Eastern District of Louisiana

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ALEX SAUNDERS, age 25, a resident of Jamaica and former student athlete at Southern University in New Orleans, was sentenced today for his role in a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

According to court documents, in or before August 2013, and continuing through December 2015, SAUNDERS and others operated a scheme to contact elderly individuals and people with diminished capacity. The scheme involved contacting victims by telephone through Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) and informing them that they had won a lottery and needed to pay SAUNDERS and others monies by cash, check, wire, or other methods in order to claim their lottery winnings.

After receiving victims’ funds through United States mail, private mail carrier, or through an electronic transfer, SAUNDERS, and other co-conspirators known and unknown to the United States Attorney, with knowledge that the money they received was obtained through false and fraudulent pretenses, did knowingly and intentionally transfer the stolen money to bank accounts in Jamaica.

SAUNDERS was sentenced to 5 years probation and is ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $56,300.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, United States Secret Service, and the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ALOYSIUS KORIEOCHA, a/k/a “Madi,” a/k/a “Ball,” age 37, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and a quantity of fentanyl. 

United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced KORIEOCHA to ten years of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. 

According to court records, during the timeframe of the charged drug conspiracy, KORIEOCHA conspired with codefendants Jonathan LAWRENCE, Brandon HALL, Donald MARCELIN, Brian MAXSON, Dwayne LABRANCH, Lance STOVALL, Vonzo MAGEE, and others, to distribute heroin and fentanyl throughout the New Orleans area.  These individuals were members of a drug-trafficking organization that operated primarily in the Eastside Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans.  Collectively, the group referred to their neighborhood as “The Zoo,” a name derived from a popular rap song and video filmed in the neighborhood.  Each of the eight defendants has been linked to drug activity in Eastside Hollygrove through law enforcement controlled purchases, Title III wire and electronic interceptions, witness statements, drug seizures, and other evidence.  Each of the eight defendants in this case has pleaded guilty, and thus far only KORIEOCHA has been sentenced. 

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGFT), which led this investigation and was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Police Department, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon S. Long, David Haller, and Edward Rivera are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS— U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, which is being observed Sunday, May 12 to Saturday, May 18, 2019.

In October 1962, Congress enacted a joint resolution, which the President signed, declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice. 

U.S. Attorney Strasser said, “During Police Week, our nation celebrates the selfless contributions from our brave men and women in law enforcement from around the country, and especially in the Eastern District of Louisiana, by recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe.  As the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state, and local law enforcement and the choice made by them to protect and serve with full knowledge that they could one day find themselves facing dangerous situations.  We want them and their families to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation. This week let us as a community take some time to reflect and honor the fallen and also those who continue to dutifully serve the public.”

According to statistics reported to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018, including (1) one officer here in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2018 https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/ released this week by the FBI.

The names of all 106 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 31st   Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2019. No tickets are required and everyone is welcome. For additional information please call 202-737-3400.

One Eastern District of Louisiana officer’s name was added this year.  On November 17, 2018, Slidell Louisiana Police Department Officer Jason M. Seals died from injuries sustained on September 25, 2018 when he was involved in an on-duty motorcycle accident while escorting a funeral procession.

The Annual Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2019.

For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.

# # #

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced the filing of a Bill of Information Friday, May 10, 2018 charging ARNOLD TREVELL WILLIAMS, age 37, of New Orleans, Louisiana, with one count of conspiracy to commit identity theft. 

According to court documents, the defendant conspired with others to obtain personal information, such as names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, from real persons in order to create fake driver’s licenses. The information was used to apply for loans in order to buy vehicles. Specifically, WILLIAMS used the identity of another person on or about May 11, 2017, to buy a 2014 BMW Series 7 car for the sum of $44,994.10.  

If convicted, WILLIAMS faces imprisonment of up to two years, a maximum $250,000.00 fine, and up to (3) three years of supervised release.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser also praised the agencies that contributed to this Bill of Information.  This prosecution represents the coordinated effort of federal and state law enforcement authorities within the Louisiana Financial Crimes Task Force.  The Task Force includes representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department, and the New Orleans Police Department.  Additionally, U.S. Attorney Strasser thanked the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.  Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera is in charge of the prosecution.

*   *   *

The Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Louisiana Supreme Court (LSC) that recognizes the LSC’s commitment to work with the Louisiana Judiciary to phase-in a language access program that will provide oral and written language assistance services at no cost to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals in all state court proceedings and operations. 

“I commend the Louisiana Supreme Court for its commitment to work with all state courts in Louisiana to ensure meaningful access for LEP individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The collaborative relationship between the Department of Justice and the Louisiana Supreme Court will only strengthen ongoing Louisiana Supreme Court efforts to ensure equal access to justice for all.”

“This agreement is a partnership to ensure that all people, no matter their national origin, can fully and fairly access Louisiana state courts,” said U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser. “My office is committed to preventing Title VI discrimination, in all forms, in the Louisiana Judiciary.”

This agreement resolves a Department of Justice investigation of a complaint alleging that Louisiana state courts failed to provide language access for LEP individuals, including a failure to provide LEP individuals with qualified interpreters in civil proceedings, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its regulations (Title VI). The agreement is a commitment by the LSC to work with the Department of Justice to ensure the consistent delivery of language assistance services in the Louisiana Judiciary.

During the course of the investigation, LSC began taking steps to improve language services in state courts by retaining a Language Access Coordinator responsible for continuing to improve the LSC’s efforts and initiatives to comply with Title VI. LSC also developed technical assistance tools and provided trainings to Louisiana state court judges about how to address encounters with LEP individuals. Among other commitments in the agreement, the LSC will conduct an assessment of the Louisiana Judiciary to further inform the development of a more robust language access program. The LSC will also work with the Department of Justice to create a statewide language access plan that will include a template so that each state court can develop its own plan.

This matter was jointly investigated by attorneys Dylan Nicole de Kervor and Michael Mulé of the Civil Rights Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Howard Sinkman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

This complaint was resolved as part of FCS’s efforts to ensure that state courts comply with Title VI language access requirements. The FCS courts team provides policy guidance and technical assistance to state court systems and undertakes enforcement actions with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Louisiana Supreme Court (LSC) that recognizes the LSC’s commitment to work with the Louisiana Judiciary to phase-in a language access program that will provide oral and written language assistance services at no cost to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals in all state court proceedings and operations. 

“I commend the Louisiana Supreme Court for its commitment to work with all state courts in Louisiana to ensure meaningful access for LEP individuals,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The collaborative relationship between the Department of Justice and the Louisiana Supreme Court will only strengthen ongoing Louisiana Supreme Court efforts to ensure equal access to justice for all.”

“This agreement is a partnership to ensure that all people, no matter their national origin, can fully and fairly access Louisiana state courts,” said U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser. “My office is committed to preventing Title VI discrimination, in all forms, in the Louisiana Judiciary.”

This agreement resolves a Department of Justice investigation of a complaint alleging that Louisiana state courts failed to provide language access for LEP individuals, including a failure to provide LEP individuals with qualified interpreters in civil proceedings, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its regulations (Title VI). The agreement is a commitment by the LSC to work with the Department of Justice to ensure the consistent delivery of language assistance services in the Louisiana Judiciary.

During the course of the investigation, LSC began taking steps to improve language services in state courts by retaining a Language Access Coordinator responsible for continuing to improve the LSC’s efforts and initiatives to comply with Title VI. LSC also developed technical assistance tools and provided trainings to Louisiana state court judges about how to address encounters with LEP individuals. Among other commitments in the agreement, the LSC will conduct an assessment of the Louisiana Judiciary to further inform the development of a more robust language access program. The LSC will also work with the Department of Justice to create a statewide language access plan that will include a template so that each state court can develop its own plan.

This matter was jointly investigated by attorneys Dylan Nicole de Kervor and Michael Mulé of the Civil Rights Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Howard Sinkman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

This complaint was resolved as part of FCS’s efforts to ensure that state courts comply with Title VI language access requirements. The FCS courts team provides policy guidance and technical assistance to state court systems and undertakes enforcement actions with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country.

                                                                       ***

WASHINGTON, D.C. – El Departamento de Justicia ha llegado a un acuerdo con la Corte Suprema de Luisiana (LSC, por sus siglas en inglés) que reconoce el compromiso de la LSC a colaborar con el Sistema Judicial de Luisiana para iniciar un programa de acceso lingüístico que proporcionará servicios gratuitos de apoyo lingüístico orales y escritos a individuos que no dominan el inglés (LEP, por sus siglas en inglés) para todo proceso y operación judicial estatal.

«Le felicito a la Corte Suprema de Luisiana por su compromiso a trabajar con todos los tribunales estatales en Luisiana a garantizar un acceso significativo para los individuos LEP», declaró el Fiscal General Auxiliar, Eric Dreiband, de la División de Derechos Civiles. «Esta relación colaborativa entre el Departamento de Justicia y la Corte Suprema de Luisiana solo fortalecerá los esfuerzos continuos de la Corte Suprema de Luisiana para garantizar la igualdad de acceso a la justicia para todos».

«Este acuerdo representa una asociación cuyo fin es garantizar que todas las personas, independientemente de su origen nacional, puedan acceder plena y justamente a los tribunales estatales de Luisiana», afirmó el Fiscal Federal Peter Strasser. «Mi oficina se ha comprometido a prevenir la discriminación al amparo del Título VI en todas sus formas en el Sistema Judicial de Luisiana».

Este acuerdo resuelve la investigación por parte del Departamento de Justicia de una denuncia que alegó que los tribunales estatales de Luisiana no brindaron acceso lingüístico a individuos LEP, lo que incluye la falta de suministro a los individuos LEP de intérpretes cualificados en procesos civiles, lo que es una vulneración del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y sus reglamentos (el Título VI). El acuerdo representa un compromiso por parte de la LSC a trabajar con el Departamento de Justicia para asegurar que se ofrezcan los servicios de apoyo lingüístico de manera coherente en el Sistema Judicial de Luisiana.

A lo largo de la investigación, la LSC comenzó a tomar pasos a mejorar los servicios lingüísticos en los tribunales estatales al contratar a un Coordinador de Acceso Lingüístico que es responsable de seguir mejorando los esfuerzos e iniciativas de la LSC en lo que se refiere al cumplimiento con el Título VI. Asimismo, la LSC desarrolló herramientas de asistencia técnica y ofreció capacitaciones a los jueces de los tribunales estatales de Luisiana que le enseñaron cómo abordar los encuentros con individuos LEP. Entre otros compromisos en el acuerdo, la LSC realizará una evaluación del Sistema Judicial de Luisiana para poder aportar mayor información para el desarrollo de un programa de acceso lingüístico más robusto. La LSC también trabajará con el Departamento de Justicia para crear un plan de acceso lingüístico estatal que incluirá un esquema para que todos los tribunales estatales puedan desarrollar su propio plan.

Este asunto fue co-investigado por los abogados Dylan Nicole de Kervor y Michael Mulé de la Sección Federal de Coordinación y Cumplimiento de la División de Derechos Civiles y el Fiscal Federal Auxiliar David Howard Sinkman de la Fiscalía Federal para el Distrito Este de Luisiana.

Esta denuncia fue resuelta como parte de los esfuerzos de la FCS para garantizar que los tribunales estatales cumplan con los requisitos de acceso lingüístico del Título VI. El equipo de la FCS que se dedica a asunto relacionados con los tribunales ofrece orientación normativa y asistencia técnica a los sistemas de tribunales estatales y se encarga, con las Fiscalías Federales por todo el país, de acciones de ejecución.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that KENNETH MARTIN, age 45, from Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday to (10) ten years in prison, followed by (6) six years of supervised release, for charges related to distribution of fentanyl and heroin, and firearms possession.

On October 18, 2018, MARTIN pled guilty to conspiring, from at least May 23, 2016, through August 2, 2017, to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl and 100 grams of heroin. MARTIN also pled guilty to seven counts of distribution of heroin and fentanyl, to being a felon in possession of three firearms—a revolver, a semi-automatic pistol, and a shotgun—and to possessing those firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The government charged MARTIN with a sentencing enhancement for his prior drug convictions.

According to court documents, the shotgun was found in a New Orleans East residence, which MARTIN used as a stash house, where agents also found over two ounces of heroin. The revolver was found at MARTIN’s home in Slidell, in a car that MARTIN had used to sell drugs. The semi-automatic pistol was found at a bar, where MARTIN also sold drugs, in the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans.

For the drug charges and the felon-in-possession charge, Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown sentenced MARTIN was sentenced to five years in prison. For the charge of possessing of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, he was sentenced to another five years in prison, consecutive to his sentence for other counts.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas D. Moses is in charge of the prosecution.

*      *      *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that GERARDO TEJEDA-QUIROZ, age 33, a native of Mexico, was sentenced Wednesday, May 8, 2019 on a one-count indictment for illegal entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

United States District Court Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon sentenced TEJEDA to time served in prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee. The defendant will be surrendered to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.

According to court documents, the defendant had been previously removed from the United States on April 24, 2009, and then reentered the United States without permission.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri was in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                    *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS –  The United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana  announced that CHRISTOPHER LORELL ROBERTS, JR., age 41, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged today in a 29-count Indictment with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and tax evasion, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7201.

According to the Indictment, ROBERTS served as a member of the Jefferson Parish Council beginning in January 2004, first as a representative of District 1 and then as a Councilman-at-Large. In addition to receiving a salary of up to $112,000 as a councilman, ROBERTS earned income from a variety of other sources, including his part or full ownership of several business ventures, including CDS Enterprises, L.L.C. (“CDS Enterprises”), Mardi Market, The West Bank Beacon, LLC (the “West Bank Beacon”), fireworks stands, Baskin Robbins ice cream franchises, sno-ball stands, a photography business, and a consulting business.  CDS Enterprises was the entity through which ROBERTS, among other things, owned and operated Baskin Robbins ice cream franchise locations.  Mardi Market was a wholesaler of Mardi Gras-related merchandise, including throws (i.e., beads, doubloons, cups, etc.), apparel, and supplies, located in Gretna, Louisiana.  The West Bank Beacon was a local monthly publication distributed throughout portions of the metropolitan New Orleans area.  ROBERTS held an approximately twenty-five (25) percent ownership stake in the West Bank Beacon and was responsible for its business operations.  ROBERTS also earned income in the form of gambling winnings. 

In about October 2013, after the death of its owner, ROBERTS was hired to serve as the General Manager of Company A, a full-service landscaping and landscape management company headquartered in Terrytown, Louisiana, within the Eastern District of Louisiana, that specialized in providing various residential and commercial services, including deck and fence design, creation, and installation, as well as lawn mowing, tree trimming, and weeding.  Company A’s new owner, the wife of its original owner, had no prior experience or involvement operating Company A or familiarity with running a business.  ROBERTS was responsible for, among other things, the daily oversight, control, and operation of Company A and had signatory authority for and access to Company A’s bank accounts.  Beginning not later than May 2014, ROBERTS began defrauding Company A in a number of ways, including by writing checks made payable to himself or entities whose bank accounts were under his control, including the West Bank Beacon and CDS Enterprises, and using Company A’s debit card, which drew on Company A’s bank accounts, to pay for goods and services that benefitted him personally. 

ROBERTS engaged in a series of deceptive acts to disguise his behavior and to make the fraudulent transactions appear legitimate by various means.  For example, ROBERTS wrote and issued checks drawn on Company A’s bank accounts that contained false descriptions in the checks’ memo lines.  He also wrote and issued checks drawn on Company A’s bank accounts made payable to entities owned or controlled by ROBERTS, including CDS Enterprises and the West Bank Beacon, that purported to be related to legitimate expenditures or bill payments for Company A.  Furthermore, ROBERTS sent text messages containing false information about the reason for payments to Company A’s owner.  He also claimed that unauthorized payments were reimbursements for loans ROBERTS personally made to Company A and bills for Company A that ROBERTS had paid personally.  Among the items ROBERTS purchased, in whole or in part, with money he obtained without authorization from Company A and unrelated to his employment with Company A, were a customized shipping container to use as a retail location for the operation of his fireworks business, three (3) remote-controlled drones, and a 2.01 carat diamond ring with a split shank and 84 additional diamonds surrounding the primary diamond that cost approximately $16,000, which ROBERTS used as an engagement ring.

Additionally, each year between Tax Year 2010 and Tax Year 2016, ROBERTS failed to report a substantial amount of the income he earned from multiple sources, including CDS Enterprises, the West Bank Beacon, Company A, and gambling winnings at casinos on his United States Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040 (“Form 1040”).  With the help of a certified public accountant, ROBERTS filed initial returns for Tax Years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, in September 2015, during a contested re-election campaign.  These returns underreported substantial income sources.  Despite failing to declare many of these sources of income on his federal income tax returns, ROBERTS disclosed most of them on the personal financial disclosure statements he completed and filed annually with the Louisiana Board of Ethics. 

In mid-2017, after ROBERTS learned of a federal criminal investigation into his federal income tax returns, he retained a different certified public accountant to prepare amended returns for Tax Years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as original federal income tax returns for Tax Years 2014, 2015, and 2016.  While his amended returns reported significantly more income that the initial income tax return, ROBERTS withheld substantial income sources from his these returns, as well.  For example, on September 14, 2015, ROBERTS filed his Tax Year 2013 federal income tax return in which he reported joint total income of $188,759.  On January 11, 2018, after learning of the federal investigation, ROBERTS filed an amended return that reported his joint total income was $568,957. 

If convicted, ROBERTS faces a maximum term of 475 years in prison, a fine of up to $6,200,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment per count.

The United States Attorney’s Office reiterated that an Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The United States Attorney’s Office praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation in investigating this matter, with the assistance of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit, and Assistant United States Attorney Myles Ranier are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RANDOLPH ARD (“ARD”), age 62, of Kentwood, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty May 3, 2018 to Possession of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B).

According to documents filed in federal court, on November 22, 2017, law enforcement officers with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested ARD at his Kentwood home after finding that ARD was in possession of several items, including a laptop computer and thumb drive that contained images depicting the sexual victimization of prepubescent children. Court records also revealed that ARD was previously convicted in Tangipahoa Parish Criminal District Court for pornography involving juveniles and indecent behavior with juveniles on March 6, 2013.  ARD was on state parole supervision at the time of his arrest.

ARD faces a mandatory minimum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment up to twenty (20) years, followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.

ARD will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon on August 8, 2019.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, and Louisiana Probation and Parole in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Financial Crimes Unit Supervisor, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.

                                                                     *    *    *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NATHANIEL LOUIS, age 45, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty May 2, 2019 before the Honorable Carl J. Barbier to an indictment charging him with violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

According to the court records, LOUIS conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute a kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.  LOUIS admitted to being captured on recorded calls as part of a lengthy Title III wire intercept. 

Sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2019.  LOUIS faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years up to a maximum of life, a fine of $10,000,000 and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

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 – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that PATRICK HEALEY, age 34, of New Orleans, and a former employee of an undisclosed entity, ABC Homes, LLC, located in St. Bernard Parish, was sentenced May 1, 2019 for his role in making false statements to a financial institution.

According to court documents, beginning in or around October 24, 2008 and continuing to on or about May 31, 2009, HEALEY, along with co-defendants JARED CASTELLAW and VALERIE SCHONES made false statements to the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) in order to assist low-income borrowers in qualifying for FHA insured loans for which they would not otherwise have qualified. In total, due to the acts of the defendants, the FHA suffered a loss in excess of $852,415.

HEALEY was sentenced to time served, supervised release of 5 years, a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $852,415.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharan E. Lieberman and Edward J. Rivera.

                                                                   *     *     *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JORGE AGUILAR-PEREZ, age 25, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information for illegally re-entering the United States in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

According to the Bill of Information, JORGE AGUILAR-PEREZ was found in the United States on or about December 20, 2018, after having been previously removed therefrom on or about May 25, 2006.

JORGE AGUILAR-PEREZ was sentenced to be imprisoned for a total term of 6 months and a $100.00 special assessment.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JUAN SANTOS PEREZ-ZAVALA, age 24, a native of Mexico, was charged yesterday in a one-count indictment with illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).

According to the indictment, ZAVALA was an illegal alien in possession of a firearm on April 16, 2019 found in the Eastern District of Louisiana.  He is an illegal alien from Mexico and has never been deported.  The indictment alleges he illegally possessed a KelTec model P11 9 millimeter pistol.

If convicted, ZAVALA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                    *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SANTOS EVELIO NOLAZCO, age 48, a native of Honduras, was charged yesterday in a one-count indictment with illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

According to the indictment, EVELIO NOLAZCO was previously removed from the United States on August 17, 2016. He was later found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on March 28, 2019 and had not received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter.

If convicted, EVELIO NOLAZCO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 years, a fine of $250,000, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                   *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that CHRISTOPHER WATSON, age 28, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for charges stemming from his arrest in Jefferson Parish last summer. WATSON was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, three counts of bank fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

According to today’s indictment, the investigation was initiated by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after determining that WATSON was using stolen or fraudulent identities to obtain vehicle financing. The investigation revealed that WATSON, who previously worked as a used car salesman, submitted numerous fraudulent loan applications to financial institutions and automobile lenders, sometimes using the personal identifying information of his customers. WATSON was also charged with aggravated identity theft for stealing the identities of several current/former military members or their families and submitting fraudulent loan applications to USAA Financial on their behalf.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser reiterated that the Indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, WATSON faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, followed by up to five years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344, WATSON faces a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment, followed by up to five years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. If convicted of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, he faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, followed by up to three years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a sentence of two years consecutive to any other sentence imposed, followed by one year of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. 

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service Financial Crimes Taskforce in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                 *      *      *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that N & F Logistics, Inc.,  a shipping and trucking business located in Harahan, Louisiana, was charged Tuesday, April 30, 2019 in a one-count bill of information with unlawful employment of an alien in violation of 8 U.S.C. '' 1324a (a)(1)(A) and (f)(1).

If convicted, N & F Logistics, Inc. faces a maximum fine of up to $250,000.00 and a $100 special assessment.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                        *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that a Mississippi couple, KIMBERLY HOMRIGHAUSEN, age 42, and RICHARD HOMRIGHAUSEN, age 36, pleaded guilty on May 2, 2019, to conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks related to compounded medications paid for by TRICARE, a federally funded health care benefit program that serves United States military personnel and their families.

The defendants admitted to paying kickbacks to TRICARE beneficiaries to induce them to obtain compounded medications, costing TRICARE a total of approximately $9 million.  The defendants received a total of about $1.7 million in kickbacks for referring the beneficiaries.

At sentencing, which is set for August 8, 2019, each defendant faces up to five years’ imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Chandra Menon is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that LENIS PADILLA RUIZ age 32, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment for illegally re-entering the United States in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

According to court documents, RUIZ was found in the United States on or about November 19, 2018, after having been previously removed therefrom on or about April 1, 2016.

RUIZ was sentenced to time served and a $100.00 special assessment.  Additionally, RUIZ was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Julia K. Evans is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                       *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SCOTT BREAUX (“BREAUX”), age 39, of Marrero, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty yesterday to bank theft, announced United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

According to documents filed in federal court, from about November 2016 to July 2017, while employed as a Branch Manager at ASI Federal Credit Union, BREAUX stole approximately $35,000.00.  BREAUX was employed with ASI since in or about 2011, and during his tenure with ASI, BREAUX worked at the Harahan, Westwego, and uptown branches.  In 2014, BREAUX was named Branch Manager of ASI’s Westwego branch.  In February 2017, BREAUX was transferred to ASI’s uptown branch where he continued to work as Branch Manager until he resigned in July 2017.  ASI is a federally insured financial institution and its deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Association.

BREAUX faces a sentence of up to ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years, and a $250,000.00 fine.  

BREAUX will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle on August 14, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.

*  *  *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that JHON ALBEIRO PINEDA JIMENEZ, age 37, and PEDRO ANTONIO JIMENEZ, age 65, both Colombians, pled guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman to Count 1 of their Indictment, which charged conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride while upon the high seas on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, under Title 46, United States Code, Sections 70503(a)(1) and 70506(a) and (b), and Title 21, United States Code, Section 960(b)(1)(B)(ii). 

According to court documents, PINEDA JIMENEZ and JIMENEZ while aboard a small fishing vessel southwest of the Panama/Costa Rica border, were arrested by the U.S. Coast Guard. Hidden aboard the vessel was over 113 kilograms of powder cocaine. 

Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum life sentence, a possible $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years of supervised release after his term of incarceration. 

Sentencing is scheduled before Judge Feldman on July 24, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Department of Homeland Security in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brandon S. Long.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DAVID TRAN, age 32, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo to an indictment charging him with violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act, announced U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

According to the court records, TRAN pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to manufacture, possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 100 grams or more of heroin.  TRAN also admitted that he possessed large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute them and that he was manufacturing large quantities of marijuana. 

The case resulted from a lengthy Title III wire intercept investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration in which TRAN and his co-conspirators were captured discussing heroin sales, as well as the construction of a large indoor marijuana grow in Bridge City.  The calls led the DEA agents to conduct a search of a warehouse and adjacent residence in Bridge City.  During the search, the agents found a large marijuana grow that contained approximately 700 plants in varying stages of growth and equipment sufficient to grow many thousand more plants.  Significant work and expense had been put into remodeling the warehouse, including thousands of dollars in lights, cooling systems, and ventilation.  The agents also discovered a safe containing a cornucopia of other drugs, including 1,396.2 grams of methamphetamine; 990 grams of MDMA (ecstasy); and 1,175.9 grams of fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid that is fueling the tremendous rise in overdose deaths. 

Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.  TRAN faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years up to a maximum of life, a fine of $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Orleans Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Several other law enforcement agencies, including Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Kenner Police Department, assisted in the search of the warehouse in Bridge City.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney David Haller.

*     *     *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JARED CARRELL (“CARRELL”), age 38, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty yesterday to Possession of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(B).

According to documents filed in federal court, on May 30, 2018, law enforcement officers with the Louisiana State Police found CARRELL in possession of a LG cellular device containing images depicting the sexual victimization of prepubescent children.  On July 9, 2018, members of the Louisiana State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant at CARRELL’s Thibodaux residence. At which time, CARRELL was arrested and charged with possessing child pornographic materials.

CARRELL faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years imprisonment followed by up to a life term of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.  In addition, CARRELL will be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

CARRELL will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jay C. Zainey on August 6, 2019.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Supervisor of Financial Crimes, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba.

                                                                     *  *  *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that WAYNE JEROME CELESTINE, M.D., age 58, a physician who practiced in Gretna and resided in New Orleans, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to two counts in the Second Superseding Indictment, which charged him with illegally dispensing controlled substances and money laundering. 

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced DR. CELESTINE to (7) seven years (84 months) imprisonment.  On Monday, April 30, 2018, DR. CELESTINE was arrested on charges of distribution of controlled substances.  According to court records, DR. CELESTINE illegally dispensed and conspired with others to illegally dispense controlled substances, including oxycodone, a Schedule II drug controlled substance.  On November 29, 2018, DR. CELESTINE plead guilty to two counts of the Second Superseding Indictment.        

In addition to the (7) seven year term of incarceration, DR. CELESTINE was fined $20,000 and will face a term of supervised release of (3) three years, following the term of imprisonment.  Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, DR. CELESTINE has been ordered to forfeit to the United States: over $1 million in seized currency, investment accounts, and negotiable instruments; and over $1 million in seized vehicles, residences, and commercial properties.  By virtue of the plea agreement, DR. CELESTINE acknowledged that these assets represent proceeds and/or facilitating property of the crimes for which he has pled guilty. 

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 Strasser praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Harahan Police Department, Westwego Police Department, Louisiana State Police, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, and New Orleans District Attorney’s Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys John F. Murphy and Andre J. Lagarde are in charge of the prosecution.

*      *      *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DANA ALVAREZ, age 49, a resident of Holden, Louisiana, pled guilty Thursday, April 25, 2019 to conspiracy to defraud the United States with regard to tax returns announced U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

According to court documents, ALVAREZ worked for Crown Tax Service, LLC, located in Kenner, Louisiana. ALVAREZ and others conspired to defraud the United States by fraudulently minimizing tax liability and fraudulently inflating tax refunds claimed on the tax returns of Crown Tax Service’s clients, and for personal enrichment.

ALVAREZ faces 5 years of imprisonment as to Count 1, 3 years of supervised release and a possible $250,000 fine.   Sentencing will occur on July 25, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division for its work in investigating this case.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Lauren Castaldi, Department of Justice Tax Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Supervisor, General Crimes.

                                                                  *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced DWAYNE WINANS JR., a/k/a “Butter,” to 30 years of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release.  WINANS is also required to pay $12,187 in restitution to Gulf Coast Bank.  WINANS JR., age 25, of New Orleans, and BRYSON TUESNO, age 24, also of New Orleans, were convicted on April 26, 2018, after a four-day jury trial.

The jury found WINANS guilty of committing two carjackings, on August 12, 2016, in New Orleans, and two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes. 

The jury also found WINANS and TUESNO guilty of robbing, on August 15, 2016, the Regions Bank located at 3836 Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Bank located at 1900 Oak Harbor Boulevard in Slidell. The men were additionally convicted of two counts of using firearms during the commission of those crimes. WINANS and TUESNO used one of the carjacked vehicles to commit the bank robberies.

TUESNO is scheduled for sentencing on May 23 before Chief Judge Brown.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael E. McMahon, Jeffrey Sandman, and David Howard Sinkman prosecuted the case.

                                                                 *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that MEKAILL HARRIS, age 20, of New Orleans, was charged yesterday in a one count federal indictment with possession of a firearm while under a domestic violence court restraining order.  Federal law prohibits individuals who are subject to a domestic violence court restraining order from possessing firearms during the duration of the restraining order.

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

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

Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the law enforcement officers at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that TRINA ROBAIR, age 44,  of New Orleans, Louisiana pleaded guilty Wednesday, April 24, 2019 to a one count Bill of Information charging her with Bank Larceny in relation to stealing at least $149,500 from an elderly deceased woman for whom ROBAIR was a caretaker, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section § 2113(b).

The charging document, filed in court, states that ROBAIR had access to the elderly woman’s accounts because she was incapacitated.  ROBAIR did not have permission to steal the money.  The Bill of Information further states that ROBAIR stole $149,500.

In a document filed in open court and signed by ROBAIR, she admitted to four schemes she used to steal money.  Scheme one involved ROBAIR simply forging the deceased woman’s signature on checks drawn from her account.  Scheme two involved withdrawing money from the accounts of the deceased woman using ATM and electronic funds transfers.  The third scheme involved ROBAIR impersonating the deceased woman in a telephone conversation with Fidelity Investments and convincing Fidelity that she was the deceased woman.  She was able to steal $49,000 in this manner.  Finally, ROBAIR and co-defendant Michael Reed, age 62, of New Orleans devised a false repair kickback scheme where Reed would purportedly repair the house of the elderly woman and submit invoices.  In reality the repairs were never done and ROBAIR received a $20,000 kickback.  Reed’s sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2019.

The statutory penalty for Bank Larceny is ten (10) years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, three (3) years supervised release, restitution and a $100 special assessment.  Sentencing is set for August 7, 2019.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Carter K. D. Guice, Jr.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser joins the DEA in announcing its 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 27th. The biannual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at thousands of collection sites around the country, including here in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

U.S. Attorney Strasser stated, “Unfortunately, the average medicine cabinet, overstocked with unused or expired medications, can unintentionally provide opportunities for abuse.  DEA’s Take Back Day affords a unique opportunity to anonymously and safely remove these potential hazards and prevent them from affecting families and our communities.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley said, “Prescription drug abuse has become the nation’s fastest growing drug epidemic.  Last year, more Americans died from opioid overdoses than from all other drugs combined, including meth, cocaine and hallucinogens.  Unfortunately, these prescription drugs are most often obtained from friends and family, who leave them in home medicine cabinets.  DEA’s Take-Back initiative provides citizens an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs.  Please do your part to keep prescription drugs off the streets and help spread awareness in your community.”

Last October Americans turned in 457 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 6,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 11 million pounds—more than 5,400 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.)

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.

Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator or www.deatakeback.com where you can search by zip code, city, or state.

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JONATHAN LAWRENCE, a/k/a “Chop,” a/k/a “Mego,” age 32, and VONZO MAGEE, a/k/a “Zo, a/k/a “Dark Low,” age 31, both of New Orleans, pleaded guilty yesterday to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Federal Gun Control Act. 

Specifically, LAWRENCE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl; one count of conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; and one count of discharging a firearm in a school zone.  On his drug conspiracy count, LAWRENCE is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life, a possible fine of up to $20,000,000, and at least ten years of supervised release upon his release from prison.  On the firearm conspiracy count, LAWRENCE is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than three years of supervised release.  On the discharging a firearm in a school zone count, LAWRENCE is facing a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $100,000, and not more than one year of supervised release. 

MAGEE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  On the drug conspiracy count, MAGEE is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release upon his release from prison.  On the felon in possession count, MAGEE is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a possible fine of up to $250,000, and not more than three years of supervised release. 

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance will sentence LAWRENCE and MAGEE on August 7, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGFT), which led this investigation and was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Police Department, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon S. Long, David Haller, and Edward Rivera are in charge of the prosecution.              

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that ALTON MCCLINTON, age 54, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty as charged yesterday before United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to a one-count bill of information with using a facility of interstate commerce with the intent to promote unlawful activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 1952(a)(3).

According to court documents, MCCLINTON began working as a building inspector for the Jefferson Parish Department of Inspection and Code Enforcement in about 2014.  He was responsible for, among other things, investigating complaints involving zoning violations and inspecting buildings to ensure that the structures were in compliance with parish building codes.  On at least ten (10) occasions, MCCLINTON used his position to demand a payment of between $150 and $500 in exchange for issuing either (1) a report reflecting that no zoning violation had occurred when, in fact, one had occurred and (2) an inspection report reflecting that MCCLINTON had inspected a particular building and that the building complied with parish building codes when, in fact, MCCLINTON had not actually inspected the building.  Thereafter, MCCLINTON had the pertinent information regarding the fraudulently passed building or zoning inspection entered into one of two internet-based computer systems used by Jefferson Parish to record building inspections and zoning violations.  While most of the bribe payments MCCLINTON received were in cash, at least one was in the form of a check drawn on the account of the party seeking a passing report from MCCLINTON. In total, MCCLINTON received a total of not less than $3,000 in bribe payments to influence his conduct.

MCCLINTON faces a maximum term of five (5) years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three (3) years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.  Sentencing before Judge Zainey has been scheduled for July 30, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter, with the assistance of the Jefferson Parish Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that DUSTIN DINET, age 32, of New Orleans, and STEVEN DINET, age 44, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin.

According to paperwork filed with the court, the DINETs, who are brothers, admitted to conspiring together to deal crack cocaine and heroin.  The DINETs acknowledged making three sales of an ounce of crack each to an undercover source.  They also admitted that approximately ¼ kilogram of heroin and $78,000 discovered during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Marrero, La. belonged to them.  Each of the brothers faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison up to forty years, at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, a fine of up to $5 million, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.  Sentencing is set before Judge Milazzo on July 25, 2019.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David Haller is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                        *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JENNIFER GUILLOT (GUILLOT), age 40, of Chalmette, Louisiana was sentenced to serve 30 months in Federal Prison  and two (2) years supervised release on April 17, 2019.  She was charged by a Bill of Information for Bank Larceny, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(b).

According to the Bill of Information, GUILLOTT began working at a local business, located in the Eastern District of Louisiana, in 1996 as a secretary/bookkeeper.  Sometime after she started working there, GUILLOT and her husband began having financial difficulties.  GUILLOT, through three separate and distinct schemes stole money from the accounts of the victim in the custody of Hibernia National Bank, now Capital One Bank.  The accounts of Hibernia National Bank were then insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (F.D.I.C.), thus creating federal jurisdiction.

GUILLOT defrauded the company in the first scheme by writing company checks to herself without the permission of the victim.  The loss to the victim through GUILLOT’s first scheme was $563,927.26.

GUILLOT stole money in a second scheme by writing company checks to her credit card companies for personal expenses without the company’s permission.  The loss to the victim through this scheme was $866,077.10.

GUILLOT stole money in a third scheme by logging on to the victim company’s Automated Clearinghouse Account (ACH) electronically and without the victim company’s permission and then paying her personal credit bills.  The loss to the victim through this scheme was $640,668.85.

When bank statements would arrive in the mail, GUILLOT would “white out” any entities which showed she stole money.  She made copies of the altered statements.  She would shred the originals and cancelled checks.  GUILLOT would further conceal her schemes by falsely showing payments made to herself to appear as payments to vendors of the victim. 

The grand total of GUILLOT’s schemes is $2,070,673.21, however, she was ordered to pay $1,561,968.19 restitution because of money recovered from her through civil lawsuits brought by the victim. 

Per the statutory sentence, GUILLOT faced 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, as well as restitution to the victim.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Carter K. D. Guice, Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney.

                                                                    *   *   *

U.S.  Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that AARON RUDOLPH, age 26, of New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

According to the court documents, RUDOLPH conspired with his co-defendant, JOHN RUDOLPH, to rob the First Bank and Trust, in Hammond, Louisiana, of approximately $10,490.96.

RUDOLPH faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.  Following any term of imprisonment, RUDOLPH may be placed on supervised release for a period of up to three years.  In addition, a mandatory $100 special assessment will be assessed.  U.S. District Court Judge Barry W. Ashe set sentencing for RUDOLPH for July 25, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced today that JESUS RUIZ-MADRIGAL, age 37, was charged yesterday in a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

According to the indictment, RUIZ-MADRIGAL, reentered the United States after he was previously deported on March 11, 2016.  If convicted, RUIZ-MADRIGAL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. 

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser 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.

U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced that KEITH ANTHONY RAMIREZ, age 34, pled guilty before the United States District Court to a one-count Indictment charging him with bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).

According to court documents, RAMIREZ robbed the Capital One Bank at 830 North Highway 190 in Covington on December 4, 2018.  RAMIREZ faces a sentence of up to twenty years in prison, a period of up to three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing for RAMIREZ for July 11, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter.  Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that a two-count bill of information was filed against a neurologist charging him with conspiracy to unlawfully dispense controlled substances and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. 

Specifically, ANIL PRASAD, age 62, of Mandeville was charged with one count of prescribing controlled substances outside the course of professional practice and for no legitimate purpose and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  According to court documents, between November 2016 and July 2018, PRASAD worked at a pain management clinic in Slidell, and during the course of his employment, PRASAD pre-signed prescriptions for controlled substances, including oxycodone and hydrocodone, without performing patient examinations to determine medical necessity.  Additionally, PRASAD knew that certain of those patients used their Medicare and Medicaid benefits to fill those prescriptions.  In total, Medicare and Medicaid paid approximately $1,657,461.15 for those prescriptions. 

If convicted, PRASAD faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine as to Count 1 of the Information, and a possible maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine as to Count 2 of the Information. 

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs for their work investigating the case.  U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

The case is being prosecuted by Jared Hasten of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharan Lieberman.

U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that defendant JERRELL ENCALADE, age 35, of Boothville, LA, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to traffic cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base (“crack”), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846.  ENCALADE is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a possible fine up to $5,000,000, and a period of supervised release of at least four years. 

U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman is scheduled to sentence ENCALADE on July 10, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office (PPSO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), Kenner Police Department (KPD), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Houston Police Department (HPD) in their investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that THAI THAI, LLC. d/b/a Sticky Rice Thai Cuisine and SOMPHON CHIWABANDIT, age 47, a native of Thailand, were sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to harboring and unlawfully employing illegal aliens, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii) and Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324a(a)(1)(A).

United States District Court Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced THAI THAI, LLC. d/b/a Sticky Rice Thai Cuisine to a 1 year term of probation, a $400 special assessment fee and also ordered the forfeiture of $24,640. CHIWABANDIT was sentenced to time served (4 months) and a $100 special assessment fee. CHIWABANDIT will be surrendered to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.

According to court records, Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations conducted surveillance on the restaurant as well as on a home owned, and an apartment rented by CHIWABANDIT. The defendant admitted in court that he provided housing, transportation, and employment to two illegal aliens. The defendant also acknowledged that he had been in the United States illegally for the past seven years, by overstaying a business visitor visa.

CHIWABANDIT also admitted to failing to list the illegal aliens on a Form I-9, which is used to verify employment eligibility for a business’s employees. By law, employers are required to maintain Form I-9s for all employees.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Covington Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri is in charge of the prosecution.

                                                                  *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that KENDALL BARNES, age 23, of New Orleans, and DERRICK GROVES, age 21, of New Orleans, were charged in a ten-count superseding indictment on April 11, 2019 by a federal grand jury.

The Indictment charges KENDALL BARNES and DERRICK GROVES with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.  If convicted of these counts, KENDALL BARNES and DERRICK GROVES face a term of imprisonment of up to 30 years, a fine of up to $2 million, and at least six years of supervised release. The Indictment also charges KENDALL BARNES and DERRICK GROVES with conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  If convicted of this count, KENDALL BARNES and DERRICK GROVES face a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, a fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

The Indictment charges KENDALL BARNES, a convicted felon, with one count of felon in possession of a firearm.  If convicted of this charge, KENDALL BARNES faces a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

The Indictment charges KENDALL BARNES with one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and DERRICK GROVES with two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.  If convicted of these counts, KENDALL BARNES and DERRICK GROVES face a minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years up to a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release, as to each count.  The term of imprisonment on these counts must run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment.

Additionally, the Indictment charges KENDALL BARNES with obstruction of justice.  If convicted of this count, KENDALL BARNES could face up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release.

The indictment also charges DERRICK GROVES with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl on October 12, 2018, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin on January 25, 2019.  If convicted of these counts, DERRICK GROVES could face up to 20 years of imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release, as to each count.

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

Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation New Orleans Violent Crimes Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is in charge of the prosecution.

*      *      *

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced that JAMES A. MOORE, age 31, of Atlanta, Georgia was charged yesterday by grand jury indictment with one count of failure to register as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

If convicted, MOORE faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.  He also would have to be sentenced to a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Marshals Service, the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana State Police, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office of Atlanta, Georgia in this matter.  He also extended his thanks to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.  Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser announced today that FRANKI NOEL ORTIZ-BERNARDEZ, age 34, pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 9, 2019 to a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

According to the indictment, FRANKI NOEL ORTIZ-BERNARDEZ (“BERNARDEZ”), reentered the United States after he was previously deported on September 14, 2014 and May 11, 2016.

BERNARDEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of one year, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.  U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle set sentencing for July 10, 2019.   

U.S. Attorney Strasser 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 - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that PATRICIA HARGIS, age 70, of Gretna was charged Tuesday, April 9. 2019 with filing a false tax return, a crime punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment.

According to the bill of information, HARGIS intentionally understated her income and taxes owed in her 2015 federal income tax return. U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Chandra Menon and Andre J. Lagarde are in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that NICHOLAS ROTUNDA ALLEN, age 39, an inmate in Jimmy Autry State Prison in Pelham, Georgia, was charged yesterday in a one-count bill of information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 371, for his role in perpetrating a grand jury fraud scam and victimizing a resident of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

According to the bill of information, on November 6, 2017, ALLEN used a contraband cellular telephone to contact Victim A from inside the state prison.  ALLEN obtained the phone from a non-incarcerated co-conspirator.  ALLEN pretended to be a Deputy United States Marshal and informed Victim A that he had unlawfully failed to report for jury duty service for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  ALLEN further told Victim A that because he had failed to appear for jury duty, a warrant had been issued out of the Eastern District of Louisiana for Victim A’s arrest.  The individual said that Victim A had the choice of either being arrested on the warrant or paying a $5,500 fine to have the arrest warrant dismissed. Victim A paid the fine by buying a series of pre-paid cash cards and giving the account numbers to ALLEN.  Thereafter, Victim A paid ALLEN by buying a total of eleven (11) pre-paid cash cards and giving the cards’ account numbers to ALLEN. 

If convicted, ALLEN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000, three years supervised release after imprisonment, and a mandatory $100 special assessment.

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

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Marshal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.

NEW ORLEANS –U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today that DARRYL HENRY, age 27, pleaded guilty Wednesday, April 3, 2019 to committing three Hobbs Act Robberies and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

On August 24, 2018, HENRY entered the Walmart Supercenter at 4001 Behrman Place in Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana, and passed the teller a demand note and displayed a firearm.  The teller was unable to open the safe, and HENRY left the business empty-handed.   HENRY then went to the Winn-Dixie Supermarket at 3008 Holiday Drive, in Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana, and unsuccessfully attempted to rob a clerk at that location.  HENRY then drove to the Walmart Neighborhood Market located 3265 Manhattan Boulevard, Harvey, Louisiana, and passed a demand note to a cashier while holding a gun in his right hand.  HENRY ultimately fled the store with $6,992.00 in United States currency.

HENRY will be sentenced by the Honorable Lance M. Africk on July 10, 2019.  He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison as to the three robberies and minimum of seven years in prison as to the charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the diligent work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Myles Ranier is handling the prosecution.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safe for everyone.  Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, then Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN was launched in 2001.

*     *     *

Note: The defendant Samuel Ray Luck was later acquitted in a subsequent bench trial, after his request for a new trial was granted.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that SAMUEL RAY LUCK, age 41, a resident of Raceland, Louisiana, was convicted yesterday by a Federal Jury for possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

According to evidence presented at trial, LUCK possessed a firearm on June 13, 2018 after having previously been convicted in McLean County, Kentucky for a violation of Kentucky Revised Statue (KRS) 508.030, Assault in the Fourth Degree, a misdemeanor crime of domestic abuse violence.

LUCK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000.00, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  

“The conviction of Mr. Luck highlights the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement in keeping our citizens safe, which is a top priority,” stated U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Peter G. Strasser. “The focus on investigating and prosecuting violent offenders in the possession of firearms remains to be our frontline tactic in combating violent crime.”

“Firearms in the hands of criminals is a recipe for disaster,” said ATF New Orleans Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols. “ATF is committed to preventing and reducing firearms related crime in our communities. Samuel Ray Luck’s conviction and pending sentence should serve as a reminder to individuals who have a conviction for domestic violence or felony convictions, you can not possess firearms.”

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.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and John Murphy are prosecuting the case.

                                                                    *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that CHARLES BROWN, age 30, of New Orleans, pled guilty Thursday, April 4, 2019 to felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, BROWN had another individual purchase a firearm for him from the Jefferson Gun Outlet on or about July 27, 2018.  That same day, BROWN was stopped in a vehicle while he was in possession of that firearm.  BROWN was prohibited from possessing firearms because of a felony conviction. 

BROWN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.  U.S. District Court Judge Ashe set sentencing for July 11, 2019.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (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.

U. S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni.

                                                                        *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARK DOUGLAS, age 71, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged in a one-count bill of information for embezzlement of union funds, announced U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

According to court documents, between November 11, 2011 and January 17, 2015, DOUGLAS acted as President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1101. DOUGLAS was responsible for the local’s grievances with the Domino Sugar Company and running the day to day operations of the union. 

Union officers were permitted to file “lost time” claims to be reimbursed for conducting union business. Lost time is generally taken for arbitrations, attorney visits, accountant visits, or negotiations with Domino Sugar Company. During his time as President, DOUGLAS filed fraudulent “lost time” claims with the union, totaling approximately $7,078.35.

If convicted, DOUGLAS faces 5 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge, and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the U.S Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, in investigating this matter.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, Supervisor, General Crimes.

                                                                  *   *   *

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FRANCISCO JAVIER NUNEZ-ALEMAN, age 32, a citizen of Mexico pled guilty to a two-count indictment Wednesday, April 3, 2019 for illegal use of a Social Security Number in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B) and using a false social security number in attempting to secure a U.S. Passport, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1542.  He is set for sentencing on July 10, 2019.

NUNEZ-ALEMAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years, a fine of $250,000.00, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.00 on the false passport application and five (5) years imprisonment on the illegal use of a social security number.  Additionally, NUNEZ-ALEMAN is subject to a period of supervised release after imprisonment of up to three years on both counts.

Papers filed in open court revealed that NUNEZ-ALEMAN applied for a U.S. Passport at the Bourg, La Post Office and affixed his actual signature thereto.  However, the State Department determined that the Social Security number he used in the application belonged to another individual.  He had also purchased a Puerto Rican birth certificate for fraudulent use.  Additionally, NUNEZ-ALEMAN used the fraudulently obtained social security number in applying for a job at a Houma, La employer.

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

*   *   *