District of Arizona

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Last week, Jaime Rene Calderon, 28, of Prescott, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to three concurrent terms of 150 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In December 2019, a federal jury found Calderon guilty of three counts of aiding and abetting the sale of heroin on three separate occasions. 

“The nationwide epidemic of opioid overdoses impacts small and large communities alike,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey.  “Collaborative investigations like Operation Blackwater that bring together state and federal agencies will make Prescott and Prescott Valley a safer place for everyone.”

The Department of Public Safety (DPS), with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), conducted “Operation Blackwater” over approximately two years. The operation focused on eliminating the heroin trade in the Prescott and Prescott Valley areas and in particular, to dismantling the criminal activities of the local Creekside Chicanos gang. Evidence at trial proved that Calderon, while incarcerated at the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry in 2017 for an unrelated offense, recruited two associates outside the prison to sell heroin for profit. Calderon was the last of 15 defendants to be convicted and sentenced for heroin possession with the intent to distribute in connection with the investigation.

“We are grateful for the unwavering collaboration with our federal partners throughout Arizona,” said Heston Silbert, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “We successfully leveraged each other’s investigative resources and effectively displaced a dangerous criminal organization.”

In addition to Calderon, the following individuals were previously convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and sentenced as follows:

• Adrian Anderson, 38: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 30 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release; September 9, 2019; CR-18-8125-PCT-SMB
   
• Erbey Balderaz, III, 34: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 31 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; May 14, 2018; CR-17-8232-PCT-JJT
   
• Angela Blackwater, 46: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to time served followed by three years of supervised release; April 30, 2018; CR-17-8225-001-PCT-JJT
   
• Alisia Gamez, 26: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; May 14, 2018; CR-17-8225-002-PCT-JJT
   
• Nicholas Cowan, 33: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; April 2, 2018; CR-17-8228-PCT-DLR
   
• John Delgado, 33: Sentenced to U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; October 29, 2018; CR-17-8223-PCT-GMS
                                                                                  
• Andre Enciso, 37: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 12 months and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release; March 19, 2018; CR-17-1258-PHX-JJT
   
• Lisa Gazzam, 40: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; April 29, 2019; CR-18-578-PHX-SMB
   
• Veronica James, 39: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 12 months and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release; September 10, 2018; CR-17-8229-PCT-DLR
   
• Craig Livermore, 35: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to three years of probation; January 11, 2019; CR-17-8224-PCT-DGC
   
• Bryant Montoya, 26: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 66 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; June 4, 2018; CR-17-8231-001-PCT-DJH
   
• Marcos Ochoa, 24: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; August 22, 2018; CR-17-8226-PCT-DJH
   
• Yeni Guevara Solis, 28: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; May 14, 2018; CR-17-8231-002-PCT-DJH
   
• Evangeline Wilson, 32: Sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; May 21, 2018; CR-17-8230-PCT-DGC
   

"We are thankful for the impact this collaborative, long-term investigation has made in the Prescott community," said Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Division. "Working together, we were able to get dangerous drugs and dangerous individuals off the streets. The FBI is proud to work with our state, local, and federal partners and will continue to do so to protect the communities we serve in the fight against drugs." 

Arizona DPS (Prescott) and the FBI conducted the investigation into these matters. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Covault, District of Arizona, Phoenix handled the prosecutions with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Crowley on the Calderon case.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-18-8126-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-063_Calderon

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A Lebanese national wanted in Florida who is alleged to have conspired to engage in, and actually engaged, in the laundering of drug proceeds through the use of the black market peso exchange in support of Hezbollah’s global criminal-support network and a Cypriot national who is wanted in the Northern District of Georgia and the District of Arizona for cyber intrusion and extortion, were both extradited yesterday from the Republic of Cyprus to the United States.

“These successful extraditions demonstrate the commitment of the Department of Justice to support local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and our strong working relationship with dedicated foreign partners who assist in apprehending foreign fugitives wherever they may be hiding,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners in Cyprus, Ghassan Diab and Joshua Polloso Epifaniou will now be held accountable in the United States for their alleged crimes.” 

Ghassan Diab, 37, a citizen of Lebanon, arrived in Miami yesterday after being extradited from the Republic of Cyprus.  Diab is charged in the State of Florida, Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, with two counts of money laundering over $100,000, two counts of conspiracy to launder over $100,000, two counts of unlicensed transmission of currency over $100,000, and two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device to further the commission of money laundering, all felonies under Florida law.

Diab was previously identified as an alleged Hezbollah associate and charges were announced by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in October 2016 as a part of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division’s “Operation reconquista,” a joint State/Federal partnership to attack money laundering which resulted in the arrest of two co-defendants.  At that time, Ghassan Diab’s specific whereabouts were unknown. 

Diab was provisionally arrested in Cyprus for purposes of extradition on March 9, 2019, at the Larnaca International Airport upon his arrival from Beirut, Lebanon, based on a request from the United States in accordance with the U.S.-Cyprus Extradition Treaty. On September 27, 2019, the court in Cyprus found him extraditable to the United States. 

Joshua Polloso Epifaniou, 21, a resident of Nicosia, Cyprus, arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York yesterday after being extradited from the Republic of Cyprus, where he was arrested in February 2018.  Epifaniou is the first Cypriot national extradited by Cyprus to the United States.  Cyprus amended its Constitution in 2013 to allow for the extradition of Cypriot nationals to a European country or to a third country on the basis of a European arrest warrant or on the basis of a bilateral or multilateral treaty that the Republic of Cyprus has signed, with the understanding that the corresponding country would extradite its citizens as well.  In 2003, the United States and the European Union entered into an extradition agreement.  The articles of the U.S.-E.U. agreement were incorporated into the pre-existing bilateral treaty to create a new bilateral treaty with Cyprus, signed in 2006.

A five-count indictment filed in the Northern District of Georgia charges Epifaniou with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and identity theft, and extortion related to a protected computer. According to the indictment, between approximately October 2014 and November 2016, Epifaniou worked with coconspirators to steal personal identifying information from user and customer databases at victim websites in order to extort the websites into paying ransoms under threat of public disclosure of the sensitive data.  The indictment alleges that Epifaniou obtained confidential personal identifying information from these websites including from a free online game publisher based in Irvine, California; a hardware company based in New York, New York; an online employment website headquartered in Innsbrook, Virginia; and an online sports news website owned by Turner Broadcasting System Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia, either by directly exploiting a security vulnerability at the websites and stealing user and customer data, or by obtaining a portion of the victim website’s user data from a co-conspirator who had hacked into the victim network.  After obtaining the personal identifying information, Epifaniou allegedly used proxy servers located in foreign countries to log into online email accounts and send messages to the victim websites threatening to leak the sensitive data unless a ransom was paid.  He is alleged to have defrauded the entities of $56,850 in bitcoin, and two victims incurred losses of over $530,000 from remediation costs associated with the incident.

Epifanou is scheduled for his arraignment on Monday, July 20, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan J. Baverman in the Northern District of Georgia.

Epifaniou is charged in the District of Arizona in a 24-count indictment with conspiracy to commit computer hacking, obtaining information from a protected computer, intentional damage to a protected computer, and threatening to damage a protected computer.

The indictment alleges that on Oct. 30, 2016, Epifaniou obtained unauthorized access to the database of Ripoff Report (ROR), a company located in Phoenix, Arizona, through a brute force attack.  A brute force attack is a trial-and-error method used to obtain information, such as a user password or personal identification number.  Epifaniou allegedly used the attack to successfully override ROR’s login and password protection to access its database through an existing account for a ROR employee.  On Nov. 18, 2016, Epifaniou emailed ROR’s CEO using an email address, threatening to publicly disseminate stolen ROR data unless the company paid him $90,000 within 48 hours.  According to the indictment, Epifaniou emailed again the following day with a hyperlink to a video recording demonstrating Epifaniou’s unauthorized access to the ROR CEO’s account.  The indictment additionally alleges that between October 2016 and May 2017, Epifaniou worked with an associate at “SEO Company,” which was a search engine marketing company based in Glendale, California, to identify companies that might be interested in paying for removal of complaints posted on ROR’s website, which Epifaniou would then illegally remove through unauthorized access to the ROR database.  Epifaniou and his co-conspirator removed at least 100 complaints from the ROR database, charging SEO Company’s “clients” approximately $3,000 to $5,000 for removal of each complaint.

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

The Diab case was investigated by DEA’s Miami Field Division and Special Operations Division.  Assistant State Attorney Adam C. Korn, Executive Director of the South Florida Financial Crimes Strike Force of the Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Office is prosecuting the case.  The Epifaniou case was investigated by the FBI Atlanta and Phoenix Field Offices.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Kitchens of the Northern District of Georgia is handling the prosecution in that District and Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Knapp and Andrew Stone are handling the prosecution in the District of Arizona.   

The Justice Department extends its gratitude to the government of Cyprus for making the extraditions possible.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ extradition from Cyprus.  The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in bringing them back to the United States.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.  

I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)

126 individuals were charged in June with illegal reentry

A.  114 of those 126 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the U.S.

     Of the 114 individuals with non-immigration criminal records:

1.  22 had violent crime convictions, including:

0 individuals had homicide convictions
5 individuals had sex offense convictions
4 individuals had domestic violence convictions

2.  9 had property crime convictions

3.  25 had DUI convictions

4.  76 had drug crime convictions

B.  64 of those 126 individuals had been deported three or more times

II. Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)

         26 individuals were charged in June with alien smuggling

III. Illegal Entry (Criminal Consequence Initiative) (8 U.S.C. 1325)

          0 individuals were charged in June with illegal entry on the CCI calendar

Criminal conviction information based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.

These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

*The Department of Homeland Security instituted a policy in late March of expeditiously returning aliens who illegally enter the United States rather than detaining them. The decreased number of individuals presented to this Office for prosecution coincides with the implementation of that policy and other COVID-19 related border restrictions.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-062_June Immigration and Border Crimes Report

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, United States District Court Judge James A. Soto found Dennis Raymond McPherron, 74, of Hamilton, Montana, guilty of illegally smuggling bald eagle feathers (and other feathers from protected species) into the United States, in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The case was tried before District Court Judge Soto in January. McPherron faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for October 9.                               

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation in cooperation with United States Customs and Border Protection. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, prosecuted the case.

CASE NUMBER:            CR17-00242-JAS-EJM
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-061_McPherron

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Yesterday, Lodi Gene Bitsie II, 25, of Fort Defiance, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 17.5 years in prison. Bitsie previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder.                                                                                                        

On April 7, 2019, Bitsie began an argument with the victim, punched him, produced a large knife, and then stabbed the victim in the chest. The victim died as a result. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation promptly began an investigation, which led to Bitsie’s arrest and prosecution.  Bitsie is a member of the Navajo Nation, as was the victim, and the crime occurred in Fort Defiance on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR 19-08082-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-060_Bitsie

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Monday, Ervin Crank, 58, of Kayenta, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 30 months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Crank previously pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate partner or dating partner resulting in substantial bodily injury.

On July 1, 2019, Crank assaulted the victim by striking her multiple times with his hand. The assault occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation and both Crank and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-19-08192-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-059_Crank

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ 
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Today, United States Attorney Michael Bailey joined Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice in observing the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

"The Department of Justice has made protecting America's seniors a top priority, and our office shares that commitment," said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. "Our seniors deserve to be treasured and treated with respect and care, not targeted by fraudulent schemes. We encourage you to call the hotline today if you suspect abuse. Let's work together to protect our seniors."

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the virus are our senior citizens. Bad actors have exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly, who are vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, through a host of scams and fraud schemes. As the world takes this day to remember the elderly during these uncertain times, the Department of Justice remains relentlessly committed, through its department-wide Elder Justice Initiative, to prevent and prosecute fraud on America’s seniors.

The Department will aggressively prosecute fraudsters exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and targeting seniors by offering them fake testing kits and fake help obtaining stimulus and Paycheck Protection Program Funds. Just last week, attorneys from the District of Arizona partnered with the FBI and AARP to give a telephonic town hall about current COVID-19 scams around the country. The town hall was attended by well over a thousand callers from the state who had the opportunity to ask questions and learn tips for avoiding scams.

On this day, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, dedicated to recognizing our seniors who have been victims of scams and other forms of abuse, the Department of Justice sends a strong message that we will continue the fight to keep seniors safe. Earlier this year Attorney General Barr declared “Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud” to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department’s four top priorities. In recognition of that goal, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona also collaborated with the Pima Council on Aging and the FBI in January to offer an informational talk on scams for older adults.

Major strides have already been made toward the goal of preventing and disrupting elder fraud:

• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11
  Attorney General Barr recently launched a National Elder Fraud Hotline. Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.
   
• Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force: Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel. Since its inception, prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants. 
   
• Annual Elder Justice Sweep: In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney’s office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors, including 16 defendants charged in the District of Arizona.
   
• Money Mule Initiative: Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens. In 2019 actions were taken to halt the conduct of more than 600 domestic money mules, exceeding a similar effort against approximately 400 mules in the previous year.
   
• Holding foreign-based perpetrators and those that flee the United States accountable: Transnational criminal organizations are targeting our elder population in schemes including mass mailing fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, lottery and sweepstakes scams, IRS and Social Security Administration imposter scams, and technical-support scams.
   

For more information on enforcement actions, training and resources, research, and victim services, please visit www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

RELEASE  NUMBER:  2020-058_Elder Abuse Awareness Day

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)

92 individuals were charged in May with illegal reentry

A.  86 of those 92 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the U.S.

     Of the 86 individuals with non-immigration criminal records:

1.  23 had violent crime convictions, including:

1 individual had a homicide conviction
5 individuals had sex offense convictions
9 individuals had domestic violence convictions

2.  13 had property crime convictions

3.  20 had DUI convictions

4.  51 had drug crime convictions

B.  39 of those 92 individuals had been deported three or more times

II. Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)

         9 individuals were charged in May with alien smuggling

III. Illegal Entry (Criminal Consequence Initiative) (8 U.S.C. 1325)

          0 individuals were charged in May with illegal entry on the CCI calendar

Criminal conviction information based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.

These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

*The Department of Homeland Security instituted a policy in late March of expeditiously returning aliens who illegally enter the United States rather than detaining them. The decreased number of individuals presented to this Office for prosecution coincides with the implementation of that policy and other COVID-19 related border restrictions.

*The April Immigration and Border Crimes Report that was issued on May 19 failed to include an additional charge of alien smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324). The total number should have been 15 individuals rather than 14 individuals.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-057_May Immigration and Border Crimes Report

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office, along with a special agent from the FBI, will participate in a telephonic town hall coordinated through the AARP to provide information to Arizona residents to help them identify and avoid fraudulent schemes, including scams related to COVID-19.

The telephonic town hall will happen on Tuesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. PDT. During the event, an FBI special agent and two federal prosecutors will discuss various scams relating to COVID-19 and provide tips for avoiding them. A discussion about other scams targeting the elderly will also be highlighted.  Participants from Arizona will be allowed to ask questions during the presentation.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network is providing the infrastructure for the event. Approximately 100,000 AARP member households will receive a phone call Tuesday morning inviting them to participate in the town hall. Those who wish to receive an invitation can sign up on this AARP registration page: https://vekeo.com/aarparizona/#.

On June 9 at 10 a.m., participants can join the call by dialing 877-299-8493 and entering the following ID: 114737#. Participants can also join the town hall via Facebook by going to @aarparizona to listen.

During the current health crisis, federal investigators and prosecutors continue to fulfill their critical mission of protecting public safety. Federal officials have prioritized the disruption, investigation and prosecution of crimes related to COVID-19, including fraudulent schemes, unapproved treatments, and scams related to stimulus money. During the virtual town hall meeting, federal officials will discuss the types of schemes currently being seen, along with tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.

The FBI continues to warn the public about these schemes, some of which have already been seen in Arizona and other parts of the country:

• Scammers are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms.
   
• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online.
   
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
   
• Seeking fraudulent donations for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.
   
• Obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.   
   

If you think you are a victim of COVID-19 fraud, immediately report it the FBI (visit ic3.gov, tips.fbi.gov, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI).

In addition, the public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721).

To find out more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit: www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-056_AARP Town Hall

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Loren Reed, 26, of Page, Arizona, was arrested on Tuesday, June 2, and charged in a complaint with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e) for using the internet and telephone to willfully threaten to unlawfully damage or destroy a building by fire. Reed appeared on the charges today before United States Magistrate Judge Camille Bibles of the District of Arizona.

According to the complaint:

On May 30, a concerned citizen called the Page Police Department and reported that Loren Reed had created a private Facebook chat group. In the chat, Reed was trying to convince people to join a meet up at the Page Courthouse and participate in a riot. Page Police Department officers then began monitoring the chat group in response to this report.

Between May 30 and June 2, Reed sent numerous messages in the chat group related to burning government buildings, including the Page Magistrate Courthouse and Page Police Department office. Reed suggested June 2 at 9:00pm as the date and time for carrying out the plan. Reed encouraged others in the chat group to bring gas and other flammables. He also discussed the use of Molotov cocktails.

Reed was arrested on June 2, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on the charge outlined in the complaint.

A conviction for using the internet and telephone to willfully threaten to unlawfully damage or destroy a building by fire carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charges resulted from an investigation by the Page Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Allison and David Pimsner, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:            20-4089MJ
RELEASE NUMBER:       2020-55_Reed

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Department of Justice today announced nearly $400 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.

In Arizona, grants were awarded to nine law enforcement agencies around the state:

• Apache Junction Police Department, receiving $1 million to hire 8 officers;

• Camp Verde Marshal, receiving $125,000 to hire 1 officer;

• Coconino County Sheriff's Department, receiving $500,000 to hire 4 officers;

• City of Maricopa, receiving $375,000 to hire 3 officers;

• Nogales Police Department, receiving $704,122 to hire 3 officers;

• City of Peoria, receiving $375,000 to hire 3 officers;

• Pima County Sheriff's Department, receiving $1.25 million to hire 10 officers;

• Town of Sahuarita, receiving $250,000 to hire 2 officers;

• City of Winslow, receiving $250,000 to hire 2 officers.

“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support. The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers.  In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.  In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities. Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.

CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area. 43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention. The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions.

A complete list of awards can be found here. To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The United States Attorney’s Office unsealed three criminal complaints filed in Federal District Court charging multiple individuals with health care fraud associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Now more than ever, the integrity of our healthcare system is paramount as we fight a global pandemic,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “We remain committed to rooting out and prosecuting any individual who would use this crisis as an opportunity to defraud individuals or the government.”

One complaint charges Jeremiah Faber, 45, of Gold Canyon, Arizona, the CEO of Harmony Healthcare, LLC dba Harmony Medical Care, with one count of health care fraud and one count of money laundering. The complaint alleges that Faber used Harmony’s Facebook and other social media sources to offer free COVID-19 testing if patients also completed Harmony’s Comprehensive Whole-Body Assessment. Harmony then fraudulently submitted claims for reimbursement to Mercy Care, Arizona’s health care benefit program, by billing for services that were medically unnecessary and for services provided in the names of physicians who had no role in the assessment.

Two other complaints charge a total of six individuals associated with five Phoenix-area businesses that purport to provide non-emergency medical transportation services on the Navajo Nation. The first complaint charges Abdul Raheem Abdul Jabbar, Nohad Loabneh, and Abedelhalim Lawabni with conspiring to commit health care fraud. The complaint alleges that Abdul Jabbar, Loabneh, and Lawabni falsely billed Arizona’s Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for more than 9,000 non-emergency medical transports in April 2020 when those transports never occurred. After the Arizona Governor and the President of the Navajo Nation both declared COVID-19 public emergencies, the need for non-emergency medical transports dramatically decreased. The complaint further alleges that their false billings in April 2020 generated a total of more than $2.75 million in fraudulent payments from AHCCCS to the three businesses. AHCCCS is Arizona’s Medicaid agency, offering health care programs to low-income Arizona residents. Loabneh, and Lawabni own and operate A&N Services, LLC. Abdul Jabbar owns and operates Freedom AZ, LLC, and is also affiliated with Desert Mobile, LLC.

The second complaint charges Miguel Denga, Husam Alsadi, and Tamarria Denga with conspiring to commit health care fraud. The complaint alleges that Alsadi and the Dengas falsely billed AHCCCS for more than 1,500 non-emergency medical transports in April 2020 when those transports never occurred. As noted above, after the Governor of Arizona and the President of the Navajo Nation both declared COVID-19 public emergencies, the need for non-emergency medical transports dramatically decreased. The complaint further alleges that their false billings in April 2020 generated a total of more than $450,000 in fraudulent payments from AHCCCS to the two businesses. Miguel Denga and Alsadi own and operate Philia Homecare, LLC. Tamarria Denga owns and operates COS 1, LLC.

“Fraudsters are using the uncertainty around COVID-19 to line their pockets,” said Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “Thanks to the diligent work of Arizona’s COVID-19 Fraud Task Force, the FBI identified and dismantled fraud rings in Arizona which were trying to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. Make no mistake, the FBI will actively pursue those seeking to fraudulently profit from the pandemic. The FBI thanks the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Office of the Inspector General (AHCCCS-OIG) for their partnerships and collaboration on these cases. Their work was vital to these investigations.”

Jeremiah Faber is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court on June 30, 2020. The other six defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances in court on June 11, 2020.   

A complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

RELEASE NUMBER:           2020-053_COVID Fraud

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az
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I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)

74 individuals were charged in April with illegal reentry

A.  62 of those 74 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the U.S.

     Of the 62 individuals with non-immigration criminal records:

1.  19 had violent crime convictions, including:

2 individuals had homicide convictions
2 individuals had sex offense convictions
8 individuals had domestic violence convictions

2.  17 had property crime convictions

3.  14 had DUI convictions

4.  28 had drug crime convictions

B.  32 of those 74 individuals had been deported three or more times

II. Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)

         14 individuals were charged in April with alien smuggling

III. Illegal Entry (Criminal Consequence Initiative) (8 U.S.C. 1325)

          0 individuals were charged in April with illegal entry on the CCI calendar

Criminal conviction information based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.

These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

*The Department of Homeland Security instituted a policy in late March of expeditiously returning aliens who illegally enter the United States rather than detaining them. The decreased number of individuals presented to this Office for prosecution in April coincides with the implementation of that policy and other COVID-19 related border restrictions.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-052_April Immigration and Border Crimes Report

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – In honor of National Police Week, United States Attorney Michael Bailey and the entire District of Arizona office recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. National Police Week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

“While most of us are apt to run or hide from danger, the men and women in law enforcement run toward it.  They accept the risk of death or injury as part of their calling – to serve as a barrier between members of the public and victimization,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “We take this week to thank law enforcement officers, and their families, for their service and their sacrifice on our behalf.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including two officers here in the District of Arizona.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, will join communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services. This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice| Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”

“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the shock and trauma of criminal victimization, affecting their well-being and sense of security and dignity,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “To these victims, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting them in their hour of need. We also commend the thousands of victim advocates and public safety professionals who labor tirelessly to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”

“As prosecutors, we get a close-up view every day of the damage crime does to its victims,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “This week of commemoration is an important reminder, especially during a time of public crisis, that we must identify and meet the needs of those who have been victimized. It’s also a time to celebrate the men and women who have devoted their time to advocating for victims.”

“While we have made tremendous progress driving down crime and violence across the country, far too many Americans continue to suffer the pain and loss of criminal victimization,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, which oversees the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). “This week, we stand by these survivors and their families, and we pledge our ongoing support to the countless men and women who serve them with such extraordinary skill and compassion.”

Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.

Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. The OVC supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory. Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund, which is made up of federal criminal fines, penalties and bond forfeitures.

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services. This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.

The commemoration for this year began yesterday, 25 years to the day when a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, taking the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring hundreds of others. The mass murder remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in our nation’s history and led to the establishment of the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which is administered by OVC, and has been used to provide direct services to hundreds of victims of mass violence and terrorism.

“Crime victims deserve to know that they have the encouragement and support of the American people,” said OVC Director Jessica E. Hart. “I hope that citizens throughout the nation will take the opportunity this week to remember all victims of crime and their heroic stories of survival. I encourage everyone to also find meaningful ways to express their appreciation to the many committed and compassionate service providers across the country who work tirelessly supporting these survivors.”

The annual United States Attorney’s Office National Crime Victims’ Rights ceremony will be postponed this year until a time when we can honor this year’s award recipients in person. During the ceremony, United States Attorney Bailey will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from around Arizona for their outstanding service on behalf of crime victims.

For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2020/overview.html

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-050_Victims’ Rights Week

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)

946 individuals were charged in March with illegal reentry

A.  359 of those 946 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the U.S.
 
     Of the 359 individuals with non-immigration criminal records:

1.  74 had violent crime convictions, including:

2 individuals had homicide convictions
9 individuals had sex offense convictions
24 individuals had domestic violence convictions

2.  52 had property crime convictions

3.  98 had DUI convictions

4.  132 had drug crime convictions

B.  264 of those 946 individuals had been deported three or more times

II. Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)

         69 individuals were charged in March with alien smuggling

III. Illegal Entry (Criminal Consequence Initiative) (8 U.S.C. 1325)

          405 individuals were charged in March with illegal entry on the CCI calendar

Criminal conviction information based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.

These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

*The Department of Homeland Security instituted a policy in late March of expeditiously returning aliens who illegally enter the United States rather than detaining them.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-049_March Immigration and Border Crimes Report

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) today urged citizens to be on high alert for scams related to the COVID-19 economic impact payments.

According to the United States Treasury Department, more than 80 million taxpayers who opted for direct deposit should see the economic impact payments in their bank accounts by tomorrow, if the payment has not already arrived. Coinciding with these payments, United States Attorney Michael Bailey and Tara Sullivan, Acting Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office, expect a surge in scam calls, emails, and text messages as criminals try to leverage the payout as an opportunity to defraud individuals.

“Our office is on the lookout for scam artists who try to steal these much-needed economic impact payments from the pockets of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey. “We are on high alert for anyone who tries to prey upon Arizonans during this pandemic, and we ask that each of you take the same approach – educate yourself about common scams, be vigilant in protecting your information, and report any attempted fraud.”

U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey and Acting SAC Tara Sullivan also remind retirees who do not normally file a tax return that no further action is needed to receive the $1,200 economic impact payment. The IRS will not contact retirees to request additional information via email, text, call, or in-person to issue an economic impact payment. The IRS is sending the economic impact payment automatically to retirees and no further action is required to receive it. Any contact asking for information regarding an economic impact payment should be considered suspicious.  If contacted, retirees should hang up the phone, ignore the email, or shut the door, and report the scam to the IRS or the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline.

“As soon as the Economic Impact Payments were announced by the government, we saw efforts from scammers trying to get their hands on this money. The IRS or Treasury will not be contacting you to verify your personal information. We don’t want any Arizonans to be victims of fraud related to these payments,” said Acting SAC Tara Sullivan.

The United States Attorney’s Office and the IRS-CI suggest the following tips to protect against economic impact payment scams:

1. Don’t provide personal or banking information in response to any call, email, text, or social media request. If you do not file taxes and you are not a retiree, then you should provide your information to the IRS to register for an economic impact payment, but only do so by using the secure portal on IRS.gov.
    
2. Never sign your economic impact payment check over to someone you don’t know and trust.
    
3. Don’t believe anyone who says they can help you get your economic impact payment faster. Be patient. Look for updates on IRS.gov.
    
4. Be wary of emails, texts, or calls that emphasize the phrases “Stimulus Check” or “Stimulus Payment.” The official term that is used by the IRS is economic impact payment.
    
5. If you expect your economic impact payment to come via mail, be mindful of thieves who may take this as an opportunity to raid your mailbox. Check your mail regularly and in a timely fashion.
    
6. If you receive an economic impact payment in the form of a physical check and someone calls you or asks you to verify information online in order to cash it, don’t believe them. Bring the check to a bank teller for verification – don’t provide that information to an unknown person, even if they claim to be from the government.

If you believe you were the target or victim of a scam related to the economic impact payments, please contact the IRS via phishing@irs.gov or the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: 866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.

More information about the economic impact payments can be found on the Coronavirus Tax Relief page on IRS.gov. If you are a registered taxpayer who elected for direct deposit and you have not received a payment by the end of the week, visit IRS.gov to determine the status of your payment. If you are a retiree and don’t file taxes, no further action is required to receive your payment. If you are not a retiree and don’t file taxes, enter your information as a non-filer through the secure portal at IRS.gov to determine your eligibility and register for a payment.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-048_Economic Impact Payment Scams

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On February 24, Martin Gerardo Mendoza, 51, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 24 months in federal prison followed by 120 months of supervised release. In August 2019, Mendoza pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact. 

On or between May 3 and May 4, 2018, Mendoza knowingly and intentionally engaged in sexual contact with the victim without her permission. Mendoza committed the act on the Yavapai-Prescott reservation in Prescott, Arizona. The victim is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tucson Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina Covault and William Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-19-8246-PCT-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-047_Mendoza

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 2, Ellias Clint Thompson, 29, of Camp Verde, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 106 months in federal prison.

In December 2019, Thompson pleaded guilty to Failure to Register as a Convicted Sex Offender in case number CR-19-8228. Thompson also admitted to violating conditions of his lifetime supervised release in two prior cases, CR-16-8198 and CR-13-8200. Upon release from prison, Thompson will remain on supervised release for life.        

On May 17, 2019, while on supervised release in the 2013 and 2016 cases, Thompson absconded from a residential re-entry center. He then failed to register as a sex offender as required. Thompson is an enrolled member of the Yavapai Apache Nation.

The Yavapai-Apache Police Department and the United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Covault, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-19-8228-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:      2020-046_Thompson

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 9, Consuelo Stephanee Pena, 29, and on March 16, Dulce Avilene Gonzalez-Rosillo, 24, both of Phoenix, Ariz., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa and U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes, respectively, for their participation in multiple drug and money laundering offenses. 

Pena was charged with multiple offenses related to drug trafficking and laundering drug proceeds between November 2015 and March 2018. Pena pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and one count of Aiding and Abetting Money Laundering. Pena was sentenced to concurrent terms of 51 months in prison.

On April 17, 2017, Phoenix Police Officers came to the residence Pena shared with her boyfriend in Phoenix, Arizona. While she was speaking to officers in front of the residence, she sent a text message to her boyfriend, warning him that officers were in front of the residence and that he should escape out the back. Pena wanted him to hide drugs that were located in the residence so they would not be found by law enforcement. Pena’s boyfriend responded to Pena’s text by advising he had thrown a bag over the fence. Officers later located that bag, which contained two kilograms of cocaine, nine kilograms of heroin, and 84 grams of fentanyl.

On December 7, 2016, Pena provided Gonzalez-Rosillo with her debit card so that Gonzalez-Rosillo could withdraw drug proceeds from Pena’s bank account and transport the cash to Mexico. Pena admitted she and Gonzalez-Rosillo were being paid to engage in this illegal activity and were splitting the fee. On that same date, Gonzalez-Rosillo was searched by Customs and Border Protection Officers as she was attempting to drive outbound into Mexico with the cash. Officers found $7,802 on her person and in her vehicle.

Gonzalez-Rosillo pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. In July 2017, Gonzalez-Rosillo was stopped in Nevada while driving two kilograms of heroin from Arizona to Washington state. She was subsequently released from custody. Later, in June 2018, she was arrested for transporting 33 kilograms of marijuana near the United States-Mexico border. Gonzalez-Rosillo was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, and her vehicle was forfeited.

Homeland Security Investigations and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated these cases, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations, United States Border Patrol, the Phoenix Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nevada Department of Public Safety, and the White Pine County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lacy Cooper, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecutions.

CASE NUMBERS:      CR-18-1253-PHX-DLR/CR-18-1257-PHX-DLR/CR-19-0296-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-045_Pena and Gonzalez-Rosillo

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PHOENIX, Ariz. – United States Attorney Michael Bailey and Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich today launched a joint federal, state, and local task force to combat coronavirus-related fraud.

The COVID-19 Fraud Task Force brings together a dozen partners from across the state, with the goal of combining resources and information to better investigate and prosecute wrongdoers that seek to profit from the public health crisis. The mission of the Task Force is to streamline the government’s response to reports of fraud related to COVID-19 in Arizona. By working together across all levels of government, the Task Force will ensure that cases are investigated promptly and brought to the appropriate prosecuting entity. In the midst of the current crisis, members of the Task Force will work together, share information, and better protect Arizona citizens by ensuring that all scams are investigated and those responsible are held to account.  

“In times of crisis, the best of humanity is often evident as people support one another and unite together to fight a common enemy. We see that in today’s stories about our health care workers, our first responders, and our communities sacrificing safety and comfort to protect one another,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “Unfortunately crisis can also be a time when the worst parts of humanity surface. This Task Force will seek out and punish scam artists who prey on the fear and uncertainty of our citizens during this public health crisis.”

Assistant United States Attorney Jim Knapp, recently appointed as the United States Attorney’s Office COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, and Joseph Sciarrotta, Civil Division Chief for the Attorney General’s Office, are leading the Arizona COVID-19 Fraud Task Force. Other members include: Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Investigation Division, Health and Human Services, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the United States Secret Service, the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Services.

"It’s not surprising con artists are taking advantage of headlines and exploiting COVID-19 concerns and anxieties of consumers," said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. "The Attorney General’s Office is here to serve Arizonans and is working around the clock to combat fraud, but we can't do it alone. The launch of this new COVID-19 Task Force with our federal and local partners will maximize our resources and help ensure we are prepared to combat new and evolving consumer threats."

"The FBI is proud to be a member of Arizona's COVID-19 Fraud Task Force," said Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. "We are committed to aggressively pursuing bad actors who are utilizing the COVID-19 pandemic to commit cyber, financial, and healthcare fraud, including withholding critical supplies from our citizens, healthcare workers, and first responders."

In recent weeks, stories of fraud related to the coronavirus have increased across the nation. In times of uncertainty, consumers are often more vulnerable to scams as they seek answers and a sense of security. Fake texts, emails, and social media posts that might normally be ignored may now be enticing if they offer COVID-19 tests, miracle cures, medical products, or financial windfall. 

On April 6, the Federal Trade Commission reported that it had received almost 12,000 consumer complaints related to COVID-19 in just three months. Well over half of those complaints were fraud-related, with a total loss to consumers of $8.39 million. 

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office has also experienced a spike in COVID-19-related consumer fraud complaints. The office already sent cease-and-desist letters to local businesses (YiLo Superstore Dispensary and Prepper’s Discount) that were offering COVID-19-related products alleged to be in violation of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. To help keep Arizonans informed of the latest scams and to provide tips to consumers, the Attorney General’s Office recently launched a COVID-19 scam information page: www.AZAG.gov/COVID-19.

In light of these reports, United States Attorney Bailey and Attorney General Brnovich urge all Arizonans to be on alert for scam artists.  Be smart and consider the following to protect yourself from COVID-19 fraud:

• Do not respond to texts, emails, or calls requesting your personal information in exchange for a COVID-19 stimulus check. If you receive one of these requests, immediately report it to the hotline. COVID-19 economic impact checks will be delivered based on 2018 or 2019 tax return information, so no action is required for most people. 
   
• Ignore offers for a COVID-19 vaccine, cure, or treatment. Remember, if there is a medical breakthrough, you won’t hear about it for the first time through an email, online ad, or unsolicited sales pitch.
   
• Research any charities or crowdfunding sites soliciting donations in connection with COVID-19 before giving. An organization may not be legitimate even if it uses words like “CDC” or “government” in its name. 
   
• Be cautious of purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) from unknown third party vendors. Verify that the company is legitimate before ordering their products or sending money.
   
• Never click on a link or open an email attachment from an unknown or unverified source. Links and attachments may be embedded with a virus that will infect your computer or mobile device. To better protect yourself against malware, make sure your anti-virus software is operating and up-to-date.
   
• Do not be convinced by sales pitches for COVID-19 tests that promise to give results in as little as 24 hours. If an effective, quick-results test becomes widely available, you will find out through news sources and government reporting, not a sales pitch.
   

If you believe you have been a target of a coronavirus-related scam, or know someone else who has been, please report the fraud. Reports can be made to the Task Force at:

• National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: 1-800-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov
• Arizona Attorney General’s Office: www.AZAG.gov/complaints/consumer
• FBI’s IC3 (for internet related scams): www.IC3.gov
   

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-044_Coronavirus Task Force Launch

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 9, Delton Rogers, 33, of Supai, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to two terms of 27 months in federal prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. Rogers will serve the terms concurrently. In December 2019, Rogers pleaded guilty to Assault on a Federal Officer in two different cases. 

On September 27, 2018, Rogers struck a Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer who was attempting to restrain him during an altercation in Supai, Arizona. On April 21, 2019, when Hualapai Police Department officers were attempting to locate Rogers after a domestic disturbance report, he led officers on a high speed vehicle pursuit. While being taken into custody, Rogers aggressively attempted to break free from officers and repeatedly kicked an officer in the legs.    

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (Truxton Canyon Agency) and the Hualapai Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Covault, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:         CR-19-8036-PCT-SPL; CR-19-8155-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-043_Rogers

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On February 24, Gregg Larry Holiday, 47, of Goulding, Utah, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Holiday previously pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate partner or dating partner resulting in substantial bodily injury.

Holiday committed the assault on his partner in 2016. During the assault, Holiday strangled the victim. The assault occurred at a residence on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, in Arizona. Both Holiday and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. Alexander W. Samuels, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-19-08096-PCT-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-042_Holiday

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey today announced that nearly $60 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address public safety by supporting successful reentry of adult and juvenile offenders into their communities.

“Our nation is facing difficult public safety challenges that demand strong and immediate action. The high rate of recidivism poses a dire threat to community safety and is being met with a robust response by this Administration,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this persistent challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including adult and juvenile reentry initiatives and research projects designed to improve our knowledge of what works in reentry programming. 

A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future. 

• Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies Program
  https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17104
  Total Available $7.2 million. Deadline 4/27/2020.
   
• Improving Community Supervision Outcomes Through Swift, Certain, and Fair Responses
  https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17096
  Total Available $3 million. Deadline 4/28/2020.
   
• Improving Reentry for People with Substance Use Disorders Program
  https://bja.ojp.gov/SCASUD20
  Total Available $13.2 million. Deadline 4/27/2020.      
   
• Innovations in Reentry Initiative: Building System Capacity & Testing Strategies to Reduce Recidivism
  https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17281
  Total Available $4 million. Deadline 5/4/2020.
   
• Research and Evaluation on Promising Reentry Initiatives
  https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17295
  Total Available $6 million. Deadline 5/5/2020.
   
• Review and Validation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-fsa
  Total Available: Determined after selection. Deadline 4/10/2020.
   
• Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program
  https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17110
  Total Available $13.5 million. Deadline 5/4/2020.
   
• Second Chance Act Evaluation Participation Support
  https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17680
  Total Available $4 million. Deadline 4/28/2020.
   
• Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program
  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/ojjdp-2020-17350.pdf
  Total Available $7 million. Deadline 4/28/2020.
   

For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities

RELEASE NUMBER:  2020-041_Reentry Grants

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey today announced that more than $83 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities improve school security and protect students, teachers and faculty from threats of violence.

“School violence is no longer an abstract threat but has become a tragic reality in too many of America’s communities. Moving to meet this challenge is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

 The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to tighten school security and improve the reporting of threats. 

A number of funding opportunities for school safety are currently open: 

• Research and Evaluation on School Safety
  https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
  Total Available $5 million. Deadline 4/13/2020.
   
• STOP Act School Violence Program (FY20)
  https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17308
  Total Available $71.4 million. Deadline 4/13/2020.
   
• Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence  
  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17926
  Total Available $7 million. Deadline 4/27/2020.
   

For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.

RELEASE NUMBER:  2020-040_School Safety Grants

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 2, 2020, Ernie Andrews, 34, of Keams Canyon, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 53 months of imprisonment, with credit for four months Andrews spent in tribal custody, to be followed by lifetime supervised release. Andrews previously pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The crime took place on the Hopi Indian Reservation on January 29, 2019.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Van Buskirk, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-19-08187-PCT-DWL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-039_Andrews

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey today announced that more than $163 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities address America’s addiction crisis.

“Our nation is facing the difficult challenge of curbing substance addiction, which threatens public safety and is among the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight to meet this challenge. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs designed to prevent overdose deaths and break the cycle of addiction and crime. 

A number of funding opportunities that address the addiction crisis are currently open: 

• Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
  https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17098
  Total Available $1.75 million. Deadline 5/14/2020.      
   
• Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program
  https://bja.ojp.gov/COSSAP20
  Total Available $27 million. Deadline 5/21/2020.
   
• Enhancing Community Responses to America's Addiction Crisis: Serving Our Youngest Crime Victims
  https://www.ovc.gov/grants/pdftxt/fy-2020-enhancing-community-responses-to-drug-crisis.pdf
  Total Available: $19 million. Deadline: 5/4/2020.
   
• Family Drug Court Program
  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17090
  Total Available $18.2 million. Deadline 4/8/2020 (Extended).
   
• Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
  https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-17754
  Total Available $28.1 million. Deadline 5/5/2020.
   
• Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17051
  Total Available $7.2 million. Deadline 4/13/2020 (Extended).
   
• Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-16930
  Total Available $48 million. Deadline 4/13/2020.  
   
• Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17352
  Total Available $9 million. Deadline 4/20/2020.
   
• Research and Evaluation on Drugs and Crime
  https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17275
  Total Available $1 million. Deadline 4/20/2020.
   
• Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners https://bja.ojp.gov/RSAT20
  Total Available $4.5 million. Deadline 4/6/2020.
   

For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-038_Addiction Crisis Grants
 

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey today announced that more than $65 million in Department of Justice grants is available to help communities combat human trafficking and serve adults and children who are victimized in trafficking operations.

“Our nation is facing difficult challenges, none more pressing than the scourge of human trafficking. Human traffickers pose a dire threat to public safety and countering this threat remains one of the Administration’s top domestic priorities,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. “The Department of Justice is front and center in the fight against this insidious crime. OJP is making historic amounts of grant funding available to ensure that our communities have access to innovative and diverse solutions.”

The funding is available through OJP, the federal government’s leading source of public safety funding and crime victim assistance in state, local and tribal jurisdictions. OJP’s programs support a wide array of activities and services, including programs that support human trafficking task forces and services for human trafficking survivors. 

A number of funding opportunities are currently open, with several more opening in the near future. 

• Missing and Exploited Children Training and Technical Assistance Program
  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/ojjdp-2020-17351
  Total Available $1.8 million. Deadline 4/6/2020 (Extended).
   
• Multidisciplinary Task Force Program to Combat Human Trafficking
  Total Available $22 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020.
   
• Preventing Trafficking of Girls
  Total Available $1.7 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020.
   
• Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
  https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/nij-2020-17324
  Total Available $2.5 million. Deadline 4/20/2020.        
   
• Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
  Total Available $16.5 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020.
   
• Specialized Training and Technical Assistance on Housing for Victims of Human Trafficking
  Total Available $2 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020.
   
• Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Program
  Total Available $5 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020.
   
• Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking
  Total Available $6 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020.
   
• Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Labor Trafficking
  Total Available $8 million. Opens week of 3/16/2020.
   

For more information regarding all OJP funding opportunities, visit https://www.ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-036_Fight Human Trafficking Grants
 

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ 
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 16, Jarett James, 34, of Chinle, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to life imprisonment after being convicted of sexually abusing two girls between the ages of 10 and 12. The crimes took place on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation in 2011 and 2012.

On October 18, 2019, a jury found James guilty of one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Van Buskirk, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:         CR-18-08249-PCT-SPL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-037_James

# # #

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX – On March 2, 2020, Louis Screaming Eagle Walema, 24, of Peach Springs, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 46 months in prison, followed by a three year term of supervised release. Walema previously pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

On March 27, 2019, after forcing his way into the victim’s home, Walema punched and kicked the victim multiple times, causing the victim to sustain permanent injuries. The assault happened on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, and both Walema and the victim are members of the Hualapai Indian Tribe.          

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hualapai Nation Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-19-08099-PCT-DJH 
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-035_Walema

# # #

 

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX – On March 2, 2020, Michael Jay Ameelyenah, 28, of Parker, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 100 months in prison, followed by a term of three years of supervised release. Ameelyenah previously pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit murder.

On March 29, 2019, Ameelyenah stabbed the victim multiple times, causing the victim to sustain life-threatening injuries. Ameelyenah committed the assault on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian Reservation and both Ameelyenah and the victim are members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.          

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-19-00779-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-034_Ameelyenah

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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TUCSON, Ariz. – On February 18, Tracy Antonio, 25, of Sells, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge Raner C. Collins to 37 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. Antonio must also register as a sex offender and follow sex offender conditions while on supervised release. Antonio previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor.

Between November 12, 2015 and March 23, 2017, Antonio engaged in sexual intercourse with two victims, who were both less than 16 years old at the time. The crimes occurred near Sells, Ariz., on the Tohono O’odham Nation Reservation. Antonio is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, as were both victims.

Tohono O’odham Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erica Seger and Frances Kreamer Hope, District of Arizona, Tucson, prosecuted the case against Antonio.
 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-18-01903-RCC-JR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-033_Antonio

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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PHOENIX, Ariz. – U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey announced today his appointment of a federal prosecutor to lead the fight against fraud in the state of Arizona relating to COVID-19.

“Our office has already started receiving reports about individuals who are trying to use this crisis as an opportunity to prey upon others,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey.  “This kind of behavior during a national public health emergency is egregious and despicable. We will identify and prosecute anyone who uses the COVID-19 crisis to defraud others.”

U.S. Attorney Bailey appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Knapp, a longtime prosecutor and the Office’s White Collar Section Chief, to serve as the COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator.  AUSA Knapp will serve as legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the virus and will lead all investigations based on incoming reports of fraud related to COVID-19.

Some common scams linked to COVID-19 that are being reported around the nation include:

• Testing Scams: Individuals selling fake at-home test kits or going door-to-door performing fake tests for money;
   
• Treatment Scams: Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online;
   
• Charity Scams: Individuals soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19;
   
• Supply Scams: Scammers creating fake shops, websites, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies that are in high demand;
   
• App Scams: Mobile apps that appear to be designed to track the spread of COVID-19, but which insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information;
   
• Phishing Scams: Phishing emails sent from entities posing as the World Health Organization (“WHO”) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”);
   
• Provider Scams: Scammers are contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment;
   
• Investment Scams: Online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.
   

If you or someone you know believe you’ve been the target or victim of a fraud scheme related to the COVID-19 crisis please contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721).  Scam reports can also be made online by emailing NCDF at disaster@leo.gov or through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) by visiting www.IC3.gov. 

As our nation continues to fight the spread of COVID-19, the critical mission of the U.S. Department of Justice must and will continue.  In a memo this week, Attorney General Barr directed all U.S. Attorneys to remain vigilant in detecting, deterring, and prosecuting criminal activity, especially crimes of fraud related to the crisis. 

In a recent email to the office staff, U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey wrote, “As federal prosecutors we’ve each assumed a mantle, sworn an oath, and accepted a duty – proudly – to protect others and our community from crime. We will fulfill that duty, notwithstanding hurdles or roadblocks.” 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to do its part and fulfill its mission during this crisis.  In the meantime, we urge you to educate yourselves about these schemes and report any fraud to the authorities.

RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-032_COVID19

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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A federal jury in Little Rock, Arkansas, found Eric Scott Kindley, 52, a private prisoner transport officer, guilty of sexually assaulting two different women in his custody during two different transports in 2014 and 2017, and for knowingly possessing a firearm in furtherance of the 2017 sexual assault.

“The defendant was a prison transport officer who abused his law enforcement authority by sexually assaulting prisoners entrusted to his custody.  That is a federal crime, and the Department of Justice will vigorously investigate and prosecute law enforcement officers who unlawfully use their position to abuse those in their custody,”   said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s conviction was made possible by the brave women who testified about their abuse, and the tireless work of federal investigators and prosecutors over the last three years.”

"Kindley took advantage of his authority to exploit the very people he was entrusted with transporting across the country,” said Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “We commend the many victims, across the nation, who came forward to report this despicable crime. This conviction should serve as notice that anyone who uses their authority to exploit individuals in their custody, will be held accountable and the FBI will continue to aggressively pursue these types of cases. We would like to thank the FBI agents across the country whose tireless efforts helped bring Kindley to justice and the Department of Justice for their tremendous work on this case.”

Evidence at trial showed that Kindley operated a private prisoner transport company that contracted with local jails throughout the country to transport individuals who were arrested on out-of-state warrants. Kindley transported individuals alone, without any oversight, in his unmarked white minivan, often for hundreds of miles. The jury heard from six women whom he transported between 2013 and 2017, all of whom described Kindley’s pattern of conduct. Kindley transported them alone over long distances, handcuffed and shackled in the backseat of the van. Kindley forced them to listen to sexually explicit comments that escalated in intensity and depravity. Some women dealt with the comments by trying to make a joke of it; others attempted to talk back and end the comments, while others sat silently. In each instance, Kindley drove to desolate locations, putting the women in fear of being sexually assaulted, severely hurt, or worse.   

One of those women testified at trial that when Kindley transported her Alabama to Arizona in 2017, he stopped his van in a deserted area near Little Rock and sexually assaulted her while she was handcuffed, reminding her, as he did with other victims that she was “an inmate in transport” and that no one would believe her if she reported her. A second woman testified that when Kindley transported her in 2014, he stopped his van in a deserted area, also in Arkansas, and forced her to perform a sex act on him. A third woman testified that during her transport by Kindley in 2013 from Florida to Texas, he pulled his van over on the side of a dark road and sexually assaulted her. A fourth woman also testified that during her  2012 transport by from Nevada to California, Kindley stopped his van in a deserted park. He forced her to perform a sex act on him in a park bathroom. A fifth woman testified that during her 2013 transport from California to Montana, Kindley attempted to sexually assault her after he pulled over on the side of the road during a snowstorm. The jury heard testimony that none of the women who testified knew one another.

Kindley is also under indictment in the Central District of California for committing similar offenses related to his sexual assault of two other women in his custody in 2012 and 2017, and for brandishing a firearm during one of the sexual assaults. One of those women testified at this trial.

Kindley faces a maximum of life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

This case is being investigated by the Phoenix Division of the FBI with assistance from FBI field offices throughout the United States. It is being prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold and Trial Attorney Maura White of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of Arkansas and the District of Arizona.

TUCSON, Ariz. – On March 6, 2020, United States District Court Judge James A. Soto sentenced Wilmer Martin Flores, 43, of Honduras, to 87 months in prison. A jury had previously found Flores guilty of Assault on a Federal Officer.

     On June 20, 2016, Flores assaulted a United States Bureau of Prisons Corrections Officer during the performance of her official duties. In the process, the victim suffered serious bodily injury. At the time of the assault, Flores was serving a 235-month sentence for Sex Trafficking and Kidnapping.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Nathaniel J. Walters and Jesse Figueroa of the District of Arizona.

I. Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)

     1,225 individuals were charged in February with illegal reentry

          A.     377 of those 1,225 individuals had previously been convicted of non-immigration criminal                    offenses in the U.S.                  
 
                  Of the 377 individuals with non-immigration criminal records:

                       1.     82 had violent crime convictions, including:

                                    7 individuals had sex offense convictions

                                    25 individuals had domestic violence convictions

                       2.     53 had property crime convictions

                       3.     123 had DUI convictions

                       4.     134 had drug crime convictions

          B.     289 of those 1,225 individuals had been deported three or more times

II. Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)

         85 individuals were charged in February with alien smuggling

III. Illegal Entry (Criminal Consequence Initiative) (8 U.S.C. 1325)

          757 individuals were charged in February with illegal entry on the CCI calendar

Criminal conviction information based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.

These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2020-030_February Immigration and Border Crimes Report

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – This week, James Lee Jones, Jr., of Tuba City, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to multiple life terms in prison.  Jones previously was convicted by a jury of 4 counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and 5 counts of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child. 

     In the late 1990s, Jones repeatedly sexually abused a minor who was under the age of 12.  In 2016, Jones repeatedly sexually abused another minor who was 12 years old.  Jones sexually abused the victims on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, where Jones and the victims are enrolled tribal members.    

     “There is no question that Navajo will be a safer place for children with Jones off the streets permanently,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey.

     “These crimes are gut-wrenching and there is no question that this sentencing is just,” said Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “The FBI is responsible for investigating the most serious crimes in Indian Country and we will continue to aggressively pursue child sexual assault cases. The FBI is committed to protecting all of our communities, helping victims, and ensuring that justice is served.”

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Powell and Amy Chang, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – On March 3, 2020, United States District Judge John J. Tuchi sentenced Abdul Khabir Wahid, 54, of Phoenix, to 67 months in prison for making a false statement to the FBI during an investigation involving international terrorism and tampering with a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) and 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(3), respectively.  Wahid was sentenced to three years of supervised release to follow his prison term. Wahid’s trial was held before Judge Tuchi from February 26, 2019, to March 1, 2019, after Wahid waived a jury trial.

     Evidence at trial showed that Wahid committed the offenses during the FBI investigation of the May 3, 2015, ISIS-related attack on the Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest in Garland, Texas. Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi drove from Arizona to Texas to conduct the attack, stopped their car near the contest location, and began firing semiautomatic rifles at security personnel and law enforcement officers. One of their bullets struck and injured a security guard.  Police officers shot and killed Simpson and Soofi during the firefight.  Wahid did not travel to Texas and was not involved in the attack.

     On May 1, 2015, just days before the attack, Simpson instructed Wahid to deliver a key and an envelope to a third person. During a May 6, 2015, interview with FBI agents, Wahid made false statements and concealed those facts, despite having delivered the key and envelope as instructed by Simpson. Trial testimony revealed the FBI would have pursued additional avenues of investigation had Wahid truthfully disclosed the information, but was unable to do so in a timely manner.  Also, between May 4 and July 8, 2015, Wahid tried to persuade Soofi’s brother not to speak with the FBI, to lie about seeing Simpson and Soofi with guns, and to lie about observing ISIS propaganda videos in Simpson and Soofi’s apartment.

     “Wahid obstructed a terrorism investigation and is no friend of the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey.  “I want to thank the FBI for the tremendous effort that went into the underlying investigation, as well as the brave law enforcement officials in Garland whose quick action during the attack prevented a much larger tragedy.”   

     “The FBI takes its mission of protecting the American public seriously, and we are dedicated to conducting fair and thorough investigations,” said Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “Wahid not only lied to the FBI but he directly interfered with an investigation. This sentencing shows that, those who participate in that type of activity will be held accountable for their actions. The FBI would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligent work on this case.”

     The case was investigated by the FBI, and the prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Brook and Joseph Koehler of the District of Arizona.   

From February 24 to 28, a delegation of U.S. Attorneys led by U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna of the Central District of California, U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer of the Southern District of California, U.S. Attorney Mike Bailey of the District of Arizona, U.S. Attorney John Anderson of the District of New Mexico, U.S. Attorney Joseph Brown of the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, and U.S. Attorney John Bash of the Western District of Texas along with their and the Northern District of Texas criminal chiefs and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) chiefs traveled to Mexico City to participate in a series of briefings and meetings regarding counter-narcotic efforts as well as efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and the trafficking of arms and drugs.

The Justice Department’s Attaché Office in Mexico City organized the briefings and meetings. The U.S. delegation participated in a meeting with various officials from Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) including Deputy Attorney General for International and Legal Affairs, Miguel Angel Mendez Buenos Aires; Deputy Attorney General for Organized Crime and Investigations, Alfredo Higuera Bernal; Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Proceedings and Habeus Corpus, Roberto Ochoa Romero; and Deputy Attorney General for Investigative Techniques and Methods, Felipe de Jesus Gallo Gutierrez.

The U.S. Attorney’s Offices delegations were also briefed by various U.S. law enforcement entities stationed in Mexico City. They discussed investigative strategies and their shared commitment to protecting the security and safety of our shared border and the citizens residing in both the United States and Mexico. 

The U.S. law enforcement relationship with Mexico is one of our most important partnerships to combat trans-border crime.  The U.S. delegation reiterated the United States’ commitment to protecting U.S. and Mexican citizens and leaders from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral law enforcement cooperation. 

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

Southwest Border U.S. Attorneys meeting with Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR)

 

L-R: U.S. Attorney John Bash, U.S. Attorney Joseph Brown, U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer, Deputy Attorney General Alfredo Higuera Bernal, Deputy Attorney General Roberto Ochoa Romero, Deputy Attorney General Miguel Angel Mendez Buenos Aires, U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick, U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna, U.S. Attorney John Anderson, and U.S. Attorney Mike Bailey.

 

     Yesterday, the United States Attorney’s Office filed a motion to dismiss the remaining misdemeanor count against Scott Warren, for which he was found guilty. Senior District Judge Raner Collins granted the motion in court this morning. The dismissal is only as to the specific offense in Count 1 of the information. Dismissing the remaining count of conviction in this case does not foreclose the United States from prosecuting Warren for other crimes in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, should he violate the law.

     “While we continue to evaluate appellate options after an adverse ruling in a similar case, we want to ensure consistency in our prosecution of these violations moving forward,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “But to be clear, these groups must follow the law, even when delivering true humanitarian aid, and we will continue to prosecute those who intentionally help illegal immigrants evade law enforcement detection while deceptively cloaking their illegal acts as ‘humanitarian aid.’”

Mackenzie Davis, 25, a former Ranger with the Hopi Law Enforcement Services, was sentenced Monday in federal court in Phoenix, Arizona, to 51 months in prison for sexually assaulting a female arrestee in his custody and destroying evidence to cover up his crimes.  

“This sentence demonstrates that law enforcement officers who use their official authority to target and sexually assault individuals in their custody will be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice commends the victim who came forward to report this reprehensible conduct, so that this officer’s crimes could see the light of day.” 

“The steadfast courage of the victim, together with the FBI’s excellent investigative work, made the successful prosecution possible,” said Michael Bailey, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona.  “Davis’ sentence should serve as a warning to officials who breach the public’s trust.”

“The FBI will not tolerate officials who abuse their authority and violate the very people they were sworn to protect,” said Sean Kaul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office. “We too commend the victim who came forward to report this crime. The FBI will continue to work alongside our state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement partners to protect all of our communities and hold those who abuse their positions of power, accountable.” 

A federal jury convicted Davis last October. Evidence presented at trial established that on Nov. 15, 2016, Davis arrested the victim for driving under the influence. During a nearly two-hour transport to a detention center, Davis pulled over onto the side of the road and sexually assaulted C.A. Another witness testified that he engaged in similar conduct with her five years prior, when he was not a law enforcement officer.  A jury found Davis guilty of violating C.A.’s civil rights, abusive sexual contact in Indian Country, and destruction of evidence.

In addition to his prison sentence, Davis will serve 120 months on supervised release. He will also forfeit his law enforcement certification, forfeit his weapons, and be required to register as a sex offender.

The case was investigated by the Flagstaff Resident Agency of the Phoenix Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abbie Broughton Marsh, and Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold and Trial Attorney Maura White of the Civil Rights Division.

TUCSON, Ariz. - On February 13, 2020, Jose Antonio Yanez, 50, of Pirtleville, Ariz., was sentenced to 72 months in prison by United States District Judge James A. Soto. Yanez had previously pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Receiving a Bribe, and Importation of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance. Yanez was also ordered to pay $340,434 in restitution to United States Border Patrol, for salary he received while he was involved in the conspiracy.

     From 2014 to 2016, while working as a United States Border Patrol Agent at the Douglas and Naco stations, Yanez used his position to assist drug traffickers to transport thousands of kilograms of marijuana. Among other acts, Yanez turned Border Patrol cameras away from an 18-person group of smugglers carrying marijuana in large backpacks, purposely left his area of responsibility so that vehicles containing more than 4,100 kilograms of narcotics could cross the border, and provided law enforcement sensitive materials and information to co-conspirators, all in exchange for money. Yanez admitted to accepting more than $16,000 in bribes during the conspiracy.  Further, Yanez personally smuggled at least 160 alprazolam and tramadol pills into the United States from Mexico to distribute to another person.

            “It is a unique affront to our system of justice when people like Yanez breach the trust placed in them by our communities,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey, “and we have established a new Public Integrity section in our office to vigorously pursue matters like this.”

     The investigation was handled by the Cochise Border Corruption Task Force, comprised of the FBI, Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, Customs and Border Protection's Office of Professional Responsibility, Border Patrol, DEA, and the Douglas Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Gordon E. Davenport III, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

TUCSON, Ariz. – On February 10, 2020, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez sentenced Johnson Ortiz, 23, of Sells, to 80 months in prison and Regina Ramon, 29, of Sells, to 60 months, in prison. Both Ortiz and Ramon previously pleaded guilty on September 4, 2019, to their involvement in Harboring Illegal Aliens for Profit, with Ortiz also pleading to a statutory endangerment enhancement.

     On March 18, 2019, the victim, a distressed illegal alien who was walking along the road on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation, in Sells, was contacted by persons driving a red SUV.  They asked what he was doing on the road, and the victim said, “Help me, please.  Hospital.”  Using a translator app, the occupants of the red SUV agreed to take the victim to the hospital, but instead took him to Ortiz’s and Ramon’s house.  Despite repeated requests for medical attention, Ortiz and Ramon kept the victim at their house and, via a translator app, asked him who in the United States would pay for his further transportation into the United States.  While at the house, Ortiz robbed the victim of his wallet, cell phone, and identification at knifepoint.  On March 20, 2019, the victim escaped out of a window and was found by a patrolling Tohono O’odham Police officer, who took the victim to the hospital and called Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  After meeting with the victim at the hospital, Special Agents obtained a federal search warrant for the house where the victim had been held and discovered six additional illegal aliens, one an unaccompanied minor, the victim’s belongings, and the knife used during the robbery while searching the house.  Each of the illegal aliens found in the house stated that they had made arrangements to be smuggled further into the United States and were to pay upon their arrival at their final destinations.  

     “We commend the alert and responsive work of the Tohono O’odham Police officer and his collaboration with H.S.I. in the investigation of the case,” said United States Attorney Michael Bailey. “This case highlights the danger human smugglers present to vulnerable people.”

     “This is yet another example of the dangers of illegally crossing the border. Human smugglers pray on people for the sole purpose of profit and in this case, they callously disregarded the victim’s plea for help and continued to abuse him for additional financial gain,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for the HSI office in Phoenix. “HSI is at the forefront of investigating these human smuggling organizations that attempt to plague the southwest border. Our message is clear, human smugglers will not find refuge in Arizona.”  

     The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Tohono O’odham Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Serra M. Tsethlikai and Alicia Renee Robertson, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

I.     Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)

     1,074 individuals were charged in January with illegal reentry

          A.  336 of those 1,074 individuals had been convicted of non-immigration criminal offenses in the

                U.S.

              Of the 336 individuals with non-immigration criminal records,

                  1.  67 had violent crime convictions, including

                      2 individuals had homicide convictions

                      8 individuals had sex offense convictions

                      31 individuals had domestic violence convictions

                2.   53 had property crime convictions

                3.  107 had DUI convictions

                4.  119 had drug crime convictions

          B.  252 of those 1,074 individuals had been deported three or more times

     II.  Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)

         76 individuals were charged in January with alien smuggling

     III. Ilegal Entry CCI (formerly Operation Streamline) (8 U.S.C. 1325)

          779 individuals were charged in January with illegal entry on the CCI calendar

Criminal conviction information based on preliminary criminal history reports provided by the arresting agency.

These numbers represent United States Attorney's Office prosecutions only. These numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.

TUCSON, Ariz. – On February 3, 2020, Orlando Lester Aguilla, of Sells, Ariz., was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Raner Collins to 33 months’ imprisonment to be followed by three years’ supervised release.  Aguilla had previously pleaded guilty to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

     On March 14, 2017, the victim attempted to break up a domestic fight in which Aguilla was involved.  Aguilla, who was intoxicated, picked up a large shovel and struck the victim on the back of the head, causing a four-inch laceration.  Aguilla and the victim are both enrolled members of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Tohono O’odham Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Schmit, District of Arizona, Tucson.

TUCSON, Ariz. – On February 6, 2020, U.S. District Judge James A. Soto sentenced defendant Morgan Alek Forrester to 21 months in prison. As part of his sentence, Forrester was also ordered to pay $176,000 in restitution. Forrester is one of four codefendants who have been charged in this conspiracy. Forrester previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering.  

    Forrester participated in scheme where Jamaican-based scammers called elderly U.S. victims and falsely stated they had won a lottery. In order to receive their winnings, the elderly victims were told they must first submit money for taxes and fees. Forrester’s role in this conspiracy was to help launder the fraudulent proceeds to Jamaica.

     The U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages the public to be wary of similar scams and to verify with law enforcement and family members before sending money after a phone solicitation, to include lottery or other computer related scams. 

     The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Homeland Security.  The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – John Michael Caruso, 28, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Zachary Salter, 27, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, were both arrested on January 30, 2020, and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

     A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

     If you believe you may have invested money with Caruso or Salter—or their alleged cryptocurrency investment fund, Zima Digital Assets—please contact Special Agent Lamerson or Special Agent Roper at the U.S. Secret Service, Phoenix Field Office, via telephone at (602) 640-5580.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Frank Capri, 52, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and his mother Debbie Corvo, 68, of Cave Creek, Arizona, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michelle H. Burns following their arrest earlier today.  On January 28, 2020, a federal grand jury returned a 16-count indictment charging Capri, Corvo, and another individual with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the operation of various branded restaurant locations in Arizona and across the United States.  The trial is currently scheduled for April 7, 2020, before United States District Judge John J. Tuchi.

     An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

PHOENIX, Ariz. – On February 3, 2020, Earl Edward Lara, 60, of Sacaton, Arizona, an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi to 168 months in prison, to be followed by lifetime supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sexual offender. The defendant pleaded guilty on October 8, 2019, to Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

     PHOENIX, Ariz. Last week, Deshaun Lee Humeyumptewa, 25, of Bapchule, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 18 months in prison. Humeyumptewa previously pleaded guilty to Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to Intimate or Dating Partner.  After release from imprisonment, Humeyumptewa will be on supervised release for three years. 

     Humeyumptewa physically assaulted the victim while at a residence on the Gila River Indian Community, where both were members.  Judge Lanza increased Humeyumptewa’s sentence beyond the applicable guidelines range, stating that the conduct was “extraordinarily serious” and showed a “troubling pattern of behavior.”  Judge Lanza further ordered that the 18-month sentence be served consecutive to Humeyumptewa’s 12-month sentence for violating his supervised release in an unrelated case. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christine D. Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.