up case on the passenger seat, which contained additional drugs for distribution and a digital scale.  The Ziplock bag was processed and inside were nine smaller clear bags containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. 

The Alaska State Troopers (AST) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charisse Arce.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Michael John Collier, 32, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve seven years in prison, followed by a lifetime period of supervised release.  In February 2019, Collier pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child – distribution of child pornography. 

According to court documents, Collier became the subject of an investigation when, in February 2018, APD received a cybertip report from a social media platform through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alleging that an individual with an Alaska IP address was using the platform to exchange images depicting child sexual exploitation.  The cybertip identified a suspect user name “Torpedo_todd” describing themselves as a “Lover of natural beauty and innocence (NSFW).”  After it was determined that Collier was assigned to that IP address, APD executed a search warrant on his residence and recovered a number of digital devices that were later determined to contain thousands of images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation.

When interviewed by law enforcement at the time of the search, Collier admitted that “TorPedo” user names were aliases he had used, and that the naming convention was a conjunction of the terms Tor (dark web) and Pedo (short for “pedophile”).  In a separate interview, Collier admitted that the majority of his child pornography collection depicted children between 11 and 13 years old, as well as toddlers.  He also made admissions to using social media platforms to follow minor female children, and discussed viewing a manual on how to exploit children without being apprehended by law enforcement.  Collier also described that he had been on a “slippery slope” before being contacted by APD and disclosed that he had started exposing himself to children in person and online.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  The Alaska Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is made up of local, state, and federal agencies who develop effective responses to cyber enticement and child sexual exploitation cases.  This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.

The investigation is 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, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Christopher Thomas Howard, a/k/a “Indy,” 33, of Fairbanks, has been federally indicted with three counts of distribution of methamphetamine.  Howard was arrested on April 5, 2019, based on a criminal complaint.    

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 3, 2019, Howard allegedly negotiated to sell two ounces of methamphetamine, agreeing to meet at Club Manchu in Fairbanks for the exchange.  During the exchange, Howard got into another vehicle and handed over two plastic baggies of methamphetamine.  Howard allegedly told the buyer that he had four ounces of methamphetamine left, that he had sold two pounds over the last couple of days, and that he should be getting more soon.  The subsequent investigation revealed that the two plastic baggies Howard distributed contained 55.2 grams of pure d-Methamphetamine Hydrochloride.  At Howard’s preliminary hearing on Friday, April 19, 2019, U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott A. Oravec found sufficient probable cause to continue detaining Howard to answer to the charges as stated in the criminal complaint. 

The indictment charges Howard with distributing methamphetamine on two additional occasions, on Nov. 15, 2018, and again on Dec. 6, 2018. 

If convicted, Howard faces a statutory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the most serious charges alleged in the indictment.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU), which is comprised of officers from the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD), and the North Pole Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey.

The charges in the indictment and criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – This Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its local law enforcement and community partners will collect expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications at 19 collection sites throughout Alaska.  The service is free of charge, no questions asked.  Last October, residents of Alaska turned in 3,977 pounds (2 tons) of prescription medications. 

“Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Alaskans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “Our country is in the midst of an opioid crisis, and all too often the abuse begins with prescription drugs.  Getting old and unneeded prescriptions out of the home can help prevent addictions from starting.”

“Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic that is plaguing the nation,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Root.  “Alaskans can help us combat this serious public health issue by disposing of unwanted medications at one of the take back sites in the area. Everyone who participates in this free and anonymous service is making a difference in their community.”

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a critical public safety and public health issue. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Because the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have advised the public that flushing their prescription drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards, DEA launched its prescription drug take back program to encourage the safe disposal of medications. 

Now in its ninth year, DEA has collected a total of nearly 11 million pounds (more than 5,400 tons) of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events.  This weekend, approximately 6,000 collection sites manned by nearly 5,000 partner law enforcement agencies will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.)

For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go to www.DEATakeBack.com where you can search by zip code, city, or state.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Anchorage man has been sentenced to federal prison after he and a co-conspirator stole a fossilized woolly mammoth tusk from an Anchorage BLM museum, and then cut the tusk into pieces and sold them for profit. 

Martin Thornley Elze, 52, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In December 2018, Elze pleaded guilty to one count of removal of a paleontological resource.  As part of his sentence, Elze was also ordered to pay $8,385.82 in restitution to the Campbell Creek Science Center. 

According to court documents, Elze and his co-conspirator, Gary Lynn Boyd, stole a mammoth tusk, which is an irreplaceable paleontological resource that was displayed at the Campbell Creek Science Center (CCSC), a BLM museum.  Specifically, on March 7, 2018, Elze and Boyd targeted the tusk in advance by visiting the CCSC and asked the staff specific questions about the weight and authenticity of the tusk.  Elze and Boyd returned to CCSC the next night, on March 8, 2018, when it was closed.  Boyd used a rock to break a window, causing $1,385.22 in damage, to unlawfully open a door at the CCSC.  After Boyd removed the tusk from the CCSC, he and Elze worked together to carry away the tusk, which was caught on the museum’s video surveillance system.

The investigation revealed that Elze committed this crime for pecuniary gain.  Elze and Boyd cut the mammoth tusk into pieces and sold them for profit.  As such, the mammoth tusk was never returned to the BLM.  According to court documents, when the tusk was in its original condition, prior to being plundered and cleaved, it was worth approximately $7,000 to $9,000. 

The investigation further revealed that, in June 2018, and while in custody due to an unrelated state prosecution, Elze attempted to influence a witness to make materially false statements to the federal grand jury hoping it would shield him from prosecution. 

Boyd is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, May 15, at 1:30 p.m. at the federal courthouse. In January 2019, Boyd pleaded guilty to one count of removal of a paleontological resource. 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office of Law Enforcement and Security, and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the joint investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas M. Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today the conclusion of a multi-agency investigation and prosecution of 13 individuals from Kodiak, Alaska, for drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms related charges.

In the summer of 2016, in response to community outrage over significant drug use, drug trafficking, and other drug related crimes in Kodiak, the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) led an operation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and launched an investigation into drug trafficking activities in Kodiak.

The investigation revealed that drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine were imported to Kodiak through common carriers and also transported by human couriers on airplanes.  These drugs were sold and intended to be sold in the Kodiak community.  The investigation also revealed several individuals in illegal possession of firearms.  In addition, there were individuals convicted of money laundering counts for sending payment for illegal drugs to sources of supply located outside of Kodiak through banks and money exchanges. 

The investigation led to the conviction of 13 defendants for drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms crimes that originated in Kodiak.  Not all of the convicted defendants conspired or associated with one another.

• Christopher Arndt, 40, of Kodiak, was sentenced on March 7, 2019, to serve nine years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of drug conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
• Wahyu Sanjoyo, a/k/a, “Mike,” a/k/a, “Kodiak Mike,” 37, of Kodiak, was sentenced on Aug. 6, 2018, to serve 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
• Jose Rodriguez, a/k/a, “Bird,” 31, of Kodiak, was sentenced on April 5, 2019, to serve five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of attempted possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
• Ann Nava Vega, 41, of Chula Vista, California, was sentenced on Dec. 7, 2017, to serve 59 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after she was convicted of one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
• Nathan Gambrell, 44, of Kodiak, was sentenced on Dec. 20, 2017, to time served, followed by three years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  Gambrell subsequently violated the terms of his supervised release and was re-sentenced to a term of 11 months in prison.
• Joshua Cislo, 33, of Kalispell, Montana, was sentenced on Jan. 26, 2018, to serve two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of drug conspiracy.
• Leonard Parker Taylor, 49, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced on Jan. 29, 2018, to serve 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of drug conspiracy.
• James Gerrity, 31, of Kodiak, was sentenced on March 8, 2018, to serve 21 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of drug conspiracy. 
• Santos Lopez, 42, of Kodiak, was sentenced on March 9, 2018, to serve 46 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after he was convicted of four counts of drug distribution.
• Joshua Herald, 37, of Kodiak, was sentenced on April 9, 2018, to serve three years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after he was convicted of one count of drug conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy. 
• Lorie Wenzel, 58, of Lodi, California, was sentenced on April 6, 2018, to serve three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after she was convicted of one count of money laundering conspiracy.
• Josie Harvey, 33, of Renton, Washington, was sentenced on Sept. 9, 2018, to time served, followed by three years of supervised release, after she was convicted of one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. 
• Leigh Ann Massengill, 44, of Anchorage, was sentenced on April 9, 2019, to serve 57 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after she was convicted of one count of drug conspiracy and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

 

“The rural areas of Alaska are every bit as devastated by drug abuse as the cities,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “However, a coordinated investigation by a dedicated group of investigators and prosecutors can make a real difference in a small town.  Law enforcement professionals stepped in to make the community safer.  They continue to work tirelessly to stem the tide of drug trafficking in Kodiak and elsewhere.”

“The Coast Guard Investigative Service is thankful for the collaborative effort from multiple agencies during this investigation,” said Randy Thompson, CGIS Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Northwest region. “We are committed to continuing our partnerships into the future to make Alaska a safer place to live.”

“This collection of criminals has been trafficking drugs and bringing devastation to the Kodiak area for years” said Justin Campbell, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Seattle Field Office.  “The role of IRS CI in narcotics investigations is to follow the money.  The laundering of profits from unlawful drug sales is as important and essential to drug dealers’ operations as the distribution of their illegal drugs.  We are proud to provide our financial expertise as we work alongside our law enforcement partners to bring criminals to justice."

The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Kodiak Police, the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Anchorage Airport Police, and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of the above individuals.  These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh.

Anchorage, Alaska – In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 7-13, 2019, the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska, participated in yesterday’s annual Tree Ceremony hosted by Victims for Justice, to honor those affected by violent crime.  The ceremony was held at Hostetler Park in Anchorage at 12:00 p.m. yesterday, where guests were invited to tie colored ribbons, signifying ten types of violent crime onto branches to represent themselves or others who have been impacted by violent crime. 

“Victims of crime deserve justice. This Department works every day to help them recover and to find, prosecute, and convict those who have done them harm,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “During this National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we pause to remember the millions of Americans who have been victims of crime and we thank public servants who have served them in especially heroic ways. This week the men and women of the Department recommit ourselves once again to ensuring that crime victims continue to have a voice in our legal system, to securing justice for them, and to preventing other Americans from suffering what they have endured."

“Along with our law enforcement partners, we work every day to bring justice to Alaskans who are victims of crime,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder.  “This week we are especially reminded of the toll that criminals take on our communities and our neighbors.  In addition to prosecuting the offenders, we strive to support victims and make sure their voice is heard.”

Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf.  In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorneys’ offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme: Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.

The U.S. Department of Justice will host the Office for Victims of Crime’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2019, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.

The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.

The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime-fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska’s Victim Witness Program at 907-271-3041.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Alaska woman has been sentenced in federal court for devising multiple schemes to defraud an Anchorage medical practice of at least $640,000.   

Jill Diane Applebury, aka: “Jill Wetzsteon,” 54, d/b/a Applebury Accounting Services, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve four years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  In November 2018, Jill Applebury pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of fraudulent transactions with an access device.  The total amount of restitution to be paid to the victim will be determined within thirty days.

According to court documents, from the mid-1990’s until March 2013, Jill Applebury was an independent contractor who performed bookkeeping services for an Anchorage medical practice, which was owned and operated by an Anchorage physician.  From at least 2001 until March 22, 2013, Jill Applebury defrauded the Anchorage medical practice in several ways. 

One such scheme stems from 2001 through 2009, when Jill Applebury used the medical practice’s funds to pay her Federal Income Tax Withholding without authority.  Specifically, Jill Applebury executed unauthorized and fraudulent transactions from the medical practice’s business bank account to the IRS, thereby having the medical practice pay her IRS individual income tax account.  IRS Form 945 account transcripts for the medical practice showed that withheld taxes were paid to the IRS for the 2001-2009 calendar years, and applied to Jill Applebury’s individual income tax account.  The total amount of unauthorized federal tax withholdings on independent contractor compensation paid by the medical practice for Jill Applebury’s benefit was $84,813.75.

Another scheme involved the medical practice’s profit-sharing plan.  Employees of the medical practice were eligible to participate in its profit-sharing plan, which was overseen by a third-party administrator.  Independent contractors did not qualify for the plan; however, Jill Applebury falsely represented to the third-party administrator that she had become a full-time employee of the medical practice in 2009, making her eligible to participate in the profit-sharing plan beginning in 2010.  In all, Jill Applebury fraudulently caused the physician to unknowingly allocate $62,722.90 to her in unauthorized profit-sharing plan contributions for the years 2010 and 2011.  As a result of the unauthorized overpayment caused by Jill Applebury to the profit-sharing plan, the Anchorage physician suffered an additional loss of $25,574.18, and was subject to an excise tax penalty in the amount of $1,931.80.

From July 2004 through December 2012, Jill Applebury devised a scheme to defraud the medical practice by fraudulently transferring funds from the medical practice’s business bank account to pay for charges on her and her family’s personal credit cards, including charges for travel and dining.  The medical practice checking account was used to make payments totaling $18,229.97 on credit cards belonging to Jill Applebury, her husband and daughter. 

Additionally, between 2004 and March 22, 2013, Jill Applebury used the medical practice’s business credit card to pay for items for their own personal and/or business benefit.  The unauthorized charges included cell phone service for the Appleburys and members of their family, internet service for their residence, business licenses for businesses owned by Jill and Darin Applebury, automobile insurance for their personal vehicles, and other personal items.  Jill Applebury also, without the consent of the Anchorage physician, put her nephew on the business cell phone plan, and used the business credit card to pay for fund raising gift cards obtained through GL Scripts to contribute to the same nephew’s youth soccer league.  In all, Jill Applebury used the medical practice’s business credit card to pay for her and her husband’s personal and personal business expenses in the amount of $35,393.20.

The investigation also revealed that in October 2012, Jill Applebury fraudulently used the medical practice’s business credit card to purchase nearly $3,000 of medical products for her husband’s business, Rapid Recovery Medical Service, Inc.  The fraudulent credit card purchases were made using the physician’s name and address without the knowledge and permission of the Anchorage physician.

Through her schemes, Jill Applebury was overpaid more than $550,000 for accounting and bookkeeping services, which also caused the medical practice to overpay the employer’s portion of payroll taxes in the amount of $23,469.69. 

When imposing sentence upon Jill Applebury, Judge Burgess stated that the scope of the crimes committed against the Anchorage physician were breathtaking in that Jill Applebury treated the finances of the medical practice “like her own personal piggy bank.”  Judge Burgess wanted to send a strong message to the financial community that such conduct would not be tolerated.  Judge Burgess ordered Jill Applebury to no longer have any contact with the financial records of any business organization; he also found Jill Applebury to be a financial risk to third parties and ordered her to notify all future employers of her felony convictions.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Retta-Rae Randall.  

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Kenny Appuallo Gregory, 29, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve five years in prison, followed by a 20-year term of supervised release, for possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, between April 2, 2016, and April 8, 2016, Gregory exchanged emails with an undercover law enforcement agent.  In these emails, Gregory offered to share with the undercover agent a link to images and videos of child pornography.  In his email, he attached a link to the Internet photo-sharing site that contained child pornography, and Gregory wrote, “And I hope you give me something nice, in return I’ll let you see my stuff.  Here you go and have fun.”  Gregory also sent via email a video showing the sexual molestation of a girl approximately 5 to 9 years old.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Gregory’s email address.  The results of the warrant contained the emails described above.  Later, HSI agents contacted Gregory at his Anchorage residence and he agreed to speak with the special agents after being advised of his rights.  During his interview, Gregory admitted that he was the user of the email address with whom the undercover agent was communicating.  When shown the email communications, Gregory replied, “looks like you guys have it all down.”  A search of Gregory’s phone revealed approximately 300 images and videos of child pornography that Gregory had downloaded through the internet.

At sentencing, Judge Gleason noted the harm that Gregory’s conduct had on the children shown in the images he possessed.  Judge Gleason described the victim impact statements submitted in the case, and the victims’ inability to live normal lives knowing that individuals like Gregory are downloading, viewing, and trading videos that show the victims being sexually abused.  Judge Gleason stated, “those letters always bring home the seriousness of this offense.”  Judge Gleason also noted that the sentence was intended to send a message to others who might trade child pornography. 

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that multiple members and associates of a white supremacist gang known as the 1488s, have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in a racketeering enterprise involving narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking, and acts of violence including murder, assault, and kidnapping. 

In a recently unsealed indictment, Filthy Fuhrer, (formerly Timothy Lobdell), 42; Roy Naughton, aka “Thumper,” 40; Glen Baldwin, aka “Glen Dog,” 37; Craig King, aka “Oakie,” 53; Beau Cook, 32; and Colter O’Dell, 26, have each been charged with murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit assault and kidnapping in aid of racketeering.  Two other key members, Nicholas M. Kozorra, aka “Beast,” 29, and Dustin J. Clowers, 34, previously pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering in recently unsealed court documents.

“The highest priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Alaska, which is consistent with the priorities of the Attorney General of the United States, is to stop violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “We will focus on chronic violent offenders, including criminals who unify through racial hatred and commit violent crimes.”

“While the violent crimes these individuals are charged with are certainly serious in and of themselves, their affiliation in support of a white supremacy enterprise is of even greater concern,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffery Peterson of FBI’s Anchorage Division.  “This impactful case demonstrates law enforcement’s abilities to penetrate even the most secret organizations through cooperation at all levels and sharing a common goal.”

“We are very proud of the meticulous work done by all of our trooper investigators and the investigators from our partnering agencies,” said AST Captain David Hanson, Commander of Alaska Bureau of Investigation. “This outcome was made possible through the effort and guidance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which resulted in an array of federal indictments on numerous 1488 gang members.”

According to the indictment, the 1488s are a violent and “whites only” prison-based gang with approximately 50 to 100 members operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Alaska and elsewhere.  The 1488s allegedly offered protection to white inmates if they joined the gang, and all members were required to “be white, look white and act white.”  Members allegedly often had tattoos incorporating Nazi-style symbols; however, the most coveted tattoo of 1488s members was the 1488s “patch” that could be worn only by “made” members who generally gained full membership by committing an act of violence on behalf of the gang. 

It is further alleged that Filthy Fuhrer, Naughton, Baldwin, King, Cook, and O’Dell played a role in the August 2017 beating, kidnapping, and murder of Michael Staton, aka “Steak Knife.”   

An additional 14 indictments have resulted from the investigation into the 1488 organization, members, and associates including:

• Christopher Davidson, 35, sentenced to serve 90 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms;
• Justin Eaton, aka “Skulls,” 44, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Justin Hoff, 30, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Taylor Lack, 23, sentenced to serve six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Mica Messinger, 37, sentenced to serve 70 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Angie Minnick, 41, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances;
• Alexander Netling, aka “Bruiser,” 25, sentenced to serve five years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Michael Oman, aka “Donkey,” 29, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Jason Rose, aka “Honkey,” 42, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Shawn Schmidt, 33, sentenced to serve 30 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Charles Soper, aka “Slim,” 25, sentenced to serve 34 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Jeffrey Robinson, 37, sentenced to serve nine years in prison for drug conspiracy;
• Roy Naughton, sentenced to serve 100 months in prison for carjacking;
• Colter O’Dell, sentenced to serve 27 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
   
  According to the indictment, as part of their operations, 1488s members and associates allegedly engaged in illegal activities under the protection of the enterprise, including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and other illegal activities to generate income.  The 1488s allegedly had a detailed and uniform organizational structure, which is outlined in written “rules” widely distributed to members throughout Alaska and elsewhere.  Members of the 1488s allegedly acted in different roles in order to further the goals of their organization, including “bosses” who had ultimate authority in all gang matters. “Key holders” were allegedly responsible for all gang matters within penal facilities where 1488s had a presence, and in “free world” Alaska (outside of prison). “Enforcers” were allegedly responsible for enforcing the rules and performing tasks as assigned by higher-ranking gang members.
   
  The indictment further alleges the 1488 gang was established in approximately 2010 within the Alaska Department of Corrections and by Alaskan inmates incarcerated within the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Arizona Department of Corrections through interstate compact agreements.
   
  The FBI and AST Alaska Bureau of Investigation Special Crimes Investigation Unit and Technical Crimes Unit, the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) Mat-Su Drug Unit, AST ‘B’ Detachment Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Suppression Unit, and AST’s participation in the Task Force Officer program led the investigation.  Investigative Assistance was provided by IRS Criminal Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Anchorage Police Department (APD), the State of Alaska’s Department of Corrections and the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS).  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Taylor and James Klugman of the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Marty Woelfle of OCGS. 
   
  The charges in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Multiple members and associates of a white supremacist gang known as the 1488s, have been arrested and charged for their alleged roles in a racketeering enterprise involving narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking, and acts of violence including murder, assault, and kidnapping. 

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Jeffery Peterson of FBI’s Anchorage Division and Alaska State Troopers (AST) Captain David Hanson, Commander of Alaska Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.

In a recently unsealed indictment, Filthy Fuhrer, (formerly Timothy Lobdell), 42; Roy Naughton, aka “Thumper,” 40; Glen Baldwin, aka “Glen Dog,” 37; Craig King, aka “Oakie,” 53; Beau Cook, 32; and Colter O’Dell, 26, have each been charged with murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit assault and kidnapping in aid of racketeering.  Two other key members, Nicholas M. Kozorra, aka “Beast,” 29, and Dustin J. Clowers, 34, previously pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering in recently unsealed court documents.

“The defendants allegedly participated in the heinous murder of Michael Staton, with the goal of impressing their vile and racist gang,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.  “The Criminal Division is committed to bringing the 1488s to justice, and holding accountable those who further its agenda of violence and hatred.”

“The highest priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Alaska, which is consistent with the priorities of the Attorney General of the United States, is to stop violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Schroder.  “We will focus on chronic violent offenders, including criminals who unify through racial hatred and commit violent crimes.”

“While the violent crimes these individuals are charged with are certainly serious in and of themselves, their affiliation in support of a white supremacy enterprise is of even greater concern,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Peterson.  “This impactful case demonstrates law enforcement’s abilities to penetrate even the most secret organizations through cooperation at all levels and sharing a common goal.”

“We are very proud of the meticulous work done by all of our trooper investigators and the investigators from our partnering agencies,” said AST Captain David Hanson, Commander of Alaska Bureau of Investigation. “This outcome was made possible through the effort and guidance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, which resulted in an array of federal indictments on numerous 1488 gang members.”

According to the indictment, the 1488s are a violent and “whites only” prison-based gang with approximately 50 to 100 members operating inside and outside of state prisons throughout Alaska and elsewhere.  The 1488s allegedly offered protection to white inmates if they joined the gang, and all members were required to “be white, look white and act white.”  Members allegedly often had tattoos incorporating Nazi-style symbols; however, the most coveted tattoo of 1488s members was the 1488s “patch” that could be worn only by “made” members who generally gained full membership by committing an act of violence on behalf of the gang.  

The indictment alleges that Filthy Fuhrer, Naughton, Baldwin, King, Cook, and O’Dell played a role in the August 2017 beating, kidnapping, and murder of Michael Staton, aka “Steak Knife.”   

An additional 14 indictments have resulted from the investigation into the 1488 organization, members, and associates including:

• Christopher Davidson, 35, sentenced to serve 90 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms;
• Justin Eaton, aka Skulls, 44, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Justin Hoff, 30, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Taylor Lack, 23, sentenced to serve six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Mica Messinger, 37, sentenced to serve 70 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Angie Minnick, 41, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen mail and for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances;
• Alexander Netling, aka Bruiser, 25, sentenced to serve five years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Michael Oman, 29, aka Donkey, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Jason Rose, aka Honkey, 42, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Shawn Schmidt, 33, sentenced to serve 30 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Charles Soper, aka Slim, 25, sentenced to serve 34 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm;
• Jeffrey Robinson, 37, sentenced to serve nine years in prison for drug conspiracy;
• Roy Naughton, sentenced to serve 100 months in prison for carjacking;
• Colter O’Dell, sentenced to serve 27 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the indictment, as part of their operations, 1488s members and associates allegedly engaged in illegal activities under the protection of the enterprise, including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and other illegal activities to generate income.  The 1488s allegedly had a detailed and uniform organizational structure, which is outlined in written “rules” widely distributed to members throughout Alaska and elsewhere.  Members of the 1488s allegedly acted in different roles in order to further the goals of their organization, including “bosses” who had ultimate authority in all gang matters. “Key holders” were allegedly responsible for all gang matters within penal facilities where 1488s had a presence, and in “free world” Alaska (outside of prison). “Enforcers” were allegedly responsible for enforcing the rules and performing tasks as assigned by higher-ranking gang members.

The indictment further alleges the 1488 gang was established in approximately 2010 within the Alaska Department of Corrections and by Alaskan inmates incarcerated within the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Arizona Department of Corrections through interstate compact agreements. 

The FBI and AST Alaska Bureau of Investigation Special Crimes Investigation Unit and Technical Crimes Unit, the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) Mat-Su Drug Unit, AST ‘B’ Detachment Major Crimes Unit and Criminal Suppression Unit, and AST’s participation in the Task Force Officer program led the investigation.  Investigative Assistance was provided by IRS Criminal Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Anchorage Police Department (APD), the State of Alaska’s Department of Corrections and the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS).  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Taylor and James Klugman of the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Marty Woelfle of OCGS. 

The charges in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Paul Silvas, 51, resident of Nampa, Idaho, has been charged in a four-count indictment with multiple felony Lacey Act violations.

According to the indictment, Silvas violated the Lacey Act by illegally guiding, filing false state of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) hunt records in order to conceal the illegal take of brown bears and to conceal illegally guided hunts, along with transporting illegally taken game across state lines.  

The indictment alleges that, on Sept. 5, and Sept. 12, 2014, as well as Sept. 25, 2013, within the Noatak National Preserve, Silvas knowingly guided illegal hunts for other residents of Idaho that did not possess the appropriate permits.  In order to lawfully hunt brown bears within the Noatak National Preserve, a non-resident hunter would be required to have contracted with a licensed big game guide, possess the appropriate ADFG draw permits as well as purchasing the appropriate big game tags from ADFG.  Silvas was neither a licensed big game guide, nor did he nor any of his clients possess the appropriate big game tags.

If convicted, Silvas faces a maximum of up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Steven E. Skrocki.  

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Joshua J. Ziegler, 29, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 57 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In November 2018, Ziegler pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.  

According to court documents, on April 15, 2017, APD officers were in the area of Karluk and E 20th in Anchorage, attempting to locate a suspect in a shooting incident that occurred in Muldoon.  Officers observed Ziegler, who was seated in the rear passenger seat of a car parked not far from the last known residence of the suspected shooter.  Ziegler was found to be in possession of two high capacity firearms that had loaded magazines, including an Intratech Tech-9 9mm handgun and a Glock .45 caliber handgun.  Ziegler was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant, as he was under state supervision following his felony assault conviction in 2015.  In that case, Ziegler had been involved in a shooting incident during which he had fired four rounds at another moving vehicle.  As someone previously convicted of a felony, Ziegler was prohibited from possessing firearms. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Burgess found that Ziegler was a “poster child” for those who should not be in possession of firearms, and sentenced him to the high end of the advisory sentencing guidelines for his crime and his criminal history.  Judge Burgess also noted that a sentence at the high end of the guidelines was necessary, in part, to protect the public from Ziegler. 

The Anchorage Police Department (APD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephan Collins.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Lee John Screnock, 58, of Anchorage, d.b.a. “Arctic Treasures,” has been charged with one count of misrepresentation of Indian produced goods and products, and two counts alleging violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

According to the indictment, beginning at an unknown time and ending no later than June 2018, Screnock allegedly offered, displayed for sale, and sold goods in a manner that falsely suggested that it was Indian produced, an Indian product, and the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization.  As alleged in the indictment, Screnock fraudulently represented hundreds of items for sale in his business as being carved by Alaskan Native artisans when he had in fact carved them himself.  The indictment further alleges that Screnock violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act by knowingly offering illegal wildlife parts for sale, including a polar bear skull and a walrus oosik. 

If convicted, Screnock faces a maximum of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Shane Corey Muse, 29, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  In August 2018, Muse pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with being felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to court documents, in June 2018, Muse was on release pending felony trial for multiple state charges.  These charges included an October 2017 incident in which Muse allegedly rammed a police vehicle with a stolen Escalade and a later alleged attempt to cash a stolen $5,000 check.  In addition, in June 2018, Muse was on pretrial release for theft and weapons charges resulting from March 2018, when he allegedly drove another stolen vehicle aggressively toward police, who found a loaded stolen gun in the vehicle Muse and a passenger occupied.

Precisely because Muse was on state pretrial release, on June 9, 2018, Alaska Pretrial Enforcement Division (PED) officers arrived at Muse’s residence and found that he was not in compliance with his conditions of release.  The PED officers attempted to arrest Muse but he resisted, causing the officers to call for APD backup.  During the struggle to arrest and restrain Muse, Muse repeatedly moved his hands to his waistline and attempted to reach into his front pocket, causing the PED officers to fear that Muse might have a gun in his pocket.

When Muse was finally subdued, a PED officer removed a loaded and stolen Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun from the same pocket toward which Muse had previously been reaching.  Muse has four Second Degree robbery convictions in the state of Hawaii and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Burgess noted that the most important sentencing factor in this case was protecting the public from potential further crimes by Muse.  Judge Burgess expressed grave concern that Muse was “going for his pocket in which he ha[d] a loaded gun,” and that he put both the officers and himself at risk.  Summing up, the district court judge noted: “It doesn’t get any more dangerous than that.”

In sentencing Muse, the court also took into account his criminal history, which entailed robberies at ages 18 and 19, and resulted in additional pending state charges.  Muse’s history, the court noted, suggests “an escalation and continuation of a path of criminality that [Muse] is up to his eyeballs in.”   

The Alaska Pretrial Enforcement Division, Anchorage Police Department (APD), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sayers-Fay.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Andrew Mac Saunders, 43, and Ian David Bowman, 30, both of Fairbanks, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline, to federal identity theft charges. 

According to court documents, on Jan. 19, 2018, the Alaska State Troopers (AST) responded to a report that Saunders and Bowman were perpetrating a scheme to manufacture and use counterfeit identification documents and counterfeit checks.  A search warrant was executed on their shared residence in Fairbanks, where AST seized three computers, three external hard drives, a flip camera, a scanner, check printer paper, blank check papers, and printers containing blank check papers. 

The seized computers contained at least 51 unique counterfeit identification documents, including Alaska State Driver’s Licenses of actual other persons.  Ten of the counterfeit identification documents displayed Saunders’ photograph along with the names and addresses of other actual persons; 21 of the documents displayed Bowman’s photograph; and 20 other documents displayed the photographs of their co-conspirators.  Numerous stolen items were also seized that contained the names and personal information of actual persons, including 19 Alaska State ID cards, a real U.S. passport, W-2 and W-4 documents, tax forms, and U.S. mail.  Saunders, Bowman, and their co-conspirators also used the seized laptop and printers to manufacture and print counterfeit checks with routing numbers and account numbers of numerous other actual persons’ bank accounts.  The routing numbers were obtained by stealing mail from numerous people, including people in Fairbanks and North Pole, Alaska.

The investigation revealed that the purpose of the scheme was for Saunders, Bowman and their co-conspirators to use the counterfeit identification documents and counterfeit checks to fraudulently purchase, among other things, cell phones and other items in Fairbanks and North Pole.  After using the counterfeit identification documents and checks to purchase these items, many of the items were sold for cash.  The investigation further revealed that Saunders, Bowman and their co-conspirators used the proceeds obtained from these sales to purchase illegal narcotics. 

The sentencing hearings have been scheduled for June 7, 2019, in Fairbanks.  Saunders and Bowman each face a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, on the charges.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendants.  As part of their plea agreements, Saunders and Bowman have also agreed to pay restitution to victims for costs associated with credit monitoring services, among other things, which will be determined at sentencing.

The Alaska State Troopers (AST) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan D. Tansey and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Corso.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a Fairbanks man has been sentenced to federal prison for willfully misapplying over $300,000 from an organization receiving federal funds, among other offenses. 

David Michael McGraw, 39, of Fairbanks, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline, to serve 18 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release.  In October 2018, McGraw pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication from an organization receiving federal funds, and one count of making and subscribing a false return.  McGraw paid restitution in full to the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council prior to sentencing, and was also ordered to pay $40,604 in restitution to the IRS.

According to court documents, from 2010 to 2014, McGraw was the Finance Director for the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (“Watershed Council”), a nonprofit corporation formed to improve and preserve the water quality of the Yukon River and its watershed.  During McGraw’s employment as the Financial Director, the organization received over $3.5 million in federal grant funds to address health, environmental and safety issues.  The investigation revealed that McGraw intentionally misapplied approximately $315,000 from the Watershed Council for his personal benefit including, among other things, the purchase of an airplane, maintenance on the airplane, flight school for himself, the purchase of real estate, more than a dozen firearms, and online pornography fees.

The investigation further revealed that McGraw created two sham corporations to hide his embezzlement.  Specifically, he intentionally misapplied funds by diverting money from the Watershed Council to two corporations set up at his direction – Clear Skies Aviation LLC and Interior Rentals LLC.  McGraw used the money he diverted to these corporations to conceal the purchase of an airplane and real estate for himself using Watershed Council funds.  Additionally, for the years 2011 to 2013, McGraw knowingly filed false personal income tax returns, which failed to disclose the business income he received from his criminal activity.

The IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General (EPA OIG) and the National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General (“NSF OIG”), conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.