Eastern District of California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Daniel Joseph Noble, 26, of Davis, charging him with distribution of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, while working as the assistant water polo coach for UC Davis men’s team and the associated youth team, Noble joined a Kik group where users exchanged videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of children. On multiple dates in 2022, Noble sent the Kik group different videos showing children being sexually abused. Noble was arrested during the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Davis on May 19, 2022.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (in Jacksonville, FL and Sacramento, CA) and the Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall is prosecuting the case.

Noble has been released on a $100,000 bond, with special conditions including no-contact with minors and home confinement with electronic location monitoring.

If convicted, Noble faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to a lifetime of supervised release. 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Angelo Joseph Fernandez, 42, of Fresno, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to six years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Feb. 25, 2021, Fernandez was found to be in possession of ammunition after he led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase throughout Fresno reaching speeds of over 80 miles per hour on surface streets and at times traveling in opposing lanes of traffic. At the time, Fernandez was out on bail in another case. Fernandez is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Alan Hansen, 51, of Vacaville, was sentenced today to eight years 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 July 23, 2020, Hansen 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 mobile solar generator units (MSG), solar generators that were mounted on trailers. 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, 51, Paulette Carpoff, 51, 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 solar generators that did not exist 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, at least half 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, Hansen was an employee of a telecom company with which DC Solar had done some limited business. In that role, Hansen accepted $1 million from co-conspirators at DC Solar to fraudulently sign a false contract reflecting a much greater amount of supposed business leasing MSGs.  Hansen’s co‑conspirators used that false contract to induce substantial investments by victims in DC Solar. After signing the contract, Hansen took a job at DC Solar at a significant pay increase and left his former employment.  Later, as a DC Solar executive, Hansen and a co-conspirator agreed to share $20,000 cash from Jeff Carpoff to sign a false agreement related to the earlier contract by forging the signature of a former telecom company employee. Hansen’s co-conspirators used the false contract and forged agreement to induce still further payments by victims for MSGs. Hansen was paid for signing the first false contract through a series of interstate wire transfers into an account he set up in the name of a consulting company. Hansen knew the money he received came from payments by DC Solar investors, and that DC Solar was deceiving them to induce those payments.

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 has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2022.

On Nov. 16, 2021, Joseph W. Bayliss, 46, 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, 55, of Clayton, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $624 million.

Other defendants have pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to the fraud scheme and are scheduled for sentencing: Ronald J. Roach, 55, of Walnut Creek, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28, 2022; and Ryan Guidry, 45, of Pleasant Hill, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, 2022.

This case is 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 are prosecuting the case.

Paulette Carpoff and Guidry face a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison. Roach faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years prison. The actual sentences, 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. — Vin Whealen Gaines Jr., 33, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to six years and five months in prison for conspiracy to deal firearms without a license and distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between Oct. 10, 2019, and Oct. 22, 2020, Gaines and his co‑conspirators sold at least 13 firearms to a confidential source or an undercover agent on behalf of the Everybody Killa (EBK) street gang in Stockton. Many of the firearms were obtained out of state in Reno, Nevada, and some were obtained by a straw purchaser from federally licensed firearms dealers in Reno. Gaines also sold about an ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential source on Feb. 20, 2020.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Spencer is prosecuting the case.

Co-defendant Johnnie Earl Ross III, 21, of Stockton, was previously sentenced to six and a half years in prison for conspiracy to deal firearms without a license and possession of an unregistered machinegun.

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. 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.

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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Ivan Isho, 44, of Peoria, Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to five years in prison for wire fraud, false impersonation of a federal officer, and stalking, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On March 4, 2022, a federal jury found Isho guilty of the charges.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in 2016 and 2017, Isho pretended to be an FBI Special Agent and falsely represented to his victims, members of the Assyrian community in Ceres, that he could help them obtain visas for their family members living outside the United States. He displayed fake FBI credentials and a gun to aid his misrepresentations to his victims. They paid him thousands of dollars, including by means of interstate wire transmission, and provided him with copies of personal family documents. However, Isho had no ability to obtain and never helped to obtain visas for the victims’ family members. Isho was never employed in any capacity by the FBI.

 Additionally, between April 2017 and April 2018, Isho held himself out as an FBI Special Agent to a female victim whom he harassed by means of repeated phone calls and threatening and harassing voicemail messages to both the victim and her husband.

Isho testified at trial, claiming he only possessed the fake FBI credentials as part of a Halloween costume, despite recordings in evidence of the defendant’s voicemails claiming to be with the FBI received in the months of April 2017 and August 2017. He further admitted to threatening the stalking victim with abusive language and various threats.

At sentencing, Judge Drozd found that Isho’s false testimony at trial amounted to obstruction of justice.

This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Jean Berger prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Candice Nicole Freitas, 34, formerly of Martinez, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to seven years and 10 months in prison for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of reproduced U.S. Postal Service keys, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between April and August 2018, Freitas and her co-defendant Cody Cannon committed a fraud scheme in which they used counterfeit U.S. Postal Service keys to open residential mailboxes, typically in large apartment complexes, and steal hundreds of pieces of U.S. mail throughout Northern California. From the stolen mail, Freitas and Cannon harvested financial information, credit and debit cards, government-issued IDs, and personally identifiable information (PII). They also defrauded banks by using the stolen bankcards to purchase goods and withdraw cash from ATMs in at least Vacaville, Folsom, Rocklin, and Rancho Cordova.

In August 2018, Freitas and Cannon were arrested at their motorhome, which was parked in a hotel parking lot in Rancho Cordova. During a search of the motorhome, law enforcement found hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, checks, and bankcards, as well as documents containing the PII of dozens of identity-theft victims. Law enforcement also found stolen and counterfeit government-issued IDs, including at least 20 California driver’s licenses and two U.S. passports. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has identified over 1,500 victims of mail and identity theft associated with these offenses.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the Folsom Police Department, and the Vacaville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.

In October 2019, Cannon was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for his involvement in this scheme.

FRESNO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today the first in-person convening of the Greater Fresno Hate Crimes Task Force, which seeks to directly connect federal, state, and local law enforcement with diverse communities in order to build trust and encourage the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents.

One of the most valuable and sustained efforts undertaken by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California is the Greater Sacramento Hate Crimes Task Force, which was first convened in 1999 following the “Summer of Hate” crimes that included the murder of a gay couple in Shasta County and arson attacks on Jewish synagogues in Sacramento. In April 2021, using the Sacramento-based Hate Crimes Task Force as a model, the U.S. Attorney’s Office launched the Greater Fresno Hate Crimes Task Force to serve the southern part of the district.

Both the Greater Sacramento Hate Crimes Task Force and Greater Fresno Hate Crimes Task Force connect many diverse community leaders and organizations with the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that serve them. Represented groups include African American, Asian American, LatinX, LGBTQ+, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, interfaith groups, and many other communities. As part of this effort, training is also provided to help community members and organizations report hate crimes and to provide crisis response and security training.

On May 26, U.S. Attorney Talbert, leadership from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, law enforcement partners, and community leaders and members met to discuss updates on hate crimes and other issues of concern in the Fresno region. The meeting included a roundtable-style open discussion, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and provide an update on relevant projects and opportunities to collaborate. U.S. Attorney Talbert also announced that in response to recent attacks, crisis response and active shooter training will be provided again to houses of worship and other community groups in both Sacramento and Fresno.

“Acts of hate and racism have no place in our community and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We want to ensure that all those who call this region their home feel safe regardless of their race, ethnic origin, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Prosecuting hate crimes continues to be a top priority for our office and our law enforcement partners, and our Hate Crimes Task Forces remain active. We commend the community leaders and members of our Sacramento and Fresno Hate Crimes Task Forces for their partnership and commitment to stopping hate crimes. If you see something, say something by contacting law enforcement so that we can do everything we can to help stop hate crime and protect the community.”

If you are a victim of a hate crime and are in immediate danger, call 911 first. Once you are safe, also report the hate crime to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or 916-746-7000. This FBI tip line offers language translation services in many languages spoken in our region, including Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. When calling, be prepared to provide basic information — the who, what, when, where, and why. Tips can be made anonymously.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Sarah E. Meenahan, 28, of Manhattan Beach, charging her with assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and failure to obey a lawful command, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on May 16, 2022, Meenahan entered a camper van in Sequoia National Park and attempted to stab the occupant. The occupant was able to subdue Meenahan before she could stab him, and Meenahan fled the camper van. Meenahan was driving a vehicle that had been taken from a repair shop – neither the repair shop nor the owner gave anyone permission to drive the vehicle. When National Park Service rangers encountered her and tried to arrest her, she refused to comply with commands, and was only taken into custody after rangers deployed a taser.

This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Sanchez and Michael G. Tierney are prosecuting the case.

If convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon, Meenahan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, Meenahan faces a maximum statutory penalty of a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. If convicted of failure to obey a lawful command, Meenahan faces a maximum statutory penalty of six months in jail or a fine of up to $5,000. 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. — An investigation into a brutal beating at the Vallejo chapter clubhouse of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club has led to two members of the club being charged for illegal firearm possession, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Dennis Killough Jr., 51, of Vacaville, charging him with being a felon in possession of two different firearms. And in a separate case, Jaime Alvarez, 51, of Vallejo, was charged today with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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 Killough, Alvarez, and other club members based on perceived infractions of the Hells Angels’ rules.

According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2021, law enforcement searched Killough’s home and found two firearms, including a Taurus G2C 9 mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and a Taurus PT 745 Pro handgun. Killough has several prior felony convictions—including previous firearm convictions—which prohibit him from possessing any firearms.

According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2021, a search warrant executed at Alvarez’s home found several firearms, including a Glock 27 .40 SW caliber handgun. Alvarez has several prior felony convictions—including a prior conviction for possessing a dangerous weapon—which prohibit him from possessing any firearms.

These cases are the product of investigations by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Vacaville Police Department, 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.

If convicted, Killough and Alvarez face 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 defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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. 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. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Joshymar Estrada, 33, of Los Banos, charging him with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On April 28, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a probation compliance check at Estrada’s home. While officers attempted to contact Estrada at the front door, he ran out of the back door and threw two canvas bags over his backyard fence. The bags contained more than a kilogram of cocaine, including approximately 380 bags of cocaine in various quantities packaged for distribution. Officers also seized additional cocaine, a number of unidentified pills, and a digital scale.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Los Banos Police Department, the Merced County Probation Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Massey is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Estrada faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 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 defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Andre Marcele Grigsby, 50, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The case arose from Operation No Fly Zone, a multi-agency, months-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of over 40 individuals, including seven federal defendants. According to court documents, on April 14, 2022, Grigsby was found to be in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Grigsby has been convicted of felony child cruelty in 2015 in Fresno County.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Fresno Police Department; the Fresno-area Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC); the California Department of Justice Special Operations Unit, the California Department of Justice Human Trafficking / Sexual Predator Apprehension Team; the California Highway Patrol; the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office; the Kings County Sheriff’s Office; 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 are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Grigsby 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 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. 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.

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.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Salvador Tyrone Peraza, 22, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on May 6, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic-enforcement stop on a car driven by Peraza. Inside the car, officers found a loaded, privately manufactured firearm, also referred to as a “ghost gun” because of its lack of a serial number. Peraza has previously been convicted of several felony convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

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

If convicted, Peraza 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 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. 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. — A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Antonio Sorondo Jr., 49, of Fresno, charging him with conspiring to traffic fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, illegally possessing firearms, and possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute it, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in January and February 2022, Sorondo conspired with others to possess and distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. On Feb. 1, 2022, when law enforcement officers tried to contact Sorondo, he fled and tossed a firearm over a chain-link fence. The officers apprehended Sorondo and then recovered the abandoned, loaded firearm. Two weeks later, a police officer arrested Sorondo in possession of another two firearms and about 100 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. Sorondo is prohibited from possessing firearms because of his prior felony convictions. Sorondo is currently in custody awaiting trial on these charges.

This case is the product of an investigation by FORT, a multi-agency team composed of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Laurel J. Montoya are prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the drug offenses, Sorondo faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 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.

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 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. 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against William Josiah Scrivner, 36, of Fairfield, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on March 23, 2022, law enforcement officers observed Scrivner as the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle in the parking lot of the NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield. The officers arrested Scrivner on an outstanding Solano County arrest warrant. A post-arrest search of his person and vehicle resulted in approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, $551 on his person, and a digital scale in his car. A probation search of Scrivner’s residence resulted in the discovery of two firearms, one of which was stolen, firearm parts and ammunition, additional methamphetamine, and two more scales. Scrivner is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has been convicted of several felonies, including two prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine for sale and a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Fairfield Police Department, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the narcotics offense, Scrivner faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. If convicted of the firearms offense, he 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 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. 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An indictment was unsealed today following the arrest of Chanell Easton, 36, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On May 19, 2022, a federal grand jury in Sacramento returned an indictment, charging Easton with 22 counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft for a scheme to embezzle church funds, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, from June 2013 to February 2018, Easton worked as an administrator at a church in Yuba City. During her employment, Easton stole over $360,000 from the church, including from its food pantry and youth ministry, during a years-long embezzlement scheme. Without the church’s knowledge or authorization, Easton opened five business credit card accounts in the church’s name. Easton used these five credit cards, as well as a credit card used by the church’s youth pastor, to make personal purchases—including at a hair salon, retail stores, online retailers, a vacation rental service, and to buy concert tickets—and then paid off the resulting balance with the church’s money. Easton also transferred money directly from the church’s bank accounts to her own personal account, paid down the balance of her own personal credit card, and paid her cellphone provider for her personal bills and for new phones.

According to the indictment, Easton also stole money from the church by writing checks to others for personal expenses and by writing checks to herself, on which she forged the signatures of the church’s treasurer or the head volunteer of the church’s food pantry.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliot C. Wong and Christopher S. Hales are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Easton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of wire fraud, and a mandatory two-year sentence on each count of aggravated 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; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Eric Michael Smith, 41, of Redding, pleaded guilty today to being a serial arsonist in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Smith set at least 11 fires on land in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest between June 2019 and July 2020. Smith used hard to detect ignition sources, such as cigarette lighters and handheld torches, to ignite these fires in remote locations of the national forest. Many of the fires Smith admitted to setting ignited in the early morning hours, making detection and firefighting by authorities potentially more challenging. One of the fires set by Smith in July 2020 burned so close to Interstate 5 near Turntable Bay Road that first responders closed a portion of the highway to prevent the blaze from burning numerous vehicles and residences on the other side of the interstate.

Smith was arrested in late July 2020.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki is prosecuting the case.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller on Aug. 22, 2022. Smith faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 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. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Raymond Uribe, 34, of Sanger, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Uribe was a passenger in a car that fled from officers who were trying to stop it for vehicle code violations. The car eventually hit another vehicle and lost control. As the car came to a stop, Uribe threw a 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun from the car. At the time of the offense, Uribe was on supervision for a prior felon in possession of a firearm conviction and was aware he was prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Sanger Police Department and the Multi‑Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (M.A.G.E.C.). Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Uribe 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 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. 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. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Fernando Corrales, 23, of Modesto, charging him with escape from custody, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 19, 2022, Corrales was ordered confined at the Turning Point Residential Re-Entry Center in Fresno after a conviction in the District of Oregon for conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin. While Corrales was allowed to be on home confinement, on Feb. 20, 2022, he cut off his ankle monitor and absconded. His whereabouts were unknown until his arrest.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Corrales 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Zarko Danilov, 67, of Folsom, pleaded guilty today to two counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Danilov owned and operated a dental laboratory business called Danilov’s Dental Lab. Danilov hid the true amount of gross receipts received from his business from his tax return preparers. For the tax years 2015 and 2016, Danilov failed to provide his return preparer the bank statements for one additional business bank account and one personal bank account. For the tax year 2017, Danilov failed to provide his return preparer the bank statements for that same business bank account and a different personal bank account. During a civil audit by the IRS, Danilov lied to a tax examiner about only having one bank account for business and personal matters.

In total, Danilov’s income for tax years 2015, 2016, and 2017 was underreported by at least $1,271,694. The total amount lost by the IRS as a result of defendant’s criminal conduct for those tax years was approximately $283,359.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise N. Yasinow is prosecuting the case.

Danilov is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Aug. 25, 2022. Danilov faces a maximum statutory penalty of three 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — An indictment was unsealed today charging Makiah Miles, 29, of Compton, and Apryl Weston, 50, of Santa Maria, with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and identity theft for submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) in the names of inmates, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Miles is an inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla and Weston is her mother. From June through December 2020, they took advantage of changes made to the EDD’s eligibility criteria in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and submitted the fraudulent claims. Specifically, Miles obtained other inmates’ names, dates of birth, and social security numbers and sent that information to Weston to submit claims in those inmates’ identities as well as her own identity. The underlying applications contained several misrepresentations, including that Miles and the other inmates had been self-employed as accountants, beauty culturists, child care providers, cosmetologists, hairdressers, and other occupations, and that they recently became unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The claims were worth over $550,000. The defendants used the money to purchase handbags, jewelry, and televisions, among other items.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Investigative Services Unit, and the EDD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine for the conspiracy charge and a mandatory, two-year consecutive sentence and additional $250,000 for the aggravated identity theft charges. Any 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. The charges are only allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

FRESNO, Calif. — Antonio Ochoa Mejia, 50, a Mexican national residing in Hughson, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.  

Co-defendant Jorge Armando Gonzalez Martinez, 41, a Mexican national residing in Hughson, was previously sentenced to four years and six months in prison and co-defendant Ramon Ortega, 36, a Mexican national residing in Willows, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison.

According to court documents, on April 18, 2019, Mejia and Ortega sold 1 kilogram of methamphetamine for $4,500 during an undercover transaction in Empire. On May 14, 2019, Mejia sold 2 kilograms of methamphetamine during an undercover transaction in Ceres. On May 30, 2019, Mejia and Martinez were arrested in Ceres after attempting to deliver 10 kilograms of methamphetamine during an undercover transaction.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the San Joaquin Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Massey prosecuted the case.

Mejia and Ortega are currently in federal custody. Martinez has been ordered to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on July 7, 2022.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Maurice “Buddy” Shoe, 59, formerly of Palo Cedro, pleaded guilty today to one count of 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.

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. Attorney Audrey Hemesath is prosecuting the case.

Shoe is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8, 2022, by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb. Shoe faces a maximum statutory penalty of five 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Oscar Alfredo Castanaza Ortega, 37, a native of Guatemala, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to cultivate with intent to distribute 2,864 marijuana plants in the Twin Springs area of the Sequoia National Forest, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, when law enforcement officers arrived in the grow site, Castanaza fled, throwing down a loaded .38‑caliber firearm and a box of .38‑caliber ammunition, before he was apprehended. Castanaza acknowledged that he was getting paid $100 a day to water and trim the plants.

The marijuana cultivation operation caused significant damage to the land and natural resources. Native trees, brush and other vegetation were cut down and large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides were found in the area. Thousands of pounds of trash, irrigation hose, and camping equipment were found at the site that must be removed by helicopter. Castanaza agreed to pay $7,819 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for the environmental damage.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the California Department of Justice’s Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP), and Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.

Castanaza is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 28, 2022 before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. He faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison, as well as a fine 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Victor Magana, 28, of Woodland, was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Magana was one of 27 federal defendants arrested in February 2018 on narcotics and weapons-related charges as part of Operation Silent Night, a multi‑agency law enforcement investigation into coordinated criminal activity in Woodland. Beginning in the spring of 2016, the investigation uncovered organized criminal activity in Woodland with ties to criminal organizations in California’s jail and prison system. Although centered in Yolo County, the investigation revealed that at least nine other California counties were negatively impacted by these criminal organizations:  Sacramento, Sutter, Colusa, Yuba, Del Norte, Solano, Fresno, Santa Clara, and Siskiyou.

On Aug. 5, 2021, Magana pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and admitted that on five different occasions in 2017, he had sold methamphetamine to a confidential source in various places in Woodland.

Operation Silent Night is the product of an investigation by the FBI, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, Woodland Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. The following agencies provided substantial assistance: Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, West Sacramento Police Department, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, Davis Police Department, Yuba City Police Department, Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, Vacaville Police Department, the Correctional Intelligence Task Force (CITF), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Lee is prosecuting the cases.

The other defendants that have been convicted are listed below:

•   Aldo Arellano, 28, of Marysville, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and sentenced eight years in prison.

•   Raul Barajas, 24, of Woodland, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced to five years in prison.

•   Patrick Botello, 36, of Pelican Bay State Prison, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21, 2022.

•   Israel Covarrubias, 30, of Woodland, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

•   Mike Do, 40, of Sacramento, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21, 2022.

•   Milton Escobedo, 33, of Woodland, was convicted of distribution of cocaine and sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

•   Rachel Felix, 43, of Woodland, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

•   Ashley Habash, 32, of Marysville, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2, 2022.

•   Jose Heredia, 39, of Los Banos, was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and sentenced to five years in prison.

•   Edgar Jimenez, 23, of Sacramento, was convicted of using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense and sentenced to three years in prison.

•   Stefanie Lavan, 69, of Woodland, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and sentenced to two years in prison.

•   John Lemus, 35, of Woodland, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison.

•   Jose Madrigal-Vega, 37, Woodland, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and sentenced to eight years in prison.

•   James Masterson, 28, of Newcastle, Pennsylvania, was convicted of using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense and sentenced to four years in prison.

•   Brenda Miranda, 25, of Napa, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and sentenced to five years of supervised release.

•   Reginald Pajimola, 28, of Marysville, was convicted of using a cellphone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense and sentenced to two years of probation.

•   Mercedez Silva-Sims, 26, of Colusa, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin and sentenced to five years of supervised release.

•   Joshua Sims, 27, of Colusa, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and attempted distribution of methamphetamine and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

•   Erica Umbay, 47, of Woodland, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to six years in prison.

•   Trevor White, 27, of Sacramento, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

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 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. 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Ashley Leyba, 32, of Sacramento, charging her with bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of stolen mail, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Leyba executed a scheme to defraud a financial institution. She obtained identity information, identification documents, cards, and checks belonging to other people without their authorization. Leyba obtained at least some of these items from stolen mail. She used stolen identification to cash altered stolen checks to obtain money and other things of value from a credit union. On March 22, 2022, Leyba was found to be in possession of stolen mail.

This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot C. Wong is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Leyba faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each count of bank fraud, a mandatory two-year sentence on each count of aggravated identity theft, and a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of possession of stolen mail. 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. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Holly Adams, 31, and Devlin Hosner, 33, of Indio, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and with conspiracy to launder money, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Adams and Hosner operated the vendor accounts “igogrraawwr” and “its4real” on the dark web marketplaces ToRReZ and Dark0de, respectively, through which they sold tens of thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl in exchange for cryptocurrency. Adams and Hosner shipped these fentanyl pills to buyers throughout the United States, using the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and other means of delivery.

Adams and Hosner operated vendor accounts on the dark web from at least May 2021 through March 2022. In the course of their conspiracy, Adams and Hosner finalized over 1,100 transactions of narcotics and other contraband and received more than $800,000 in cryptocurrency. Federal law enforcement officers executed a search warrant in March at a hotel in Riverside County where Adams and Hosner were residing, and recovered more than 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills as well as approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force, which includes Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. The NCIDE Task Force is a federal task force focused on targeting all forms of illicit dark web and cryptocurrency activity in the Eastern District of California and beyond. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Adams and Hosner each 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kevin Lee Co, 51, of Rocklin, pleaded guilty today to submitting false statements to a financial institution, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Dec. 8, 2016, Co pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering for embezzling approximately $4.8 million from his former employer, Holt of California. Co used the money he embezzled to purchase, among other things, luxury cars, home furniture, and NFL football and NBA basketball season tickets. While out of custody and awaiting sentencing on those charges, Co defrauded federally insured financial institutions by submitting false statements to qualify for loans that were part of the Paycheck Protection Program.

Co was the sole owner of Apollo HP Inc., a Rocklin-based company that sells generators, windows, and residential solar panels. Between April 2020 and January 2021, Co applied for and obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans for his company. The loan applications required him to disclose his pending criminal charges and guilty pleas. However, in his loan applications, Co concealed the fact that he had pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges in order to cause two banks to approve loans for his company. As a result of Co’s false statements, financial institutions suffered a total loss of $530,552.

This case was the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Reserve Board and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty is prosecuting the case.

Co is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Aug. 18, 2022. On the false statements charge, Co faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Because the offense was committed while on release pending sentencing, the court may impose an additional consecutive sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Co also faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the wire fraud charge. For the money laundering charge, Co faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering transactions. 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. — Johnathan Shane Blakeley, 28, of Vallejo, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to a total of six years and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for committing this offense while on federal supervised release, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Sept. 20, 2019, law enforcement officers attempted to stop Blakeley for a traffic violation, but Blakeley refused to yield and led police on a high-speed chase through Vallejo. After Blakeley crashed his car on Interstate 80, he got out of his car and ran through several lanes of traffic. He tried to get into the passenger seat of a car that stopped. After police apprehended Blakeley, they found a Glock 9 mm pistol with a high-capacity magazine in his car. Blakeley cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of three felony offenses. Blakeley was on federal supervised release when he committed this offense. He had just been released from federal prison less than 30 days prior, after having served a 30-month sentence for possessing a firearm as a felon.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Vallejo Police Department with assistance from the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James Christopher Castle, 57, formerly of Petaluma, was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for a bank fraud scheme that sought to fraudulently eliminate home mortgages and then profit on the subsequent home sales, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On Aug. 2, 2021, a jury found Castle guilty of 35 counts of bank fraud. According to evidence at trial, in May 2020, Castle was extradited to the United States from Australia. Castle had fled to New Zealand and then Australia in 2011 when it became clear that his scheme was unraveling. After a three-year extradition process, Castle was transported back to the United States by the U.S. Marshals Service to stand trial in the United States.  

Between April 22, 2010, and Nov. 18, 2011, Castle was the leader of a conspiracy that ran a “mortgage elimination program” that purported to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure. The conspirators fraudulently altered the chain of title on residential properties, sold the properties, and received the sales proceeds.

As a requirement for participation in the “mortgage elimination program,” the conspirators enrolled homeowners as members in a Nevada City-based church named Shon-te-East-a, Walks With Spirit, or its successor entity Pillow Foundation. The conspirators told the homeowners that these entities would offer protection against the banks.

Castle directed other co-conspirators in all aspects of the mortgage elimination program, including recruiting homeowners into the scheme, marshaling the necessary recorded documents, and guiding the homes through sale. Once the homeowner enrolled with Shon-te-East-a or Pillow Foundation, Castle would cause a sham deed of trust to be created and recorded, giving the impression that the homeowner had refinanced the mortgage loan with a new lender. In reality, the new lender was a fake entity controlled by the conspirators, and the homeowner owed no money to the purported new lender.

The next step in the process was also a recorded document. The conspirators caused a fake deed of reconveyance to be recorded, giving the appearance that the true mortgage loan had been discharged and that the true lienholder no longer had a security interest in the home.

With title appearing to be clear, the conspirators caused the sale of the home and split the proceeds between the co-conspirators and the homeowners.

In total, 37 properties were sold through the Shon-te-East-a conspiracy. The conspirators recorded fraudulent documents on an additional approximately 100 homes but were unable to sell these before the scheme unraveled.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Audrey B. Hemesath is prosecuting the case.

Three other co-defendants have previously entered guilty pleas. On April 21, 2017, Remus A. Kirkpatrick, 65, formerly of Oceanside, pleaded guilty to one count of falsely making writings of lending associations and was sentenced to six years in prison. On May 26, 2017, Michael Romano, 75, of Benicia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to three years in prison. On July 14, 2017, Laura Pezzi, of Roseville, pleaded guilty to falsely making writings of lending associations and was sentenced to time served.

In related cases, on Sept. 4, 2015, Tisha Trites and Todd Smith, both of San Diego, pleaded guilty to related charges. Trites is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14, 2022, and Smith was sentenced to two years in prison.

Two other co-defendants, George B. Larsen, 60, of San Rafael, and Larry Todt, 70, of Malibu, were convicted of conspiracy and bank fraud following a jury trial in December 2017. Larsen was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and Todt was sentenced to 7 years and three months in prison.

Co-defendant John Michael DiChiara passed away on Aug. 24, 2019, while awaiting trial.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Aaron Ashcraft, 42, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud in a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program of over $1.2 million in COVID-19 relief loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The CARES Act was enacted on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the Paycheck Protection Program.

According to court documents, Ashcraft carried out the fraud scheme between May 2020 and April 2021. As part of his scheme, Ashcraft submitted to SBA-approved lenders at least seven fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications in the names of purported businesses. In the applications, Ashcraft falsely represented that each of the purported businesses had employees and monthly payroll expenses. To support the Paycheck Protection Program loan applications, Ashcraft submitted fabricated records including Internal Revenue Service forms, checking account statements, and payroll summaries. In total, Ashcraft requested over $1.2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and obtained approximately $920,000.

In addition to Paycheck Protection Program fraud, Ashcraft admitted that, from September 2017 through June 2020, he embezzled at least approximately $780,000 from his former employer—a street-sweeping company in Sacramento. Ashcraft held multiple positions at the company, including chief financial officer. As chief financial officer, Ashcraft had access to the company’s business credit card accounts. Without authorization, Ashcraft used those accounts to pay for personal expenses.

Finally, Ashcraft admitted to defrauding the Maine Department of Labor. According to his plea agreement, in July 2020, Ashcraft applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, falsely claiming that he lived in Maine and was unable to work due to COVID-19. To support his application, Ashcraft submitted falsified IRS forms in which he represented that, in 2019, he operated a business in Maine that received over $160,000 in income and made a net profit of over $66,000. In total, Ashcraft fraudulently obtained unemployment compensation of over $58,000.

As part of his plea agreement, Ashcraft agreed to pay restitution as follows:

• A total of $919,598 to three SBA-approved lenders;
• $45,979 to the SBA;
• $779,832 to his former employer; and
• $58,050 to the Maine Department of Labor.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen is prosecuting the case.

U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller is scheduled to sentence Ashcraft on Aug. 22, 2022. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for wire fraud and up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bank fraud. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the court’s discretion after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

FRESNO, Calif. — Today, a federal grand jury charged Jorge Calderon-Campos, 41, and Horacio Ortega-Martinez, 35, both Mexican nationals residing in Bakersfield, in separate indictments with unlawful possession of animals for an animal fighting venture, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Calderon-Campos and Ortega-Martinez communicated frequently throughout February 2022 about illegal cockfighting events, including an event Calderon-Campos attended on February 12 at which 15 roosters fought to win a $5,000 purse. On April 26, 2022, numerous law enforcement agencies served a search warrant at Ortega-Martinez’s residence and discovered approximately 250 roosters, approximately 250 “gaffs” (razor-sharp steel blades that are tied to the birds’ legs), training mitts commonly used for training and fighting roosters, and miscellaneous antibiotics, vitamins, and supplements that are commonly used for breeding and training roosters for fighting.

Calderon-Campos and Ortega-Martinez were arrested on April 26, 2022, along with six other Kern County residents who were also charged with various drug trafficking offenses in a separate indictment returned today.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County Probation Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Baker is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Calderon-Campos and Ortega-Martinez face a statutory maximum 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Guy Joseph Bass, 30, of Vacaville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to eight years and 10 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between August 2020 and November 2020, Bass possessed three different loaded firearms. On Aug. 17, 2020, Bass’ acquaintance drove him to the hospital, where Bass falsely reported to law enforcement that he had been shot by an unknown assailant, before eventually admitting that he had shot himself by accident. Officers recovered a stolen Walther P22 semi-automatic pistol from the acquaintance’s vehicle. On Sept. 18, 2020, Bass was arrested for an outstanding warrant. During the arrest, Bass admitted to having a firearm on his person. The loaded firearm was a non-serialized, privately made firearm, also known as a “ghost gun.” Finally, on Nov. 18, 2020, law enforcement officers spotted Bass and another individual parked in Vacaville. After a police dog alerted to the presence of narcotics, Bass handed an officer a bag of methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a another loaded, privately made firearm. Bass is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has been convicted of several felonies, including a prior state conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Fairfield Police Department, the Vacaville Police Department, the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella 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.

Nery A. Martinez Vasquez, 54, and Maura N. Martinez, 54, both of Shasta Lake, California, were both sentenced today for conspiring to subject three victims to forced labor, a crime to which the defendants had previously pleaded guilty. Vasquez was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and Martinez was sentenced to three years in prison. Both defendants were also sentenced to three years of supervised release and a fine of $25,000. The couple was also required to pay $300,000 in restitution to seven total victims. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert made the announcement.

According to court documents, from September 2016 to February 2018, the defendants — who owned and operated a restaurant and janitorial service — used various coercive means to force their victims into working long hours of physically demanding work, seven days a week, for minimal to no pay. In August 2016, the defendants convinced the victims, a Guatemalan relative and her two minor daughters, ages 15 and 8, to come to the United States by falsely promising the victims a better life and arranging for them to enter the United States and overstay their temporary visitor visas. The defendants then conspired with each other to impose an inflated debt on the victims that they required the victims to pay back through working for them. When the adult victim complained and expressed an interest in leaving, the defendants threatened to have the victims arrested for overstaying their visas unless they continued working the same long hours, seven days a week, for little pay.

Similarly, the defendants kept the two minor victims working at their businesses instead of attending school by telling the victims that immigration authorities would find and arrest them if the minor victims attempted to go to school. The defendants housed the victims in a dilapidated, unheated trailer with no running water, and degraded and humiliated them in front of others. Finally, the defendants used force and threats of force to intimidate the victims. For instance, Nery Martinez Vasquez beat the children with a stick that had the children’s name and nickname written on it along with the phrase “what goes up, must come down.”

“These defendants used the promise of a better life to lure a mother and her children to travel to the United States, only to betray their familial relationship and exploit the victims’ precarious situation to cruelly oppress and degrade them, and to turn a profit off their backs,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Forced labor has no place in our civilized society. This sentencing makes clear our commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and our dedication to eradicating human trafficking.”

“These defendants exploited vulnerable victims, forcing them to work in their businesses, failing to pay wages, and depriving them of basic human rights,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert for the Eastern District of California. “Now they have been sentenced to years in prison and have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to their victims. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues its commitment to protect and defend vulnerable members of our society from human trafficking, and we appreciate the partnerships we have with the Civil Rights Division and the FBI that led to the result in this case.”

“We hope today’s sentencing will offer the victims confidence as they continue to reclaim their lives. Forced labor, a form of human trafficking, is of significant concern for the FBI, but is difficult to identify and investigate without cooperation of fearful victims who believe escape is not an option because of the lies they have been told by their exploiters,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan for the FBI Sacramento Field Division. “This case highlights how such crimes may occur in public view at a legitimate business yet go unnoticed. The FBI is deeply commitment to seeking justice for all victims of human trafficking — regardless of immigration status or background — to ensure victims receive the care and support they need to break free from their exploiters.”

This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine T. Lydon and Audrey Hemesath, and Trial Attorney Avner Shapiro of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Jesus B. Cordero, 26, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to five years and 10 months in prison for possession of ammunition after sustaining a domestic violence conviction, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, at approximately midnight on Sept. 5, 2020, law enforcement officers stopped Cordero for traffic infractions while he was driving in Bakersfield. Cordero did not have a driver’s license and gave a false name to the responding police officers. During a search of Cordero’s vehicle, officers located a baggie containing what was later determined to be approximately 45.5 grams of methamphetamine, which Cordero possessed intending to distribute it to others. Officers also discovered in Cordero’s vehicle an unmarked Polymer P80 9 mm handgun (which is known as a “ghost gun”) loaded with a high-capacity magazine and 23 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. In addition to Cordero’s 11 prior criminal convictions, he previously was convicted of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Baker prosecuted the case.

This case was 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. — David Delgado Gonzalez, 38, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between September 2020 and March 2021, Gonzalez (also known as “Spider”) conspired with, among others, co-defendant Omar Alberto Navarro to acquire methamphetamine in Mexico, transport it to the Eastern District of California, unload the narcotics from “load cars,” store the narcotics, and sell and distribute the narcotics to others. For instance, on Oct. 29, 2020, at the behest of Navarro, Gonzalez transported approximately 6 pounds of methamphetamine to a meeting in Bakersfield and sold the methamphetamine to Scott Gordon James, who is charged in a related case, for $6,200.

On March 26, 2021, in a storage unit in Bakersfield Gonzalez possessed with the intent to distribute to others approximately 4 pounds of methamphetamine. As part of his plea agreement, Gonzalez agreed to forfeit three unserialized 9 mm handguns seized during law enforcement’s search of his Bakersfield residence on March 26, 2021.

On April 8, 2021, Gonzalez and eight other defendants were charged in three related indictments for trafficking and purchasing to sell methamphetamine from a conspiracy orchestrated by Navarro, 38, of Arvin. The other charged defendants are: Daniel Armendariz Mercado, 42, Miguel Angel Martinez, 27, Amayrani Jared Arreguin, 25, and Yvette Gallegos, 23, all of Bakersfield; Lizette Mendez, 32, of Delano; and James Scott Gordon, 47 of Chico. The charges against them are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Co-defendant Randal Jason Newell was sentenced on March 29, 2022, to three years and three months in prison for attempting to smuggle approximately 111 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico to Bakersfield.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Shafter Police Department, the Kern County Probation Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Baker and Laura J. Berger are prosecuting the case.

Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on July 5, 2022. Gonzalez faces a maximum term 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.

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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Joseph D. Sanford, 74, of Ceres, aka “Chicken Joe,” was sentenced today to 16 months in prison and a fined $25,000 for conspiring to sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver and receive game fowl intended to be used in animal fighting ventures, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Sanford was the owner and operator of Joe Sanford Gamefarm in Ceres, where he bred and sold gamecocks for cockfighting. Cockfighting is illegal under federal law and in all 50 states. Sanford also fought his own roosters. Following an undercover purchase of a trio of fighting game birds, federal agents searched Joe Sanford Gamefarm, where Sanford resides, and found a large cockfighting enterprise consisting of 2,956 game fowl. Sanford shipped game fowl for cockfighting within the United States and to Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General (USDA-OIG), with assistance from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. Assistance was also provided by the Humane Society of the United States, the Placer County Animal Services, and the El Dorado County Animal Services. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Marshals Service also provided assistance in the disposal of the fighting roosters and placement of the hens in an animal sanctuary. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Renato Aguilera, 30, of Porterville, was sentenced today to seven years and three months in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Another member of the conspiracy, Maria Delgado, 31, of Porterville, pleaded guilty today to participating in the drug conspiracy.

According to court documents, acting at the direction of his brother-in-law, Pedro Delgado-Montenegro, 42, a native and citizen of Mexico formerly residing in Porterville, Aguilera delivered 800 fentanyl pills to an undercover officer in exchange for $4,250. Aguilera also transported several thousand fentanyl pills from Los Angeles to Porterville. In addition, at Delgado-Montenegro’s direction, Aguilera delivered over a pound of methamphetamine in two separate transactions to co-defendant Robert Cox, 58, of Porterville, and a third party sent by Cox.

In pleading guilty to the drug conspiracy, Delgado-Montenegro’s niece Maria Delgado admitted that she delivered fentanyl pills to an undercover officer, on behalf of Delgado-Montenegro, on three separate occasions. She also admitted that, at Delgado-Montenegro’s direction, she retrieved 2.2 pounds of heroin from the Los Angeles area that had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico.

Aguilera and Maria Delgado are two of nine defendants, including Delgado-Montenegro, charged in the case. Delgado-Montenegro is a fugitive. Maria Delgado is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2022, and faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 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. On April 22, 2022, Roberto Cavazos, 43, of Porterville, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Charges are pending against the remaining defendants. The charges are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Porterville Police Department, the Coalinga Police Department, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Balbino Sablad, 80, of Vallejo, pleaded guilty today to traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in 2019, Sablad flew to the Philippines with the intention of engaging in sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16. Using Facebook, Sablad had engaged in sexual chats with a person he believed was the intended minor victim and he sent the intended minor victim over $2,000 prior to his travel to the Philippines. Before he arrived, he also discussed with a co-conspirator his plan to sexually abuse the intended minor victim in the Philippines.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosanne Rust is prosecuting the case.

Sablad a sentencing hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on Aug. 1, 2022. Sablad faces a maximum statutory penalty of 30 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 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. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Wayne Lee Hauzer, 57, of Tracy, charging him with distribution and possession of child pornography and being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Hauzer used the Kik messaging application to communicate with an undercover FBI agent whom he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, and sent the undercover agent a video of child pornography. Hauzer also possessed additional images of child pornography. In addition, Hauzer possessed 35 rounds of 9 mm caliber ammunition in a closet near a firearm without a serial number, which is known as a “ghost gun.” Hauzer is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition after having been convicted of felonies, including the enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF) with assistance from the Tracy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Hauzer faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and potentially a lifetime of supervised release. 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. — Shawana Denise Harris, 52, of Rancho Cucamonga, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bribery, to commit unauthorized access of a computer, and to commit identity fraud, which resulted in unqualified drivers receiving their California commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Nov. 16, 2017, Harris was charged with conspiring to receive bribes as a DMV employee in Rancho Cucamonga for accessing and altering records in the DMV’s database in Sacramento. During the scheme, Harris altered records to show that applicants for California CDLs had passed the required tests when, in truth, they had not done so, and in some cases had not even taken the tests. In so doing, this caused the DMV to issue permits and completed California CDLs despite the applicants not having taken or passed those tests.

This case is the product of an investigation by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Office of Internal Affairs; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rosanne L. Rust and Christopher S. Hales are prosecuting the case.

Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley. Harris faces a maximum statutory penalty of five 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned four indictments today against six Fresno residents as a result of Operation No Fly Zone that sought to address a rise in the number of shootings and homicides in Fresno, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The multi-agency, months-long investigation resulted in the arrests of over 40 individuals, including six federal defendants.

Fresno residents Patrick Anthony Feaster, 23, and Marcus Rashad Newton, 24, are charged in one indictment with one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both have prior felony convictions and are prohibited from possessing firearms.

Donald Ray Phelps Jr., 28, of Fresno, is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition. He has a felony conviction for conspiracy to commit pandering in Orange County and is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

Reginald Keith Cannon Jr., 24, of Fresno, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has prior felony convictions involving firearms offenses and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Fresno residents Taylor Washington, 21, and his mother Jawana Washington, 42, are charged in one indictment. Taylor is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and Jawana is charged with aiding and abetting a felon’s possession of a firearm when she provided Taylor with a 9 mm handgun, knowing that he had been convicted of two felonies involving firearms offenses and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

According to court documents, on March 16, 2022, investigators gained information that Newton and Feaster would be meeting at a residence in Fresno so that Newton could provide Feaster with a firearm and an extended magazine. Investigators observed the meetup, and shortly after Feaster left the residence, officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Feaster’s car. Feaster failed to yield, bailed out of the car with a bag, and fled on foot. After a chase, officers arrested Feaster and seized the bag from him. Inside the bag, officers found a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine.

On March 18, 2022, investigators learned about the presence of a firearm inside a car in which Phelps was a passenger. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the car, and during a search of the car, under the seat where Phelps had been sitting, officers found a loaded, privately manufactured, semi-automatic handgun with no serial number.

On March 23, 2022, investigators received information that Cannon was in possession of a firearm at the Fashion Fair Mall. Officers reported to the mall, where they found Cannon, a parolee, and conducted a parole-compliance check on him. During a search of his person, officers found a loaded semi-automatic firearm with an extended magazine attached.

On March 25, 2022, Jawana Washington loaned a firearm to Taylor Washington. Officers conducted a traffic stop on Taylor Washington’s car, searched it, and found the firearm in the center console.

These cases are the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Fresno Police Department, the Fresno-area Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), the California Department of Justice Special Operations Unit, the California Department of Justice Human Trafficking / Sexual Predator Apprehension Team, the California Highway Patrol, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Antonio J. Pataca, Justin J. Gilio, and Kimberly A. Sanchez are prosecuting the cases.

If convicted, the defendants each face 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 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. 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.

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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Roosevelt Ronee Bohannon II, 44, of Vallejo, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to four years and two months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on April 11, 2019, officers were dispatched to assist with a male who was being combative with members of the Vallejo Fire Department. Officers arrived on scene and apprehended Bohannon, who had a revolver tucked into the front of his waistband. Bohannon has previously been convicted of four felony offenses for drug and firearms offenses and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Vallejo Police Department with assistance from the FBI’s Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Sauvageau 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. — Six people were arrested in Kern County today following a year-long investigation of a Bakersfield-based drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The defendants are scheduled to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on Wednesday, April 27, at 2:00 p.m.

Those charged in the federal criminal complaint unsealed today are: Jorge Calderon-Campos, 41; Byron Adilio Alfaro-Sandoval, 45; and Johnathan Benjamin Torres, 30; all citizens of Mexico residing in Bakersfield; Jose Angel Beltran-Chaidez, 66, of Bakersfield; and Alberto Gomez-Santiago, 36; and Mark Garcia, 22, of Arvin.

According to court documents, Campos distributed in Bakersfield large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin that he imported from Mexico. Between March 2021 and February 2022, law enforcement agencies intercepted and seized approximately 86 pounds of methamphetamine and 1 kilogram of heroin that Campos and his co-conspirators attempted to distribute.

“We are committed to disrupting transnational criminal networks that flood our communities with dangerous drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Those who distribute large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and other illegal drugs in our communities will be held accountable.”

“The successful outcome of this yearlong investigation further highlights the importance of sustained cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement,” said HSI San Francisco/NorCal Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. “Through this multiagency effort, we were able to disrupt transnational criminal activity responsible for importing and distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin into our communities. We especially thank our agents, the men and women of our federal and local partners as well as the prosecutorial efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California.”

“DEA and our law enforcement partners will be relentless in the pursuit of criminal networks that set-up shop in our communities and push poison into our neighborhoods,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bakersfield Police Department, the Kern County Probation Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Baker is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the charged offenses, each defendant faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison up to a maximum 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 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — On April 21, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Vincent Elliot Porter, 73, of Oakdale, charging him with wire fraud, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between 2013 and 2017, Porter owned and operated two Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealerships: Sonora Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Lodi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. He used his ownership of those businesses to defraud investors of approximately $8 million. He promised investors fixed rates of return and falsely represented that the investments were risk free and backed by collateral. He misrepresented the financial health of the dealerships and the intended use of investor funds. Porter spent much of the investors’ funds for personal use including expensive travel (including to golf resorts such as Pebble Beach, high end hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, and numerous trips to Las Vegas, the Napa Valley, and other luxury locations), the purchase of an expensive vehicle, and other personal expenses.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Porter faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rafael Ruiz, 34, and Edgar Torres, 35, of Vallejo, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to 13 and 10 years in prison respectively for their involvement in the armed robbery of a federal agent during an undercover drug deal, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on June 14, July 3, and July 27, 2018, Ruiz sold crystal methamphetamine and thousands of methamphetamine pills to an undercover agent. Ruiz agreed to sell heroin to the undercover agent on Sept. 3, 2018. During that arranged transaction, Ruiz and Torres robbed the undercover agent at gunpoint. During the robbery, Torres pointed the firearm at the agent and threatened to kill him.

Ruiz and Torres were arrested in possession of the stolen funds. The firearm used in the robbery, a Halloween mask, knife, and 3,000 additional methamphetamine pills were later seized from Ruiz’s residence. Ruiz was convicted of distribution of at least 500 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit robbery of money of the United States, and assault on a federal officer. Torres was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery of money of the United States, assault on a federal officer, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Vallejo Police Department, the Napa Sheriff’s Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron L. Desmond and Justin L. Lee prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Randall McKinney, 33, of Clovis, was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for possession of stolen mail and possession of a counterfeit postal key, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between April 2021 and October 2021, McKinney stole and possessed stolen mail and possessed a counterfeit postal key for the delivery of mail. McKinney claimed to have broken into approximately five thousand to 10 thousand mailboxes, using the counterfeit postal key for many of the thefts. On Aug. 17, 2021, law enforcement officers observed Kinney drive up to a community mailbox in Clovis, exit his truck, open the rear door of the mailbox with the key, and steal mail from the mailbox. When McKinney was arrested, he possessed stolen mail that included checks, credit cards, and device making equipment. Through his conduct, McKinney caused an intended loss that exceeded $150,000. McKinney was also ordered to pay over $50,000 in restitution to the victims of the mail theft.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office - Elder Abuse Unit, and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandre Dempsey prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Louis Torres, 37, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on July 23, 2021, Torres was driving a vehicle in Bakersfield that was stopped by police officers for traffic violations. After exiting his vehicle, Torres fled on foot, but was pursued and apprehended by police. After Torres was arrested, police officers discovered that he possessed methamphetamine and heroin that he intended to distribute to others. At the time of his arrest, Torres was under active court supervision for a burglary conviction and had a suspended driver’s license.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Baker is prosecuting the case.

Torres is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Aug. 8, 2022. Torres faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Roberto Cavazos, 43, of Porterville, was sentenced today to 12 years and seven months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Cavazos negotiated for the purchase of 1 pound of methamphetamine from Pedro Delgado-Montenegro, 42, a former Porterville resident and native and citizen of Mexico, who supplied the drug to Cavazos through a third party.

Cavazos is one of nine defendants, including Delgado-Montenegro, charged in the case. Delgado-Montenegro is a fugitive. Co-defendant Renato Aguilera is scheduled for sentencing in federal court on April 29, 2022. Aguilera faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, 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.

Charges are pending against the remaining defendants. The charges are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Porterville Police Department, the Coalinga Police Department, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting 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.

FRESNO, Calif. — Adam Lee Campbell, 43, of Fresno, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to 15 years in prison for receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between Jan. 17, 2019, and Feb. 23, 2021, Campbell received images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct onto a cellphone while on parole. Campbell has a prior conviction for hands-on contact with minors, along with prior state convictions for possession of child pornography and for failing to register as a sex offender.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Laura D. Withers 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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Nicholas D. Gray, 38, of Sacramento, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on March 31, 2022, law enforcement officers responded to a domestic disturbance in Sacramento. Before officers arrived, Gray took a duffle bag of firearms from his residence and drove to a mini-storage facility. Officers contacted Gray at his storage unit and found him in possession of firearms, additional firearms parts and lower receivers, and ammunition. Gray has eight prior felony convictions which prohibit him from possessing a firearm, including 2016 convictions for arson and manufacturing controlled substances.

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

If convicted, Gray 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 considering 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 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. 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.