District of Arizona

PHOENIX – Today, Mauro Veliz, 31, of Heron, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 96 months in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release.  Veliz will also be required to register as a sex offender.  Veliz had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor.    

     Between April 23, 2017 and May 5, 2017, Veliz conspired with others to have the minor victim, who was 15, transported from Arizona to California to engage in sex acts with him. Veliz knew at the time that the victim was a minor.  Veliz used Facebook to arrange his trafficking of the victim.

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

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI’s Greater Phoenix Human Trafficking Task Force, which is a collaboration of numerous law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Robert I. Brooks, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-17-1389-PHX-DJH  

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-012_Veliz

 

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

 

 

 

PHOENIX – Yesterday, Dillon Colton Wilson, 26, of Glendale, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 21 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Wilson had previously pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. 

     Wilson admitted that while caring for the five-month-old infant victim in the Ak-Chin Indian Community, he forcefully jerked the victim by the left arm, resulting in a complete, mid-shaft break of the upper arm. Wilson is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’Odham Nation. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Ak-Chin Police Department.  The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-606-PHX-SPL

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-011_Wilson

 

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PHOENIX – On Feb. 11, 2019, Larson Namow Burns, 29, formerly of Parker, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 180 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.  Burns had previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder. 

     On Jan. 3, 2018, Burns strangled the victim and inflicted several blows with a blunt object, resulting in the victim’s death. The victim was a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Burns is also a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and the murder happened on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian Reservation.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-00379-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-010_Burns

 

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PHOENIX – Harlow White, 77, of Gilbert, Ariz. was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay $291,420 in restitution.  White had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering for using stolen client funds to enrich himself.   White will self-surrender to custody at a date to be determined by the court.

     White was the President and CEO of Eagle Property Management, Inc., a property management company whose clients included Homeowners Associations throughout the metropolitan area.  In 2005, ownership transferred to White’s daughter and the company began operating as EPMI.  Between January 2010 and May 2014, EPMI - with White’s knowledge stole at least $1.2 million directly from HOA clients’ bank accounts.  The stolen money was used, in part, to cover approximately $300,000 in personal charges on White’s American Express credit card. 

     “Harlow White abused the trust of the clients he was supposed to serve, using their money to pay for his own personal expenses,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the community by prosecuting financial crimes like these, and today’s prison sentence will serve as a warning to business owners who may be considering illegal schemes.”

     “This defendant and his co-conspirators abused their positions for their own personal benefit by taking advantage of hundreds of homeowners throughout the Valley,” said Rodney Wellman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Phoenix Field Office.  “Today’s sentencing is a reminder that the Secret Service is committed to aggressively investigating and pursuing financial crimes.”

     “This is yet another example of a businessperson knowingly using a company bank account to pay his personal expenses,” stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez Jr. “The sentencing of Mr. White will serve to discourage other business owners from doing the same while delivering justice to those who do business in an ethical manner."  

     The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Monica B. Edelstein, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-17-01228-JJT           

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-009_White

 

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PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Derrick Lee Hinton, 29, of San Carlos, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David C. Campbell to 18.5 years’ imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release. Hinton had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual abuse.   

     On May 31, 2013, Hinton, an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, sexually assaulted a vulnerable, mentally-challenged victim, who is also an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the San Carlos Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Simon, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-18-720-PHX-DGC

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-007_Hinton

 

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PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Victor James Long, Sr., 34, of San Carlos, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 37 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Long had previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  

     On Feb. 6, 2014, the San Carlos Police Department arrested Long, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, on an unrelated matter.  During a search of Long’s clothing incident to that arrest, the Police Chief located 28 grams of methamphetamine. Long admitted he possessed the methamphetamine for purposes of distribution on the San Carlos Community.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the San Carlos Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Simon, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-583-PHX-SSMB

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-008_Long

 

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PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Jayson Lee Yazzie, 40, of Tuba City, Ariz., a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 216 months in prison, followed by a term of three years of supervised release.  Yazzie  had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.   

     On June 14, 2014, Yazzie was driving while intoxicated and traveling at a speed in excess of 75 miles per hour when he struck another vehicle.  Two victims in the other vehicle were ejected due to the collision, including a minor passenger who sustained fatal injuries, and the driver, who sustained serious bodily injuries.  Two additional victims who were passengers in Yazzie’s vehicle also sustained serious bodily injuries.  Yazzie’s blood was drawn more than three hours after the crash and his blood alcohol content was higher than .20%.  Yazzie had previously been convicted of driving under the influence.  The victims are members of the Navajo Nation and the collision happened on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-18-08127-PCT-DJH 

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-005_Yazzie

 

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PHOENIX – On Feb. 4, 2019, Clayton Begay, 43, of Kayenta, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John Tuchi 14 years’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.  Begay had previously pleaded guilty to one count of second degree murder on August 2018.

     In Nov. 8, 2015, Begay who had a history of DUI convictions drove his vehicle with a BAC level between .384 and .401.  As a result, Begay caused his vehicle to roll over and crash, killing two passengers and seriously injuring a third passenger.  Begay is a member of the Navajo Nation.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Sharon K. Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-18-8208-PCT-JJT

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-006_ Begay

 

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PHOENIX – On Jan. 14, 2019, Levian D. Pacheco, 25, of Phoenix, Ariz, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 19 years’ imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised release.  Pacheco was previously convicted by a federal jury of seven counts of abusive sexual contact with a ward and three counts of sexual abuse of a ward.  The statutory maximum sentence for sexual abuse of a ward is 15 years in prison and the statutory maximum for abusive sexual contact with a ward is 2 years in prison.  U.S. District Court Judge Logan ordered several of Pacheco’s counts to run consecutively.

     The evidence at trial showed that between August 2016 and July 2017, Pacheco sexually abused numerous teenage boys at the Casa Kokopelli Southwest Key Facility in Mesa, Ariz.  The minors were being held in official detention in these facilities pending possible deportation.  Pacheco was employed as a youth care worker at the facility and was in charge of supervising the minors.  The jury convicted Pacheco of sexually abusing seven victims, some on more than one occasion.  The acts involved over the clothes touching of the boys’ genitalia, as well as other sexual abuse. Pacheco’s sentence was increased due to the fact that he exposed some of his victims to the HIV virus.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, as well as the Mesa Police Department.  The prosecution was handled by Dimitra H. Sampson and Tracy Van Buskirk, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-17-1152-PHX-SPL

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-002_Pacheco

 

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PHOENIX – On Jan. 23, 2019, Sonny James Garcia, 35, of the San Carlos Apache Indian Community, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 15 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Garcia had previously pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.  

     On Feb. 15, 2015, San Carlos Police Officers found Garcia in possession of a sawed-off shotgun near his home on the San Carlos Apache Indian Community. Garcia was not legally permitted to possess firearms due to two previous felony convictions in the Superior Court of Arizona, Gila County.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the San Carlos Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Simon, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-18-816-PHX-DJH    

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-003_ Garcia

 

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PHOENIX – On Feb. 1, 2019, Silas Deswood Yazzie, 52, of Kayenta, Ariz, a member of the Navajo Nation, was convicted by a jury of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault.  Yazzie is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan in April 2019.

     On two separate occasions, Yazzie assaulted unsuspecting victims with a knife.  Yazzie sought out the first victim in early June 2018, when he grabbed a knife and swung it at the victim’s stomach after saying he would “teach him a lesson.”  The victim had to take a step back to avoid being stabbed.  Less than two weeks later, while loitering at a gas station, Yazzie approached the second victim, and demanded money.  When the victim refused to comply, Yazzie pulled out a knife, followed the victim to where the victim’s car was parked at a gas pump and attempted to stab the victim.  The victim had to evade Yazzie to avoid being stabbed.  The crimes occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krista J. Wood and Sharon K. Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix.  

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-8230-PCT-SPL

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-04_Yazzie

 

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PHOENIX – This week, Eric Mychal Iron, 33, of Tuba City, Ariz., a member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 228 months in prison, followed by a term of five years of supervised release.  Iron had previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder.  

     On Dec. 4, 2016, while recklessly driving at approximately two times the posted speed limit, Iron failed to stop for a stop sign and the collision caused the four victims in the other vehicle to be ejected, resulting in fatal injuries to two of them, including a minor.  The two other victims suffered serious bodily injuries due to the crash.  Blood taken from Iron almost two hours after the accident was found to have a blood alcohol content of .308%, close to four times the legal limit. Iron had previously been convicted in tribal court of crimes related to intoxication, including driving under the influence. The victims were/are members of the Navajo Nation and the murder happened on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-18-08087-PCT-DJH 

RELEASE NUMBER:    2019-001_Iron

 

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PHOENIX – On Dec. 17, 2018, Aaron Louis Turk, 32, of Yuma, Ariz., was sentenced to 300 months in prison by Chief U. S. District Judge G. Murray Snow.  Turk had previously pleaded guilty to producing child pornography involving two minors, distributing child pornography, and possessing child pornography. 

     In his plea agreement, Turk admitted that he produced and possessed illegal child pornography images of two toddler-age girls, along with other child pornography.  The toddlers were in Turk’s care when he produced the illegal images of them. Turk was first detected on a file sharing network which led to a federal search warrant being executed at his residence in Yuma, Ariz.  Law enforcement seized a computer and a cell phone used by Turk, both of which contained child pornography images. 

     The Court also ordered Turk pay restitution to all identified victims, and serve a lifetime term of supervised release after his release from prison.

     “The defendant’s lengthy sentence in this case is well-deserved,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange.  “The defendant’s reprehensible conduct targeted not only very young children, but children who had been placed in his care.  I would like to recognize and thank the Yuma Homeland Security Investigation agents whose hard work brought this predator to justice.”

     “HSI Yuma will work tirelessly to investigate and bring to justice sexual predators like Mr. Turk who exploit our most vulnerable population,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “This sick and deviant behavior will not be tolerated by society. Thankfully the victims we rescued are out of harm’s way with the defendant serving a lengthy sentence.”

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations, Yuma Office.  The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:                 2:17-cr-00932-GMS-1

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-172_Turk

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Roger Dale Godwin, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Raner Collins to 48 months in the Bureau of Prisons followed by three years of supervised release.  Godwin had previously pleaded guilty to making threats against the President and mailing threatening communications.

     On June 1, 2016, while an inmate in the U.S. Penitentiary in Tucson, Ariz., Godwin placed into the outgoing prison mail several letters that were addressed to then-President Barak Obama and then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch.  In those letters Godwin threatened to injure or kill Mr. Obama and Ms. Lynch, along with a Bureau of Prisons employee.  Godwin must serve his four years consecutive to a 2014 sentence he is separately serving for mailing threats to judges and law enforcement while an inmate in the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Micah Schmit, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

 

CASE NUMBER:                 CR-17-01620-RCC-1

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-174_ Godwin

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – On Dec. 18, 2018, Seth Nichols was sentenced by United States District Judge Cindy Jorgensen to 60 months in prison.  Nichols had previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud.

     Nichols used several accounting schemes to embezzle approximately $3,000,000 from his former employer, Marana Stockyards and Livestock Market. He used some of the stolen money to purchase cattle for Nichols Cattle, Inc., a family owned-and-operated cattle business, ownership interest in a helicopter, a down payment for a home, and gambling excursions to Las Vegas. Nichols used elaborate techniques to hide the stolen money, including photo-shopping bank statements and altering internal accounting systems.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.

           

CASE NUMBER:                  CR18-00167 -TUC-CKJ

RELEASE NUMBER:            2018-173_Nichols

 

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

 

PHOENIX – On Dec. 17, 2018, David John Dziedzic, 55, of Scottsdale, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 30 months’ imprisonment for his lead role in criminal activity related to the short sale of distressed mortgages, some of which were federally-insured.   Dziedzic had previously pleaded guilty to one count of communication of unregistered securities, and a separate count involving the failure to notify the Treasury Department of his collection of more than $10,000 in cash from a real estate customer.  

     Dziedzic operated the “Housing Angels” program through his company, Real Core Realty, LLC.  He aggressively marketed a program designed to help homeowners stay in their homes following a short sale, through an undisclosed sale-leaseback program with “angel” investors.   Through this program, he typically received commissions from both the buyer and the seller in a short sale transaction. Dziedzic also recorded false secondary liens on more than 100 short sale properties to induce banks holding primary mortgages to pay off the false secondary mortgages, resulting in more than $100,000 in illegal profits as a result of the scheme.

      As part of the sentence, Dziedzic must give up his real estate license.  He paid $107,280 in restitution for the actual loss caused when 40 banks paid out on the false liens, and he was also ordered to pay a money judgment of $142,000 over time, in order to disgorge additional profits.  As part of the plea agreement, Dziedzic, a Canadian national who naturalized as a U.S. citizen during the investigation, agreed to cooperate in his denaturalization, because he had failed to disclose the existence of the investigation to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the naturalization process. 

     Dziedzic’s wife, Heather Hamilton Dziedzic, 43, pleaded guilty to a related misdemeanor charge, and was also sentenced for her role in the offense.  She will also surrender her real estate license.  She received a two-year term of probation and a deferred disposition on a felony securities charge, which may be dismissed upon successful completion of the probationary term.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General; the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Gary M. Restaino and Monica B. Klapper, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-18-1080-PHX-DGC

RELEASE NUMBER:    2017-171_Dziedzic

 

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     PHOENIX –This week, Kelton Treyvon Prentiss, 23, of Camp Verde, Ariz., was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge David G. Campbell to 12 months and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.   Prentiss had previously pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer.

     On March 26, 2018, Prentiss, an enrolled member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, assaulted a Yavapai-Apache Nation police officer.  As a result of the assault, the officer suffered serious bodily injury.  

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yavapai-Apache Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christina Covault, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-8216-PCT-DGC 

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-170_Prentiss

 

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PHOENIX – On Dec. 17, 2018, Jerrod Hunter Schmidt, 39, of Kingman, Ariz. was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 37 months in the Bureau of Prisons followed by three years of supervised release. On Sept. 28, 2018, Schmidt was found guilty by a federal jury of two counts of threatening the President of the United States and two counts of making interstate threatening communications.  

     After learning that his conviction for a prior felony was affirmed by the Nebraska Court of Appeals, Schmidt made a series of calls to the court clerk’s office.  The calls took place on April 10 and April 11, 2018.  Schmidt left voice messages wherein he threatened to shoot and kill President Donald Trump, one of the clerks of the Nebraska Court of Appeals, and other political figures.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Secret Service with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Nebraska State Patrol. The prosecution was handled by David Pimsner, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-8131-PCT-SPL   

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-169_Schmidt

 

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PHOENIX – Today, Randell William Lane, 30, of Tonalea, Ariz. was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 26 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Lane, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, had previously pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer.

     On March 12, 2018, a Navajo Nation police officer was dispatched to try to locate Lane.   After locating him, the officer attempted to place Lane under arrest for violations of tribal law.  Lane resisted arrest, ran to his nearby vehicle, and grabbed a machete.  After the officer persuaded Lane to drop the machete, Lane nonetheless lunged at the officer, began wrestling with him, and attempted to take the officer’s firearm.  Lane was successfully arrested after a second officer arrived on scene.

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

 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-18-08128-PCT-JJT

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-168_Lane

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – On Dec. 11, 2018, Enrique Valencia-Lopez was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to ten years in prison. A jury previously found Valencia-Lopez guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to import marijuana, and importation of marijuana.

     In May 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz. discovered and seized hundreds of wrapped bundles containing marijuana from the commercial tractor-trailer Valencia-Lopez drove into the United States. The bundles in total weighed over 13,000 pounds.

     Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. The prosecution was handled by Corey J. Mantei and David P. Savel, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-17-00894-TUC-JGZ

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-167_ Valencia-Lopez

 

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PHOENIX – On Dec. 3, 2018, Jose Ramon Cebreros-Sanchez, a legal permanent resident from Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 360 months in prison.  On July 17, 2018, Cebreros-Sanchez was found guilty at trial of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. 

     In 2016, Cebreros-Sanchez obtained methamphetamine and marijuana from Mexican cartel members and, with Taiwan Huckaby, then sold the drugs in South Phoenix.  Huckaby grew up in South Phoenix and was familiar with people in the area looking for drugs.  On Aug. 25, 2016, Huckaby and another person were murdered during an attempted “drug rip” at a South Phoenix residence.  Homicide charges were filed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

     In addition to Cebreros-Sanchez, 12 others were charged with drug and firearm-related crimes as part of this investigation:  Dondre Peart, Christopher Gray, Shanique Blair, Markie Manning, Anthony Harrison, John Harris, Jr., Jeffrey Moore, Ray Box, Jr., Jerry Cockhearn, Sr., Daniel Fulton, Benjamin Littles, and Dedrick Woods.  With the exception of Blair, all have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial and sentenced.  Blair remains a fugitive at this time.

     “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting our communities from violent crimes arising from illegally-owned guns and drugs,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange.  “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat these dangers to public safety.  I would like to thank ATF, DEA, and the Phoenix Police Department for their invaluable work on this case.”

     This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Phoenix Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Lacy Cooper, Maria Gutierrez, Keith Vercauteren, and Mark Wenker, Assistant United States Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:                 CR-16-01202-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-166_ Cebreros-Sanchez etal

 

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PHOENIX – On Nov. 13, 2018, Scott Allan Maasen, of Scottsdale, Ariz., was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge David Campbell to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Maasen also was ordered to pay nearly $1.4 million in restitution to the United States Small Business Administration. Maasen had previously pleaded guilty to one count of concealment of assets in bankruptcy. 

     Maasen filed for bankruptcy in late 2009 after he stopped making payments on a $1.5 million loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.  As part of his plea, Maasen admitted that, while his bankruptcy proceedings were still pending, Maasen purchased a $90,000 engagement ring for his fiancé.  Maasen admitted he did not disclose the ring or his payments to purchase the ring in his bankruptcy proceedings, although he was obligated to do so.  Maasen used credit card and bank accounts in his father’s name to make the payments to give the false appearance that Maasen’s father had purchased the ring.    

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation and Small Business Administration—Office of the Inspector General.  The prosecution was handled by Frank Galati, Bridget Minder, and Peter Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix, with assistance from the Office of the U.S. Trustee, United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona, and Jennifer Giaimo, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.   

 

CASE NUMBER:                CR-16-01357-001-PHX-DGC

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-165_Maasen

doc_129_amended_judgment.pdf

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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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     “Today, we mourn the loss of a member of the federal law enforcement family,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “This death is a tragic reminder of the dangers our dedicated law enforcement partners willingly face daily in the line of duty.  Our hearts go out to the Deputy Marshal’s family and friends, as well as the entire United States Marshals Service community.”

 

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-164_ USMS

 

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PHOENIX – On Nov. 28, 2018, Pharmacist Vilawoe Aku Boadu, 39, of Peoria, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 120 months in prison.  Zinka Sisic, 30, of Phoenix, Ariz., who worked as a Pharmacy Technician for Boadu, was previously sentenced to 48 months in prison.  Boadu and Sisic were both convicted of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and conspiring to launder money involved in a drug trafficking offense.

     From September 2014 until their arrest in July 2017, Boadu and Sisic used two pharmacies owned by Boadu - Scottsdale Health Pharmacy and V-Estrella Pharmacy - to process fraudulent prescriptions and distribute more than 200,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone tablets into the community.  Boadu and Sisic also illegally diverted thousands of alprazolam tablets, and more than 13 gallons of promethazine with codeine.  Boadu and Sisic regularly provided their coconspirators with 100-count bottles of high-dosage prescription opioids directly from the pharmaceutical companies.

     Michael Karron Holley, 32, and Julian Thomas Petty, 27, local musicians who used the stage names “Swerve Baller” and “Bouji,” were also convicted as part of this case.  Holley was sentenced to eight years in prison, and Petty was sentenced to five years in prison.  The investigation showed that Petty created fraudulent prescriptions in an attempt to legitimize the prescription drug diversion from Boadu’s pharmacies, and that Holley was primarily responsible for distributing the controlled substances to other street-level drug dealers.  During the conspiracy, Holley and Petty both recorded songs and music videos promoting drug trafficking with lyrics such as, “don’t talk dope on cell phones” and “at the pharmacy pimping.”

     As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized 25 firearms, other weapon components, numerous pistols, rifles, a shotgun, an AK-47, and a high-capacity 100-round magazine.  Officials also seized several bank accounts and vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz.  As part of the judgment, the defendants were ordered to forfeit more than $100,000 worth of jewelry and more than 650 pairs of designer shoes. 

     “These licensed healthcare professionals violated the law and their position of trust by distributing dangerously addictive prescription drugs to the community,“ stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange.  “Opioid addiction is a serious problem throughout the country due, in part, to unscrupulous healthcare professionals -- such as these defendants -- who place profit above the law and public safety.  We will continue to prosecute the illegal distribution of prescription drugs to the fullest extent of the law, and we applaud our law enforcement partners for their part in bringing these defendants to justice.”

     “The DEA is committed to aggressively pursuing those healthcare professionals who violate our trust, and illegally peddle the controlled prescription drugs they are specifically entrusted to safeguard from diversion,” said Doug Coleman, Special Agent in Charge of DEA in Arizona.  “Seeking these violators who contribute to the continuing opioid epidemic in our nation remains a top priority for the DEA, and the successful outcomes of these investigations demonstrate the steadfast commitment by federal, state and local law enforcement officials to protect our communities.”

     “This case clearly demonstrates our collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies at every level in apprehending anyone, especially those in a trusted medical position, who seeks to bring dangerous drugs into our communities,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “HSI will continue to prioritize resources to combat the serious opioid addiction affecting the thousands of people across the nation.”

     "By creating fraudulent prescriptions with fake names, exclusively making cash payments, and using cell phones registered under false names, there is no doubt the defendants attempted to conceal their illegal activities. Special Agents with IRS Criminal Investigation are fully committed to working with their law enforcement partners in combatting the opioid epidemic sweeping our nation" stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez Jr.

     The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Phoenix Police Department, the Glendale Police Department, and the Surprise Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Matthew Binford, Assistant United States Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:                CR-17-889-PHX-SPL

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-162_ Boadu

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. - Yesterday, former United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Special Investigative Agent (SIA) Alfonso Jose Mendez Jr., 54, of Tucson, Ariz., pleaded guilty to perjury. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2019 before U.S. District Judge James A. Soto.

     The SIA for a BOP facility is the individual responsible for supervising internal investigations into staff and inmate misconduct, intelligence gathering, and security threat analyses.

     In his plea agreement, Mendez, admitted that while employed as the BOP SIA, he perjured himself during sworn oral testimony before an investigator for the Equal Opportunity Commission.

     Under his plea agreement, Mendez faces up to 21 months in prison.

     This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice-Office of Inspector General.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys, Rosaleen O’Gara and Gordon E. Davenport III.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-0260-JAS-DTF

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-163_ Mendez

 

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PHOENIX – This week, Antoinette Suzanne Arangua, 34, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Arangua’s co-defendant, Dewayne Frederick Johnson, 37, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced in September to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Arangua and Johnson had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess 15 or more stolen credit card numbers. 

     Arangua and Johnson admitted to using stolen credit card numbers to buy gift cards, get cash, and make other purchases throughout the Phoenix area between February 2017 and October 2017.  Arangua and Johnson encoded stolen credit card numbers onto other credit cards, tested the stolen numbers at various stores and gas stations, and then used them to make larger purchases.  During a search in October 2017, Arangua and Johnson were found with more than 1,700 stolen credit card numbers, more than 100 fabricated credit cards, two credit card embossers, a credit card reader/encoder, and approximately 74 gift cards and prepaid debit cards they had purchased using stolen credit card numbers. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Secret Service.  The prosecution was handled by Bridget Minder, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:                 CR-18-00346-001-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-161_ Arangua etal

 

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PHOENIX – Yesterday, Brandon Lee Curley, 26, of Shiprock, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Curley had previously pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.  

     Curley admitted to firing a shotgun into a residence on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.  The victim, who was inside the residence at the time, was not injured.  Both Curley and the victim were members of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-08132-PCT-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-160_Curley

 

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PHOENIX – Last week, Timothy Jason Wells, 31, of Kingman, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 37 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Wells had previously pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

      From June through December 2016, Wells posted photographs of himself with a firearm on Facebook and wrote posts about possessing and shooting firearms. Agents executed a search warrant at Wells’ home on July 18, 2017, and found a loaded firearm in his bedroom, twenty additional firearms inside a gun safe, and approximately 22,000 rounds of ammunition and high-capacity magazines in the garage. Wells had a previous felony conviction for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

      The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Lisa E. Jennis, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR 17-01114-PHX-DLR  

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-158_Wells

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PHOENIX – Last week, Timothy Jason Wells, 31, of Kingman, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 37 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Wells had previously pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

 

From June through December 2016, Wells posted photographs of himself with a firearm on Facebook and wrote posts about possessing and shooting firearms. Agents executed a search warrant at Wells’ home on July 18, 2017, and found a loaded firearm in his bedroom, twenty additional firearms inside a gun safe, and approximately 22,000 rounds of ammunition and high-capacity magazines in the garage. Wells had a previous felony conviction for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

 

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Lisa E. Jennis, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

 

 

CASE NUMBER:           CR 17-01114-PHX-DLR  

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-158_Wells

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NOTE: The entire report can be found here. 

 

     WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice released today its annual report to Congress, Indian Country Investigations and Prosecutions, which provides a range of enforcement statistics required under the Tribal Law and Order Act, as well as information about the progress of the Department’s initiatives to reduce violent crime and strengthen tribal justice systems.

     The report reveals that in 2017, U.S. Attorney Offices prosecuted a majority of Indian country cases presented to them.  U.S. Attorney Offices declined prosecution of a minority of cases presented to them primarily due to insufficient evidence or referral to another prosecuting authority, such as a tribal prosecutor.  The report also shows that the FBI closed 12.5 percent more investigations in 2017 than in 2016 (see detailed findings below).

     “The Department of Justice is committed to public safety in Indian country,” said Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein.  “We have demonstrated this commitment over the past two years by investing substantial resources and supporting innovative programs that empower federal and tribal prosecutors and build the capacity of tribal justice systems.  Today’s report demonstrates that our work makes a difference.  Lasting public safety improvements in Indian country are best achieved when federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies work together.”

     “The Justice Department’s Indian Country Investigations and Prosecutions Report reflects that the many coordinated efforts among United States Attorneys and tribal justice officials are making a difference,” said Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, and Chairman of the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Native American Issues. “Our work continues, and we must be resolute, in order to meet the challenges prevalent in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. In August, the Attorney General's Native American Issues Subcommittee met and renewed our commitment to finding meaningful and practical tools to help put an end to the disproportionate rates of violence afflicting Native Americans.  Among these, the department is expanding the use of cross-deputization agreements, access to criminal databases, funding for juvenile programs serving at-risk native youth, and services to victims and their families. We must continue to work together and find solutions to violent crime and drug trafficking in Indian Country. United States Attorneys are committed to upholding the federal trust responsibility and the rule of law in Indian Country.”

     The Trump Administration has strengthened the Department’s commitment to Indian Country by prioritizing the reduction of violent crime throughout the United States—including in Indian Country. This reflects a recognition that Native Americans suffer from persistently high rates of violent crime, particularly domestic and sexual abuse of women and children, and like many communities in the United States, have been hit hard by both opioid and methamphetamine abuse.  

     In April 2017, as part of the Department’s efforts under the Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a series of actions the Department would take to support law enforcement and maintain public safety in Indian Country.

     The Justice Department recognizes that investigating crime and prosecuting those responsible is critical to public safety in Indian Country. To that end, the Justice Department’s partnerships with tribes, as well as all federal, state and local law enforcement, are crucial to success. The Department deploys innovative programs such as the Tribal Access Program, Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and numerous grant programs that enhance partnerships, increase information sharing, build capacity for local criminal justice systems, and provide services to victims of crime.

     According to the report, in 2017 implementation of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013) remained an important priority for the Department. Federal prosecutors continued to utilize the federal assault charges created by VAWA 2013.  In Calendar Year (CY) 2017, federal prosecutors filed cases against 139 defendants under VAWA 2013’s enhanced federal assault statutes, which include enhanced sentences for certain crimes of domestic violence such as strangulation and stalking. They obtained 134 convictions (an increase of 30% from CY 2016 (103)). Also in CY 2017, prosecutors filed cases against 43 defendants in Indian country cases using the domestic assault by a habitual offender statute, 18 U.S.C. § 117, and obtained 29 convictions.

     Cooperation among federal and tribal law enforcement and victim advocates is key to successfully prosecuting sexual assault crimes in Indian country. As of 2017, every U.S. Attorney Office with Indian country responsibilities has developed federal sexual violence guidelines designed to improve the federal response to sexual abuse in tribal communities.

     The report also notes that the Tribal Liaison Program remains one of the most important components of the Department’s efforts in Indian country. TLOA requires that the U.S. Attorney for each district with Indian country appoint at least one Assistant United States Attorney to serve as a Tribal Liaison for that district.  They foster and facilitate relationships between federal and tribal partners that are vital to reducing violent crime. As part of their duties, Tribal Liaisons assist in developing multi-disciplinary teams to combat child abuse, work with SART teams on sexual abuse response, conduct community outreach, and coordinate the prosecution of federal crimes.

The information contained in the report shows the following:

• FBI’s CY 2017 statistics show a 12.5 percent increase in total closed investigations (2,210 total) compared to FBI’s CY 2016 statistics (1,960 total). The FBI has investigative responsibility for federal crimes committed on approximately 200 Indian Reservations. This responsibility is shared concurrently with BIA-OJS and other federal agencies with a law enforcement mission in Indian country
• Approximately 79.5 percent (1,511 out of 1,900) of Indian country criminal investigations opened by the FBI were referred for prosecution.
• Of the 699 Indian country investigations that the FBI closed administratively without referral for prosecution, the primary reason for closing (approximately 21 percent) was that the case did not meet statutory definitions of a crime or U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) prosecution guidelines. In addition, analysis of CY 2017 data indicates that 15 percent of investigations closed administratively were closed due to unsupported allegations, meaning no evidence of criminal activity was uncovered during the investigations. Another reason for non-referral (20 percent) was that the deaths under investigations were determined to be the result of accident, suicide, or natural causes.
• 84 percent (141 out of 167) of the death investigations that were closed administratively by the FBI in CY 2017 were closed because the death was due to causes other than homicide (i.e., accidents, suicide, or natural causes).
• In CY 2017, the USAOs resolved 2,390 Indian country matters.
• The majority of Indian country criminal matters resolved by the USAOs in CY 2017 (1,499 out of 2,390) were prosecuted (charges filed in either District or Magistrate Court).
• The USAO declination rate remained relatively steady. USAO data shows that in CY 2017, 37% (891) of all (2,390) Indian country matters resolved were declined. USAOs declined cases at a similar rate in prior years: 34% (903) of all Indian country matters resolved (2,666) in CY 2016; 39% (1,043) of all Indian country matters resolved (2,655) in CY 2015; 34% (989) of all Indian country matters resolved (2,886) in CY 2014; 34% (853) of all Indian country matters resolved (2,514) in CY 2013; 31% (965) of all Indian country matters resolved (3,097) in CY 2012; and 38% (1,042) of all Indian country matters resolved (2,767) in CY 2011.
• The most common reason for declination by USAOs was insufficient evidence (70.9% in CY 2017, 68.0% in CY 2016, 71.7% in CY 2015, 59.6% in CY 2014, 55.6% in CY 2013, and 52% in CY 2012). The next most common reason for declination by USAOs was referral to another prosecuting authority (13.2% in CY 2017, 16.4% in CY 2016, 13.8% in CY 2015, 16.3% in CY 2014, 20.8% in CY 2013, and 24% in CY 2012).

 

     The data presented in this report covers only those offenses reported to the FBI and federal prosecutors. The majority of criminal offenses committed, investigated, and prosecuted in Indian Country are adjudicated in tribal justice systems. In much of Indian Country, tribal law enforcement and tribal justice systems hold criminals accountable, protect victims, provide youth prevention and intervention programs, and confront precursors to crime such as alcohol and substance abuse. These efforts are often in partnership with federal agencies or accomplished with support from federal programs and federal funding opportunities.

Read the entire report at www.justice.gov/tribal/tloa.html

Read about the Justice Department’s efforts to increase public safety in Indian County at www.justice.gov/tribal/accomplishments.html

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DAG

18-1538

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TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Clariece Burden-Stelly, 33, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to a term of 21 months’ imprisonment and a 36-month term of supervised release following her incarceration, for her role in a tax fraud scheme. As part of her sentence, she was also ordered to pay over $19,000 in restitution to the U.S. Treasury.  Burden-Stelly had previously pleaded guilty to false claims and wire fraud.   

     Under the scheme, Burden-Stelly filed false federal income tax returns for tax years 2012 through 2014.  Burden-Stelly caused the filing of false federal tax returns under her name and the names and social security numbers of others to obtain fraudulent federal income tax refunds.   Burden-Stelly fraudulently used the IRS Employer Identification Numbers (EIN’s) of her former employers to report false wage and withholding information. The fraudulent tax refunds were disbursed on pre-paid cards or by check. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Jane L. Westby, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-18-00129                  

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-153_Burden-Stelly

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – On Nov. 15, 2018, Robert Alan Knapp, 71, a former director of HDS Truck Driving Institute (HDS) in Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced to 48 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary Màrquez.  Knapp had previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud and federal student aid fraud.

     In his plea agreement, Knapp admitted that while employed by HDS between 2008 and 2015, he stole over $905,000 by intercepting or fraudulently generating more than 400 checks payable to third parties that he deposited to a bank account he owned after adding forged indorsements.  Most of the stolen checks were payable to HDS’s students, and represented either federal student aid received from the Department of Education that should have been forwarded to the students, or funds taken from HDS to pay fictitious obligations that Knapp had created in HDS’s books and records.  The Court also ordered Knapp to pay restitution to all identified victims, and to make monthly restitution payments during a 5-year term of supervision to follow his release from prison.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.  The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

CASE NUMBER:                CR 17-1275-TUC-RM (JR)

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-156_Knapp

 

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PHOENIX – Yesterday, Tadashi Mitchell Harvey, 30, of Gilbert, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to 21 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for molesting two six-year-olds in the Gila River Indian Community.  Harvey had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of abusive sexual contact of a minor.  Upon release from prison, Harvey will be required to register as a sex offender.   

     Harvey’s crimes came to light earlier this year, when a kindergarten student disclosed the molestation.  The investigation ultimately identified a total of six alleged victims, all of whom were current or former students of Harvey.  Harvey admitted to sexually touching two minor victims, both of whom were members of the Gila River Indian Community.  At the time of the crimes, Harvey was an enrolled member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.   

     “Our society places immense trust in teachers, and yesterday’s 21-year sentence appropriately punishes Harvey’s breach of that trust,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “Protecting school children from predators is one of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s most important responsibilities, and we will continue to prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”

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

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-00594-PHX-DGC

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-154_Harvey

 

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PHOENIX – Yesterday, Giordano Jackson, 39, of Teesto, Ariz., was convicted by a jury on all charges, including first degree murder, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and kidnapping.  Jackson will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa in February 2019.

     Jackson had a history of repeated acts of domestic violence against the victim, his girlfriend.  In July 2017, Jackson beat the victim and dragged her by her hair with enough force to pull out chunks of hair.  Then, in September 2017, Jackson brutally beat the victim to death outside his house in Teesto.  Jackson was lying in wait when Navajo Nation Police Officers arrived to investigate the murder, and assaulted two officers with a machete.  Both Jackson and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation, as are the responding Navajo Nation Police Officers that Jackson assaulted, and the crimes all occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William G. Voit and Sharon K. Sexton, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:         CR-17-08242-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018_155_ Jackson

 

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PHOENIX – Today, Rodrick D. Begay, 64, of Round Rock, Ariz., was sentenced by United States District Judge John J. Tuchi to 131 months in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release.  The sentence reflects a downward adjustment of approximately four months to account for the time Begay served in tribal custody for the same incident.  Begay had previously pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with a minor.

     On April 13, 2017, Begay, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, knowingly engaged in sexual contact with the minor victim, who is also an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.    

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

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-17-8164-PCT-JJT    

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-153_Begay

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – Yesterday, Andrew May, 46, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez.  May had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud. 

     The evidence established that May, through his shell companies, engaged in an extensive auto-loan fraud scheme.  As part of the scheme, May and his co-conspirators fraudulently represented to the lenders that they were engaged in the legitimate purchase and sale of vehicles in order to obtain financing from numerous financial institutions. The co-conspirators further fraudulently represented that the lenders would receive a lien on the vehicles as collateral for the loans. However, no legitimate vehicle sales occurred. The lenders funded approximately $1.2 million dollars traced to numerous bank accounts controlled by May.

     In addition to personally using over $500,000, May distributed portions of the fraudulent proceeds to the co-conspirators. Most of the fraudulent loans went into default, resulting in significant losses to the lenders.   As part of the sentence, the court ordered that May forfeit a vehicle and trailer that he obtained using the loan fraud proceeds.  The court also scheduled a restitution hearing for Nov. 19, 2018.  

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Marana Police Department. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

CASE NUMBER:                CR-17-1429-TUC-RCC

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-150_May

 

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

 

 

 

PHOENIX – This week, U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell sentenced Loren Wauneka, 37, of Fort Defiance, Ariz., to 137 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for voluntary manslaughter, and Lisa Benally, 39 of Fort Defiance, Ariz., to 97 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for accessory-after-the-fact. Judge Campbell also sentenced three additional co-defendants; Cameron Jones, 34, of Wide Ruins, Ariz., Eric Cornfield, 27 of Fort Defiance, Ariz., and Mick Hubbard, 27, of Ganado, Ariz. to terms of imprisonment ranging from 27 months to 60 months for their involvement in the murder.

     On Jan. 19, 2016, during an argument and physical fight with the victim, Wauneka assaulted and killed the victim by striking him with a bat. After the murder, Benally, Jones, and Cornfield helped clean up the victim’s blood and assisted with rolling the victim’s body in a rug to conceal the murder. Knowing that Wauneka killed the victim, Hubbard, Jones, Benally, and Cornfield failed to notify law enforcement. 

     The victim died of blunt force injuries. The victim and all defendants are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-17-8093-PCT-DGC  

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-152_Wauneka et. al.

 

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Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah, aka Ahmad Ibrahim Al-Ahmad, 41, of Syria, was sentenced today to life plus 30 years in prison. Alahmedalabdaloklah was found guilty by a federal jury on March 16, of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, conspiring to maliciously damage or destroy U.S. Property by weans of an explosive, aiding and abetting other persons to possess a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, and conspiracy to possess a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange for the District of Arizona and Special Agent in Charge Michael DeLeon of the FBI’s Phoenix field office. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver.

“Alahmedalabdaloklah sought to harm American soldiers by conspiring with others to construct and supply improvised explosive device (IED) parts for bombs that were used in Iraq.  He will now serve the rest of his life in prison,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “The National Security Division will continue to bring to justice those who seek to harm American servicemen and women who bravely risk their lives in defense of our nation.”

“We owe a debt of gratitude to all American military personnel serving overseas.  Protecting and ensuring justice for them is a priority that cannot be overstated,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Strange.  “Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah used his specialized engineering expertise to target our service members using IEDs, and his life sentence reflects the gravity of that choice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is deeply committed to prosecuting terrorist offenses, wherever they may occur.”

“Today’s sentencing underscores the dedication of the FBI and our partners within the Joint Terrorism Task Force in pursuing and disrupting anyone who plans to harm U.S. persons or interests,” said Special Agent in Charge DeLeon.  “We want to thank the Department of Justice and the Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office, along with both local and foreign partners for their essential contributions to this case.  The FBI sends our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families, and friends.  The FBI's highest priority remains preventing terrorist attacks and combating terrorism here in the U.S. and around the world."

Between January 2005 and July 2010, Alahmedalabdaloklah designed, made and supplied components parts for IEDs for members and associates of the 1920 Revolution Brigades, an armed Iraqi insurgent group that opposed the U.S. military presence in Iraq. The component parts were intended to be used in IEDs against U.S. military personnel and property in Iraq.

On Aug. 30, 2006, U.S. military personnel discovered what, at that time, was one of the largest IED caches in Iraq at 50 Omar Street, Baghdad, Iraq (Omar Cache).  The Omar Cache included numerous IED-related materials, including a completed IED triggering device that had three of Alahmedalabdaloklah’s fingerprints on the tape wrapped around the device. The U.S. military also seized raw material, tools, test equipment, schematics, and other items related to IED construction, including components for various types of IEDs and bomb making training aids.  One document, which had numerous latent prints belonging to Alahmedalabdaloklah, described how to employ remote technology to command a mobile phone, wireless device and landline phone to detonate explosives. 

Alahmedalabdaloklah subsequently moved to China and continued to support the 1920 Revolution Brigades by providing component parts for IEDs.  In May 2011, Alahmedalabdaloklah was detained in the Republic of Turkey while transiting from China.  He was extradited to the United States in August 2014.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pimsner, Melissa Karlen and Bill Solomon for the District of Arizona, and Trial Attorney Joseph Kaster of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

PHOENIX – On Nov. 7, 2018, Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah, aka Ahmad Ibrahim Al-Ahmad, 41, of Syria, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver to Life plus 30 years. Alahmedalabdaloklah was found guilty by a federal jury on March 16, 2018 of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, conspiring to maliciously damage or destroy United States property by means of an explosive, aiding and abetting other persons to possess a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, and conspiracy to possess a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence.

     “Alahmedalabdaloklah sought to harm American soldiers by conspiring with others to construct and supply improvised explosive device (IED) parts for bombs that were used in Iraq.  He will now serve the rest of his life in prison,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “The National Security Division will continue to bring to justice those who seek to harm American servicemen and women who bravely risk their lives in defense of our nation.”

     “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all American military personnel everywhere and particularly those serving overseas. Protecting and ensuring justice for them is a priority for our office that cannot be overstated,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah used his engineering expertise to specifically target our service members, and the Court’s sentence reflects the atrocity of his terrorist crimes.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office is deeply committed to prosecuting terrorist offenses wherever they may occur.”

     “Today’s sentencing underscores the dedication of the FBI and our partners within the Joint Terrorism Task Force in pursuing and disrupting anyone who plans to harm U.S. persons or interests,” said Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael DeLeon. “We want to thank the Department of Justice and the Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office, along with both local and foreign partners for their essential contributions to this case. The FBI sends our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families, and friends. The FBI's highest priority remains preventing terrorist attacks and combating terrorism here in the U.S. and around the world."

     Between January 2005 and July 2010, Alahmedalabdaloklah designed, made and supplied component parts for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for members and associates of the 1920 Revolution Brigades, an armed Iraqi insurgent group that opposed the U.S. military presence in Iraq. The component parts were intended to be used in IEDs against United States military personnel and property in Iraq.

     On Aug. 30, 2006, U.S. military personnel discovered what, at that time, was one of the largest IED caches in Iraq at 50 Omar Street, Baghdad, Iraq.  The Omar Cache included numerous IED-related materials, including a completed IED triggering device that had three of Alahmedalabdaloklah’s fingerprints on tape wrapped around the device. The U.S. military also seized raw material, tools, test equipment, schematics, and other items related to IED construction, including components for various types of IEDs and bomb-making training aids.  One document, which had numerous latent prints belonging to Alahmedalabdaloklah, described how to employ remote technology to command a mobile phone, wireless device, and landline phone to detonate explosives. 

     Alahmedalabdaloklah subsequently moved to China and continued to support the 1920 Revolution Brigades by providing component parts for IEDs.  In May 2011, Alahmedalabdaloklah was detained in the Republic of Turkey while transiting from China.  He was extradited to the United States in August 2014.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by David Pimsner, Melissa Karlen and Bill Solomon, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix and Joseph Kaster, Trial Attorney-National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-12-1263-PHX-ROS  

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-151_ Alahmedalabdaloklah

 

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PHOENIX – Yesterday, Paitric Small, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 32 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for aggravated assault on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.  On March 19, 2018, Small assaulted the victim with a machete; they are both members of the Navajo Nation.  Small had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety.  The prosecution was handled by Dimitra Sampson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-8102-PCT-GMS

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-149_Small

 

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PHOENIX – Darrell E. McCoy, 51, formerly of Scottsdale, Ariz., was found guilty by a federal jury in Phoenix of two counts of abusive sexual contact with an inmate under his supervision. The case was tried before U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes last week. Sentencing is set for Feb. 25, 2019. 

     The evidence at trial showed that in late 2016, while acting as the foreman of a crew of female inmates, Correctional Officer McCoy began a relationship with an inmate under his supervision.  Between September and December 2016, McCoy had sexual contact with the inmate in different locations on the prison grounds.  McCoy also gave “love notes” to the inmate prior to her release from the facility, and they continued the relationship and exchanged many text messages over four months following her release. 

     “McCoy abused his position of authority when he engaged in sexual conduct with an inmate under his supervision,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting all illegal abuses of power wherever they occur.”

     “Darrell McCoy’s duty was to protect the inmates at the prison where he worked, but instead he abused his power by engaging in sexual conduct with one of those inmates.  Today’s verdict sends a clear message: such abuse will not be tolerated,” stated Special Agent In Charge Sandra D. Barnes of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General’s Denver Field Office.    

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Justice-Office of the Inspector General.  The prosecution was handled by Gayle Helart and Monica N. Edelstein, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.  

 

CASE NUMBER:         CR-17-01410-PHX-DLR

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-146_McCoy

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – On Oct. 31, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a 72-count indictment charging Margaret Arlene Gastelum, 59, of San Manuel, Ariz. and Mona Lisa Rodriguez, 36, of  Tucson, Ariz., with an eldercare fraud scheme.  The indictment charged both defendants with conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2018. 

     The indictment alleges that Gastelum and Rodriguez provided home care assistance for a 91-year-old victim from 2015 through 2017. The defendants gained access to the victim’s banking information and fraudulently transferred/and or used funds from the victim’s bank accounts.  Additionally, the defendants fraudulently used the victim’s credit cards and obtained credit cards without the victim’s full knowledge and consent. The indictment also alleges that the defendants overcharged the victim for the services without the victim’s knowledge.  As a result of the defendants’ scheme to defraud, the victim suffered a loss of approximately $184,000. 

     A conviction for the charged conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. A conviction for wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for aggravated identity theft carries a minimum mandatory sentence of two years in prison that must be served consecutively to the ultimate sentence imposed relating to the other charges in this case.

     An indictment 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 investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Tucson Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wallace Kleindienst for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

CASE NUMBER:                  CR-02219-RM-LAB

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-148_Gastellum et al 

 

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PHOENIX – Earlier this week, Francisco Joseph Doungeva, 44, of Camp Verde, Ariz., was sentenced by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 27 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release.  On Aug. 6, 2018, Doungeva had previously pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.

     On Jan. 6, 2018, Doungeva, an enrolled member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, burglarized Cloverleaf Ranch, a property owned and operated by the Yavapai-Apache Nation Department of Agriculture.  Doungeva, who stole farming equipment and a vehicle, is a former employee of the ranch.   

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yavapai-Apache Nation Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Christina Covault, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:                CR-18-8158-PCT-DLR

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-147_ Doungeva

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – On Nov. 1, 2018, Francisco Guerra-Franco, 21, of Los Lunas, NM, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to 33 months’ prison followed by three years’ supervision. Guerra-Franco had previously pleaded guilty to two charges: facilitation to smuggle goods from the United States and false statements to a federal agent.

     On Dec. 26, 2016, Guerra-Franco, who was 19 years old at the time, was pulled over in Nogales, Ariz. for a routine traffic stop.  Law enforcement located 12,000 rounds of ammunition in Guerra-Franco’s truck.  Further investigation revealed that Guerra-Franco had purchased the ammunition using money wired to his Wells Fargo Bank Account by a co-conspirator living in Mexico. Guerra-Franco intended to meet the co-conspirator in Nogales, Ariz., and the co-conspirator would then smuggle the ammunition into Mexico. Guerra-Franco also made multiple false statements to agents when confronted about three Colt M4 Carbine semi-automatic rifles he had previously acquired.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Nogales Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Micah Schmit, and Nathaniel Walters, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

CASE NUMBER:                 CR-17-01585-JAS-EJM

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-145_ Guerra-Franco

 

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TUCSON, Ariz. – On Nov. 1, 2018, Adam Sheafe, 44, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced to 94 months’ prison by United States District Court Judge Raner C. Collins.  Sheafe was previously found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft by a federal jury. 

     The evidence at trial established that Sheafe used stolen credit card numbers obtained from co-conspirators to process hundreds of transactions through separate merchant accounts at Bank of America and Compass Bank. Sheafe conducted these fraudulent transactions in a short time-frame, and without the knowledge or consent of the actual cardholders. Sheafe rapidly moved the proceeds out of the merchant accounts before the banks discovered the scheme. As a result of the scheme, the financial institutions suffered over $500,000 in losses.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Postal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.

 

CASE NUMBER:                CR16-00438 -TUC-RCC

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-143_Sheafe

 

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PHOENIX– On Oct. 29, 2018, brothers Corwin Haskan, 21 and Corey Irving Haskan, 22 of Pinon, Ariz., were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to108 months’ imprisonment. Both had previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

     In July 2017, the Navajo Nation Police searched the home of Corwin and Corey Haskan and seized approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine, numerous firearms and over $50,000. The Haskan brothers each admitted their intent to distribute methamphetamine to another person. Corwin and Corey Haskan are members of the Navajo Nation.

     Navajo Nation Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-18-8026-PCT-DJH   

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-144_Haskan

 

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PHOENIX – Yesterday, Romondo Begay, 23, of Whippoorwill, Ariz., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow to 108 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a twelve-year term of supervised release with sex offender registration, treatment, and testing.  Begay had previously pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact of a child.

     In December of 2017, the victim reported that Begay had sexually abused her outside a relative’s house.  Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation promptly began an investigation, which led to Begay’s arrest and prosecution.  Begay and the victim are both members of the Navajo Nation, and the abuse occurred within the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:          CR-18-08062-GMS

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-141_Begay

 

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PHOENIX – On Oct. 29, 2018, Jenniffer Torner Lopez, 40, of Glendale, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to fifteen months incarceration.  Torner had previously pleaded guilty to one count of fraud in connection with identification documents and a separate count of illegal reentry after deportation.

     In her plea agreement, Torner admitted to engaging in a false tax preparation scheme out of, and storing foreign identification cards in, her home. She used the identification cards to obtain taxpayer identification numbers and file returns for foreign nationals, many of whom neither lived nor worked in the United States.  The Internal Revenue Service paid out over $246,000 in tax refunds as a result of Torner’s scheme, and she put some of her share of this money towards the purchase of her residence.  As part of the plea agreement, the Court ordered Torner to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, which will be satisfied in part by the forfeiture of Torner’s home.

     The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution was handled by Gary M. Restaino and Mark J. Wenker, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:                   CR-18-139-PHX-DJH

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-142_Torner

 

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PHOENIX – First Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Todd M. Allison will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming general elections on Nov. 6, 2018.  AUSA Allison has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for Arizona.  In that capacity, he is responsible for overseeing the District of Arizona’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with DOJ in Washington, D.C.

     “Our democracy relies upon free and fair elections, and we are asking for community support to help us ensure that every eligible voter can freely exercise his or her right to vote,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange.  “It is imperative that anyone who has knowledge of suspected voter intimidation, discrimination, or election fraud report that information immediately to our Office, the FBI, or DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.”

     The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud, voter intimidation, and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur.  The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on election day.

     Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.  For example, persons attempting to interrupt or intimidate voters by questioning, challenging, photographing or videotaping them at polling places – especially under the guise of uncovering illegal voting – may be violating federal voting rights law.  Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

     The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the electoral franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on Nov. 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA Allison will be on duty in this District the entire time that the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (602) 595-2866.

     In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and any other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (623) 466-1999.

     Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, D.C. by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint format at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

 

           

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-141_ Gen Elections

PHOENIX – On Oct. 23, 2018 a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a 24-count indictment for violations of the federal mail fraud statute, and for conspiracy to violate the mail and wire fraud statutes, against: Brandon Trevor Ball, 46, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Trevor Wesley Gabler, 28, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Gordon Lynn Hardy, 55, of Chandler, Ariz.; Jackie Nikiel Whitley, 37, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Brian Lee Gibson, 36, of Tempe, Ariz.

     The indictment alleges that the five defendants worked together in a telemarketing operation to defraud elderly consumers of over $1 million.  In particular, the indictment alleges that when speaking via telephone with the victims, the defendants and their employees used false names and misrepresented the nature of a purported investment opportunity and the location of the business. All defendants were arrested and arraigned yesterday.  Defendants Gabler, Ball, Hardy and Gibson have been temporarily detained pending a detention hearing.

     “The Secret Service is committed to aggressively investigating financial crimes cases,” said Special Agent in Charge Cristina Beloud of the Secret Service Phoenix Field Office.  “This case highlights our outstanding relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Phoenix Police Department.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt organized criminal groups in the state of Arizona who attempt to defraud our most vulnerable citizens.”

     A conviction for mail fraud in which the defendants target elderly victims through telemarketing carries an enhanced maximum penalty of 30 years, a $250,000 fine (or twice the value of the loss), or both imprisonment and a fine.

     An indictment is simply a 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 investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Secret Service and the Phoenix Police Department, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Special Investigations Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Gary M. Restaino, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:                   CR-18-1420-PHX-SPL

RELEASE NUMBER:           2018-139_Gabler et al

 

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PHOENIX – This week, Ryan Smith Hagel, 31, of San Luis Obispo, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 10 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Hagel had previously pleaded guilty to one count of fugitive from justice in possession of a firearm.

     On Nov. 18, 2017, Hagel was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for speeding in La Paz County.  Hagel initially denied possessing any firearms, despite being armed.  Six additional firearms were located inside the vehicle, along with 2,889 rounds of ammunition, bulletproof vests, and other tactical gear.  Hagel had an outstanding felony warrant from 2008 in a Maricopa County case involving theft of a vehicle. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, and the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Lisa E. Jennis, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

 

CASE NUMBER:          CR 18-00273-PHX-SPL   

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-140_ Hagel

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