Eastern District of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today the August 26, 2021 Indictment of ASHLEY McGOWAN (“McGOWAN”), age 35; LERTRICE JOHNSON (“L. JOHNSON”), age 45; DAVIENQUE JOHNSON (“D. JOHNSON”), age 27; HERBERT ALLEN (“ALLEN”), age 36, TROYLYNN BROWN (“T. BROWN”), age 34; DION RIDLEY (“RIDLEY”), age 22; and JARVIS BROWN (“J. BROWN”), age 29, of New Orleans, Louisiana. These seven defendants were charged in a four-count federal indictment.  All of the defendants were charged in count one (1) with Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  McGOWAN, L. JOHNSON, and D. JOHNSON were charged in count two (2) with Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 2.  ALLEN, T. BROWN, RIDLEY, and J. BROWN were charged in counts three (3) and four (4) with Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 2.  If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five (5) years for Count 1 and twenty (20) years as to Counts 2-4.  Upon their release from prison, each defendant can be placed on a term of supervised release for up to five (5) years and fined up to $250,000.00 per count.  The defendants must pay a mandatory $100 special assessment cost for each count of conviction. Today’s Indictment brings the total of defendants charged in this federal probe into the staging of accidents with tractor-trailers to 40.

The Indictment charges these defendants with conspiring among themselves and with others to stage automobile accidents with tractor-trailers in order to defraud trucking and insurance companies.  Two incidents are at the center of this Indictment.  The first occurred on June 8, 2016, when McGOWAN, L. JOHNSON, and D. JOHNSON conspired with Damien Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Keishira Robinson (“K. Robinson”), and others to intentionally collide with a tractor-trailer in the area of Chickasaw Street and Louisa Street in New Orleans.  After the intentional collision, McGOWAN, L. JOHNSON, and D. JOHNSON lied in depositions, falsely claiming that K. Robinson was driving the car that collided with the tractor-trailer, when in fact Labeaud was driving the car and intentionally hit the tractor-trailer.  The defendants also falsely claimed that McGOWAN was in the car at the time of the collision, even though she had been riding in the “spotter” or getaway car and entered the “slammer” car only after the collision occurred.  For their part, Labeaud and K. Robinson have been charged in previous indictments and pleaded guilty to their role in the staged automobile accident scheme.   

The second intentional collision occurred on June 28, 2017, and involved defendants ALLEN, T. BROWN, RIDLEY, and J. BROWN.  Each of these defendants was a passenger in a car that intentionally collided with a tractor-trailer on the corner of Calliope Street and Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans.  The driver of the car at the time was Roderick Hickman (“Hickman”), another individual who was previously charged and has pleaded guilty to staging automobile accidents.  Each of the four defendants lied in depositions, falsely claiming that ALLEN was driving the car, when in fact Hickman was driving the car that intentionally hit the tractor-trailer.  Labeaud drove the getaway car and picked up Hickman after the collision occurred. 

As discussed in the Indictment, Labeaud and Hickman received payments for referring the defendants to attorneys who would handle their cases.  The defendants were treated by doctors and healthcare providers at the direction of their attorneys.  Furthermore, through their attorneys, the defendants secured settlements from the insurance companies who insured the commercial carriers. 

The defendants will be required to appear before a United States Magistrate Judge for an initial appearance and arraignment on this Indictment.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long; Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh.

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NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RICHARD YUAN LI, age 21, a resident of Hercules, California, was charged on August 26, 2021 by a federal grand jury seated in the Eastern District of Louisiana in a four-count Superseding Indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 1349 (Count 1), conspiracy to engage in interstate communication with intent to extort and to commit computer fraud and abuse, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 875(d), and 1030(a)(7) (Count 2), wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 (Count 3), and aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A (Count 4), for his role in a SIM Swap scam that targeted at least forty people, including a New Orleans-area physician.

According to the Superseding Indictment, a SIM Swap scam is a cellular phone account takeover fraud that results in the routing of a victim’s incoming calls and text messages to a different phone. Once a perpetrator is able to swap the SIM card, it is likely he is able to obtain access to a victim’s various personal accounts, including email accounts, bank accounts, and cryptocurrency accounts, as well as any other accounts that use two-factor authentication.

LI participated in a scheme that involved multiple parts.  First, in January 2018, he and a friend, B.P., defrauded Apple, Inc. into providing a second Apple iPhone without paying for it by convincing an Apple customer service representative that they had not received an Apple iPhone 8 they ordered (hereinafter “the Apple iPhone 8”).  LI took possession of the Apple iPhone 8 and registered it using his email address and the name of his close relative.  He and his co-conspirators then arranged for victims’ telephone numbers to be swapped to SIM cards contained in cellular phones in their possession, including the Apple iPhone 8.  Specifically, on November 10, 2018, Victim A’s telephone number was swapped to a SIM card contained in the Apple iPhone 8, which LI possessed in the San Diego, California area.  Thereafter, LI and his co-conspirators gained access to victims’ email accounts and cryptocurrency accounts as a result of the SIM Swap and stole a significant portion of victims’ cryptocurrency.  Finally, as part of their scheme, after gaining access to victims’ accounts, LI and his co-conspirators contacted victims and demanded that they pay ransoms in order to avoid further harm, including additional account compromises, the loss of additional cryptocurrency, and the release of victims’ confidentiality information the conspirators obtained. In total, between July 19, 2018, and December 6, 2018, at least forty different phone numbers were activated on LI’s Apple iPhone 8.

If convicted, LI faces a maximum term of twenty (20) years in prison as to each of Counts 1 and 3, up to five (5) years in prison as to Count 2, and a mandatory consecutive two (2) years in prison as to Count 4, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment per count.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a Superseding Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Corruption Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ANTOINE MERCHANT, age 32, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty on August 26, 2021 to conspiracy to pass altered U.S. Postal money orders, passing altered U.S. Postal money orders and possessing stolen U.S. government property today before United States District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

According to court records, MERCHANT and a co-defendant who has already plead guilty, Anthony Smalls, travelled from New York to Louisiana in October of 2019 to cash stolen U.S. Postal money orders that had been altered to show amounts worth hundreds of dollars. MERCHANT and the co-defendant cashed two such postal money orders in Kenner and Metairie, LA, and a number of altered money orders in the Baton Rouge area. When arrested, the defendants also possessed 58 U.S. Postal money orders that they had stolen from an Ascension Parish U.S. Post Office the day before.

MERCHANT is to be sentenced on December 9, 2021. At that time, he faces a sentence of up to ten years in prison on the possession charge and up to five years in prison for the Postal money order charges, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release.  At sentencing, MERCHANT must also pay a mandatory $100 special assessment for each count of conviction.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, along with assistance from the Louisiana State Police - Criminal Investigations Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on August 27, 2021 a Bill of Information charging DEMETRIA MYERS SILVIO, age 32, of New Orleans, Louisiana, with Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.  If convicted, SILVIO faces a maximum term of twenty (20) years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000.00 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense.  In addition, SILVIO faces a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years after her release from prison and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

According to the Bill of Information, between November 2017 and February 2020, SILVIO held the positions of head teller, universal banker, and mortgage loan assistant at IberiaBank (“Iberia”) in New Orleans and Metairie.  From December 3, 2018 to December 6, 2019, SILVIO embezzled approximately $63,059.82 from five customers’ Iberia accounts by forging approximately 66 counter checks.  SILVIO deposited the fraudulent checks into her own bank accounts with Chase Bank and Capital One.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ARTHUR JOHNSON, age 44, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on August 24, 2021 to conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. JOHNSON is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release upon his release from prison.  JOHNSON must also pay a mandatory $100 special assessment cost. 

According to court records, on December 27, 2017, agents intercepted communications between JOHNSON, a New Orleans based heroin dealer, and Ricky Redd, a Chicago-based drug courier. In these communications, JOHNSON and Redd discussed a pending delivery of heroin. Redd was driving that day from Chicago to New Orleans to give JOHNSON a bag containing approximately three kilograms of heroin. 

Later that same day, surveillance agents observed JOHNSON and Redd met twice at a Holiday Inn Hotel in New Orleans. During the first meeting, Redd gave JOHNSON a red bag containing approximately three kilograms of heroin. During the second meeting, JOHNSON gave Redd approximately $187,000. Redd was to earn a small amount of the money that JOHNSON paid him.

The next day, December 28, 2017, agents conducted a traffic stop of JOHNSON.  JOHNSON was placed under arrest and agents seized three brick chucks of heroin and eleven bags of heroin, totaling 1.3 kilograms of heroin from his home in New Orleans East. Agents also seized from the home a digital scale, six cell phones, over $11,000 in cash, a money counter, a kilogram press, two sealed GNC Inositol bottles, which are used as “cutting agents” to dilute heroin, and numerous items of jewelry, including diamond-encrusted necklaces and a diamond-encrusted Rolex watch.

The evidence against JOHNSON includes numerous intercepted communications, including jail calls, physical surveillance, witness statements, and controlled purchases of heroin. Between April 2017 and December 2017, agents identified thirteen cellular phones used by JOHNSON. JOHNSON’s practice was to purchase a disposable “burner” cell phone approximately every 30 days and notify his drug associates via text when he obtained a new phone number. JOHNSON would use the new phone in furtherance of his drug operation. After thirty days, JOHNSON would discard the phone and immediately obtain a new phone. JOHNSON, who previously had been convicted of federal drug charges, engaged in this practice to thwart law enforcement and avoid wiretaps.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, JOHNSON agreed to forfeit a 2017 Mercedes Benz, $11,543.00 in cash, and jewelry, including a Rolex watch covered in approximately 17.45 carats of diamonds, a gold tennis necklace with approximately 25.67 carats of diamonds, a ninja shaped pendant covered with the phrases “XXO” and “Never Hesitate” and which is attached to a crown with approximately 10 carats of diamonds, a gold crown pendant covered in approximately 5.42 carat of diamonds, a gold tennis necklace with approximately 4.68 carats of diamonds, and a gold and diamond rope necklace.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan will sentence JOHNSON on December 1, 2021. JOHNSON and six other defendants were charged in 2018 with conspiring to distribute heroin in the New Orleans area. All but one of these defendants have pled guilty

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the FBI’s New Orleans Gang Task Force in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys David Howard Sinkman and Brandon Long are in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that TORREL KNOX (“KNOX”), age 28, of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced to imprisonment on August 19, 2021 by U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon for charges relating to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

KNOX pled guilty on December 19, 2019, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The conviction related to an encounter with the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force.  On September 27, 2018, law enforcement encountered KNOX and discovered a Glock Model 19 handgun with an extended magazine containing 32 live hollow point bullets in his waistband.  KNOX had previously been convicted of Aggravated Battery in state court.

Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced KNOX to 46 months in the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by a term of supervised release for three years and a mandatory $100 assessment.

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.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case was conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn McHugh.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ARLENE TRANCHINA, age 55, of Laplace, pleaded guilty to one-count of wire fraud today before United States District Court Judge Wendy B. Vitter in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

According to court records, TRANCHINA was employed as the office manager for a company located in Reserve, Louisiana. From 2017 to October of 2019, she embezzled approximately $234,000 from her employer by making over ninety (90) checks for company expenses payable to herself or cash.  In addition, TRANCHINA also used a company credit card without authorization to make over $70,000.00 in purchases.

Sentencing is set for November 16, 2021, before United States District Court Judge Vitter. At that time, TRANCHINA faces a sentence of up to twenty (20) years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim, and up to three (3) years of supervised release.  

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service, along with assistance from the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TIM JACKSON, a/k/a “T-Maf,” JAMES ALEXANDER, a/k/a “Poo,” a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Freak,” CHANCE SKIPPER, a/k/a “Duna,” ERNEST THOMAS, a/k/a “E-Maf,” SAMUEL MORTON, a/k/a “Sosa,” TERRAN WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Funky,” TYRONE BOVIA, a/k/a “Sixx,” JAVONTA DOLEMAN, a/k/a “Dutt,” ALLEN GRAY, a/k/a “Kyedi,” and Randy Calvin, a/k/a “Tokey Hefner,” all of New Orleans, Louisiana, were charged in an eleven count second superseding indictment by a Federal Grand Jury on Friday, August 13, 2021. 

According to the second superseding indictment, members of this organization and their associates ran a violent drug trafficking ring in and around the City of New Orleans dating back to 2014.  During the course of this organization’s life, its members and associates distributed controlled substances, possessed firearms, committed shootings and violent acts, including murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery.

All of the defendants are charged in Counts 1, 2 and 3.  Specifically, TIM JACKSON, a/k/a “T-Maf,” JAMES ALEXANDER, a/k/a “Poo,” a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Freak,” CHANCE SKIPPER, a/k/a “Duna,” ERNEST THOMAS, a/k/a “E-Maf,” SAMUEL MORTON, a/k/a “Sosa,” TERRAN WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Funky,” TYRONE BOVIA, a/k/a “Sixx,” JAVONTA DOLEMAN, a/k/a “Dutt,” ALLEN GRAY, a/k/a “Kyedi,” and Randy Calvin, a/k/a “Tokey Hefner,” are charged in Count 1 with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Conspiracy), for which they face a sentence of up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to five years supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  They are charged in Count 2 with a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances), for which they face a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment up to life, up to a $10,000,000 fine, at least five years supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  Finally, all the defendants are charged in Count 3 with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(o) (Conspiracy to Possess Firearms), for which they face up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

Defendants TERRAN WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Funky,” TYRONE BOVIA, a/k/a “Sixx,” JAVONTA DOLEMAN, a/k/a “Dutt,” are charged in Counts 4 and 6 with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) (Murder in Aid of Racketeering) for the murders of Wynston Jackson and Lawrence Williams, IV, for which they face a sentence of mandatory life imprisonment or death, up to a $250,000 fine, up to five years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

Defendants TERRAN WILLIAMS, a/k/a “Funky,” TYRONE BOVIA, a/k/a “Sixx,” JAVONTA DOLEMAN, a/k/a “Dutt,” are charged in Counts 5 and 7 with a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) (Causing Death Through the Use of a Firearm) also for the murders of Wynston Jackson and Lawrence Williams, IV, for which they face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment or death, up to a $250,000 fine, up to five years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  

No decision concerning the death penalty has been made at this time.  As in all possible capital cases, this case will have to be reviewed by the Department of Justice Capital Crimes Unit in Washington D.C. before the Attorney General makes a final decision on this issue.

JAMES ALEXANDER, a/k/a “Poo,” a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Freak,” and TYRONE BOVIA, a/k/a “Sixx,” are charged in Count 8 for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) (Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering), which carries a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  They are likewise charged in Count 9 for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A) (Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence or Drug Trafficking Crime), which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment up to life, up to a $250,000 fine, up to five years supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.  This sentence must run consecutive to any other sentence. 

Finally, JAMES ALEXANDER, a/k/a “Poo,” a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Freak,” is charged in Counts 10 and 11 for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) (Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering) and for a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A) (Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence or Drug Trafficking Crime), respectively. 

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the second superseding indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is 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 second superseding indictment is the culmination of a long federal grand jury investigation that was conducted with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The case is being prosecuted out of the Violent Crime Unit by Assistant United States Attorneys David Haller, Inga Petrovich and Liz Privitera.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans, announced that HAROLD SAINTES, JR. age 52, of Franklin, Louisiana was charged on August 23, 2021 in a one count Bill of Information with Theft of Mail.

According to court documents, the Office of Inspector General for the United States Postal Service initiated an investigation into SAINTES and determined that he was stealing packages from the Loranger Post Office from September 1, 2019 through October 19, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, SAINTES faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the U.S Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that BORIS GORDON, age 24 of Marrero, pled guilty on August 19, 2021 to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(a)(6) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, on December 30, 2015, GORDON falsely stated to a federally licensed firearm dealer that he was the actual purchaser of a Glock Model 21, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, when he knew that he was not the actual buyer.

GORDON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  A fine of up to $250,000 may also be imposed.  GORDON may be placed on supervised release after imprisonment for a period of up to 3 years.  Additionally, a mandatory $100 special assessment fee will be assessed.  U.S. District Court Judge Ashe set sentencing for December 9, 2021.

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.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan L. Shih is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOHNNY TRIPLETT, age 33 of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 19, 2021 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride and 100 grams of heroin.

According to court documents, TRIPLETT and others conspired to transport cocaine hydrochloride and heroin between Texas and New Orleans.

TRIPLETT faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum term of 40 years of imprisonment.  A fine of up to $5,000,000 may also be imposed or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person.  TRIPLETT will be placed on supervised release after imprisonment for a period of not less than 4 years.  Additionally, a mandatory $100 special assessment fee will be assessed.  U.S. District Court Judge Fallon set sentencing for November 19, 2021.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”). OCDETF is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Privitera and Jonathan L. Shih are in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that EVER JIMINEZ-MENDOZA, age 33, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced on August 17, 2021 before United States District Court Judge Wendy Vitter, after previously pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for illegal use of a Social Security number in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B).

Judge Vitter sentenced JIMINEZ-MENDOZA to time served and was ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment of $100.

According to court documents, on or about October 20, 2017, JIMINEZ-MENDOZA, presented  a false social security number when attending a pre-employment safety class at the Gulf Coast Safety Council in St. Rose, Louisiana. JIMINEZ-MENDOZA falsely represented that a social security number was assigned to him when in fact, the social security number has been assigned by the Commissioner of Social Security to another individual.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On August 19, 2021, United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced JIMMIE POWELL, age 28, to 100 months in the Bureau of Prisons for armed bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and 2113(d), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

On June 25, 2020, POWELL entered the Chase Bank at 1425 North Broad Street in New Orleans. He brandished a firearm at bank employees and took over $52,000 of U.S. currency. POWELL was charged on July 24, 2020 and pled guilty on May 13, 2021 to the one count indictment. Judge Fallon sentenced POWELL to 100 months for that armed bank robbery and he was ordered to pay $52,000 in restitution. Additionally, the Court imposed three years of supervised release upon release from imprisonment and a mandatory $100 special assessment cost.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is 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.

U. S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New Orleans Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Bücher.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, CHRISTOPHER ARANA, age 27, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana plead guilty in a one-count Indictment charging him with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). 

On August 20, 2020, New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) officers were dispatched to a call for service regarding an aggravated battery by shooting in the 1700 block of Eagle Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.   The responding NOPD officer was informed that ARANA sustained a gunshot wound to his abdominal area and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. 

The responding officer requested that Real Time Crime Cameras located in the immediate vicinity of the corner store be reviewed to learn what happened during the shooting.  While reviewing the camera footage, the officer observed ARANA arrive at the intersection of Eagle Street and Hickory Street on a bike and stand near the entrance of the store.  While standing near the door, ARANA was utilizing his cellular telephone. ARANA observed a vehicle approaching him.  The occupants of the vehicle, armed with firearms, began to discharge their firearms at ARANA.  ARANA retrieved a fully concealed black semiautomatic handgun from his waistband area during the shooting but did not discharge his firearm.  After the shooting, ARANA relocated inside the corner store and discarded the firearm to hide firearm from law enforcement.

After the shooting, a store employee recovered the firearm possessed by ARANA, a black Smith and Wesson, model SD40 VE, .40 caliber PISTOL.  The firearm contained ten live rounds, one in the chamber, and nine in the magazine. 

ARANA is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

ARANA faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release up to 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

United States District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will sentence ARANA on November 24, 2021.

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 case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on Thursday, August 19, 2021, that LLOYD WASHINGTON, age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced on August 19, 2021 to 120 months in the Bureau of Prisons after pleading guilty to a three-count Indictment.  In Count 1, WASHINGTON was charged with Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  In Count 2, WASHINGTON was charged with Possession of Machine Guns in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(o) and 924(a)(2).  In Count 3, WASHINGTON was charged with Possession of Non-Registered Firearms in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5841, 5861(d), and 5871.

United States District Court Judge Carl Barbier sentenced WASHINGTON to 120 months for each count of the Indictment.  Counts 1, 2, and 3 will run concurrent with one another.  Upon release, WASHINTON will be supervised by U.S. Probation for a period of three years.  The Court did not impose a fine.

On July 20, 2020, New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) officers were dispatched to a call for service regarding an illegal discharge of a firearm in the 4100 block of Eagle Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.  Residents who lived next door to WASHINGTON reported a bullet entering their residence.  No residents were struck by the bullet.  Responding officers observed the trajectory of the points of entry and exit and concluded that the bullet likely originated from WASHINGTON’s residence.

Upon arriving at WASHINGTON’s residence, officers observed WASHINGTON standing inside of the residence.  WASHINGTON was detained while officers conducted their investigation.

While searching the exterior of WASHINGTON’s residence, officers discovered two firearms with loaded with magazines: a Ruger, model LCP, .380 caliber pistol, bearing serial number 371320740; and a Glock, model 22, .40 caliber pistol, bearing serial 00841MPD and equipped with a Glock switch converter.  The firearms were located on the top of a slab of concrete.  Officers also observed a black bag containing a third weapon, a Zastava, model PAP M92 PV, 7.62x39 caliber pistol, bearing serial number M92PV068277, loaded with two magazines taped together.

Officers elected to interview WASHINGTON.   WASHINGTON admitted that he was in possession of a firearm and that the firearm accidentally discharged while in his possession.  When asked about the three firearms located in the alley of his residence, WASHINGTON admitted that he owned and maintained possession of the firearms.  When asked if he possessed additional firearms, WASHINGTON admitted that he was in possession of additional firearms inside of his residence. 

NOPD obtained a search warrant for WASHINGTON’s residence.  During the search of the residence,  the following items, including firearms and ammunition, were located: (1) a .40 caliber magazine with 4 live rounds of ammunition; (2) a box of .38 special ammunition containing 9 live rounds; (3) a box of .380 caliber ammunition containing 7 live rounds; (4) one 7.62x39mm magazine with an unknown number of live rounds; (5) one clear plastic bag containing multiple caliber rounds of ammunition; (6) a red duffle bag containing a rifle scope and a pistol grip; (7) a Glock, model 17, 9mm caliber pistol, bearing serial number BHBZ225; (8) a Glock switch convertor; (9) a box with live 9mm rounds; (10) a 7.62x39mm circle drum loaded with an unknown number of live rounds; (11) a box with 13 live 9mm rounds; (12) a Plainfield Machine Co., Paratrooper, .30 caliber rifle, bearing serial number 43211; (13) an Izhmash, model IJ70-17A, .380 caliber pistol,  bearing serial number BTK3233; (14) a Heritage Mfg. Inc. model Rough Rider, .22 caliber pistol, bearing serial number R36814; and (15) a Taurus, model PT24/7 G2, .40 caliber pistol, bearing serial number SIM30213.

WASHINGTON is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

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 case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MONTRELL CLEVELAND, age 34, a resident of Raceland, Louisiana, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment, 5 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $400.00 in special assessment fees by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier after pleading guilty to four counts of a fourteen-count indictment charging him with several narcotics offenses, including conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fifty kilograms or more of methamphetamine and use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, beginning in January 2018, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration made two controlled purchases of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine each from Kendall Mathews.  After making the controlled purchases, agents obtained court ordered wiretaps of Mathews’s and co-conspirators’ telephones and intercepted numerous calls between Mathews, his co-conspirators including CLEVELAND, and customers in which they negotiated the sales of methamphetamine, cocaine hydrochloride, and heroin.  Through their continued monitoring of telephone calls, agents identified a pending narcotics transaction and seized two kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.  Also, agents and officers obtained search warrants for co-conspirators’ residences and seized approximately 148 grams of heroin and 1,300 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.  

This prosecution was part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of Homeland Security Investigations, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States

NEW ORLEANS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced today that TERRELL RICHARDSON (“RICHARDSON”), age 37, of Westwego, Louisiana, was sentenced to thirty-seven (37) months imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Martin L. C. Feldman for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  Additionally, RICHARDSON was ordered to serve three (3) years of supervised release and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

According to court documents, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies stopped RICHARDSON after he committed a traffic violation on N. Causeway Blvd. in Metairie, Louisiana.  Law enforcement smelled marijuana and proceeded to search RICHARSON’s vehicle.  They discovered a reportedly stolen and loaded, SCCY Industries Model CPX-2, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic firearm, bearing serial number 192060.  RICHARDSON possessed the firearm after having been convicted on January 22, 2002 of a federal felony offense. 

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 matter was handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Duane A. Evans is prosecuting the case. 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ERIC RODRIGUEZ, QUAN LEWIS, CHRIS HABISREITINGER, GREG TRAHAN, TRAVIS GIBSON and RYAN MOREAU were charged on August 13, 2021 in a 7-count superseding indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with narcotics trafficking offenses, including conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

The defendants distributed large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Jefferson Parish and surrounding areas for over a year.

If convicted, RODRIGUEZ and LEWIS face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, and at least five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. They also face a $100 mandatory special assessment for each count in which they are charged.   

GIBSON and MOREAU face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years and a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and at least four (4) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  They also face a $100 mandatory special assessment for each count in which they are charged.  

HABISREITINGER and TRAHAN face up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least  three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  They also face a $100 mandatory special assessment for each count in which they are charged.  

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the superseding indictment is merely a charging document and that the defendants’ guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, and St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Nolan Paige, André Jones, and Melissa Bücher.

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NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JAVAN BAILEY, age 19, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, was charged on August 13, 2021 by a federal grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of Louisiana in a two-count Indictment with producing images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of an eleven-year-old female, Victim 1, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2251(a), and transmitting interstate threats for the purpose of extorting a thing of value, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(d).  Specifically, BAILEY is alleged to have extorted Victim 1 into sending him additional sexually explicit depictions by threatening to “expose” Victim 1 by sending prior depictions of Victim 1 to her family members. 

BAILEY faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of fifteen (15) years and a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty-two (32) years.  BAILEY also faces up to a lifetime of supervised release and $250,000 fine.  He must also pay a mandatory special assessment cost of $100 for each count.  BAILEY can be required to register as a sex offender.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DEWAYNE COLEMAN (“COLEMAN”), age 22, of Marrero, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans.

According to today’s guilty plea, COLEMAN, along with his co-defendants, Erica Lee Thompson (“Erica Lee”), Donisha Lee, Donreion Lee, and Aisha Thompson, conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged accident with Cornelius Garrison, occurring on September 6, 2017.  Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” to twenty-seven (27).

COLEMAN admitted that on September 6, 2017, on the I-10 near the Almonaster exit, he was a passenger in co-defendant Erica Lee’s 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant, when he intentionally crashed into a tractor-trailer owned by Averitt Express.  After the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and told Erica Lee to get behind the wheel of the RAV4 to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident.  The defendants contacted the NOPD and falsely claimed that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the collision.  COLEMAN retained counsel and made a claim for damages. The total settlement for the Averitt accident was $30,000.

On March 26, 2019, COLEMAN, Donisha Lee, and Donreion Lee each provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit.  On April 9, 2019, Aisha Thompson provided false testimony in a deposition taken in conjunction with the Thompson Lawsuit.  In these depositions, COLEMAN, Donisha Lee, Donreion Lee, and Aisha Thompson lied about the September 6, 2017 accident including, but not limited to, who was driving the RAV4 and the extent of their injuries.

COLEMAN faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years of incarceration. Upon release from prison, COLEMAN also faces a term of supervised release up to (3) three years, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for January 5, 2022, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera; Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long. 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that BRIAN MEDUS, 44, of Covington, pleaded guilty as charged to violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1952(a)(3), conspiracy to use an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity.

According to Court documents, MEDUS, the Assistant Chief Mechanical Inspector for the City of New Orleans, Safety and Permits Department, solicited and accepted bribe money from James Mohamad, the Director of the Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement for the City of Kenner, in return for the issuance of fraudulent permits for Mohamad’s HVAC jobs. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Mohamad paid MEDUS and others approximately $93,000 to further the bribery scheme.   MEDUS utilized cell phones and the City of New Orleans’ internet-based LAMA system, facilities of interstate commerce, to further the scheme.  LAMA is the City of New Orleans system for tracking code enforcement and permitting actions.

MEDUS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of not more than $250,000, a maximum of three years supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.   Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2021.

“The FBI is committed to aggressively pursuing those who violate the trust placed in them by the public and holding them accountable for their actions. Today’s guilty plea sends a clear message that individuals like Mr. Medus who engaged in a bribery scheme, will be held responsible,” said Douglas A. Williams, Jr. FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge. “I would like to thank the City of New Orleans Office of the Inspector General, the Metropolitan Crime Commission, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their partnerships in helping the FBI disrupt public corruption in Louisiana."

  Ed Michel, Interim Inspector General, City of New Orleans, stated “The New Orleans OIG will continue to ensure employees who utilize their public office for personal gain are held accountable for their actions.”

The United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, stated that “Public trust in government institutions is essential for a healthy, functioning government.  Any felonious breach of trust damages the very institutions designed to protect citizens from such hazards.  Our office will continue partnering with local, state and federal investigative agencies to prosecute public corruption that compromises our institutions.”

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of New Orleans/Office of Inspector General.  Assistance was provided by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Assistant United States Attorney Tracey N. Knight is prosecuting the matter.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane Evans announced today that THERESA WOOD (“WOOD”) pled guilty as charged on August 5, 2021 to count one of an indictment for false statements in a passport   application in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542 before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon.

According to papers signed by WOOD, she made an application for a U.S. passport for her minor child using information belonging to another individual. It is a crime to lie on a passport application.  WOOD convinced a co-worker, who resembled the father of her minor child, to fraudulently claim to be the father at the signing of the application before a notary.  The application would then be submitted to the State Department. WOOD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment cost on the false statement charge. Sentencing is set for November 18, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Diplomatic Security Service of the State Department in investigating this matter. Assistant U. S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ASHLEY GREEN, age 41, pled guilty as charged on August 4, 2021, to a one count Bank Larceny Bill of Information. Her co-defendants, Brandon Livas, age 34 and Royale Lassai, age 29, both from New Orleans, Louisiana pled guilty as charged in July 2019 to a one count Bill of Information with Bank Larceny, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section  2113(b).

In papers filed with the court signed by GREEN, she admitted that Lassai was employed in a Metairie, Louisiana medical clinic. Lassai, without authority, obtained personal information of patients including dates of birth, social security numbers and addresses. Lassai sold the information to her cousin, GREEN, who used this information to fraudulently obtain debit cards issued by the victim banks, Capital One and Whitney. These fraudulently obtained cards were mailed to an address controlled by GREEN. GREEN and Livas then used the cards to withdraw  at least $200,000 from the victims’ accounts. Lassai was paid at least $1,000 to pilfer the patient’s information.

GREEN faces up to ten (10) years incarceration, a $250,000 fine, restitution and up to three (3)  years supervised release.  GREEN must pay a mandatory $100 special assessment cost. Sentencing is set for December 8, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Duane Evans praised the work of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service, in investigating the matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that JOSEPH BROWN, age 45, a resident of Orleans Parish plead guilty today to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack. BROWN is facing a sentence of five to forty years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release upon his release from prison.  BROWN also faces a $100 mandatory special assessment cost. 

According to court records, BROWN and four others, Lionel Cooley, Kendrick Demourelle, Kevin Gray, and Blake Monroe, conspired to sell illegal narcotics in New Orleans, including using a broken-down yellow school bus in the ‘Goose’ neighborhood in New Orleans East as a stash house. All five were indicted in February 2020, and, according to court records, a seized GMC Sierra pickup truck used by a member of this conspiracy contained nearly two kilograms of cocaine and 430 grams of crack. The evidence against BROWN includes numerous intercepted communications, physical and video surveillance, seized drugs, and witness statements.  U.S. District Judge Wendy Vitter will sentence BROWN on November 5, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Hammond Police Department, New Orleans Police Department, and Slidell Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution. 

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NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS (“GIBBINS”), age 44, of Montz, Louisiana, pled guilty today to Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

The case against IGEL CASANOVA GIBBINS (“GIBBINS”) began after the State of Louisiana complied with a request from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) to provide the SSA with death data of approximately 1.6 million Social Security number holders who had died in Louisiana from January 1, 1979, through December 31, 2019. As part of that data, the State of Louisiana disclosed that D.C., a participant in the SSA’s Retirement Survivor Insurance program (“RSI Program”), died on or about August 16, 2012.

Unaware of D.C.’s death, the SSA erroneously released approximately $202,417.00 in RSI Program funds from August 2012 through December 2020, via automatic wire transfers (i.e., direct deposit) to D.C.’s jointly held Capital One Bank (“Capital One”) account.  GIBBINS, D.C.’s daughter, was a joint account holder of the Capital One account.  D.C.’s RSI Program benefits were not transferrable to GIBBINS.  Following the automatic deposit of RSI Program benefits, GIBBINS accessed the funds and wrongfully converted the funds to her own personal use, depleting nearly all account funds. The funds were used on purchase transactions or transfers out of the account to pay bills, for example, such as for mortgage payments and vehicle loan payments. GIBBINS never advised the SSA of D.C.’s death.

The SSA determined that GIBBINS fraudulently obtained $200,396 in SSA disability benefits from her father’s Capital One Bank account.

GIBBINS faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.  Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for November 16, 2021, before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige O’Hale.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced SHANNEL SMITH, age 41, of Orleans Parish, Louisiana, was charged on August 10, 2021 in a one-count bill of information for misappropriating postal funds in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1711.

According to court documents, beginning in October 2018 and continuing until August 2019, SMITH, being an officer and employee of the United States Postal Service, did knowingly and willfully convert to her own use money and property coming into her hands and under her control in any manner, in the execution and under the color of her office, employment, and service, of a value in excess of $1,000.00, that is, approximately $1,205.71 in postal money orders.

If convicted, SMITH faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a $100 mandatory special assessment fee and a maximum fine of $250,000.00, based on the charge outlined in the bill of information.

U.S. Attorney Evans stated that the bill of information is merely a charge and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

This case was investigated by special agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”).  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachal Cassagne.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JASON PICK, age 40, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on August 5, 2021 for committing wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. The Honorable Eldon Fallon sentenced PICK to 2 months incarceration, 10 months of home detention, 2 years of supervised release, a mandatory $100 special assessment fee and payment of $140,791.21 in restitution.

According to court documents, PICK was employed as an accountant for Company A between August 2016 and June 2018. Part of PICK’s duties was handling the credit card accounts of Company A. Without authorization, PICK used Company A’s credit cards for his own personal expenses. In total, PICK stole approximately $140,791.21 from Company A.  

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Chief of the General Crimes Unit.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced ASHONTI HALL, 31, of New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 5, 2021 to 60 months in the Bureau of Prisons for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.   

In October 2019, HALL was indicted for possessing heroin, cocaine base, cocaine, and marijuana with the intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

Court documents show that HALL admitted that he fled from New Orleans Police Department Officers who were investigating HALL for a shooting that occurred the previous day.  The police caught HALL and found him with a backpack that contained several different types of drugs, scales, cash, and a loaded gun.  

District Judge Vance sentenced HALL to the mandatory minimum term of 5 years imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.  She also ordered that he pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the New Orleans Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller. 

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NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MICHAEL YUSKO, III, age 46, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty today to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe.

According to court documents, federal agents received complaints beginning in May 2018 that YUSKO was selling customers bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies but failing to follow through on transactions. YUSKO would promise customers any amount of bitcoin in exchange for U.S. dollars at five percent above market price for a five percent fee. He then directed these customers to deposit U.S. dollars into one of several business bank accounts, among them Nervous Light Capital LLC, Ready Demolition LLC, Patriot Concrete Pumping, LLC, Praetorian Energy, LLC, and Hudson Oak Partners LLC. YUSKO did not register these companies as money transmitting businesses with Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the Department of Treasury, and he otherwise did not comply with the regulations of Title 31, United States Code, Section 5330. YUSKO also instructed his clients not to tell any bank employees that the purpose of their wire transfer was to purchase cryptocurrency. Agents have learned that banks frequently shut down accounts used to sell cryptocurrency, and banks had previously shut down YUSKO’s accounts for such activity.

The court documents detail how customers communicated with YUSKO and paid him tens of thousands of dollars for bitcoin. While YUSKO did carry out transactions with many customers, he failed to fulfill other transactions, and then he failed to return the U.S. dollars deposited in his accounts. YUSKO admitted to being responsible for $201,399.00 in losses to victims. As part of his plea, YUSKO agreed to make full restitution.

YUSKO faces a maximum of five years in prison, a maximum $250,000.00 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment. Judge Ashe scheduled YUSKO’s sentencing for November 4, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Field Office and the U.S. Secret Service New Orleans Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew R. Payne is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SHIVA AKULA (“AKULA”), age 65, of New Orleans, Louisiana was charged by a grand jury on August 5, 2021, in a 23-count Indictment for Health Care Fraud.

AKULA owned and oversaw the day-to-day operations of Canon Healthcare, a hospice facility.

According to the Indictment, AKULA unlawfully enriched himself by submitting and causing the submission of false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs, including Medicare. AKULA instructed Canon employees to improperly bill for General Inpatient (“GIP”) services to maximize reimbursement from health care benefit programs, knowing that those services were not medically necessary.

Canon routinely billed physician services with Common Procedural Terminology (“CPT”) Code 99233 for beneficiaries who were receiving GIP services, in addition to the daily per diem rate. CPT Code 99233 is an evaluation and management code, which requires two of the three following components: (1) detailed interval history; (2) detailed examination; or (3) medical decision making of a high complexity. Usually, the beneficiary is unstable or has developed a significant complication or a significant new problem.

Canon routinely billed for physician services for CPT Code 99236 for beneficiaries who were admitted into GIP and remained on GIP for more than 24 hours. CPT Code 99236 should only be billed when a patient is admitted to inpatient hospital care for a minimum of 8 hours, but less than 24 hours and discharged on the same calendar day. In addition, when billing for CPT Code 99236, the physician shall identify that he or she was physically present and that he or she performed the initial hospital care service. The physician shall personally document the admission and discharge notes and include the number of hours the beneficiary remained in inpatient hospital status.

From on or about January 1, 2013, to on or about August 25, 2017, Canon submitted approximately 1,053 claims for CPT code 99236 and was paid approximately $223,601 by Medicare. During that same time period, Canon submitted approximately $2,281,251. These physician services reflected in CPT Codes 99236 and 99233 should not have been billed as a separate line item in addition to the GIP services because they were included within the daily per diem rate that Medicare paid for the GIP services.

From on or about January 1, 2013, through on or about August 25, 2017, Canon submitted claims to Medicare for approximately 1,949 home visits using CPT code 99350 that were purported to have been performed by a doctor, when a doctor did not perform home visits. As a result of these 1,949 home visits, Medicare reimbursed Canon approximated $316,384.

From January 2013 to December 2019, Canon billed Medicare approximately $62,833,346.28 and was paid approximately $47,106,838.94.

If convicted, AKULA faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, supervised release of up to 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100 as to each count.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Louisiana Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn McHugh.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced DARREKA BOYKINS, age 44, of Houma, Louisiana, today to 73 months in the Bureau of Prisons for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.   

According to the court records, BOYKINS conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.  BOYKINS admitted to being captured on a Title III wire intercept. 

District Judge Vance sentenced BOYKINS to the 73 months imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release.  She also ordered that he pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. 

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SONJA DYSON EVANS, 59, of Kentwood, Louisiana, was sentenced on August 4, 2021 by the Honorable Ivan L.R. Lemelle, United States District Court Judge, to a five (5) year term of probation for using an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity.  EVANS was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, a $100 special assessment and to perform 100 hours of community service.

EVANS pleaded guilty in March 2021.  According to court records, at the time of the offense, EVANS was employed by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office as a Criminal Records Division Supervisor.  From January 2016 through January 2017, EVANS, along with a co-defendant, Shawanda Dove, used cell phones to carry out a bribery scheme, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1952(a)(3) and 2.  EVANS solicited and accepted bribe money from Dove in exchange for fraudulent bonds used for the release of incarcerated persons.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Knight is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – EDMOND ARZATE, age 29, a resident of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to one year of probation by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey after pleading guilty to a superseding bill of information charging him with making a false statement to a Special Agent of Homeland Security Investigations in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001 announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, on October 12, 2017, a suspected drug trafficker informed a Homeland Security Investigations confidential source that a money courier would arrive in the Eastern District of Louisiana to collect funds for a previously conducted drug transaction.  That evening, ARZATE contacted the source and instructed him to meet at a Waffle House in Mandeville, Louisiana.  The source me with ARZATE and provided gave him with $30,000.00 in government funds as payment for the previously conducted drug transaction.  ARZATE departed from the area but the Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop and obtained the money from his vehicle.  A Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent and Louisiana State Police Trooper interviewed ARZATE regarding the money.  ARZATE told the officers that he won the money playing poker at a Louisiana casino.  When the officers asked if he had any receipts for the winnings, ARZATE changed his story and said he played “underground poker.”  ARZATE then changed his story a second time and said he received the money from a “random guy” and provided no further information. 

ARZATE faced a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine of up to $250,000.00 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. 

This prosecution was part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. 

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – The Honorable Sarah S. Vance sentenced ALLEN ROBERTSON, age 32, and TARON BROWN, age 24, both of New Orleans, Louisiana, for violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. ROBERTSON was sentenced for the violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 846 and BROWN was sentenced for the violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C).

According to court records, ROBERTSON, and TARON BROWN both admitted being caught on federally authorized wire taps targeting a heroin distribution organization operating in New Orleans.  They admitted to conspiring to distribute heroin.      

District Judge Vance sentenced BROWN to 37 months in the Bureau of Prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and sentenced ROBERTSON to 27 months in the Bureau of Prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Both were ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment cost. 

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MICHAEL R. MATHERNE (“MATHERNE”), age 61, of Slidell, Louisiana pled guilty as charged on July 22, 2021 to an indictment returned  by a grand jury on November 6, 2020, for Theft of Federal Funds.

According to the Indictment, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), an agency or department of the United States of America, operated the Retirement Survivor Insurance Benefit program (“RSI Program”). The purpose of the RSI Program is to provide benefits to certain persons, including widows and widowers, in their retirement.

In or around January 1993, M.F. applied for and began receiving RSI Program benefits. The SSA sent the benefits to M.F. at her address in Slidell, Louisiana in the form of a paper check, which she regularly deposited into her Whitney bank account.

On September 24, 2006, M.F. and MATHERNE were married. In July 2012, MATHERNE created a joint Whitney bank account. On November 3, 2012, M.F. died and MATHERNE never advised the SSA of M.F.’s death.

From December 2012 through March 2019, SSA continued sending checks to M.F., at her home address in Slidell, Louisiana, and MATHERNE continued depositing the checks into the Whitney bank account. From December 2012 through March 2019, MATHERNE received monthly SSA benefits totaling approximately $75,838, which he deposited into the Whitney bank account and used for his living expenses.

MATHERNE entered a guilty plea on July 22, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe. He is set to be sentenced November 4, 2021. MATHERNE faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, supervised release of at least 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100 as to each count.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that GENETTA ISREAL (“ISREAL”), age 53, of Houston, Texas, pled guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans.  Thus far, twenty-six (26) of the thirty-three (33) indicted defendants have tendered guilty pleas in federal court. 

Damien Labeaud, Mario Solomon, Larry Williams, and ISREAL were charged with staging an accident on June 12, 2017, occurring on Chef Menteur Highway near the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans. Labeaud and Larry Williams planned to stage an automobile accident to obtain money through fraud. During their planning, Labeaud told Larry Williams that he had an Attorney who would handle everything. Larry Williams recruited ISREAL and another individual (now deceased) to participate in the fraudulent scheme. To execute the scheme, Larry Williams borrowed a Chevrolet Trailblazer, and that Labeaud drove the Trailblazer, which he then used to collide with a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer. After the staged accident, Labeaud fled the scene and Larry Williams got behind the wheel to make it appear that he was driving the Trailblazer during the staged accident. Solomon picked up Labeaud after the staged accident. Larry Williams told the New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) that he was the driver of the Trailblazer and that the tractor-trailer was at fault. After the staged accident, Labeaud introduced Larry Williams and ISREAL to Attorney A.

Larry Williams and ISREAL were treated by doctors and healthcare providers at the direction of Attorney A. On June 12, 2018, Attorney A’s firm filed the Larry Williams Lawsuit in Civil District Court (“CDC”) for the Parish of Orleans and on September 14, 2018, Attorney A’s firm demanded approximately $60,000.00 in settlement for the deceased passenger and approximately $56,155.00 in settlement for ISREAL. After the suit was filed, Larry Williams and ISREAL each provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with the lawsuit filed by Attorney A’s firm.

ISREAL faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571, up to three (3) years of supervised release and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.  Sentencing will occur before U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon on November 4, 2021.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera; Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni. 

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RONALD JACOBS, age 38, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Jay C. Zainey to an indictment charging him with violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to the court records, JACOBS was arrested after concerned citizens reported his vehicle stopped in a travel lane on Williams Boulevard in Kenner.  Kenner Police responded and found JACOBS asleep in the vehicle with what appeared to be drugs in his lap.  When the officers made contact with JACOBS, he attempted to flee by ramming his vehicle into the officers’ vehicles and was reaching for an area in his truck where the officers later found a pistol.  In addition to the loaded gun, officers also located 14 grams of crack, a digital scale, a razor blade, and about $1,100.  JACOBS admitted that he possessed the crack for distribution. 

Sentencing is scheduled for November 2, 2021.  On the possession of crack with the intent to distribute charge, JACOBS faces a term of imprisonment of up to twenty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release. On the related gun charge, JACOBS faces a term of imprisonment of at least five years up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment on the drug charge, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release.  There is also a mandatory special assessment of $100 per count.

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 case was investigated by the Kenner Police Department and Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller. 

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MARTIN ALMEDA-PINEDA, age 37, of Mexico, pled guilty as charged on July 28, 2021 to a three-count indictment.  He was charged in Count 1 with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)A);  Count 2 with possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c); and charged in Count 3 with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).  His sentencing is set for October 27, 2021 at 9:30 am before United States District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.   

He will face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a term of not less than 5 years of supervised release for Count 1; a consecutive sentence of five years to life in prison and not more than five years of supervised release for Count 2; and up to 10 years imprisonment and not more than 3 years of supervised release for Count 3.  He will also have to pay a total of $300.00 in mandatory special assessment costs. 

According to the documents that were placed into the court record during his guilty plea, the defendant was arrested by St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Detectives after they conducted a lawful traffic stop of his vehicle and found 10 lbs. of methamphetamine in the back seat of his vehicle and a firearm in the center console. The detectives conducted the stop based off of information that they learned about the defendant from Special Agents with the Department of Homeland Security, who had knowledge that the defendant would be transporting a significant amount of drugs to the Eastern District of Louisiana.

U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in working together to investigate this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOHN WELDON (“WELDON”), age 26, of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced to imprisonment on July 28, 2021 by U.S. District Court Judge Lance Africk for charges relating to nine armed robberies of gas stations, convenience stores, and a bank.

WELDON committed armed robberies of three Shell Gas Stations on General de Gaulle Drive, multiple convenience stores in the West Bank and Seventh Ward, and a bank in Algiers.  He brandished a firearm and wore blue gloves in each of the robberies.

In August of 2019, WELDON was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of armed bank robbery, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  WELDON was found guilty by a jury in December 2019 on all counts.

Judge Africk sentenced WELDON to 408 months in the Bureau of Prisons, 60 months of supervised release, and $600 in mandatory special assessment fees.  The U.S. Attorney's Office praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution of the case was conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and Greg Kennedy. 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On July 28, 2021, United States District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced OLIN GRANT, JR., to ninety months in the federal Bureau of Prisons for being in possession of a machinegun and a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

GRANT was charged on June 20, 2019 and pled guilty in a plea agreement with the government on November 20, 2019. In one count, he pled guilty to possession of a machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o). For the purposes of the National Firearms Act, the term “machinegun” means any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can readily be restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any part designed and intended solely and exclusively or combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun; or any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. Judge Africk sentenced GRANT to thirty years on that count, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

In another count, GRANT also pled guilty and was sentenced to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Judge Africk sentenced GRANT to sixty years, to run consecutive to any other terms of imprisonment, and five years of supervised release.  GRANT was also ordered to pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee for both counts.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is 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.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Gretna Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany Reed and Melissa Bücher.

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WASHINGTON – A Louisiana woman pleaded guilty today to a conspiracy to defraud the United States.

According to court documents, from January through April 2015, Brittany Patterson, of Jefferson Parish, and others conspired to file false tax returns for clients of Pelicans Income Tax and Payroll Services, a return preparation business located in Kenner and Westwego, Louisiana. Patterson and others prepared client returns reporting false income and withholdings in order to generate larger tax refunds. Patterson also filed a return for herself that claimed a false dependent, after obtaining the dependent’s personal identifying information from a client without the client’s knowledge. In total, Patterson and her co-conspirators caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $550,000.

Patterson is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 5, 2022, and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. She also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

On Nov. 14, 2019, Patterson pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud the United States for filing false returns for clients of another tax preparation business, Crown Tax Service LLC. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 5 for that case.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Jessica Kraft and William Montague of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that VINCENT FELIX RIVERE, age 48, and MEGAN LYNN SHOEMAKER, age 36, former residents of Springfield, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on July 27, 2021 to selling Louisiana Common box turtles in violation of the Lacey Act .

On July 13, 2017, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent arrived at the Office Depot parking lot in Covington, LA to arrange a previously negotiated undercover purchase of 29 Louisiana Common box turtles from RIVERE. RIVERE and SHOEMAKER were waiting at the location.  The undercover USFWS agent greeted them, and RIVERE and SHOEMAKER began removing sacks containing Louisiana common box turtles from the trunk of his car. The undercover agent then paid RIVERE $680.00 in cash for the 29 Louisiana Common box turtles.  

After the transaction, a traffic stop was performed. RIVERE was operating the vehicle and was in possession of the $680 he had received from undercover USFWS agent. An agent checked the serial numbers on the money that RIVERE possessed and it matched the serial numbers on the money that had been provided from the undercover USFWS agent.

If convicted, RIVERE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to five years, not more than three years on supervised release, a fine of $20,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00.  SHOEMAKER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to one year, not more than one year on supervised release, a fine of $10,000 and a mandatory special assessment of $25.00. Sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2021 before the Honorable Wendy B. Vitter.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Homeland Security Investigations and the United Postal Service in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JILL LEWIS (“LEWIS”), age 40, resident of Slidell, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty on July 21, 2021 to Conspiracy to Commit Mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of her involvement in a postal fraud scheme.    

According to today’s guilty plea, beginning on or before January 31, 2014, through in or around January 2016, LEWIS and a co-conspirator conspired to submit numerous false insurance claims for reimbursement to the United States Postal Service (“USPS”), causing the USPS to mail checks to LEWIS and a co-conspirator for approximately $42,000. For example, LEWIS and a co-conspirator falsely represented to the USPS that they had sent expensive jewelry and other items through the mail and that the USPS lost the items. In connection with the false claims, LEWIS and a co-conspirator submitted forged invoices from retailers to the USPS to support the reimbursement amounts. The false claims and forged documents caused the USPS to send the reimbursement checks to LEWIS and a co-conspirator through the mail.

LEWIS faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000.00 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person of the offense under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571. After any term of imprisonment that may be imposed, LEWIS also faces a term of supervised release of up to (3) three years. Per the terms of the plea, restitution to the USPS in the amount of approximately $42,749.74 is owed.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, for its work in investigating this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ANTHONY SMALLS, age 32, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty on July 22, 2021 to conspiracy to pass altered U.S. Postal money orders, passing altered U.S. Postal money orders and possessing stolen U.S. government property today before United States District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

According to court records, SMALLS and a co-defendant who has not yet pled, travelled from New York to Louisiana in October of 2019 to cash stolen U.S. Postal money orders that had been altered to show amounts worth hundreds of dollars. SMALLS and the co-defendant cashed two such postal money orders in Kenner and Metairie, LA. When arrested, the defendants also possessed 58 U.S. Postal money orders that they had stolen from an Ascension Parish U.S. Post Office the day before.

SMALLS faces a sentence of up to ten years in prison on the possession of stolen U.S. government property charge and up to five years in prison for each of the Postal money order charges.  SMALLS also faces for each of the three charges up to $250,000 in fines, a mandatory $100 special assessment fee and up to three years of supervised release.  Sentencing is set for October 28, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, along with assistance from the Louisiana State Police - Criminal Investigations Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that defendant KAHLIQ WILLIAMS, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty on July 20, 2021 before U.S. District Court Judge Greg G. Guidry to carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and burglary of a federal firearms licensee.

Specifically, WILLIAMS pled guilty to Counts One through Four of the Indictment. WILLIAMS pled guilty to Count One and Four, which charge him with two separate carjackings, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1).  WILLIAMS also pled guilty to Count Two, which charges him with brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, that is, a carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). Finally, WILLIAMS pled guilty to Count Three, which charges him with burglary of a Federal Firearms Licensee (“FFL”), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(u).

As to Counts One and Four, WILLIAMS faces a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release. As to Count Two, WILLIAMS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, to be run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.   Finally, as to Count Three, WILLIAMS faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release.  WILLIAMS faces a mandatory $100 special assessment cost for each count of conviction and his sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2021.

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.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich of the Violent Crime Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced today that RUDY GUNAWAN, age 41, a citizen of Indonesia, was sentenced on July 20, 2021 to time served by the Honorable Wendy B. Vitter on one count of possession of fraudulent immigration documents. Additionally, the Court ordered GUNAWAN to pay a $100 special assessment cost.

According to court documents, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers received information that GUNAWAN was in the United States illegally and using a Social Security card bearing the name and number of another person. On September 28, 2020, CBP officers encountered GUNAWAN at his place of employment, Samurai Sushi (Slidell, Louisiana). An officer asked for identification and GUNAWAN produced a U.S. Social Security card and claimed to be a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico. GUNAWAN later admitted that he knew that the U.S. Social Security card was falsely made and that he had obtained the card from an individual in Memphis, Tennessee for $700. He also admitted that the name and number on the card were not lawfully issued to him and that he purchased the fraudulent documents in order to be able to stay within the United States and work.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of United States Customs and Border Protection and the Social Security Administration in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that QUINCY JACKSON, age 31 of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged on July 23, 2021 in a single count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

According to court documents, JACKSON was previously convicted of manslaughter, possession of heroin, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Being a felon, JACKSON is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He is charged with having a Glock semi-automatic handgun on July 5, 2021. If convicted of this offense, JACKSON faces a maximum term of ten (10) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.     

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven 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.

The case was investigated by the New Orleans Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles D. Strauss.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DAVID MORA, age 60, a resident of California, was sentenced on July 22, 2021 to 120 months imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Barry W. Barry Ashe for conspiracy to distribute and distribution of 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing heroin as well as one kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl. Additionally, MORA was ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment fee. No fines were imposed in this case.

According to court records, in November 2019, during an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, co-defendant, Zoraida Lara, a/k/a Zoraida Trinidad, communicated with a special agent working in an undercover capacity about the transportation of illegal narcotics to the New Orleans, LA area. Shortly after their conversation, LARA arranged for MORA to deliver the narcotics to the New Orleans area. MORA delivered the narcotics, which included 959.4 grams of heroin and 1402.2 grams of fentanyl and he was subsequently arrested. LARA flew from California to New Orleans to collect payment for the illegal narcotics and was subsequently arrested upon her arrival.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Bayonle Osundare oversaw the prosecution.

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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JOEL ALEXANDER FABRE, age 33, of California, was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to the indictment, between March 16, 2021 and March 20, 2021, FABRE, shipped a pound of methamphetamine via USPS.  FABRE received $3000.00 for the methamphetamine via a MoneyGram, in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)A), possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, FABRE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000 and at least five years of supervised release after imprisonment, as well as a $100 special assessment. 

U. S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice E. Landrieu, Jr.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that EDD SCAFIDEL, JR., age 62, a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, was sentenced to 72 months imprisonment and payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee by United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon after previously pleading guilty as charged to an Indictment charging him with receiving images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including children as young as approximately one (1) year old, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2).  Additionally, Judge Fallon ordered that SCAFIDEL serve a five-year period of supervised release and register as a sex offender after he is released from prison, Judge Fallon also scheduled a restitution hearing in the matter on September 16, 2021. 

According to court documents, in about November 2018, a complainant knowledgeable with SCAFIDEL’s actions reported to Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that SCAFIDEL possessed electronic storage devices that contained files depicting the sexual exploitation of children.  After further investigation, the FBI executed a search warrant at SCAFIDEL’s residence in Ponchatoula, Louisiana on December 4, 2018.  During the execution of the search warrant, SCAFIDEL possessed a leather pouch that contained, among other items, two electronic storage devices that contained files depicting the sexual exploitation of children.  Subsequent forensic analysis determined that SCAFIDEL used computers and external hard drives to search for, download, and store child pornography.  In total, SCAFIDEL downloaded and saved at least 22,334 images depicting the sexual victimization of children, including children less than one year old.  Among the files SCAFIDEL searched for, downloaded, and stored were some that portrayed “sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.”  Specifically, at least one image portrayed the sexual penetration of a conscious, bound prepubescent female.

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

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with support from the Louisiana State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg was in charge of the prosecution.

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