District of Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that five Anchorage residents have been indicted on federal kidnapping and drug trafficking charges, among other offenses, in connection with the August 2017 beating and placing of a victim into a dog kennel.  

Macauther Christmas Vaifanua, 29, Faamanu Junior Vaifanua, 28, Jeffrey Jeremey Ahvan, 30, Rex Faiva Faumui, 25, and Tamole Tierra Pattijo Lauina, 22, all from Anchorage, were named in the recently unsealed federal indictment.  Macauther and Faamanu Vaifanua have both been charged with kidnapping, drug trafficking conspiracy, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking conspiracy.  Jeffrey Ahvan and Rex Faumui have been charged with kidnapping, and Lauina has been charged with being an accessory after the fact.  All are currently in custody, and are expected to have their arraignment hearings scheduled for this week.

According to the federal indictment, between Jan. 1, 2015 and Aug. 15, 2017, Macauther Vaifanua and Faamanu Vaifanua allegedly conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, quantities of heroin and methamphetamine, all while brandishing a firearm in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.  Furthermore, on Aug. 13, 2017, Macauther Vaifanua, Faamanu Vaifanua, Jeffrey Ahvan, and Rex Faumui allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted “Victim A,” due to a conflict arising within their drug trafficking relationship and a disputed debt. 

Specifically, as alleged in state court documents, on Aug. 13, 2017, the victim was lured into a garage where he was forcibly bound and gagged, and then severely beaten by an aluminum baseball bat, a broom stick, and stomps to the head.  The victim was then put inside of a black metal dog kennel, while still bound and gagged.  After threatening a person, at gunpoint, in the nearby area to back his pickup truck to the garage door, the four defendants then placed the kennel into the back of the truck, with the victim still inside the kennel.  The driver was allegedly held at gunpoint and was told to leave and never be seen again.  The victim was then dropped off at the hospital, where he was brought in for emergency treatment for fractures to his face and skull, which required brain surgery.

The federal indictment further alleges that Tamole Lauina provided aid and assistance to Macauther and Faamanu Vaifanua in order to prevent their arrest for the crimes alleged.

If convicted, the law provides a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of $250,000 for the kidnapping charge; a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million for the drug trafficking conspiracy charge; a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years up to life in prison, and a fine of $250,000 for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking conspiracy; and a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for being an accessory after the fact.  Under the federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephan A. Collins and Adam Alexander.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and are 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 an inmate has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a scheme to smuggle heroin into the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) Goose Creek Correctional Center (GCCC) for distribution to inmates in April 2016.

Spencer Daniel Johnson, 25, who was an inmate at GCCC at the time of the offense, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve 3.5 years in federal prison, after previously pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.  Johnson’s federal sentence is to be served consecutively to the 20-year sentence he is currently serving from an unrelated State of Alaska murder conviction in 2015.  

According to court documents, Johnson and co-defendant Kalani Lemauga Maalona were both inmates at GCCC, and co-defendant Heaven Leigh Erick was Maalona’s girlfriend who was not in custody at the time. Between April 1, 2016, and April 8, 2016, Johnson worked with Maalona and Erick to smuggle drugs into GCCC for distribution to other inmates.  Through manipulation, Johnson convinced a female associate, identified as “L.B.” in court documents, to deliver a package of heroin to Johnson during an in-person “contact” visit at GCCC on April 8, 2016.  L.B., age 26, was an associate of Johnson’s, who had no criminal history, did not drive, and did not live independently due to an intellectual disability.  

 Johnson and Maalona placed a series of recorded jail calls to coordinate the drug delivery.  By April 7, 2016, Johnson had provided L.B.’s name and number to Maalona.  On an April 7, 2016, jail call to Erick, Maalona mentioned L.B. by name, provided L.B.’s phone number to Erick, and instructed Erick – in coded language – to obtain drugs, package them, and to give L.B. a ride to GCCC the next day.  On April 8, 2016, Johnson provided directions to L.B. regarding what to wear in order to conceal the drugs, told her to meet with associates who would drive her to GCCC, and said he would provide her further guidance when the two met at GCCC in person.  Despite L.B. voicing hesitation, Johnson coaxed her into following through. 

The evening of April 8, 2016, Erick drove L.B. to GCCC, and L.B. met with Johnson.  When Johnson hugged L.B., he reached inside the sleeve of L.B.’s shirt where Erick had told L.B. to hide the drugs, and obtained the package.  During a brief exchange that followed, Johnson told L.B. she was a “good girl” for carrying out his instructions and assured her nothing would happen to her as long as everything went smoothly.  Although Erick could have proceeded directly to her secured visit with Maalona, she stood and watched the drug delivery.  GCCC correctional officers quickly observed the contraband exchange, and ordered Johnson to keep his hands on the table.  Johnson refused to do so, and before the contraband could be seized, Johnson swallowed the package of drugs he obtained from L.B.

Over the next few days, Johnson refused to surrender the package to DOC personnel.  On April 11, 2016, the drug package was surgically removed from Johnson’s body at a local hospital.  Laboratory analysis revealed the package contained nearly 20 grams of heroin.  Johnson admitted that he was paid $5,000 to smuggle the heroin into GCCC for distribution. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Gleason noted the seriousness of Johnson’s offense due to the fact that he planned to distribute the drugs inside GCCC, the quantity of heroin Johnson’s crime involved, and that Johnson had involved L.B. in the scheme.  Judge Gleason underscored the need to deter the flow of drugs into the prison system.   

Kalani Lemauga Maalona, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9, 2018, at 9:30 AM.  Heaven Leigh Erick, 29, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 26, 2018, at 2:00 PM.  Both previously pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy, as charged in the indictment.  Erick also pleaded guilty to a two-count information, which charged her with possessing heroin and cocaine with the intent to distribute the drugs and being a felon in possession of a firearm in Fairbanks one month after the April 8, 2016, GCCC offense. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation, with assistance from DOC and the Alaska State Troopers Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team (WAANT), leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea W. Hattan.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Anchorage man was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline yesterday to serve two years in federal prison for stealing approximately 400 cell phones from the U.S. mail, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

Jermaine N. Sails, 42, of Anchorage, was formerly a supervisor at International Bridge, Inc., an Anchorage business which handled U.S. mail matter on a contract basis.  As a supervisor, Sails had access to a secure storage area at International Bridge.  Beginning in October 2016, Sails began entering the secure area after hours and removing mail parcels which contained cell phones.  Sails then stole the cell phones contained in the parcels and later sold them through various means, including by placing ads on Craigslist, for an average of $150 each. 

In August 2017, with the assistance of management at International Bridge, agents with the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General began conducting surveillance of the secure storage area.  On Aug. 31, 2017, Sails was caught in the act of stealing three cell phones.  After his arrest, Sails consented to a search of his vehicle, and agents discovered a loaded 9mm handgun inside.  As a previously convicted felon, Sails was unlawfully in possession of the weapon.

Sails was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2017 for one count of Interfering with United States mail matter, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  Sails pleaded guilty to both counts in June 2018.

In addition to the two-year prison sentence, Judge Beistline ordered Sails to pay $50,633.11 in restitution for the value of the stolen cell phones.  Sails was also placed on a three-year period of supervised release following service of his custody sentence, and the firearm he was unlawfully in possession of was forfeited to the government. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of management at International Bridge, Inc.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bottini.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that an Anchorage man has been extradited from Mexico back to the United States to face charges filed against him in 2011 for stealing approximately $4.3 million dollars belonging to KeyBank. 

Gerardo Adan Cazarez Valenzuela, a/k/a “Gary Cazarez,” 33, of Anchorage, was named in the 2011 superseding indictment charging him with theft of bank funds.  Cazarez has been extradited from Mexico and will have his initial appearance in the case in Anchorage on Sept. 27, 2018, a 10:30 am. 

According to charging documents, on or about July 29, 2011, Cazarez was the Cash Vault Services 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, and drove to Mexico.  Cazarez 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 imprisonment for his Mexican conviction, Cazarez was extradited to the U.S. to stand trial for the crimes charged in the superseding indictment.

If convicted, Cazarez faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, and a fine of up to $1 million dollars.  Under the federal sentencing statutes, 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) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aunnie Steward and Joe Bottini.  The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in the case, as did the government of Mexico.

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 a Skagway man has been sentenced in federal court for theft of government funds.

Carey L. Dorn, 67, of Skagway, Alaska, was sentenced last Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve five years of probation, and was ordered to pay $78,811.68 in restitution to the United States Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).

According to court documents, from January 2011 through December 2013, Dorn received $78,811.68 in overpayments from RRB Employment Disability that he was not entitled to because he knowingly failed to file accurate reports of his employment and income earnings during this time period.  In 2005, Dorn had become injured on the job with the U.S. Railroad and was allowed to take an early retirement in March 2007.  As part of the conditions of Dorn’s early retirement benefits, he was required to accurately report his employment and income to the RRB.  In 2008, Dorn’s wife opened a photo and car rental business in Skagway.  Dorn began working at the business full-time, exclusively running its day-to-day operations, but knowingly and willfully failed to report this income to the RRB since it could result in reduced or withheld benefits from RRB. 

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (RRB OIG/OI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Anchorage woman was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess to serve eight months in federal prison for defrauding the state of Alaska Medicaid Program out of $90,000. 

Mi Ran Yu, 41, of Anchorage, acted as a personal care assistant for her parents, who qualified for Medicaid assistance, between 2012 and 2016.  Yu was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2016 for felony health care fraud charges stemming from a scheme to grossly exaggerate the alleged infirmity of her parents, and to falsely report the number of hours which she was allegedly spending to render assistance to them.  Yu pleaded guilty in January 2017 to 20 counts of committing health care fraud against the Medicaid program.

In addition to the eight-month prison sentence, Judge Burgess ordered Yu to pay $90,000 in restitution to the state of Alaska Medicaid Program.  Yu was also placed on a three-year period of supervised release following service of her custody sentence, and was ordered to pay the federal government a special assessment of $2,000.00 

At sentencing, Judge Burgess noted that cases of fraud against social services programs such as Medicaid are often hard to detect, and that sentences of incarceration in these types of cases are especially warranted as a general deterrence to the public.  As stated by Judge Burgess “people need to understand that there are serious consequences to committing this type of fraud beyond simply paying the money back.”

This case was investigated by the state of Alaska Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bottini.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Rico Paris Gillespie, a/k/a “Rico G The Mayor,” 31, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve 87 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for his conviction of distribution of methamphetamine. 

According to court documents, on three separate occasions in April and May of 2017, Gillespie sold methamphetamine in Anchorage.  In May 2017, Gillespie’s house and vehicle were searched by law enforcement officers.  During the search, officers found methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl packaged for sale, as well as three digital scales inside Gillespie’s house.  In a vehicle Gillespie was seen driving prior to the search of the house, law enforcement officers found a loaded Taurus 9mm firearm with a round in the chamber underneath the driver’s seat.

Gillespie styled himself as a local hip-hop performer known by the moniker, “Rico G The Mayor.”  Gillespie has posted many videos online where his lyrics and videos depict a glamorous lifestyle funded by drug trafficking and other illegal activities. 

Before imposing a sentence, Judge Gleason commented that she was particularly troubled that Gillespie dealt drugs out of the same home that he shared with young children.  She was also concerned that Gillespie was a “for profit” drug trafficker and did not appear to have an addiction to the drugs he was selling in the community.  At the sentencing hearing, the record was clear that Mr. Gillespie’s last verified employment was in 2014.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), 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 Kelly Cavanaugh.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that two men have been sentenced in Juneau for attempting to transport cocaine and marijuana from California to Alaska for distribution.

Jorge Lopez-Villareal, 29, a citizen of Mexico residing in Juneau, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve three years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.  His co-conspirator, Carlos Zavala-Flores, 39, of Juneau, was previously sentenced in June 2018 to serve three years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Both have pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges.

According to court documents, on April 19, 2017, Zavala-Flores and Lopez-Villareal flew together from Juneau to Los Angeles.  On April 26, 2017, the two were traveling up the I-5 in a vehicle, which contained quantities of cocaine and marijuana intended for distribution in Alaska.  Later that day, Oregon State Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle after observing the vehicle crossing over the centerline several times.  At the traffic stop, the Trooper noticed a strong odor of fabric softener and marijuana emanating from the vehicle.  When Zavala-Flores was questioned, the Trooper learned that both Zavala-Flores and Lopez-Villareal intended on driving the vehicle up the I-5 to Seattle so they could ship the vehicle to Juneau.  Upon arriving in Seattle, the two were planning to split the cost to barge the vehicle to Juneau, and both later intended to fly up to Juneau from Washington via a commercial airline. 

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately 6.8 pounds of cocaine and 22 pounds of marijuana intended for distribution in Juneau.  A search of Lopez-Villareal revealed he was carrying $6,750 in U.S. currency.     

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Oregon State Police (OSP) 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 Robert Edgar Farquer, 69, of Sitka, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve eight years in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, for possession of child pornography.   

According to court documents, Farquer became the subject of a federal investigation when, in May 2016, FBI agents obtained 46 files containing images of child pornography from an IP address, and again in June 2016, when an additional 169 images were downloaded from another IP address.  The investigation revealed that the IP addresses were associated with Farquer at his residence in Sitka. 

On July 12, 2016, a search warrant was executed at Farquer’s residence, where agents discovered a collection of child pornography materials that spanned decades stored throughout his apartment and filled the back of a small pickup truck.  During an interview, Farquer admitted to downloading child pornography files online, and that he had received child pornography materials as early as 1988 via the mail.  The agents seized hundreds of pieces of electronic media and discovered thousands of images of child pornography in other various media. 

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 Jack S. Schmidt.

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 three defendants have been sentenced for their roles in creating and operating two botnets, which targeted “Internet of Things” (IoT) devices.  Paras Jha, 22, of Fanwood, New Jersey; Josiah White, 21, of Washington, Pennsylvania; and Dalton Norman, 22, of Metairie, Louisiana, were sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess.  On Dec. 8, 2017, Jha, White, and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal Informations in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.  Jha and Norman also pleaded guilty to two counts each of the same charge, one in relation to the Mirai botnet and the other in relation to the Clickfraud botnet.

After cooperating extensively with the FBI, Jha, White, and Norman were each sentenced to serve a five-year period of probation, 2,500 hours of community service, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $127,000, and have voluntarily abandoned significant amounts of cryptocurrency seized during the course of the investigation.  As part of their sentences, Jha, White, and Norman must continue to cooperate with the FBI on cybercrime and cybersecurity matters, as well as continued cooperation with and assistance to law enforcement and the broader research community.  According to court documents, the defendants have provided assistance that substantially contributed to active complex cybercrime investigations as well as the broader defensive effort by law enforcement and the cybersecurity research community.

Jha, White, and Norman became subjects of a federal investigation when, in the summer and fall of 2016, they created a powerful botnet – a collection of computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the knowledge or permission of the computers’ owners.  The Mirai Botnet targeted IoT devices – non-traditional computing devices that were connected to the Internet, including wireless cameras, routers, and digital video recorders.  The defendants attempted to discover both known and previously undisclosed vulnerabilities that allowed them to surreptitiously attain control over the victim devices for the purpose of forcing the devices to participate in the Mirai Botnet.  At its peak, Mirai consisted of hundreds of thousands of compromised devices.  The defendants used the botnet to conduct a number of powerful distributed denial-of-service, or “DDoS” attacks, which occur when multiple computers, acting in unison, flood the Internet connection of a targeted computer or computers.  The defendants’ involvement with the original Mirai variant ended in the fall of 2016, when Jha posted the source code for Mirai on a criminal forum. Since then, other criminal actors have used Mirai variants in a variety of other attacks.

Additionally, from December 2016 to February 2017, the defendants successfully infected over 100,000 primarily U.S.-based computing devices, such as home Internet routers, with malicious software.  That malware caused the hijacked home Internet routers and other devices to form a powerful botnet.  The victim devices were used primarily in advertising fraud, including “clickfraud,” a type of Internet-based scheme that makes it appear that a real user has “clicked” on an advertisement for the purpose of artificially generating revenue.

“Cybercrime is a worldwide epidemic that reaches many Alaskans,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder.  “The perpetrators count on being technologically one step ahead of law enforcement officials.  The plea agreement with the young offenders in this case was a unique opportunity for law enforcement officers, and will give FBI investigators the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead of cyber criminals around the world.”

“The sentences announced today would not have been possible without the cooperation of our partners in international law enforcement and the private sector,” said Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Anchorage Field Office, Jeffery Peterson.  “The FBI is committed to strengthening those relationships and finding innovative ways to counter cybercrime.  Cyber criminals often develop their technical skills at a young age.  This case demonstrates our commitment to hold criminals accountable while encouraging offenders to choose a different path to apply their skills.”

These cases were investigated by the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office.  The Mirai Botnet and Clickfraud Botnet cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander 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.  Additional assistance was provided by the FBI’s Newark, New Orleans and Pittsburgh Field Offices, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta – Greenville South Carolina Office, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Eastern District of Louisiana and New Jersey, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the French General Directorate for Internal Security, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance, Palo Alto Networks Unit 42, Google, Cloudflare, Coinbase, Flashpoint, Oath, 360.cn and Akamai.  Former Department of Justice prosecutors Ethan Arenson, Harold Chun, and Yvonne Lamoureux provided invaluable support during their tenure at DOJ.  

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a former Eagle River resident has been sentenced in federal court for embezzling approximately $150,000 from the Mustang Hockey Association.

Jennifer Suchan, aka “Jennifer Kerr,” 34, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 14 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  Suchan previously pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, and as part of her plea, she agreed to pay a total of $170,353 in restitution.  

According to court documents, from 2014 to 2017, Suchan was the treasurer of the Mustang Hockey Association, a volunteer, non-profit youth hockey organization operating in the Eagle River area.  In 2015, Suchan began forging the signature of another board member to write herself checks on the Association’s bank account.  Suchan falsely noted the checks were for office supplies, reimbursements, tax payments, and professional services, among other things.  She actually used the money she obtained by forging the checks to pay for purchases such as a $1,500 chicken coop, trips for her family to Disneyland and Alyeska, payments on her BMW, and mortgage payments on her house, among other things.

Suchan repeatedly forged checks to herself over the course of two and half years, until she was caught.  During that time, Suchan forged over 140 checks to herself totaling approximately $150,000.  In addition to the $150,000 in forged checks, Suchan failed to document the purpose of an additional $7,353 in checks deposited to her own account, in her own name, that were not forged, and $14,000 in cash she withdrew from the Association’s bank account. She will repay the full amount in restitution. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department 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 Peter Wilson, 41, of Kotzebue, Alaska, has been charged with making false statements to a federal agent, in connection with the investigation into the disappearance and death of 10-year-old Ashley Johnson-Barr.  Wilson was arrested on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 18, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.   

According to the complaint affidavit, during the course of the investigation, “JJ” was interviewed and advised law enforcement that, on the night of Sept. 6, 2018, she found Johnson-Barr’s cell phone in the pocket of a jacket belonging to Wilson, who occasionally stays with JJ.  She found the cell phone after hearing it repeatedly ring from Wilson’s jacket.  When she picked the phone up, she saw Johnson-Barr’s name displayed on the screen.  JJ called Johnson-Barr’s mother, who advised that Johnson-Barr was missing.  Johnson-Barr’s father retrieved the phone from JJ’s residence and turned it over to the Kotzebue Police Department.  When asked by Johnson-Barr’s father and JJ where he found the phone, Wilson stated he found it near the NANA building, which is at the intersection of 2nd and 3rd Avenue in Kotzebue. 

JJ also advised law enforcement that on Sept. 6, 2018, she and Wilson were present at JJ’s mother’s (“SM”) house throughout the day.  This location is approximately one mile from Rainbow Park, which is where Johnson-Barr was last seen.  JJ and SM both advised law enforcement that at approximately 5:20 pm on that same day, SM asked Wilson to pick up JJ’s child and one other child (not Johnson-Barr).  Wilson left the house on a 4-wheeler at approximately 5:20 pm.  JJ advised that Wilson was gone until approximately 7:20 pm, and did not have any children with him when he returned.  Johnson-Barr’s parents were interviewed by law enforcement, who reported that Johnson-Barr and Wilson knew each other and that he had been to their house on numerous occasions.

The complaint alleges that, when Wilson was interviewed by the FBI, Wilson denied using a 4-wheeler at any time on Sept. 6, 2018, denied that he knew Johnson-Barr, and denied seeing Johnson-Barr’s name on her cell phone while he had it in his possession.  Also during the interview, Wilson repeatedly stated that he had found Johnson-Barr’s cell phone near the NANA building; however, investigators determined that the cell phone had travelled to areas well south and east of the location where she was last seen and where Wilson said he found the phone.  On Sept. 14, 2018, investigators initiated a search of the area where Johnson-Barr’s cell phone had travelled.  At approximately 4:15 pm, Johnson-Barr’s body was discovered one quarter mile off the road on the tundra.    

The Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Kotzebue Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Criminal Chief Frank Russo.  Russo stated, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been working with the FBI, the State Troopers, the Kotzebue Police Department, and the Department of Law on the investigation of Ashley Johnson-Barr’s death.  We will continue to work with our state and federal partners on the investigation and to assess where to file further charges, as well as what charges to be filed.”

A criminal complaint 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 Demitri Kardeem Scott, 25, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. 

According to court documents, in the late evening of Aug. 30, 2017, Scott attempted to break into a vehicle, which drew the attention of a concerned citizen.  The concerned citizen (victim) verbally confronted Scott in Town Square Park and then turned to walk home.  Scott responded by firing seven shots at the victim from a .45 caliber handgun, before fleeing the scene.  The victim avoided being shot by ducking behind a nearby car.  When APD arrived at the scene, they found seven shell casings and droplets of Scott’s blood caused from his attempt to break into the vehicle.

Later that same night, APD officers were dispatched to the Carrs on Gambell regarding a physical disturbance with a shoplifter, who was later identified as Scott.  APD arrived and found store security officers holding Scott on the ground in the parking lot.  It was reported to APD that, when the security officer tried to prevent Scott from fleeing, Scott attempted to pull out a switchblade knife during the struggle.  A second security officer exited the store and helped hold Scott on the ground until police arrived.  APD officers found an unloaded .45 caliber handgun in Scott’s waistband following his arrest.

The recovered shell casings were ran through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which determined that the shell casings recovered at Town Square Park were fired from the firearm found in Scott’s waistband.  Scott has a previous felony conviction with the State of Alaska for Burglary, and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.

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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Stinson.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that on Aug. 23, 2018, Enrique Ayon Duenas, 61, of California, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that brought controlled substances, including heroin and methamphetamine, from California into Alaska. Duenas pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and money laundering charges on Oct. 5, 2017. 

According to court documents, between August 2015 to July 2016, Duenas entered into an agreement with co-conspirators to obtain controlled substances, including 1000 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, from sources in California, which were then to be distributed in Alaska.  Additionally, Duenas and others laundered the proceeds from the illegal sale of narcotics through financial institutions located in Alaska and California, with the purpose of concealing the true nature of the money.  For example, the money was laundered by transferring it between Alaska and California by various means, including bank deposits made in Alaska into bank accounts in other people’s names, and thereafter by withdrawals in California.

Two additional co-conspirators were indicted for criminal conduct related to this drug conspiracy. The following defendants have pleaded guilty to criminal charges and have been sentenced to the following prison terms:

• Juan Carlos Hernandez, sentenced to 44 months in prison on April 14, 2018, for drug conspiracy;
• Oscar Josue Maldonado, sentenced to two years in prison on Feb. 27, 2018, for drug conspiracy.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), 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 Stephan A. Collins.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that on Aug. 23, 2018, U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason found Stephen Christopher Howe, 44, of Big Lake, guilty of attempted production and receipt of child pornography, attempted enticement of a minor, and attempted transfer of obscene matter to a minor.  Howe had previously pled guilty to possession of child pornography.

Howe was found guilty after a four-day bench trial before Judge Gleason.  Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in Anchorage.  As a result of his convictions, Howe faces a sentencing range of not less than 15 years in prison up to life.  Each conviction carries a maximum fine of up to $250,000, terms of supervised release of five years to life, and a $100 special assessment.

According to evidence presented at trial, Howe responded to an undercover online advertisement posted by a law enforcement officer posing as a minor.  Over the next 48 hours, the undercover officer and Howe exchanged 475 text messages.  In these messages, the undercover and Howe discussed meeting to engage in sexual acts together.  Howe told the undercover that he was an “ebhebophile,” that is “[someone] who like[s] post-pubescent adolescents),” and a pedophile, that is, an “adult who is attracted to children.”  Howe also sent two images of his penis to the undercover, and repeatedly asked the undercover to take a photograph of his penis and send it to him.

This case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department, Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU), with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon.

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 that Tony Lavea Tueipi, 42, resident of Anchorage, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to 21 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for illegally possessing a gun with an obliterated serial number.  As a result of his conviction, Tueipi, who is a native of Western Samoa, will be subject to deportation.

According to the plea agreement filed in this case, on Nov. 10, 2016, Anchorage Police Department (APD) received a call that gunshots had been fired in a trailer park on Chugach Way.  One of the shots went through the wall of a neighboring trailer.  When APD arrived at the scene, they found the Tueipi outside of his trailer.  On the ground near the Tueipi were six spent shell casings.  Anchorage Police approached Tueipi and noticed the butt end of a handgun in his front jacket pocket.  Inside the gun was a fully loaded magazine.

This was not the first time Tueipi had illegally possessed a gun.  Prior to Nov.10, 2016, Tueipi knowingly possessed a gun with an obliterated serial number.  Possession of a gun with a serial number that has been removed, obliterated, or altered is illegal under federal law.

At sentencing, Judge Gleason noted that the sentence was based on numerous factors, including the threat posed by the defendant’s conduct, and the deterrent value of a 21-month sentence.  Judge Gleason stated that the defendant used his gun in a “manner that presented an extreme risk…to the person that resided in the neighboring home.”  According to Judge Gleason, the 21-month sentence would allow the defendant to “convey to others [he might be in jail with]” the serious penalties associated with the illegal possession of firearms, and the extreme danger that can result from the reckless use of such firearms. 

The case was the product of an investigation by the Anchorage Police Department (APD), working together with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon prosecuted the case.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that, yesterday, a federal jury in Anchorage convicted Danny Ray Lowe, 49, of two counts of attempted sexual trafficking of a minor, and two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.

The jury found Lowe guilty on all four counts after a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline.  Lowe faces a penalty of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a life term of supervised release. The sentencing hearing has been set for Oct. 3, 2018.

According to evidence presented at trial, Lowe used text messages to negotiate the time, place, and price to have sex with two girls, aged 13 and 14. On Sept. 12, 2017, Lowe arrived at Anchorage motel, ready and willing to pay $150 for two hours of illegal sex with the two minors. When Lowe knocked on the motel room door, however, local and federal law enforcement officers arrested him. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 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.

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 that Cody James Cogley, 28, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to nine years in prison, followed by a 30-year term of supervised release, for two counts of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, in October 2017, law enforcement received information that Cogley was distributing videos of child pornography through the internet.  Among the files distributed by Cogley through the file-sharing network was a video of a child performing a sexual act on an animal, a video of a naked three to five-year-old child suspended by her feet being sexually assaulted, and a video of a toddler being physically and sexually assaulted.

Law enforcement officers searched Cogley’s residence on Nov. 2, 2017.  Located on Cogley’s phone and computer were images and videos of child pornography, including additional images showing the sadistic abuse of small children.  Also located on Cogley’s computer, and open at the time of the search, was the Tor Browser.  The Tor Browser is used to access files on the Tor network, an encrypted, anonymous method of browsing the internet.  Open within the browser was a file titled, “The Pedophile’s Handbook.”  This file contained chapters about how to abduct and molest children.  Chapter titles included “Introduction, Pedophilia,” “Children,” “security,” “Finding Children,” “sex with Kids,” and “Penetration Training.”

During a statement to law enforcement at the time of the search, Cogley admitted to downloading images of child pornography.  Cogley admitted to first downloading child pornography when he was 13 years old.  Cogley said that his last search for child pornography was for files showing the abuse of toddlers, and admitted that his preferred age of children was “around 7, 7 and up.”

At sentencing, Judge Beistline noted Cogley’s “long history of viewing serious images.”  This history, according to Judge Beistline, “feeds the market for child pornography.”  In addition to noting the harm that came from Cogley’s downloading and viewing of images, Judge Beistline also stated that his sentence was necessary to protect the public and to deter Cogley and others like him.  Judge Beistline said that there was no direct evidence that Cogley had engaged in hands-on behavior, however, the handbook located on his computer was “evidence of a possible trend in that direction.”  “Clearly you are what we call a pedophile,” Judge Beistline told the defendant.  “You have a strong attraction to children, which places them at risk.”

The case was the product of an investigation by the Anchorage Police Department (APD).  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 that Ronald Teekell, 53, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 97 months in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, for the distribution of child pornography.   

According to court documents, Teekell was first brought to law enforcement’s attention in 2009 when law enforcement received a report that child pornography was being distributed from the open wireless at Jewel Lake Bowl.  Teekell became the subject of a federal investigation when law enforcement received child pornography from Teekell’s computer in 2014, and again in 2016.  The investigation revealed that Teekell had previously used computers located at both Jewel Lake Bowl and the adjacent Storite Storage companies to receive, access, and distribute images of child sexual exploitation as early as 2009.

Specifically, in November 2014, an FBI Special Agent working in an undercover capacity received hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation from an IP address assigned to Jewel Lake Bowl.  Additionally, in May 2016, an APD Detective observed a suspect device distributing hundreds of images and videos of child sexual exploitation by means of an online file-sharing network.  The IP address in this instance was assigned to Teekell’s home address, rather than the business accounts at either Jewel Lake Bowl or Storite Storage.  Both companies are partially owned and operated by Teekell.  

In August 2016, APD and FBI executed search warrants at Teekell’s residence, workplace, and storage unit.  A subsequent analysis of Teekell’s devices revealed corroborating evidence of his distribution of images of child sexual exploitation between 2009 and 2016. 

Pursuant to a plea agreement in this case, Teekell admitted to knowingly receiving, possessing, and distributing more than 500 images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation during the relevant periods.  He also agreed to forfeit his ownership in Jewel Lake Bowl and associated entities.   

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Burgess noted that offenses related to child pornography are extremely serious and that the abuse depicted “haunts the victims” for their entire lives.  Judge Burgess stated that there was “no doubt” in his mind that Mr. Teekell’s predilection for child pornography had been a long running addiction.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.

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 an Anchorage man has been sentenced in federal court after being convicted of multiple charges related to the October 2016 kidnapping, carjacking, and shooting of two individuals.

Matthew James Scharber, 36, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve a term of life in prison, plus an additional 10 years on the firearms offense.  In December 2017, Scharber pleaded guilty on all five counts of the indictment, which included conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping, carjacking, and possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

According to court documents, on Oct. 27, 2016, Scharber lured brothers K.A.K. and K.T.K. to his Anchorage apartment. Once the brothers were inside the apartment, co-defendants Corey Sylva and Michael Elder came out from a back room of the apartment and held them at gunpoint.  The brothers were then bound with speaker wire and handcuffs before being assaulted by the three men with fists, feet, and a large wooden pole.  

In addition, the brothers were robbed of personal property off their person and from their vehicle, a 2005 Subaru Legacy.  The rear cargo windows of the victim’s vehicle were spray painted black by Scharber.  K.T.K. was unconscious from the assault, and K.A.K. was feigning unconsciousness as they were loaded into their own vehicle, blindfolded, by Sylva and Elder.  Scharber then drove the brothers to Hatcher’s Pass where he made them exit the vehicle, before shooting them multiple times while they had their hands bound.  

The brothers were left for several hours before a passerby located them.  They were transported by a LifeMed helicopter to the hospital and treated for multiple gunshot wounds.  K.T.K. had been shot in the upper arm, thigh, and stomach, while K.A.K. had been shot in the chest and elbow.  They both had injuries from the beating as well as suffering from the exposure to the cold weather.

The investigation revealed that the beating was in retaliation for K.A.K. and K.T.K. stealing Sylva’s wallet approximately one week earlier.  During a search of Scharber’s apartment, law enforcement officers found the two firearms and the wooden rod that were used during the assault and kidnapping.

Sylva was sentenced in May 2018 to serve 121 months in prison, after previously pleading guilty to the carjacking offense.  Elder also pleaded guilty to the carjacking offense, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 12, 2018.

Scharber has also been indicted in a separate federal case where he faces additional charges for alleged drug trafficking crimes dating back to August 2016, the months leading up to the kidnapping, carjacking, and shooting of the two individuals.  Trial in this case has been set for Oct. 22, 2018.

The Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office, leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Taylor.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Murville Lavelle Lampkin, 45, of Anchorage, was sentenced on July 10, 2018, to serve 20 years in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of heroin, and money laundering.

A jury found Lampkin guilty after an 8-day trial on Nov. 1, 2016 before U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason.  According to evidence presented at trial, Lampkin was a member of a conspiracy led by Toa Danh “Tony” Ly.  In the spring of 2014, Ly and others began to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine in Anchorage, the Valley, and Kenai Peninsula.  Ly later included heroin among the items he distributed.  Proceeds from these drug sales were deposited in Wells Fargo bank accounts. Other individuals who sold drugs and made deposits of drug money for Ly included Pao Lee, Rennie Davis, Robert Rast, Tracey Trujillo, Mark Hanes and Susan Bradshaw.  In total, Lampkin deposited $57,000 worth of drug proceeds into Wells Fargo bank accounts controlled by Ly. 

On Jan. 14, 2015, law enforcement executed search warrants at multiple locations connected to the conspiracy.  In a locked safe at the foot of Lampkin’s bed, law enforcement located approximately 400 grams of methamphetamine packaged into 15 individual Ziploc baggies.  Also in the safe were smaller baggies into which doses of drugs could be packaged, and a digital scale used to measure drug quantities.

This was Lampkin’s third drug conviction.  In 2002, Lampkin pled guilty in federal court to distribution and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.  He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.  While in custody, Lampkin was convicted in Alaska state court of promoting contraband in the first degree for possessing oxycodone and tetrahydrocannabinol.

Lampkin was the former bouncer at Rumrunners Old Towne Bar & Grill.  In 2012, he was convicted in state court of fourth degree assault following a fight with a patron.  Lampkin was sentenced in that case to two months in jail and two years of probation.

The status of other defendants indicted as part of this case is as follows:

• Toa Danh “Tony” Ly was sentenced in December 2016 to serve five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and money laundering conspiracy; 
• Renee Marie Davis was sentenced in January 2016 to serve six years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
• Adam Michael Cornelison was sentenced  in February 2016 to serve five years in prison for use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense;
• Robert Lee Rast was sentenced in January 2017 to serve 40 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
• Kasey Martinez was sentenced in July 2016 to serve 40 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for money laundering conspiracy;
• Pao Lee was sentenced in January 2017 to serve 35 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of controlled substances;
• Tracey Trujillo was sentenced in January 2017 to serve 13 months and 15 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for money laundering conspiracy;
• Mark Norman Hanes and Susan Jan Bradshaw are scheduled for trial on Sept. 24, 2018.

The case was the product of an investigation by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, an FBI-led task force comprised of FBI Special Agents, Anchorage Police Department officers, Alaska State Troopers, and the United States Marshals.  Assistance was also provided by IRS Criminal Investigation; APD’s Special Assignment Unit (SAU); and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that on Friday, July 6, 2018, two Juneau men were sentenced in federal court, in separate cases, for federal firearms offenses.

James V. Drury, 50, of Juneau, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for theft of firearms and for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.  Drury has previous felony convictions with the State of Alaska for burglary and attempted burglary.

According to court documents, Drury burglarized a residence in Ketchikan on May 3, 2016, where he stole two of the homeowner’s firearms – a Model 59/66, 7.62x39 caliber rifle and a Savage Arms, Model 188H, .22 caliber rifle.  During the burglary, the homeowner had entered the residence and encountered Drury in possession of the two firearms.  During that confrontation, Drury raised one of the rifles, pointed it at the homeowner, and directed him not to move.  The homeowner fled the residence to contact police.  Drury attempted to conceal the firearms in the backyard of another residence, which were found by the residence owner 11 days later.

Christopher W. Davison, 34, of Juneau, was sentenced to serve 90 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.  Davison has previous felony convictions with the State of Alaska for vehicle theft, criminal mischief, and riot.  

According to court documents, on April 20, 2017, law enforcement officers received a report of a man “tweaking hard” and stating to an individual that he “was going to kill everybody” and to remember his name “Chris Davison.”  It was reported that Davison was in possession of a firearm described as a sawed-off shotgun.  After that incident, a police officer spoke with another witness who stated that he was awoken in the morning and confronted by Davison with what he described as a “MAC-10,” asking the witness to leave the room so he could use the room to have sex with a woman.  The next day, Davison was observed at a woman’s residence, but ended up eluding police.  Upon Davison’s subsequent arrest, a search of the residence revealed ammunition and a stolen firearm that was a 10/22 Ruger, which is classified as pistol.

The Juneau Police Department (JPD), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigations leading to the successful prosecutions of these cases.  These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that six Anchorage residents have been sentenced for their roles in a local mail theft ring.  The two lead defendants were sentenced this week, and were the last of six defendants to be sentenced in this case.

Sara James, 31, was sentenced yesterday to serve 42 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, possession of stolen mail, and passing counterfeit money.  David Gonzales, 37, was sentenced earlier this week to serve 72 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.  

According to court documents, from August 2016 to May 2017, Sara James and her husband, Jonathan James, conspired with Gonzales and others, to steal mail and pass stolen checks with stolen IDs at banks around Anchorage, and to recruit others to help them do the same.  Sara and Jonathan James would take turns driving Gonzales to go “mailboxing,” stealing mail from rows of mailboxes and looking for valuable checks and credit cards.  Most of the stolen checks were then altered to make the payee a separate stolen identity that was used by the defendants to negotiate the stolen checks.  The investigation further revealed that Sara James and Gonzales would share in the proceeds from negotiating the stolen checks, and exchange drugs for stolen mail and IDs.

During the course of the conspiracy, both Sara James and Gonzales were on release pending state charges for the same conduct while continuing to commit new crimes.  In August 2017, federal charges were brought to cover all conduct and include four other co-defendants.  Over the last several months, the following co-conspirators have been sentenced as part of this investigation:

• Jonathan James, 34, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, possession of stolen mail, and passing counterfeit money;
• Brandon Madrid, 29, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft;
• Braden Asbury, 21, was sentenced to one day in prison (credit for time already served), followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy and bank fraud; and
• Karri Embach, 35, was sentenced to time already served and five years of supervised release, for conspiracy and bank fraud.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case, with assistance from the Palmer Police Department and the Criminal Investigations Unit of the State of Alaska Department of Revenue.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.

Fairbanks, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that on June 20, 2018, a federal jury in Fairbanks convicted Eric Whitebread, 42, of two counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count of receipt of child pornography.

The jury found Whitebread guilty after a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline of the District of Alaska.  Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 14, 2018, in Fairbanks.  The maximum penalty for each of the counts of conviction is not less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of five years to life.

According to evidence presented at trial, on two different days in June 2015, Whitebread distributed files of child pornography through an online file-sharing network.  Upon execution of a search warrant at Whitebread’s North Pole residence, law enforcement located his computer.  Located on the computer were 618 images of child pornography that had been downloaded through the file-sharing network between July 14, 2015, and Aug. 24, 2015.  Contextual evidence discovered by law enforcement during a forensic examination of Whitebread’s computer – including data recovered from millions of lines of computer code – located numerous indicators that child pornography was being downloaded and viewed on the computer at times when Whitebread’s text messages showed him to be home and online.  In addition, the computer did not show any activity at times the evidence showed Whitebread was away from the house.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne Veldhuis and Kyle Reardon.

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 a 25-count superseding indictment has been filed against a criminal defense attorney and her client for allegedly smuggling drugs into the State of Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) Anchorage Correctional Complex (ACC) for distribution to inmates.

Kit Lee Karjala, 55, a criminal defense attorney in Anchorage, and her client, Christopher Brandon Miller, aka “Mellow,” 34, who is currently an inmate at ACC, have both been named in the superseding indictment.  Karjala and Miller are both charged with drug conspiracy, conspiracy to provide contraband in prison, money laundering conspiracy, as well as additional drug and money laundering charges.  The charges filed today supersede the original 2-count indictment filed in this case.

According to court documents, the drug conspiracy began in June 2016 and continued until May 2017.  Karjala allegedly passed drugs to co-conspirator inmates, including Miller, during in-person attorney-client visits.  Because Karjala was an attorney and represented to DOC that these meetings were professional visits, DOC permitted her to meet with Miller and the other co-conspirator inmate in rooms with no physical barriers separating Karjala from the inmate she was visiting.  During these visits, Karjala would hand a package of drugs to the inmate and the inmate would then hide the drugs inside his body.  After Karjala delivered the drugs, the inmate would then smuggle the drugs back to his jail cell, where the inmate would later distribute the drugs to other ACC inmates for profit. 

The superseding indictment also alleges that Karjala and Miller conspired to conduct financial transactions involving drug proceeds, which were designed to promote the drug conspiracy and to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of those drug proceeds. 

In addition, a separate indictment has been filed against Karjala for intentionally failing to appear for a bail review hearing that was scheduled for June 19, 2018, as was required by her conditions of release related to the initial charges.  A warrant has been issued for Karjala’s arrest.  

If the public has any information regarding Karjala’s whereabouts, please call the FBI at (907) 276-4441.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) conducted the investigation, with substantial assistance from DOC, leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea W. Hattan.

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 today that Russell Cherry, 51, of Anchorage, has been indicted on charges of distribution and possession of child pornography.  Cherry was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Hutton.

The indictment alleges that, between July 29 and July 31, 2017, Cherry knowingly distributed, by any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce, visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  It is further alleged that, on Aug. 29, 2017, Cherry knowingly possessed images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation found on his desktop PC.

If the public has any further information or concerns about the activities of Cherry, please contact the FBI at (907) 276-4441.

If convicted, Cherry faces a statutory minimum of five years in prison and guideline sentence of the statutory maximum of 20 years in 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 defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In May 2006, DOJ launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States 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 identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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 – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska today filed its notice of intent to seek the death penalty against John Pearl Smith II, 32, of Palmer, for the murders of Wasilla residents Ben Gross and Crystal Denardi on June 5, 2016.

The filing, a copy of which is attached, follows the decision and directive by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to seek the death penalty against Smith.

The notice of intent alleges that if Smith is convicted, his use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in murder, and the use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in murder, in addition to numerous aggravating factors, justifies a sentence of death.

The indictment alleges that in September 2015, May 11, 2016, and June 5, 2016, Smith attempted to rob people he believed were involved in trafficking drugs.  On each occasion, the indictment alleges that he brandished firearms during the robbery.  On the last occasion, it alleges he shot and killed Ben Gross and Crystal Denardi during the robbery, as well as shot a third individual, identified in the indictment as “R.B.” 

The Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF),  and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Criminal Chief Frank Russo and Assistant U.S. Attorney William Taylor.

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 Zerisenay Gebregiorgis, 36, a Washington resident, was sentenced today in Juneau by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 121 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.  Gebregiorgis was previously convicted in December 2017, following a five-day jury trial.  

According to evidence presented at trial, between June 1, 2016, and Aug. 16, 2016, Gebregiorgis and others planned to distribute large quantities of heroin and methamphetamine in the communities of Ketchikan and Sitka.  Gebregiorgis supplied drugs to drug couriers, who carried the drugs inside their bodies to other co-conspirators in Ketchikan and Sitka for subsequent distribution.  Drug proceeds were then given to the couriers to be carried back to Seattle to be delivered to Gebregiorgis or deposited into bank accounts controlled by Gebregiorgis. 

According to court documents, Gebregiorgis supplied at least one ounce of methamphetamine and at least 20 ounces of heroin during the course of the conspiracy.  Gebregiorgis directed every aspect of the conspiracy, to include directing the amounts of drugs sent to Alaska, the couriers who carried the drugs, the travel for those couriers, and delivery of drug proceeds back to him via couriers and bank accounts deposits.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Taskforce (SEACAD), specifically the members from the Alaska State Troopers (AST), Ketchikan Police Department (KPD), and the Sitka Police Department (SPD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Alaskan couple pleaded guilty yesterday in Juneau for willfully failing to pay their individual income taxes.

Archie W. Demmert III, 57, and Roseann L. Demmert, 60, both of Klawock, Alaska, pleaded guilty yesterday before Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. burgess to two counts of willful failure to pay income tax.  As part of the plea agreement, the Demmerts have agreed to jointly pay restitution to the IRS, which will be determined at sentencing. 

According to court documents, Archie Demmert and Roseann Demmert both had commercial fishing permits for herring spawn on kelp, and Archie had an additional commercial fishing permit for a salmon purse seine.  The Demmerts admitted in court that they earned income from commercial fishing but willfully did not pay their taxes for 13 separate tax years, for which they owed over $300,000, excluding penalties and interest.

The sentencing hearings have been scheduled for Oct. 4, 2018.  The Demmerts each face a statutory maximum sentence of two years in prison, as well as a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.

IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) conducted the investigation which led to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Steward and Trial Attorney Lori Hendrickson of the Tax Division.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that four Anchorage residents have been charged for attempting to smuggle drugs into the State of Alaska Department of Corrections (“DOC”) Anchorage Correctional Complex (“ACC”).

Steven Cao, 32, a federal inmate at the time of the offense, Brandon Beltz, 26, Jennifer Delossantos, 33, and Allyson Moore, 20, all of Anchorage, were named in the indictment charging each of them with drug conspiracy and attempt to obtain a prohibited object by a prison inmate.  The indictment also charges Cao and Delossantos with use of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and Beltz and Moore with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the indictment, between Nov. 13, 2017, and continuing to Dec. 7, 2017, Cao, Beltz, Delossantos, and Moore allegedly attempted to obtain buprenorphine, also known as “subutext,” a narcotic drug, for Cao while he was in federal pre-trial custody at ACC.  It is further alleged that they conspired to distribute these drugs to other inmates being held ACC.

Specifically, the plan was to recruit an individual who was subject to State of Alaska pre-trial supervision to whom the conspirators would deliver the drugs.  The individual would then internally smuggle the drugs into the correctional institution by intentionally violating his conditions of release so that the state would remand him back into prison custody for 72 hours.  During this short period of re-incarceration, the smuggler was to deliver the drugs to Cao, who would then distribute the drugs to other inmates.  Cao and Delossantos allegedly gave a firearm to Beltz and Moore as payment in furtherance of executing the plan to smuggle drugs into ACC.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the Anchorage Police Department (“APD”) conducted the investigation, with assistance from DOC, which led to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephan Collins.

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 James Markus Harries, a/k/a “James Harris,” 33, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve 110 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Harries previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 26, 2018, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on May 31, 2017, members of APD’s CAP (Community Action Policing) team were conducting a crime suppression detail, when officers observed multiple traffic violations from a red Chevy Tahoe.  APD subsequently conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, later identified as James Harries.  Harries initially would not identify himself, denied having any identification on his person, and claimed to not know his social security number. 

The investigation revealed that, inside the driver’s door of the Tahoe, Harries possessed a plastic bag containing 88.9 grams of black tar heroin.  A black backpack was also found in the vehicle, in which Harries possessed an additional 319.61 grams of heroin, a stolen .40 caliber Smith and Wesson M&P semi-automatic pistol, and a .45 caliber Taurus semi-automatic pistol.  The investigation further revealed that Harries intended to distribute the heroin in the Anchorage area.

The Anchorage Police Department (APD), 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.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Stinson prosecuted this case.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that an officer of the U.S. Army has been charged for allegedly defrauding insurance providers to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent insurance payments. 

Christopher James DeMure, 40, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, has been named in a criminal complaint charging him with mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.  DeMure was arrested this morning and is expected to make his initial appearance on the charges tomorrow afternoon.

The complaint alleges that, from September 2014 until February 2018, DeMure engaged in a scheme to defraud USAA Federal Savings Bank (USAA) and American Express (AMEX) to obtain insurance payments by submitting fraudulent claims and other fraudulent documents.  DeMure spent much of the insurance payout money to pay off automobile loans, credit cards, mortgage loans, and other personal debts and expenses, including a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban and a 2016 Audi A7.  In all, DeMure’s fraudulent insurance claims allegedly sought payments in the amount of approximately $475,000, and that DeMure has actually received approximately $394,000, from USAA and AMEX, combined.

More specifically, it is alleged that DeMure purchased items of value, such as jewelry, performance bicycles, clothing, and electronics that were later the subject of insurance claims that he filed with USAA and/or AMEX.  On multiple occasions, DeMure cancelled an online order for or physically returned items for a full refund, and thereafter listed those same items on a fraudulent insurance claim with USAA and/or AMEX, wherein he falsely claimed that the item was lost, misplaced, and/or stolen.  Beginning in October 2015, DeMure began to file parallel fraudulent insurance claims for certain items with both USAA and AMEX.  In some cases, DeMure provided different explanations for the loss, misplacement, or theft of those items to USAA and AMEX. 

DeMure’s scheme to defraud involved at least seven separate loss incidents.  For example, in July 2016, DeMure moved from Fort Benning, Georgia, to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.  The U.S. Army paid for a company to pack and move DeMure’s residential household goods from Georgia to Alaska.  Those household goods were packed by the moving company on July 13, 2016.  On July 21, 2016, DeMure contacted USAA and claimed that a U-Haul trailer that he had rented had been burglarized in Louisville, Kentucky, where he stopped on the way to Indiana.  DeMure claimed the loss amount was $215,317.68.  The following day DeMure contacted the Louisville Metro Police Department to report the burglary.  In his USAA claim, DeMure identified numerous items as having been stolen from the U-Haul in Louisville, ranging from jewelry to performance bicycles.  The jewelry items included a Tiffany & Co. necklace that DeMure told USAA was a family heirloom, which had an appraised value of $35,000.  In fact, business records show that DeMure purchased the necklace on June 1, 2016, had it appraised on June 15, 2016, returned it on July 6, 2016, and on July 11, 2016, had it insured by USAA.  Altogether, DeMure received an overall payment benefit of $183,339.73 from the claims he filed with USAA and AMEX related to the purported July 20, 2016, U-Haul burglary.

The complaint further alleges that some of the supporting documents that DeMure submitted to USAA and AMEX were fraudulent.  For example, in support of an insurance claim, DeMure allegedly submitted a fake Palmer Police Department report to AMEX to evidence the loss incident in question. 

If convicted, DeMure faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or both, for the most serious charges alleged in the complaint.  Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case, with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (commonly known as CID).  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea W. Hattan. 

A complaint 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.

Fairbanks, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a Fairbanks man has been indicted on federal gun charges in connection with the October 2016 shooting of Fairbanks Police Officer Sergeant Allen Brandt.

Anthony Jenkins-Alexie, 30, of Fairbanks, was named in the indictment charging him with using a firearm during a crime of violence, stealing a firearm, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jenkins-Alexie was arraigned on the federal charges earlier today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott Oravec. 

According to the indictment, on Oct. 16, 2016, in Fairbanks, Jenkins-Alexie allegedly used and brandished firearms while forcefully stealing Sgt. Brandt’s police vehicle.  It is further alleged that Jenkins-Alexie had forcibly taken one of these firearms from Sgt. Brandt, as well as stealing his vehicle.  Jenkins-Alexie has a previous felony conviction with the State of Alaska, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

Currently, Jenkins-Alexie is also under indictment by the State of Alaska on murder charges arising out of the October 2016 shooting. 

The Fairbanks Police Department, the North Pole Police Department, the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Cooper.

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 today that a Wasilla man has been indicted on federal wire fraud charges which arose from an alleged scheme that defrauded Alaska consumers. 

Dmitry Kudryn, 32, of Wasilla, was named in the indictment charging him with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Kudryn’s arraignment hearing is scheduled for today at 3:30 p.m. before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith.

According to the indictment, from July 2014 to the present date, Kudryn allegedly participated in a scheme to defraud Alaska consumers by falsely representing furniture manufactured in China that he sold in Alaska as having been manufactured in Italy.  Kudryn purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of wholesale furniture from a manufacturer in China and would then offer that same furniture for sale in Alaska, primarily advertised on the Craigslist.com internet marketplace. 

The indictment further alleges that, as part of the long-running scheme, Kudryn would mislead and induce consumers in Alaska by posting materially false Craigslist.com advertisements.  Specifically, the Craigslist advertisements would falsely represent the furniture as “Italian leather furniture,” and 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 allegedly purchased them for less than half that amount.

Anyone with further information, questions, or concerns regarding the activities of Dmitry Kudryn are encouraged to call Homeland Security Investigations in Anchorage at (907) 271-3104. 

If convicted, Kudryn faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.  Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) 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 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 today that Kaleb Lee Basey, 28, formerly assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to 15 years in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, for distribution and transportation of child pornography.

According to evidence presented at trial, in January 2014, Basey posted an advertisement in the “Casual Encounters” section of the Fairbanks Craigslist website that read: “any dads or moms want to share a daughter with me for the night?”  Alaska State Troopers received a report about the ad and began an investigation, concerned that an actual minor might be in danger.  In less than 24 hours, Troopers identified Basey as the person who posted.  He was also identified as being an active duty solider on Fort Wainwright.

Troopers contacted Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents and executed a search of the defendant’s barracks room.  Law enforcement agents eventually contacted the FBI for assistance.  FBI agents were able to identify additional sexually-explicit Craigslist postings by Basey in which he sought access to minor children, as well as email communications in which individuals had responded to these sexually-explicit posts. In one set of emails, the defendant included a picture of child pornography, and told the person with whom he was emailing that he enjoyed watching movies that showed “young girls 5-15yo” engaged in sexual acts with adults. To this email string, the defendant also attached a fully-nude selfie.  In a second email, the defendant sent a picture of child pornography to himself.

In addition, the defendant’s computer contained multiple contacts with minors that the defendant made through social media platforms.  In his conversations with underage girls, the defendant frequently propositioned the girls for sex, or to engage in sexual acts on camera for his benefit.

The defendant successfully enticed at least one 15-year-old to engage in sexual activity with him.  On another occasion, the defendant met and paid a 17-year-old juvenile for sex, and asked this minor if he could film her engaged in sex acts.

At sentencing, Judge Beistline stated that his “primary concern [was] protection of the public.”  “You are a pedophile,” Judge Beistline said, “someone who has an interest in having sex with children.”  Judge Beistline went on to say that the defendant was “not just a voyeur…you actually seek to participate in it.  That sets you apart from other people I have seen in this court.”

Judge Beistline also noted the impact the defendant’s crimes have upon their victims.  “You victimize a young child just by looking at their pictures,” said Judge Beistline.  “You have lost things because of choices you made,” Judge Beistline told the defendant, “the victims that you chose to victimize didn’t have these choices.”  “[There was] no concern on your part for how this conduct impacted the victims,” said Judge Beistline.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alaska State Troopers, and Army Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Reardon.

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 that Devin Lee Peterson, 19, resident of Wasilla, Alaska, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to three years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for distribution of marijuana to minors.

The federal sentence will be consecutive to a pending state sentence of six-years to be imposed for Petersons’ role in obstructing the investigation into David Grunwald’s murder in November 2016, and his tampering of evidence from that case.

On the night of Nov. 13, 2016, four men assaulted and murdered David Grunwald in a secluded area near the Knik River off Old Glenn Highway.  Following the murder, the men drove to Peterson’s house.  Once there, Peterson took possession of the weapons used to assault and murder David Grunwald, and provided gas cans to the group that they used to burn Grunwald’s vehicle.

Alaska State Troopers subsequently obtained a search warrant to search Peterson’s phone.  During this examination, Troopers located a photograph of a 16-year-old female performing oral sex on Peterson.  In a subsequent examination, Troopers located a 10-second video showing the sexual assault of an incapacitated 15-year-old girl.  This video was taken at a party attended by Peterson and others in July 2016.  During the party, Peterson gave the girl marijuana, contributing to her extreme intoxication and subsequent assault.

At sentencing, Judge Beistline addressed Peterson’s role in the 15-year-old girl’s sexual assault, as well as his crimes in the Grunwald case.  “You’ve done great damage to the community,” said Judge Beistline.  Addressing Peterson’s criminal acts to that point in his young life, and his prospects going forward, Judge Beistline said, “You can’t ever pay back the families of these people you’ve injured, but you can demonstrate that you can be a better person than you have been in the past,” commented Judge Beistline.  Judge Beistline warned Peterson in no uncertain terms about the consequences of failing to change his ways, “You mess up again its pretty much over…no one is going to be thinking about mercy.” 

The Alaska State Troopers (AST) 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 that Steven Andrew Bush, 56, a former Nikiski resident, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 45 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.  Bush previously pleaded guilty on Jan. 3, 2018, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

On Feb. 8, 2017, the Soldotna Police Department received a call from a resident of the Kenai Peninsula who claimed Bush was carrying a firearm while demanding payment for construction work. Bush had falsely represented himself as a member of law enforcement and possessed a fake Alaska State Troopers badge, along with a t-shirt indicating the wearer was an agent of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  A search of Bush’s shared residence in Kenai revealed that he was in possession of 28 firearms, including a fully automatic Sten MKII machinegun.  Bush also possessed another firearm in one of his former residences in Danville, Virginia.

Bush has a previous felony conviction in Virginia for embezzlement.  As someone convicted of a felony, Bush was prohibited from possessing firearms.

At yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Burgess remarked that it was especially important to “send a message” to people whom might consider falsely representing themselves to be law enforcement agents.  As part of the plea agreement, Bush surrendered his law enforcement memorabilia, holsters, and ammunition boxes. The Court also ordered forfeiture of firearms and ammunition that Bush owned.

The Soldotna Police Department, 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 Jonas Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Tyler Arlan Weis, 41, of Wasilla, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 12 years in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release, for receipt of child pornography.

In October 2016, Alaska State Troopers (AST) investigating an online file-sharing network downloaded multiple files of child pornography from Weis’s computer.  Among these files of child pornography were images of adults vaginally and anally penetrating prepubescent females.  During a search of Weis’s home, Troopers located images of child pornography on his computer.  Also present were multiple hidden camera videos of minors that Weis had secretly recorded while those minors used the bathroom in his home.

At sentencing, Judge Burgess described the defendant’s crime as “extremely serious,” and noted the “profound” effect that the images and videos received, created and possessed by the defendant had on their victims.  The images downloaded by the defendant through the file-sharing network “depicted serious, disturbing, heinous violations that [the] children in the videos suffered,” said Judge Burgess.  However, as bad as those downloaded files were, the hidden camera videos produced by the defendant were “even more troubling,” according to Judge Burgess, because “the activity occurred in his own house.”

The Alaska State Troopers conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon.

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 that seven individuals have been indicted on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.  The defendants named in the indictment are:

• Christina Quintana, a/k/a “Lete,” 32, of Las Cruces, New Mexico;
• Andrea Avalos, a/k/a “Josie,” 22, of Las Cruces, New Mexico;
• Peter Krovina, a/k/a “Lil’ Pete,” 39, of Sitka, Alaska;
• Porter Treadway, 36, of Sitka, Alaska;
• Holly Chambers, 25, of Sitka, Alaska;
• Aaron Didrickson, 29, of Sitka, Alaska; and
• Eric Morisky, a/k/a “Curly,” 30, of Juneau, Alaska.

The indictment charges each of them with drug conspiracy and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Quintana and Treadway face additional charges for illegally possessing firearms as convicted felons.  On Tuesday, May 1, they each appeared in federal court in Juneau on the charges and were detained pending trial.

According to the indictment, beginning on May 2, 2017, and continuing until April 3, 2018, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in Sitka, Alaska.  Quintana and Avalos allegedly obtained drugs from California and New Mexico for subsequent distribution in Sitka.  Quintana and Avalos intimidated other members in the conspiracy by telling them they were members of a larger drug trafficking gang. 

Krovina, Treadway, Chambers, Didrickson, and Morisky were members of the drug conspiracy who assisted Quintana and Avalos in the distribution of the drugs in Sitka, as well as the collection of drug debts from others.  They all, including Quintana and Avalos, possessed firearms to facilitate their drug trafficking activities, as well as to extract retribution against members of the drug conspiracy who owed drug debts.  For example, the indictment alleges that the defendants organized and perpetrated a violent home invasion and robbery where Quintana shot an individual in both legs, and Treadway attacked another individual with a claw hammer, in order to collect a drug debt owed during the course of the conspiracy.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Sitka Police Department conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt.

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 Joseph Kuzmin, 42, of Voznesenka, Alaska, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve six years in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.  A jury previously found Kuzmin guilty of the charge in November 2017, after a three-day trial. 

According to evidence presented at trial, on Dec. 28, 2016, in Voznesenka (near Homer), Kuzmin physically assaulted his teenage son, and then threatened to shoot the son, an aunt if she came to assist the son, and any law enforcement officers who responded.  The son hid the firearms, then fled the house and called 911.  On Dec. 29, 2016, Kuzmin was arrested by the Alaska State Troopers (AST) after he reportedly assaulted his son.  The case was referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), who then searched Kuzmin’s home in January 2017 and found two rifles and ammunition. 

Kuzmin had previously been convicted in Alaska State Court of three felonies, including assault in the third degree.  As someone convicted of a felony, Kuzmin was prohibited from possessing firearms.

At the sentencing hearing, the court found that the most important goal of sentencing was to protect other people in the community from Kuzmin, who has a long criminal history, including offenses committed against family members, fisherman on his boat and other boats, and strangers.

ATF and AST conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas Walker.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that three Anchorage residents have been charged in an indictment alleging they conspired to obtain checks stolen from the mail, primarily credit card convenience checks, and then negotiated the stolen checks at different banks in Anchorage using stolen identities and bank accounts associated with the stolen identities. 

Amber Hecker, 34, Ronald Hecker, 35, and Richard Hoglin, 34, all of Anchorage, were charged in a 22-count indictment that includes charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, possession of stolen mail, and aggravated identity theft. 

According to the indictment, from April 2017 to April 2018, Amber Hecker, Ronald Hecker, and Richard Hoglin, negotiated checks stolen from the mail that were falsely altered and forged.  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.  The defendants also used bank accounts associated with the stolen identities to negotiate the stolen and forged checks.  It is further alleged that the defendants possessed mail stolen from over 500 victims, including financial records, social security cards, identification cards, and credit cards.   

Amber Hecker and Ronald Hecker are scheduled to appear in court today at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively, in Courtroom 6 of the Federal Courthouse.  There will be a media availability at approximately 2:00 p.m., immediately following the 1:30 p.m. hearing.  Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Anchorage Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Anchorage Airport Police will be present. 

The law provides for a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, or both. Under federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.         

The Anchorage Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with the Anchorage Airport Police, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.

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 Jorge Cardenas, a/k/a George Castineda, 42, a Mexican national residing in Girdwood, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve 11 years in prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release.  Cardenas previously pleaded guilty on July 21, 2017, to conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine.

According to the court documents, for at least five years prior to his arrest in March 2017, Cardenas trafficked large amounts of methamphetamine and other illegal controlled substances  throughout Southcentral Alaska, including Anchorage, and Southeast Alaska, including Juneau.  A total of approximately 730 grams of methamphetamine was seized from his truck in Juneau and from his residence in Girdwood.  The investigation further revealed that Cardenas was making and planning to distribute “gunpowder heroin,” which is heroin laced with fentanyl, and spoke candidly about the likelihood of it causing overdose deaths.  In his residence, Cardenas had a shrine dedicated to worshipping Jesus Malverde – the “Patron Saint of Drug Dealers.”  

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), the Juneau Police Department (JPD), 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.  Cardenas was arrested with the assistance of the United States Marshal Service (USMS) and the Anchorage Airport Police.  This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Stinson.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that two Alaska men have been charged in relation to 15 Steller sea lions found dead during the opening of the 2015 Copper River salmon season.  The two men have been charged with harassing and killing Steller sea lions with shotguns and then making false statements and obstructing the government’s investigation into their criminal activities.  The Steller sea lion is protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and is listed as an endangered species for the geographic area where the shooting occurred.

Jon Nichols, 31, of Cordova, who was captain of the Fishing Vessel (F/V) Iron Hide, and Theodore “Teddy” Turgeon, 21, of Wasilla, who was a deckhand on the F/V Iron Hide at the time of the offenses, were both named in the indictment.  The charges include conspiracy, violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, obstruction of a Marine Mammal Protection Act investigation, false statements, and obstruction.

According to the indictment, during the first few weeks of the salmon gillnet season that opened on May 14, 2015, fifteen Steller sea lions were discovered dead along the sand bars at the mouth of Copper River fishing district.  It is alleged that on various occasions between May and June 2015, Nichols, as the captain of the F/V Iron Hide, regularly directed his crew, which included Turgeon, to get a shotgun kept aboard the vessel, and shoot at Steller sea lions while fishing in the Copper River fishing district.  At times, Nichols would shoot the Steller sea lions himself.  Nichols would also sometimes drive the F/V Iron Hide in the direction of the Steller sea lions to allow Turgeon to get a better shot at the sea lions. 

It is further alleged that, after learning there was an investigation into the dead Steller sea lions, Nichols and Turgeon obstructed the investigation by, among other things, removing the shotgun from the F/V Iron Hide and coordinating false stories between his crew members about the presence of shotguns and the shooting of sea lions.  Turgeon is also charged with making false statements to a NOAA law enforcement agent, and Nichols is charged with obstructing and attempting to obstruct a grand jury investigation by endeavoring to influence his crew not to provide truthful information relevant to the investigation.

NOAA, Office of Law Enforcement (NOAA OLE) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aunnie Steward.

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 an Anchorage woman, who is an inmate at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center (HMCC), pleaded guilty yesterday to distributing fentanyl to other inmates while in prison.

Dorothy Elizabeth Lantz, 36, of Anchorage, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to an indictment alleging three counts of distribution of a controlled substance.  The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 9, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.

According to court documents, on October 30, 2017, Lantz, an inmate of the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC), was transferred from Anchorage Correctional Complex to HMCC, while carrying fentanyl inside her body.  When she arrived at HMCC that afternoon, Lantz distributed a quantity of fentanyl to another HMCC inmate, and distributed a quantity of fentanyl to two other HMCC inmates the next day, October 31, 2017.  In all, between October 30 and October 31, 2017, four HMCC inmates collapsed after taking fentanyl, and one of those inmates collapsed two separate times during that time period.  All four inmates were resuscitated and survived.  DOC personnel were able to recover .38 grams of fentanyl from one of the HMCC inmates who overdosed after taking fentanyl.  The investigation revealed that Lantz had traded the drugs to her fellow HMCC inmates in exchange for commissary items.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, 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 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation, with assistance from DOC’s Professional Conduct Unit, which led to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea W. Hattan.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that additional bank fraud charges have been filed against an Alaska woman who allegedly defrauded an Anchorage medical practice of at least $550,000. 

Jill Diane Applebury, aka: “Jill Wetzsteon,” 53, d/b/a Applebury Accounting Services, and her husband Darin Wade Applebury, 53, both of Anchorage, have been named in a 53-count superseding indictment charging them with bank fraud, wire fraud, fraudulent transactions with an access device, and aggravated identity theft.  The superseding indictment includes an additional 14 counts of bank fraud against Jill Applebury, which arose from a related scheme.

From the mid-1990’s until March 2013, Jill Applebury was the independent contractor bookkeeper for an Anchorage medical practice, which was owned and operated by an Anchorage physician.  The superseding indictment alleges that from at least 2004 until March 22, 2013, Jill Applebury and Darin Applebury defrauded the Anchorage medical practice in several ways. 

According to the superseding indictment, the additional bank fraud charges stem from May 2008 to January 2010, when Jill Applebury used the medical practice’s funds to pay her independent contractor Federal Income Tax Withholding on her nonemployee compensation without authority.  Therein, Jill Applebury executed unauthorized and fraudulent transactions from the medical practice’s business bank account to the IRS, wherein the medical practice paid her IRS individual income tax without any reduction in her nonemployee compensation without the knowledge or consent of the medical practice. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Retta-Rae Randall and Andrea W. Hattan.  

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 two men were sentenced to federal prison for multiple armed robberies, including the armed robbery of Wells Fargo Bank in August 2016.

Kaleem Tikori Fredericks, 24, was sentenced yesterday to serve 130 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to armed bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, Hobbs Act conspiracy, and Hobbs Act Robbery.  Calel Calvis Alexis Crofford, 25, was sentenced in January 2018, to serve 10 years and 2 days in prison after previously pleading guilty to armed bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and Hobbs Act conspiracy.

According to court documents, between Aug. 11 and Aug. 18, 2016, Fredericks and Crofford conspired to commit a series of armed robberies.  They pointed a loaded short-barreled shotgun, and a BB gun that appeared to be a real handgun, at customers and employees of a bank, three liquor stores, and a gas station.  They also committed a smash-and-grab theft from a jewelry store.  The series of robberies they committed are as follows:

• Aug. 11, 2016 – Fredericks and Crofford robbed the Captain Sparrow Liquor Store located at 1100 W. Benson Boulevard, using a short-barreled shotgun;
• Aug. 14, 2016 – Fredericks and Crofford robbed the Brown Jug Liquor Store located at 525 West Fireweed Lane, using a short-barreled shotgun;
• Aug. 15, 2016 – Fredericks and Crofford robbed the Tesoro Gas Station located at 545 Muldoon Road, using a loaded short-barreled shotgun;
• Aug. 15. 2016 – Fredericks and Crofford robbed the Brown Jug Liquor Store located at 119 Klevin Street, using a short-barreled shotgun;
• Aug. 18, 2016 – Fredericks and Crofford stole from the Jewelry World kiosk at the Dimond Center Mall;
• Aug. 18, 2016 – Fredericks and Crofford robbed Wells Fargo Bank, using a short-barreled shotgun and a BB gun.

Fredericks and Crofford stole a total of approximately $30,954, which they used to entertain themselves and then try to flee Alaska.  Specifically, on Aug. 18, 2016, Fredericks and Crofford drove to Girdwood, Alaska, and disposed of the short-barreled shotgun, a backpack, and some of the clothes worn during the armed robberies.  On that same day, they had purchased airline tickets and traveled to the Ted Stevens International Airport together in order to flee to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

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

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Jennifer Marie Trengove, 41, of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 105 months in federal prison for committing three bank robberies in Anchorage last May.  Trengove previously pleaded guilty in August 2017 to three counts of bank robbery.

According to court documents, Trengove robbed three different branches of Alaska USA Federal Credit Union during a spree between May 24 and May 26, 2017.  Trengove committed the robberies at the E. Dimond Blvd. branch on May 24, at the E. Northern Lights Blvd. branch on May 25, and at the Hartzell Road branch on May 26.  At each robbery, Trengove walked up to a teller station and presented a demand note to the teller.  It was later determined by law enforcement officers that Trengove had not been carrying a firearm during the robberies. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Burgess noted that Trengove had a long history of committing serious crimes dating back to when she was 13 years old.  The previous convictions included a 2012 federal conviction for bank robbery in Oregon.  Judge Burgess also noted that Trengove had a long history of substance abuse and mental health issues, and had been through multiple treatment programs, which had not prevented her from continuing to commit more crimes to support her drug dependency issues.  Judge Burgess commented that there was little he could do at this point other than to protect the public by sentencing Trengove to a lengthy prison sentence.

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 Joseph W. Bottini.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that a former airline employee has been sentenced in federal court for hacking PenAir’s ticketing and reservation system between April and May 2017.

Suzette Kugler, 59, of Desert Hot Springs, California, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason, to serve five years of probation, and 250 hours of community service.  Kugler, who has no prior criminal history, previously pleaded guilty as charged to the felony offense on Jan. 26, 2018, to one count of fraud in connection with computers.  As part of the plea agreement, Kugler agreed to pay $5,616 in restitution to PenAir, paid in full by the time of sentencing. 

According to court documents, Kugler was a long-time employee of PenAir, who parted ways with the company in February 2017, dissatisfied with the circumstances surrounding her departure.  During her employment, Kugler had administered PenAir’s Sabre database system, which the airline depended on for ticketing and reservations.  The investigation revealed that, upon retirement, Kugler used her specialized knowledge regarding the Sabre database to create fake employee accounts with high-level privileges, without authorization, and then used those accounts to destroy critical information in a series of network intrusions.  It was discovered that the primary fake employee account used in the intrusions was created by Kugler a week before she left the company.

Kugler’s unauthorized network intrusions were intended to prevent employees in any of the eight airports serviced by PenAir from being able to book, ticket, modify, or board any flight until the stations were again added in the system.  PenAir personnel worked through the night to bring the stations back online.

The Court at sentencing commended PenAir for remediating the damage caused by Kugler before it resulted in significant disruption for air travelers in Alaska and other states. 

Special Agents with the Cyber Unit of the Anchorage Division of 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 Adam Alexander.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that Mack Arthur Parker, 52, of Juneau, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 34 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on June 25, 2017, in Juneau, Parker was found unconscious behind the wheel of a running vehicle, with the window down and blocking traffic.  When the officer woke Parker, the officer saw Parker immediately reach under his leg after the vehicle lurched forward.  The officer stuck his head in the window and observed that Parker was reaching for a pistol tucked under his leg.  The officer reached in the vehicle and secured the firearm, which had a loaded magazine and round in the chamber.  Parker was also in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, a glass pipe, and a digital scale.

Parker had previously been convicted in the Superior Court for the State of Alaska on Feb. 11, 2001, for Robbery in the First Degree.  As someone convicted of a felony, Parker was prohibited from possessing firearms.

The Juneau Police Department (“JPD”) 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 Jack Schmidt.

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Anchorage woman has been sentenced in federal court for embezzling nearly $200,000 from a local union.

Anne C. Reddig, 63, of Anchorage, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess, to serve 14 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $139,960.66 in restitution.  Reddig previously pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2017, to embezzlement of assets by a labor organization officer.

According to court documents, from March 2007 until she resigned in September 2014, Reddig served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (“IATSE”) Local Union (“LU”) #918.  The investigation revealed that Reddig, while an officer of IATSE LU 918, embezzled $193,275.52 in union funds and converted the funds to her own personal use between March 2010 and September 2014.  Reddig embezzled the funds by transferring money directly from union accounts into her own accounts, forging the signature of another union officer on checks she wrote for her own benefit, using ATM machines to withdraw cash directly from union accounts, and spending union funds at retail stores via the union’s debit card.  The investigation further revealed that Reddig also submitted false reports to the United States Department of Labor by failing to disclose the union funds that she had received.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas Walker.