Eastern District of California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Justin Petty, 41, of Los Angeles, an associate of the Aryan Brotherhood (AB) prison gang, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between 2011 and 2016, AB members and associates engaged in racketeering activity, committing multiple acts involving murder and drug trafficking offenses. AB members Ronald Yandell and Billy Sylvester oversaw a significant heroin and methamphetamine trafficking operation from their shared prison cell. They used smuggled cellphones to direct their drug trafficking activity from their prison cell to the streets of Sacramento and other California cities. Using a contraband cellphone, Yandell and Sylvester communicated with AB members and associates to direct drug trafficking activities, membership in the AB, order murders, and oversee other criminal activities.

In June 2019, sixteen defendants were indicted for federal racketeering (known as the “RICO” statute) and other charges. The allegations include murders, drug trafficking and other violent crimes. Nine of the defendants were inmates in California prisons, and six of those were serving life sentences for murder.

According to the plea agreement, between August and September 2016, Petty conspired with AB members at two different state prisons – CSP-Sacramento and High Desert state prison – to send packages containing food stuffed with contraband items into each prison through Petty’s employer, a contractor authorized by CDCR to pack and send sealed packages to inmates.

On Sept. 6, 2016, Petty’s package was intercepted at CSP-Sacramento and found to contain three cellphones, two phone charging cables, six grinding discs, seven lighters, one cellphone battery, seven small screw drivers – five with flat heads and two with Phillips heads, two Bluetooth ear pieces, 10 small metal saw blades, more than 20 grams of methamphetamine, and 15 grams of heroin. The contraband items were hidden inside food packages, including a box of Quaker Oats, a box of Honey Buns snacks, a box of fudge brownies, and similar items. The contraband was concealed in a manner designed to avoid detection by prison staff who would have searched the box’s contents before giving them to the inmate.

Similarly, on Sept. 6, 2016, another package from Petty was intercepted [at which prison] and found to contain about 10 cellphones, more than 200 grams of heroin, and 120 grams of methamphetamine. The cellphones and controlled substances were hidden inside boxes of Oatmeal Creme Pies and fudge brownies. They were concealed in a manner designed to avoid detection by prison staff who would have searched the box’s contents before giving them to the inmate addressee.

Other defendants who have entered guilty pleas as part of this investigation include:

Nickolas Perez – RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy;

Donald Mazza – RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering;

Travis Burhop – RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering;

Samuel Keeton – RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy; and

Kristen Demar – RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy.

This case is the product of an investigation by the DEA with assistance from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Vallejo Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.

Petty is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on May 8, 2023. Petty faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a fine up to $10 million. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a nearly $26 million settlement against Central California medical provider Clinica Sierra Vista (CSV) for underreporting its income in violation of the California False Claims Act and the federal False Claims Act. CSV, which serves customers in California’s Kern, Fresno, and Inyo Counties, initially and voluntarily reported its conduct to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California (USAO) and the California Department of Justice’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA). DMFEA and the USAO investigated the case and negotiated the settlement, working with the California Department of Health Care Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Of the total $25.98 million settlement amount, California will receive $15.59 million and the federal government will receive $10.39 million.

“It’s important for medical providers to report accurately so that taxpayers aren’t overcharged for services with their dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We encourage others to follow the example of Clinica Sierra Vista in self-reporting overcharges and remain committed to working cooperatively to eliminate fraud.”

“When companies take advantage of the Medi-Cal system, they harm patients across California who rely on the program for essential health care services,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I commend the new management at Clinica Sierra Vista for coming forward, and for working with us and our partners to resolve their violations. This settlement will return the money where it belongs: to support California's Medi-Cal program and the communities it serves. I encourage all providers to conduct regular internal investigations and self-disclose potential violations.”

According to investigators, certain former executives at Clinica Sierra Vista knowingly submitted false information in the course of required regular financial reports made to California, thereby enabling CSV to receive excessive payments from the Medi-Cal program. The company’s new management discovered these violations after an internal investigation and voluntarily disclosed them to authorities.

Providers who believe they may have violated the federal or California False Claims Act should follow the HHS-OIG Provider Self Disclosure Protocol, which establishes a process for providers to voluntarily identify, disclose, and resolve instances of potential fraud involving federal health care programs, including Medicaid.

"Providers who defraud government health care funds, such as Medi-Cal, for illegitimate financial gain, prevent valuable taxpayer dollars from being used for their intended purpose,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan. “HHS-OIG’s Self Disclosure Protocol allows providers to come forward if they believe they have violated the False Claims Act, which helps us identify, investigate, and resolve cases of Medicare fraud.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Kennedy handled the civil investigation for the United States.

DMFEA protects Californians by investigating and prosecuting those who defraud the Medi-Cal program as well as those who commit elder abuse. These settlements are made possible only through the coordination and collaboration of governmental agencies, as well as the critical help from whistleblowers who report incidences of abuse or Medi-Cal fraud at oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Jan. 26, 2023, a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Gilbert Ramirez, 25, and Michael Valentino Lovato, 33, both of Sacramento, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The indictment was unsealed today following the arrest of both defendants.

According to court documents, from April through July 2022, Ramirez and Lovato worked with each other and others to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of fentanyl in Sacramento County. On at least five separate occasions, Ramirez and Lovato distributed fentanyl.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Sacramento Police Department; and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine for the conspiracy charge, plus additional penalties for the distribution and possession charges. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Lance Jakell Henderson, 26, of Bakersfield, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Oct. 2, 2022, officers were called to the Marriott Courtyard hotel in Bakersfield regarding a domestic violence disturbance in progress. When officers arrived, they contacted Henderson after the victim identified him as the perpetrator. A search of a diaper bag held by a companion revealed a ghost gun (a gun with no serial number) loaded with eight rounds of 9 mm ammunition. Henderson told the officers that he took the gun from the room and put it in the diaper bag.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Henderson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ryan Guidry, 45, of Pleasant Hill, was sentenced today to six years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $619,415,950 in restitution for participating in a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme involving DC Solar, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On Jan. 14, 2020, Guidry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering.

According to court documents, between 2011 and 2018, DC Solar manufactured solar generators that were mounted on trailers known as mobile solar generator units (MSG). The company touted the versatility and environmental sustainability of the mobile solar generators and claimed that they were used to provide emergency power to cellphone towers and lighting at sporting and other events. Jeff Carpoff, 52, Paulette Carpoff, 49, both of Martinez, and their co-conspirators solicited investors by claiming that there were favorable federal tax benefits associated with investments in alternative energy. They sold more solar generators than they manufactured to investors, making it appear that solar generators existed in locations that they did not, creating false financial statements, and obtaining false lease contracts, among other efforts to conceal the fraud. In reality, 9,000 of the approximately 17,000 solar generators claimed to have been manufactured by DC Solar did not exist and DC Solar paid early investors with funds contributed by later investors.

According to court documents, Guidry worked at DC Solar from 2012 through 2019 and became Vice President of Operations by 2015. Guidry understood DC Solar’s business model and knew that investors were being defrauded. Guidry accepted $1 million that he knew came from deceived investors to get a signature on a false lease contract, and split another $20,000 in cash with Alan Hansen, 51, of Vacaville, an employee of a telecom company for forging a signature on a related agreement. Guidry fabricated a spreadsheet of fictitious MSG locations, and then Guidry and Jeff Carpoff moved MSGs to their supposed operation sites the day before or even the day of investor inspections. This was done to trick investors into believing that the MSGs had been deployed at those sites all along, when the opposite was true.

In 2017 and 2018 when DC Solar was no longer making the MSGs it was selling, Guidry scraped old VIN stickers off of MSGs and put new ones on them at DC Solar warehouses in Benicia and Las Vegas, working with Jeff Carpoff and others. The VIN switching was to trick investors during inspections into believing that MSGs associated with the transaction under inspection existed and could be found at the locations the company had asserted.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher S. Hales and Kevin C. Khasigian prosecuted the case.

On Nov. 9, 2021, Jeff Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $790.6 million in restitution for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. His wife Paulette Carpoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering, and on June 28, 2022, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison.

On Nov. 16, 2021, Joseph W. Bayliss, 47, of Martinez, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $481.3 million in restitution for securities fraud and conspiracy in connection with the DC Solar scheme. On April 12, 2022, DC Solar CFO Robert A. Karmann, 56, of Clayton, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $624 million. On May 31, 2022, Alan Hansen was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and aiding and abetting money laundering.

Ronald J. Roach, 55, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to the fraud scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2023. Roach faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

FRESNO, Calif. — Katterin McCray, 25, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 15, 2022, police officers in Bakersfield attempted to stop a vehicle in which McCray was the passenger for traffic infractions. The vehicle sped off and McCray discarded from the vehicle a Glock, Model 22, 40 caliber handgun with a high-capacity magazine and ammunition near the intersection of Cottonwood Road and Casa Loma Drive in Bakersfield. Because of his criminal record, including a 2017 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and a 2018 conviction for receiving known stolen property, McCray may not lawfully possess firearms or ammunition.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin C. Heinz prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FRESNO, Calif. — After a three–day trial, a federal jury found Deena Vang Lee, 41, of Fresno, guilty yesterday of three counts of wire fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, five counts of preparing and presenting false and fraudulent returns, and three counts of making and subscribing a false and fraudulent tax return, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to evidence presented at trial, from 2012 through 2016, Lee willfully prepared and filed tax returns for other individuals that contained materially false and fraudulent statements and underreported her taxable income on her personal tax returns. In her role as a tax preparer, Lee would put false information on the customer’s tax return without their knowledge or consent and submit the returns to the IRS. As part of this scheme, Lee obtained the identification of multiple individuals and falsely listed these individuals as child care providers on multiple customer’s tax returns without their knowledge or consent.

Lee also underreported her own income related to the payments she received for tax preparation services on her personal tax returns for tax years 2013, 2014, and 2015.

“The jury found that this defendant who operated a tax preparation business willfully prepared and filed tax returns for her clients that were false and underreported her own taxable income,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Her scheme to use the tax system to generate larger refunds than deserved came to an end. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to use all lawful means to identify and prosecute unscrupulous tax returns preparers like the defendant.”

“Our absolute priority at the IRS is to serve the taxpayers in a manner that fosters confidence in the tax system and compliance with the law,” said Darren Lian, Special Agent in Charge with IRS Criminal Investigation’s Oakland Field Office. “We hold our employees to an even higher standard of expectations and compliance. Unfortunately, Deena Lee betrayed her duty and the trust the American public gave her and suffered the appropriate consequences. We are 100% committed to our tax administration and enforcement mission and will pursue anyone who break the law.”

“Taxpayers put trust in tax preparers to prepare their tax returns in accordance with the law. It is unacceptable for tax preparers to break this confidence by submitting fraudulent returns in their clients’ names,” said J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is committed to bringing to justice tax preparers who betray their clients’ trust for their personal gain.”

This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS-CI and TIGTA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Dempsey and Henry Carbajal are prosecuting the case.

Lee is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ana de Alba on May 8, 2023. Lee faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the wire fraud counts; three years in prison and a $250,0000 fine for each of the preparing and presenting false returns counts; three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the making and subscribing a false tax return counts; and a two-year consecutive mandatory minimum sentence for the aggravate identity theft counts. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners offer their sincere condolences and support to the family of Tyre Nichols, a native of Sacramento, after his death earlier this month in Memphis, Tennessee.

Making the announcement are U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, and Sacramento Chief of Police Katherine Lester.

Local authorities in Tennessee announced that charges have been brought by the Shelby County District Attorney against the five former Memphis police officers. The United States Attorney for that district has also opened a federal civil rights investigation into Mr. Nichols’ death.

Peaceful protest is a time-honored tradition in our country, and we in law enforcement strive to protect these important First Amendment rights and want people to express their right to be heard in a peaceful and nonviolent way. Federal, state, and local law enforcement will continue to work together to protect the community’s First Amendment rights.

“As part of the community, we are deeply saddened at and share the concerns about the death of Tyre Nichols,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we have reached out to our community leaders to address the real and legitimate concerns about what happened to Mr. Nichols and to identify positive steps we can take going forward. Please join me in a call for unity and peace as we work together during this difficult time.”

“The FBI Sacramento Field Office offers our sincere condolences to former Sacramento resident Tyre Nichols’ family and friends. Our team has reached out to our community partners, many of whom are deeply affected by Nichols’ death,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “The FBI is deeply committed to ensuring the rights of all Americans are protected, and we continue to work with law enforcement and community partners to ensure any threat to public safety or the exercise of Constitutional rights is promptly investigated.”

“I am truly saddened and troubled by the tragic death of Tyre Nichols,” said District Attorney Thien Ho. “As a former resident of Sacramento, Mr. Nichols’ death has hit home. Understandably, there is deep pain and anger within our community. We have learned that violence and destruction only harms and divides us. With charges filed in the death of Mr. Nichols, I ask that our community respect the Shelby County criminal justice process. Be assured, I am working together with all of our diverse communities to ensure our local justice system seeks the truth and renders justice for everyone, because justice and public safety are a matter of fairness and equality.”

Sheriff Jim Cooper said, “As we await further updates from Tennessee, we ask everyone that chooses to exercise their lawful right to protest, to express their feelings peacefully. We will work together with our Law Enforcement partners to protect everyone’s First Amendment rights, while keeping the peace and protecting our community.”

Sacramento Police Chief Katherine Lester said, “I share the same concerns as those echoed throughout our nation and our law enforcement community. The right to protest peacefully is sacred and will be protected. I know we can have tough conversations while finding a path forward together.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jerome Adams, 56, of North Highlands, pleaded guilty today to two counts of using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Adams is among the 15 federal defendants arrested in 2021 and charged in a 45-count indictment for trafficking narcotics as part of a DEA-led multi-agency operation targeting cocaine and heroin traffickers in North Sacramento. Adams was intercepted during a 30-day wiretap trafficking crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and heroin.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Forest Service; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Land Management; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the California Department of Justice; the California Highway Patrol; the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office; and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron L. Desmond and Aaron D. Pennekamp are prosecuting the case.

Adams is scheduled to be sentenced on May 4, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley. Adams faces a maximum statutory penalty of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

On Dec. 8, 2022, Michael Hampton, 57, of Vallejo, was sentenced to five years in prison for to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.

On Nov. 17, 2022, Charles Carter, 36, of Sacramento, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.

On Sept. 29, 2022, Jason Tolbert, 45, of Sacramento, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine

On Dec. 1, 2022, Bobby Conner, 51, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty to two counts of using a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. Conner is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2023.

On Nov. 17, 2022, Arlington Caine, 48, of Rio Linda, and Andre Hellams, 40, of North Highlands, each pleaded guilty to two counts of using a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. Hellams is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2023. Caine is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16, 2023.

Charges are pending against the following defendants: Tyrone Anderson, 40, of Sacramento; Maurice Bryant, 51, of Antelope; Yovanny Ontiveros, 41, of Sacramento; Alex White, 61, of North Highlands; Steven Hampton, 61, of Sacramento; Wilmer Harden, 52, of Elk Grove; Dwight Haney, 49, of Sacramento; and Mark Martin, 62, of Sacramento. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This prosecution is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. The Sacramento Strike Force is a co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Sacramento Strike Force is to identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) shipping narcotics, firearms, and money through the Eastern District of California, thereby reducing the flow of these criminal resources in California and the rest of the United States. The Sacramento Strike Force leads intelligence-driven investigations targeting the leadership and support elements of these DTOs and TCOs operating within the Eastern District of California, regardless of their geographic base of operations.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Kenneth Caspers Jr., 55, of Vacaville, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Caspers is the fourth individual to be indicted in the Eastern District of California based on an investigation into a brutal beating at the clubhouse for the Vallejo chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. The other three defendants—Jaime Alvarez, Dennis Killough Jr., and Michael Mahoney—were indicted by a grand jury in 2022.

According to court documents, in October 2021, two different victims—both of whom were members of a different motorcycle club that is considered a “puppet” (or subordinate) club of the Hells Angels—were beaten by Caspers, Mahoney, Alvarez, Killough, and other club members based on perceived infractions of the Hells Angels’ rules.

According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Caspers’ Vacaville home and found several firearms and ammunition, including 18 rounds of .22‑caliber, .25‑caliber, and/or .38 caliber ammunition in Caspers’ master bedroom and bathroom. Caspers has previously been convicted of several felony crimes—including a previous felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm—that prevent him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Vacaville Police Department, the Vallejo Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron D. Pennekamp and Jason Hitt are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Caspers faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The three other defendants have pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced as follows: Alvares on March 7, 2023, Killough on March 27, 2023, and Mahoney on May 2, 2023. They all face a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Alfredo Sanchez, 43, of Madera, was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Sanchez provided his co-defendant, Saybyn Borges, 30, of Reno, Nevada, with 493 fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl. On May 21, 2018, Borges then sold those fentanyl pills to a confidential source working with law enforcement in Placer County. On June 7, 2018, Borges was arrested in possession of an additional 3,440 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl that he had received from Sanchez. Sanchez had provided Borges 7,000 fentanyl pills for redistribution, but prior to Borges’ arrest, Borges destroyed half of the pills by throwing them out a car window during a high-speed chase with law enforcement in San Joaquin County. During a search of Sanchez’s residence, law enforcement seized four firearms and multiple high-capacity magazines. Sanchez, who had previously been convicted of a federal drug trafficking felony, was prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond prosecuted the case.

On Feb. 4, 2021, Borges, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Michael Mahoney, 30, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty today to possessing a firearm with an obliterated or altered serial number and possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Mahoney’s home as part of an investigation into a brutal beating at the clubhouse for the Vallejo chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. In October 2021, two different victims—both of whom were members of a different motorcycle club that is considered a “puppet” (or subordinate) club of the Hells Angels—were beaten by Mahoney and other club members based on perceived infractions of the Hells Angels’ rules.

During the December 2021 search of Mahoney’s Fairfield home, law enforcement found several firearms, including a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver with a serial number that had been scratched off, as well as a Sears & Roebuck 12-gauge shotgun with a barrel that had been sawn off to approximately 12.75 inches in length. Mahoney had not registered his ownership of this short-barreled shotgun with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by federal law.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Vacaville Police Department, the Vallejo Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron D. Pennekamp and Jason Hitt are prosecuting the case.

Mahoney is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2, 2023, by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Mahoney faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possessing a firearm with an obliterated or altered serial number. Mahoney also faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A human smuggler (also known as a “coyote”) was sentenced today to 12 months in prison for unlawful transportation of noncitizens without status in the United States, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On Sept. 28, 2022, Mateo Gomez Gonzalez, 29, of Mexico, was arrested at a gas station near Dunnigan, California, and has been held in federal custody in Sacramento. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2022.

According to court documents, on Sept. 28, 2022, a concerned resident of Sacramento called law enforcement to report that his relative and a friend were being held over a payment dispute in a human smuggling operation. The driver of a vehicle involved in the transport of Mexican citizens to the United States was threatening to drop the relative and family friend at an unknown stash house rather than to the awaiting family members if additional payment was not made. Acting on the tip, law enforcement met the vehicle at a gas station, discovered four passengers in the vehicle who did not have lawful status in the United States, and arrested the driver, Gomez.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey B. Hemesath and Denise Yasinow prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gabriella Santibanez, 58, and her sister Lisa Hazard, 54, both of Temecula, California, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring to commit over $7 million in health care fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 

According to court documents, between Dec, 1, 2015, and Dec, 1, 2020, Santibanez and Hazard ran a mobile phlebotomy company, PhlebXpress Inc. that provided phlebotomy and other medical collection services at patients’ homes and long-term care facilities in Sacramento and elsewhere. Santibanez and Hazard agreed to bill Medicare for services provided that were not reimbursable by Medicare. Santibanez and Hazard also agreed to bill Medicare for overstated mileage that PhlebXpress phlebotomists traveled. On average, Santibanez and Hazard caused false billing to Medicare of over 140 miles for each patient seen by PhlebXpress. Santibanez and Hazard caused a loss to Medicare of at least $7.5 million based on false billing by PhlebXpress.

In November 2020, due to “credible allegations of fraud” at PhlebXpress, Medicare instituted a payment suspension for PhlebXpress under which Medicare ceased paying PhlebXpress for the services it continued to bill Medicare.

According to court documents, between July 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021, Santibanez and Hazard agreed to circumvent the payment suspension by representing to Medicare that services provided to Medicare patients were done by another company, Phlebotomy Solutions, when they were in fact being provided by PhlebXpress through its contractors and employees from PhlebXpress’s offices. Through Phlebotomy Solutions, Santibanez and Hazard agreed to bill Medicare for a non-reimbursable service, misrepresenting that it was for another reimbursable service and overstating the mileage traveled by phlebotomists in order to receive additional money from Medicare. For example, in September 2021, Phlebotomy Solutions billed Medicare for 124.6 miles of travel by a phlebotomist when in fact the phlebotomist travelled 1.4 miles. Santibanez and Hazard caused a loss to Medicare of at least $50,000 based on false billing by Phlebotomy Solutions.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Bickley is prosecuting the case.

Santibanez and Hazard are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb on May 1, 2023. They each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

FRESNO, Calif. — Mario Carranza, 38, of Mexico, was sentenced four years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on March 17, 2020, law enforcement officers responded to a house in Fresno County after receiving a report of shots being fired in the backyard. Carranza and another individual were observed entering a car and leaving the area. The officers stopped the car, searched it, and recovered a disassembled, short-barrel, AR-15 style rifle with no serial number (known as a ghost gun) and a compatible firearm magazine loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. Carranza had fired the AR-style rifle in the backyard of the residence. He is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Fresno Police Department, the Special Operations Unit of the California Department of Justice and the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Antonio J. Pataca prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FRESNO, Calif. — Oscar Arturo Salomon Perez, aka Jesus Ramos, aka Jesus Rodriguez-Ramos, 48, a native and citizen of Mexican, pleaded guilty today to distributing fentanyl and p‑fluorofentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in October 2021 Perez negotiated for the sale of 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and one kilogram of “Chinese Food,” believed to be synthetic heroin laced with fentanyl. After confirming the prices with his source of supply in Mexico, Perez advised that it would cost $3 per pill and $22,000 for the “Chinese Food.” Perez requested an additional $1,000 for making the delivery in Fresno for a total of $53,000. An undercover agent agreed to the terms. A couple hours later, Perez met with and showed the agent a large clear plastic bag containing 10,004 blue pills marked “M-30” containing fentanyl and another clear plastic bag containing about two pounds of p-fluorofentanyl in powder form. When the agent advised that another car was bringing the money, Perez fled and was eventually stopped by Fresno County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Agents found another 219 blue pills marked “M-30” containing fentanyl in Perez’s vehicle.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Fresno High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT), which is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Initiative (HIDTA) composed of law enforcement personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the California Department of Justice; the California Highway Patrol; the Fresno, Tulare, and Kings Counties Sheriff’s Offices; and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

Perez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on April 17, 2023. Perez faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

FRESNO, Calif. — Edgardo Rosales-Andrade, 26, of Paramount, California, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, from Sept. 30, 2019, to Nov. 15, 2019, Rosales-Andrade conspired with Pedro Alegra and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On Nov. 15, 2019, law enforcement agents tracked a cargo truck carrying 312 pounds of methamphetamine to Delano where Alegra and Rosales-Andrade were waiting. Agents obtained a search warrant for the truck and Alegra’s residence and found an additional 60 pounds of methamphetamine in the residence. The methamphetamine was concealed in furniture in the cargo truck.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Patrol, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.

On June 17, 2022, Pedro Alegra pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Rosales is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on June 26, 2023. Rosales faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

FRESNO, Calif. — Tanner Joel Hernandez-Fields, 22, of Fresno, was sentenced today to five years and six months in prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between March 19, 2019, and April 12, 2019, Hernandez-Fields received on an Apple iPhone photos and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. These images included depictions of prepubescent minors, including material that meets the definition of sadistic or masochistic conduct.

The court ordered forfeiture of the iPhone and $5,000 in restitution to a victim whose images the defendant possessed. The court also placed Hernandez-Fields on a term of supervised release of 15 years during which his access to computers, the internet, and children will be restricted and he will be required to register as a sex offender.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

FRESNO, Calif. — Jose Rivas Jr., 27, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to seven years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between June 2016 and May 2018, Rivas conspired with another Bakersfield man, Juan Pina, 24, to use a national parcel service company to ship packages of narcotics to various distributors around the country. Records filed with the court indicate that Rivas and Pina made kilogram-quantity shipments of controlled substances on at least 45 occasions.

On May 3, 2018, search warrants were executed for Pina’s residence and vehicle. Pina was arrested while driving his vehicle, and in the back seat was a three-foot-long rectangular box, similar in size to the earlier shipments. The package was searched and found to contain approximately 700 grams of cocaine. In a search of Pina’s home, agents recovered over 2 pounds of heroin, over 2 pounds of cocaine, approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, and three long guns all found within close proximity to the drugs. Rivas was working with Pina, in connection with shipping the narcotics seized on May 3. Rivas directed Pina to pick up narcotics from various individuals. Rivas then provided Pina with addresses of individuals across the country to coordinate the shipment of kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.

On March 27, 2019, when search warrants were executed for Rivas’s residence, agents recovered 12 cellphones and arrested Rivas.

Juan Pina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, and on Aug. 28, 2019, he was sentenced to six years and six months in prison.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Rene Guadalupe Quintero Meza, 38, of Strathmore, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between Oct. 25, 2019, and Jan. 24, 2020, Meza conspired with co-defendant Basilio Chavez Jr., 44, of Porterville, and others, to distribute methamphetamine. A law enforcement source negotiated to buy a pound of methamphetamine from Meza and Chavez delivered the methamphetamine. A subsequent search of a residence associated with Meza recovered an additional 6 pounds of methamphetamine.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca is prosecuting the case.

A jury trial for Chavez is scheduled for July 11, 2023. The charges against him are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Meza is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on April 10, 2023. Meza faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

FRESNO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, Acting Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, and Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp announced two recent arrests in Fresno County that are part of increased and coordinated enforcement efforts to block the distribution of fentanyl.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to target the criminal drug networks that are flooding the United States with deadly, fentanyl-laced pills,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We remain committed to reducing drug-related violence and overdose deaths caused by these deadly pills. Law enforcement efforts, however, are not enough, and I urge the public to be aware of the threats and dangers of these pills.”

“Fentanyl is the greatest drug threat to public health and safety in the Central Valley,” said Bob P. Beris. “The substantial amount of fentanyl-laced pills and powder seized in these investigations has undoubtedly saved lives. DEA remains committed to holding accountable those who distribute this poison that wreaks havoc in our communities.”

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Pedro Miranda-Muro, 23 of Los Angeles, charging him with trafficking 400 grams and more of fentanyl and 100 grams and more of heroin and related offenses. Miranda-Muro was stopped by law enforcement officers for traffic violations on Interstate 5. According to court documents, during a search of Miranda-Muro’s vehicle after a Jan. 3, 2023, stop, several cellophane-wrapped packages were found that were believed to contain narcotics. Later, lab results showed that the packages contained approximately 5 kilograms of fentanyl and a half kilogram of heroin. Additionally, law enforcement found evidence on Miranda-Muro’s cellphone establishing that Miranda-Muro rented at least four storage lockers to store the drugs, picked up shipments of controlled substances that he then further distributed, picked up payment for the drugs totaling tens of thousands of dollars on multiple occasions, delivered proceeds to others, paid at least one uncharged co-conspirator, and retained his “share” of the money.

A separate criminal complaint alleges that Uriel Sotelo-Patino, 35 of Selma, possessed with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl. According to court documents, Sotelo-Patino, a suspected supplier of fentanyl, offered to sell 5,000 counterfeit M30 pills laced with fentanyl to a confidential source working with law enforcement. According to court documents, Sotelo-Patino showed the confidential source a photograph of eight gallon-sized zip lock bags filled with small blue pills and three other packages. On Jan. 4, 2023, Sotelo-Patino was detained on his way to meet with the confidential source. During searches of residences associated with Sotelo- Patino, law enforcement agents seized over 17 kilograms of fentanyl-laced pills and a pound of heroin.

The case against Pedro Miranda-Muro is the product of an investigation by the DEA, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez is prosecuting the case.

The case against Sotelo-Patino is the product of an investigation by the DEA, the Clovis Police Department, the Selma Police Department and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Gilio is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.

The trafficking charges in each of these cases carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

FRESNO, Calif. — Edward Page, 33, of Fresno, was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on June 24, 2021, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a Holiday Inn Express in Fresno, regarding an armed subject. Responding officers located a car in which Page and co-defendant Trayvon Smith, 32, of Fresno, were seated. Smith exited and fled on foot and was detained after a foot chase. Page attempted to flee but was held at gunpoint and complied. Officers searched the car and found two loaded, semi-automatic firearms, one of which had a corresponding a high-capacity magazine attached. Both Page and Smith are convicted felons who are prohibited from possessing firearms.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ana de Alba on Feb. 27, 2023.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FRESNO, Calif. — Duwayne Payton, 26, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to three years and 10 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Payton is a documented and active member of the East Side Crips criminal street gang in Bakersfield. On March 11, 2021, Payton possessed in his residence a stolen Glock Model-17 9 mm handgun. Payton may not lawfully possess firearms because of his prior felony convictions, including convictions in Bakersfield in 2014 for first degree burglary and vehicle theft.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin Heinz prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Carson Shane Wilhite, 43, of Ahwahnee, was sentenced today to seven years and six months in prison for conspiring to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possessing firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Wilhite was also ordered to pay $46,680 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for the damage caused by the cultivation operation.

On Sept. 30, 2022, Wilhite pleaded guilty to the charges. According to court documents, Wilhite was involved in a marijuana cultivation operation on public land in the Sierra National Forest adjacent to his residence and at his residence on private land. During the execution of a federal search warrant in the summer of 2019, law enforcement officers located marijuana growing outside of Wilhite’s bedroom and an indoor cultivation room containing live marijuana plants under the residence below Wilhite’s bedroom. The officers also located an additional 2,261 marijuana plants growing on public land adjacent to Wilhite’s residence. In exchange for $3,000 in cash and an additional $300 per month, Wilhite allowed other individuals to pass through his property to the public land so that they could grow marijuana there. Upon harvest, he was going to be paid in marijuana and would receive an additional $10,000. In total, officers located 2,353 marijuana plants.

While serving the warrant in Wilhite’s residence, officers found three firearms, including an AR-15 type assault rifle with no serial number, commonly known as a ghost gun, and a Springfield .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a live round chambered. Wilhite advised the officers that he had been carrying the loaded semi-automatic pistol prior to the arrival of law enforcement officers and was armed when he checked on the marijuana in the forest. In a second residence on the property, officers located a safe, which Wilhite controlled, that contained an additional 11 firearms. Marijuana was also growing in pots within the second residence and more marijuana plants were growing in a creek below that residence.

Integral Ecology Research Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the research and conservation of wildlife and their ecosystems, analyzed and documented the environmental damage. According to their report, the cultivation operation was located in the Carter Creek watershed drainage network in the Sierra National Forest and is the home to several rare species, including the California red-legged frog, a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and California spotted owl, a candidate species under review for listing under the ESA. Wildlife biologists located significant quantities of fertilizers and hazardous chemicals, including aluminum phosphide (a restricted use rodenticide legal for use only by licensed applicators), methamidophos (an illegal and highly toxic pesticide), and zeta-cypermethrin (an insecticide available over the counter). Leaves of the marijuana plants were splattered with a white substance that tested positive for methamidophos. The grow site contained trash pits and human latrines and over 1,444 pounds of trash and irrigation pipe. Water was diverted from a tributary of Carter Creek to irrigate the marijuana plants. The grow site used an estimated 7.84 million gallons of water annually.

Wilhite has been in custody since July 2021, after violating his pretrial conditions of release by testing positive for methamphetamine on three occasions.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service; the California Department of Fish and Wildlife; the Madera Narcotic Enforcement Team (MADNET), a task force consisting of law enforcement officers of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office; the California Department of Justice; the Madera Police Department; the Chowchilla Police Department; the California Highway Patrol; the Madera County District Attorney’s Office; the Madera County Probation Department; and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Scott Radtke, 60, of Clovis, was sentenced on Thursday to four and a half years in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Radtke owned California Motoring Company, a car dealership in Clovis. Beginning as early as Jan. 1, 2016, and continuing through June 2017, Radtke executed a scheme to defraud banks. When customers wanted to buy vehicles that Radtke’s dealership did not have in its inventory, Radtke offered customers the opportunity to buy them from other dealerships. Radtke received up-front payments from the customers or their banks, but did not give that money to the other dealerships. Instead, he spent it on business and personal expenses. Radtke then signed the customers’ names on sale documents and loan applications, which led banks to issue loans without the customers’ knowledge or authorization. Radtke’s actions involved at least 48 vehicles and over $2 million in fraudulently obtained goods and funds.

This case was the product of an investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael G. Tierney and Alexandre M. Dempsey prosecuted the case.

Radtke was ordered to surrender himself on March 10, 2023 to begin serving his sentence.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — William James Fitzgerald, 22, of Folsom, was arrested today after a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Fitzgerald charging him with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The indictment, brought on Jan. 12, was unsealed today following his arrest.

According to court documents, between October 2020 and May 2022, Fitzgerald exploited two minor victims for the purpose of producing visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. In January 2022, Fitzgerald distributed child pornography using Snapchat.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Folsom Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alstyn Bennett is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Fitzgerald faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert  announced today that the Eastern District of California collected $42,405,600 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Of this amount, $14,682,495 was collected in criminal actions and $27,723,105 was collected in civil actions.

Additionally, the Eastern District of California worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect $8,740,584 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $290,102 was collected in criminal actions and $8,450,481 was collected in civil actions.

“Financial recoveries are a critical part of our mission to protect the public treasury and hold those who violate the law accountable for the injury they cause,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We will continue to aggressively pursue compensation from those who commit crimes and other wrongs in our district, to take the profit out of crime and to ensure that wrongdoers—not the public—bear the costs of unlawful conduct. I am very proud of these recoveries and the other great accomplishments this year by all the dedicated public servants who work in this office.”

For example, in June 2022, the Eastern District of California announced that it had received $9,486,287 from a physician to resolve allegations that he submitted false claims to Medicare and Medi-Cal for procedures and tests that were never performed. These payments include nearly $5.5 million paid by the physician as criminal restitution following his guilty plea to one count of health care fraud, in a separate criminal case filed in the Central District of California.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $23,805,828 in asset forfeiture actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Erick Perez, 35, of Orland, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition and for violating his conditions of supervised release from a prior federal felon-in-possession conviction, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in 2019, Perez pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. In January 2021, he was sentenced to time served and began serving a three-year term of supervised release. Less than three months later, on April 1, 2021, law enforcement lawfully searched Perez’s house and found two loaded, privately manufactured handguns also known as ghost guns. Perez is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he had previously been convicted of felonies.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Orland Police Department; the Glenn County Investigations and Narcotics Task Force; and the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —  Akop Atoyan, 51, of Glendale, was sentenced today to 25 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

In addition, Atoyan was ordered to pay $2,525,363 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and to forfeit that same amount to the United States.

According to court documents, Atoyan and his wife, Liana Karapetyan, owned and controlled home health care and hospice agencies in the greater Sacramento area: ANG Health Care Inc., Excel Home Healthcare Inc., and Excel Hospice Inc. On behalf of the agencies, Atoyan and Karapetyan certified to Medicare that they would not pay kickbacks in exchange for Medicare beneficiary referrals to the agencies.

Despite their certifications, from at least July 2015 through April 2019, Atoyan and Karapetyan paid and directed others to pay kickbacks to multiple individuals for beneficiary referrals, including employees of health care facilities, as well as employees’ spouses. The kickback recipients included John Eby, a registered nurse who worked for a hospital in Sacramento; Anita Vijay, the director of social services at a skilled nursing and assisted living facility in Sacramento; Jai Vijay, Anita Vijay’s husband; and Mariela Panganiban, the director of social services at a skilled nursing facility in Roseville.

In total, Atoyan, Karapetyan, and others caused the agencies to submit over 8,000 claims to Medicare for the cost of home health care and hospice services. Based on those claims, Medicare paid the agencies approximately $31 million. Of that amount, Medicare paid the agencies at least $2.5 million for services purportedly provided to beneficiaries referred in exchange for kickbacks paid to, among others, Eby, Anita Vijay, Jai Vijay, and Panganiban. Because the agencies obtained the beneficiary referrals by paying kickbacks, the agencies should not have received any Medicare reimbursement.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen prosecuted the case.

In separate cases, Eby and Panganiban await sentencing after pleading guilty for their roles in the kickback scheme. On Jan. 20, 2022, Anita Vijay was sentenced to one month in prison, and Jai Vijay was sentenced to two years’ probation. On July 21, 2022, Karapetyan was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dennis Killough Jr., 51, of Vacaville, pleaded guilty today to unlawfully possessing two firearms after being convicted of a felony crime, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Killough’s home as part of an investigation into a brutal beating at the clubhouse for the Vallejo chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. In October 2021, two different victims—both of whom were members of a different motorcycle club that is considered a “puppet” (or subordinate) club of the Hells Angels—were beaten by Killough and other club members based on perceived infractions of the Hells Angels’ rules.

During the search of Killough’s home, law enforcement found two firearms, including a Taurus G2C 9 mm compact pistol and a Taurus model PT 745 Pro handgun. Killough has prior felony convictions, including previous firearm convictions, which prohibit him from possessing firearms.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Vacaville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron D. Pennekamp and Jason Hitt are prosecuting the case.

Killough is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller. Killough faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Adam Fuller, 36, of Sacramento, was sentenced today to three years and four months in prison for assaulting a federal officer, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court records, on Aug. 27, 2019, Fuller punched a federal Court Security Officer in the face outside the Sacramento federal courthouse. The punch knocked the officer to the ground and split open his forehead, requiring five stitches.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Protective Services, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Eric Michael Jaklitsch, 40, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to charges in two related cases, one case alleging wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and the other case alleging wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

For the first case, according to court documents, between October 2020 and December 2021, Jaklitsch executed a scheme to defraud the California Employment Development Department (EDD) by filing at least 78 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with EDD, seeking Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and other benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. During the scheme, Jaklitsch collected personally identifiable information (PII) of numerous individuals — including names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers — and used their identities to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. The filings represented, among other things, that the claimants had recently lost employment or were unable to find employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These unemployment insurance claims were fraudulent because, for example, the claimants were not unemployed, they were not eligible for California unemployment insurance benefits, or Jaklitsch did not have authority to file claims on their behalf.

Since at least October 2021, EDD has partnered with ID.me — a private company used by the EDD for ID verification of claimants — to implement a system for verifying claimant identities before EDD can process unemployment insurance claims. An internal investigation conducted by ID.me identified Jaklitsch as a person conducting a fraud scheme and referred the case to federal law enforcement.

In executing his fraudulent scheme, Jaklitsch also submitted false information to ID.me that allowed his fake and stolen identities to be verified. This false information included images of fake driver’s licenses that contained photos of Jaklitsch and the names of the purported claimants. He also submitted live photos of himself that were used to verify the photos on the fake driver’s licenses. Once these false identities were verified, Jaklitsch filed the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with EDD under the same identities.

In the fraudulent unemployment insurance applications, Jaklitsch requested that the unemployment insurance benefits be mailed to various addresses under his control, including his residence in New Jersey. EDD approved dozens of the fraudulent claims and authorized Bank of America to mail out EDD debit cards containing unemployment insurance benefits. Jaklitsch then activated the EDD debit cards and used them to withdraw the benefits at ATMs throughout New Jersey. The scheme sought over $2.5 million in unemployment insurance benefits and caused EDD and the United States to incur actual losses exceeding $900,000.

For the second case, according to court documents, between July 2020 and August 2020, Jaklitsch executed a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA) by fraudulently acquiring COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which were loans meant to provide low-interest financing and grants to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

To obtain an EIDL, a qualifying business applied to the SBA and provided certain information about its operations through an online portal. The EIDL approval process required applicants to supply minimal eligibility documentation and to affirm that the information in the application was true and correct under the penalty of perjury and applicable criminal statutes. The amount of an EIDL was based, in part, on the information provided by the applicant—primarily, gross revenue minus cost of goods sold, divided by two. Qualifying entities could use EIDL funds only on certain expenses, including fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable.

In furtherance of the scheme, Jaklitsch or one or more co-schemers knowingly submitted fraudulent EIDL loan applications to the SBA for the benefit of entities that did not authorize the applications. The false material information included, among other things, that (a) the schemers had the authority to submit the loan applications on behalf of the applying entities, (b) the entities’ gross revenues; (c) the entities’ costs of goods sold; and (d) bank account information purportedly belonging to the entities. These fraudulent applications sought at least $1,280,680. SBA approved these fraudulent applications and caused the transfer of approximately $1,280,540 in EIDL loan funds to at least 14 separate bank accounts held by a financial institution.

Between August and September 2020, Jaklitsch used a cellphone application to conduct numerous cash-out transactions that debited the fraudulent EIDL loan funds held in the 14 bank accounts. Each transaction caused money to be depleted from one or more of the 14 bank accounts, and Jaklitsch received the withdrawn cash from the stores. In total, Jaklitsch withdrew at least $777,312 in cash.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General – Covid Fraud Unit, and the California Employment Development Department (EDD) – Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the case.

Jaklitsch is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb on April 10, 2023. Jaklitsch faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the wire fraud counts. He also faces a two-year mandatory prison sentence for the aggravated identity theft count, which must run consecutive to any sentence received on the wire fraud counts. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This effort is part of a California COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force operation, one of three interagency COVID-19 fraud strike force teams established by the U.S. Department of Justice. The California Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources in the Eastern and Central Districts of California and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces use prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

FRESNO, Calif. — Four California agricultural companies and their owner have agreed to settle allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) by knowingly submitting false information in support of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The companies, which grow, harvest, process, pack, ship and sell processed and fresh tomatoes, among other crops, are Mendota Land Co., Sweetwood Farm Co. LLC, Sweetwood Farm Inc., Seasholtz Co. LLC. The companies and their owner John Seasholtz (collectively, “Seasholtz”) are alleged to have improperly inflated the employee headcount on PPP loan applications by impermissibly including non-employee contract workers who were, in fact, employed by other, unrelated entities. The settlement resolves allegations that the inclusion of non-employees caused Seasholtz to receive approximately $1.8 million in excess PPP funds. Seasholtz previously repaid the excess PPP loan funds to the lender, thereby relieving the U.S. Small Business Administration of liability for approximately $1.8 million in loan guarantees. As a part of the settlement announced today, Seasholtz agreed to pay approximately $400,000 in damages and penalties under the FCA and approximately $200,000 in civil penalties under FIRREA.

“PPP loans were intended to provide critical relief to small businesses,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to pursuing those who knowingly obtained PPP or other COVID‑19 assistance funds to which they were not entitled.”

“Paycheck Protection Program funds have helped qualified businesses throughout the Central Valley that were negatively impacted by the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office invested significant time and resources in this investigation and will continue to do so to ensure that PPP funds only go to those who are eligible.”

“Providing accurate information when applying for the SBA’s vital disaster relief programs is the individual responsibility of the applicant,” said Special Agent in Charge Weston King of SBA OIG’s Western Region. “This settlement demonstrates that wrongdoing will find its way into the open, and those responsible will be held accountable. I want to that the U.S. Attorney’s office and our law enforcement partners for their support and dedication to pursuing justice in this case.”

Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to provide emergency financial support to the millions of Americans suffering economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses. When applying for PPP loans, borrowers were required to certify the truthfulness and accuracy of all information provided in their loan applications, including their number of employees and average monthly payroll.

The settlement resolved a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit was filed by Bell Hill LLC and is captioned United States ex rel. Bell Hill, LLC v. John Seasholtz, et al., No. 1:20-cv-942 (E.D. Cal.). There has been no determination regarding the amount of the recovery to be paid to Bell Hill, LLC.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California and the DOJ Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from the SBA’s Office of General Counsel and the SBA Office of Inspector General.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emilia P. E. Morris of the Eastern District of California and Trial Attorney Jared S. Wiesner of the Civil Division.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

FRESNO, Calif. — Troy Wayne Reiss, 60, of Bakersfield, was sentenced to 23 years and eight months in prison today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on three separate occasions, Reiss possessed more than 6 pounds of methamphetamine. A search of his residence recovered ammunition, clear plastic bags, narcotics accounting ledgers, a digital scale, and a short-barreled shotgun. Reiss stored the shotgun near his methamphetamine supply to protect both himself and his narcotics distribution business.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Emmanuelle Padilla, 26, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.  

According to court documents, Padilla was found in possession of ammunition on October 24, 2022. He has prior felony convictions for possessing controlled substances while armed and being a felon in possession of a firearm and he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. 

This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Arin C. Heinz is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Padilla faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Arturo Marquez, 45, of Bakersfield, charging him with possession of over 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of three firearms, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 

According to court documents, after executing a search at Marquez’s residence in Bakersfield, officers uncovered 13 firearms, large quantities of ammunition and approximately 936 grams of methamphetamine. Marquez has felony convictions for previously possessing firearms and is therefore prohibited from possession firearms or ammunition.

This case is the product of an investigation by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin C. Heinz is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Marquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. This charge also carries a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Marquez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Sacramento, Calif. — A third former CSP-Sacramento California state correctional officer was arrested and made her initial appearance today in connection with false statements regarding civil rights violations. A federal grand jury in Sacramento returned a five-count indictment as to Brenda Villa, 32, of North Highlands, charging her with Conspiracy, three counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation, and perjury, United States Attorney Phillip A Talbert announced. 

According to the Indictment, Villa was a correctional sergeant supervising other officers at California State Prison – Sacramento when correctional officer Arturo Pacheco unlawfully assaulted an inmate under color of law. Villa and other officers, including Pacheco and Ashley Aurich, assisted in covering up the details of the assault by submitting false reports. Villa also lied under oath to the federal grand jury investigating the incident.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with Assistance from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Anderson and Rosanne L. Rust are prosecuting the case.

Arturo Pacheco and Ashley Aurich have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to over 12½ years and 21 months in federal prison, respectively.

If convicted, Villa faces a maximum statutory penalty of 5 years in prison for conspiracy, 20 years on each count of falsification of records, 5 years for perjury and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jaime Alvarez, 52, of Vallejo, California, pleaded guilty yesterday to unlawfully possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony crime, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 

According to court documents, on December 8, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Alvarez’s home as part of an investigation into a brutal beating at the clubhouse for the Vallejo chapter of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. Specifically, in October 2021, two different victims—both of whom were members of a different motorcycle club that is considered a “puppet” (or subordinate) club of the Hells Angels—were beaten by Alvarez and other club members based on perceived infractions of the Hells Angels’ rules.

During the December 2021 search of Alvarez’s Vallejo home, law enforcement found several firearms, including a Glock 27 .40 SW caliber handgun. Alvarez has prior felony convictions, which prohibit him from possessing firearms.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Vallejo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron D. Pennekamp and Jason Hitt are prosecuting the case.

Alvarez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Alvarez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Carlos Villasenor, 40, of Placerville, pleaded guilty today to possession of dogs for use in an animal fighting venture, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Villasenor operated a dog breeding business in which he bred dogs from a number of well-known and desirable dogfighting bloodlines. Villasenor transported dogs between California and Mexico for the purpose of dog fighting, trained dogs for dogfighting on his property in Placerville, and sold dogs to buyers primarily outside California.

In September 2020, the sound of dogfighting, with humans egging the dogs on, could be heard from Villasenor’s Placerville property. In June 2021, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Villasenor’s property and seized 27 pit bull type-dogs, one of whom had injuries to its face consistent with an attack from another dog. Agents also seized one chihuahua mix which was used as a “bait dog.” Approximately half the dogs were tethered by heavy chains, and spaced so that they could see one another, but not reach one another, in order to frustrate the dogs and foster aggression. Many of the dogs had untreated veterinary conditions. Numerous implements of the dog fighting trade were found on the property, including a breeding stand, treadmills, and veterinary supplies including skin staplers, antibiotics, syringes, and IV bags.  In his plea agreement, Villasenor surrendered his interest in the dogs and property seized by law enforcement.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with assistance from El Dorado County Animal Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey Hemesath is prosecuting the case.

Villasenor is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge William B. Shubb on March 20, 2023.  Villasenor faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today that Sierra Nevada Corporation (“SNC”), a company that provides various services to federal agencies pursuant to defense and space contracts, has paid a total of $10 million to resolve two matters alleging the company violated the federal False Claims Act. As more fully described below, SNC is alleged to have knowingly overcharged labor costs and inflated rates in two separate matters.

 The improper charges resulted from SNC knowingly: (1) charging duplicate labor hours, premium rates, and unauthorized extended hours under the Army’s Multi-Sensor Aerial Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (MAISR) program; and (2) erroneously accruing and expensing certain bonus costs, resulting in application of inflated rates more broadly charged to contracts with several federal agencies. The government relies on contractors to accurately charge costs, and to classify both the nature and timing of contract costs to properly calculate rates and appropriately pay for work on government programs.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the integrity of federal procurement contracting,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We will vigorously pursue federal contractors who fail to comply with the highest standards of accuracy to ensure federal agencies are appropriately charged for goods and services.”

“The announced settlement is a victory for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the American taxpayer in that it restores integrity into the contracting process by recovering inappropriate payments made based on unjustified claims by the contractor," said Bryan D. Denny, the Special Agent in Charge of the DoD Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. ”Along with our law enforcement partners, DCIS will use all tools available to safeguard the integrity of the Defense contracting process and taxpayer resources.”

“This settlement further demonstrates the resolve of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (DACID) and our law enforcement partners to protect and defend the assets of the United States Army,” stated Special Agent in Charge L. Scott Moreland of the DACID’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine J. Swann, in a coordinated effort with the Defense Contract Management Agency, the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.  The claims settled by the two governing settlement agreements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Maurice “Buddy” Shoe, 59, formerly of Palo Cedro, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for embezzlement from his employees’ retirement funds, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Shoe was the CEO of Joined Inc., a now defunct corporation based in Shasta County that provided student recruiting and retention services to Christian colleges and universities throughout the United States. The company provided a 401(k) retirement benefit plan for its employees. From February through November 2015, Shoe embezzled approximately $124,902.03 from the employee retirement benefit fund, protected under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), by withholding funds from employees’ paychecks for 401(k) contributions, but failing to forward those contributions to the 401(k) plan.  Shoe was also ordered to pay back restitution to the victims of the fraud.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration, San Francisco Regional Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey Hemesath and Kate Lydon are prosecuting the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a 12-count superseding indictment on Thursday, adding Andre Warren Jr., 24, of Sacramento; Jjuan Brown, 32, of San Francisco; Kenyatta Alexander, 37, of Sacramento; Jarren Meek, 24, of Stockton; and Keino Brue, 28, of Georgia, as defendants, and charging them with conspiracy to unlawfully deal in firearms without a license, and unlawfully dealing in firearms without a license, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Alexander is also charged with three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.   

According to court documents, on March 24, 2022, Jerrell Lawson, 32, of Sacramento; Aisha Hoggatt, 30, of Sacramento; Terrence Phillips, 40, of Union City; James Gordley, 33, of Modesto; and Malek Williams, 29, of Georgia, were indicted for a firearms trafficking scheme where firearms were acquired in Georgia and shipped to California to sell on the black market.

Between November 2019 and October 2021, the Lawson and his co-conspirators brought more than 500 firearms from Georgia into California and sent more than $300,000 in money transfers to purchase those firearms. Lawson would broker firearms transactions in Georgia over the internet, and Williams, a Georgia resident with a license to carry a concealed firearm, would pick up firearms in person and mail the firearms to various locations in California at Lawson’s direction. Some of the firearms went to individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. Hoggatt worked with Lawson to coordinate the purchase, mailing, and distribution of the firearms. Phillips and Gordley also distributed the firearms in California.

Additional investigation has revealed that Warren Jr., Alexander, Brown, and Meek are members of the Lawson’s firearms trafficking organization and sub-distributors of firearms. Bruce also conducted hand-to-hand firearms transactions and received over $23,000 in money transfers to purchase firearms for Lawson’s firearms trafficking organization.  Warren Jr., Alexander, Brown, and Meek discussed acquiring and selling firearms and machine gun conversion devices with Lawson. On one occasion, Brown indicated to Lawson the individuals in Oakland who Brown was supplying firearms to were “scar[]y.” Lawson, Phillips, Gordley, Warren Jr., and Alexander are all prohibited from possessing firearms because they each have one or more prior felony convictions.

The investigation began when a firearm used in a shooting in Sacramento was traced to the last known sale by a federally licensed dealer in Georgia. A subsequent sale of the firearm led to Lawson’s firearms trafficking organization. Lawson and his co-conspirators used coded language to traffic firearms and moved money using a variety of financial institutions. During the investigation, interdicted packages destined for Lawson and other co-conspirators were found to contain firearms, ammunition, knives, and brass knuckles, among other things.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Sacramento Region/San Francisco Bay Area Cross-Jurisdictional Firearms Trafficking Strike Force Initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Klein is prosecuting the case.

The Sacramento Region/San Francisco Bay Area Cross-Jurisdictional Firearms Trafficking Strike Force is one of five cross-jurisdictional strike forces launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in July 2021 to disrupt illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. Each strike force is led by designated United States Attorneys, who collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction as well as law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate.  The strike forces use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes, and are an important part of the Department’s Comprehensive Violent Crime Reduction Strategy.

Williams pled guilty to unlawfully dealing in firearms without a license and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Jan. 31, 2023. Williams faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison for unlawful dealing in firearms. Charges are pending against the remaining defendants. The charges against them are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Mario Gonzalez, 40, of Manteca, California, pleaded guilty today to unlawfully possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony crime, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 

According to court documents, on December 16, 2019, Manteca Police Department officers searched Gonzalez’s truck after arresting him on a state arrest warrant. During the search, officers located a loaded firearm and a total of 48 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.  Gonzalez has several prior felony convictions—including three prior domestic violence felonies—which prohibit him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was the product of an investigation by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, the Manteca Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Aaron D. Pennekamp and Emily G. Sauvageau are prosecuting the case.

Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2023, by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb.  Gonzalez faces a minimum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FRESNO, Calif. — Keith Delray Breazell, 32, of Fresno, CA, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Ana de Alba to 37 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on May 25, 2021, detectives working for the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC) reported to a cemetery, where they observed Breazell and a group of males congregating. As officers approached the area, the males dispersed. Breazell ran and climbed over a cinder block wall on the property line of the cemetery. Breazell was apprehended by assisting officers. Two detectives canvassed the area where Breazell had been seen standing and saw an abandoned blue backpack. Inside the backpack, officers found a loaded, privately manufactured, semi-automatic, .40 caliber pistol without a serial number (sometimes called a “ghost gun”). The backpack also contained an additional loaded, .40 caliber magazine which contained 13 live .40 caliber rounds of ammunition. The backpack also contained a wallet with Breazell’s California identification card inside. Breazell is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has previously been convicted of several felony crimes. Breazell was arrested, charged, and pled guilty.

The case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and MAGEC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio is prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

FRESNO, Calif. — Geno Maciel, 25, of Fresno, was sentenced today to almost 15 years in prison for distribution of fentanyl and alprazolam to a person under 21 years of age, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, alprazolam, and ecstasy, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on July 5, 2021, Maciel provided a 16-year-old with a counterfeit pill that was laced with fentanyl. The juvenile victim died as a result of fentanyl intoxication.

A few weeks later, investigators executed a search warrant at Maciel’s residence, on his car and person, and found additional pills laced with fentanyl, alprazolam, and ecstasy, as well as ammunition and 11 firearms.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Several investigators were part of the FORT team, a team with a mission to deploy to the scene of an overdose, with or without a fatality, to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the event and ultimately bring a resolution to the victims by prosecuting the sources of supply who are responsible. The team is also focused on education on the dangers of fentanyl and how first responders treat these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.) a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. In July 2018, the Justice Department announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.

FRESNO, Calif. — Daryol Richmond, 31, who was formerly a gang member and inmate at the Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, California, where he was serving nineteen years for robbery, was sentenced today to five years and five months in federal prison for his role in a scheme to submit millions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) during the COVID-19 pandemic, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.  Richmond is the first of the eight defendants charged in the case to plead guilty and be sentenced.

According to court records, Richmond obtained the personal identifying information for other individuals, including inmates and non-inmates, who did not authorize him to possess their information. He then provided this information to his co-conspirators inside and outside of prison through emails and jail calls, and caused the applications for the fraudulent claims to contain numerous misrepresentations. The misrepresentations included that the other individuals became unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, were available to work, and had access to the mailing addresses listed in the applications. 

The fraudulent claims were worth up to $25 million and $5.5 million was actually paid out for the claims. At sentencing, Richmond was found to be responsible for $1.4 million and $382,000 of these amounts, respectively, and to be unaware of the full scope of the scheme. The money was used to buy vehicles, jewelry and other items.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, EDD, and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Barton as part of the California COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force, which is one of three interagency COVID-19 fraud strike forces established by the Department of Justice.  The California Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources in the Eastern and Central Districts of California. This strike force focuses on large-scale, sophisticated relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

The remaining defendants who were charged along with Richmond are currently pending trial. They are: Telvin Breaux, 29, who is an inmate at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi; Holly White, 30, of Los Angeles; Cecelia Allen, 33, of Downey; Fantasia Brown, 33, of Los Angeles; Tonisha Brown, 28, of Los Angeles; Fantesia Davis, 32, of Victorville; and Shanice White, 28, of Hawthorne.  The charges against these defendants are only allegations and they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment yesterday against two defendants, charging them with drug trafficking offenses, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 

Felix Ortiz-Plata, 41, a Mexican national residing in Stockton, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, five counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Anuar Castaneda Ortiz, 26, a Mexican national residing in Sacramento, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, between August 22, 2022, and December 5, 2022, Ortiz-Plata and Castaneda Ortiz conspired with one another to sell methamphetamine to a DEA confidential source.  On Dec. 5, 2022, California Highway Patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Castaneda Ortiz’s vehicle. During a subsequent search, officers located over 260 pounds of crystal methamphetamine packaged in 90 plastic bags in the backseat and trunk of the vehicle.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Land Management, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alstyn Bennett is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Ortiz-Plata and Castaneda Ortiz face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment yesterday against Anthony Alexander Basso, 44, of Cottonwood, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of being a felon in possession ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. 

According to court documents, on Sept. 11, 2022, law enforcement officers stopped Basso for a pending arrest warrant and found Basso had with him in his car a handgun with no serial number (sometimes called a “ghost gun”), heroin, methamphetamine, AR-platform receivers, ammunition, AR-platform magazines, Narcan, tools for milling firearm components, a police scanner, and over $10,000 in cash. Search warrants were executed for a storage unit Basso used and additional AR-style rifles in various states of construction, thousands of rounds of ammunition, a Heckler & Koch handgun, and nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine were found.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Anderson Police Department, and the Shasta Inter-Agency Narcotics Task Force (SINTF). Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Basso faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. This charge also carries a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence. If convicted of being a felon in possession of ammunition, or a felon in possession of a firearm, Basso faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment yesterday against Rondell Cramer, 44, of San Francisco, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on June 1, 2022, while driving in Fairfield, Cramer was pulled over for driving a vehicle without a license plate. The officer arrested Cramer, who was then wanted on two outstanding felony warrants. A search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of a Glock 9 mm caliber firearm, as well as a bill of sale for another firearm and stolen merchandise, much of which still had antitheft tags on them. A search of Cramer’s phones revealed multiple conversations showing that Cramer was buying firearms in Arizona under an alias, and then selling them in California. Cramer is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of six felony offenses, including a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

This case is the product of an investigation by the California Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Cramer faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The Sacramento Region/San Francisco Bay Area Cross-Jurisdictional Firearms Trafficking Strike Force is one of five cross-jurisdictional strike forces launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in July 2021 to disrupt illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. Each strike force is led by designated United States Attorneys, who collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction as well as law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate.  The strike forces use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes, and are an important part of the Department’s Comprehensive Violent Crime Reduction Strategy.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment today against Jeremy Gober, 42, of Hanford, charging him with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Jeremy Gober owned and operated the Got Sleep center, which was a sleep clinic in Fresno and Orange County, California. Sleep clinics perform diagnostic sleep studies to identify disorders like sleep apnea and narcolepsy. From August 2016 through July 2020, Jeremy Gober caused Got Sleep to bill Medicare and Medi-Cal for thousands of sleep studies, totaling over $8,000,000, that the company did not actually perform on patients. This included sleep studies where the patients had died before the dates on which the studies were purportedly performed.

This case is the product of an investigation by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the California Department of Health Care Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Jeremy Gober faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine for the health care fraud and an additional, mandatory two years in prison for the identity theft. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations. Jeremy Gober is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Jeremy Gober’s brother, Travis Gober, was previously charged with health care fraud and identity theft related to other sleep clinics in the Central Valley in October 2021: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/kings-county-man-indicted-submitting-over-10-million-fraudulent-claims-diagnostic-sleep.

 

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