Eastern District of Louisiana

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that Granville Robinson, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced to 294 months in prison for his role in operating a sex trafficking scheme out of the Riviera Motel in New Orleans, using force and threats to compel multiple women to engage in prostitution for the defendants’ profit in New Orleans and elsewhere.

On Feb. 3, 2016, Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit sex trafficking and one count of sex trafficking.  A restitution hearing is scheduled for July 13, 2016.  Six other defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with the case, and are awaiting sentencing. 

“Trafficking in human beings is abhorrent to our nation’s belief in freedom, dignity, and individual rights,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  “The Civil Rights Division is deeply committed to seeking justice on behalf of vulnerable individuals, and we will continue to be unwavering in our commitment to restoring the lives of human trafficking victims and survivors, and to holding human traffickers accountable.”

“Of the seven defendants convicted in this prosecution, Robinson was the most violent,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana.  “He regularly used physical abuse to coerce vulnerable victims – including a pregnant woman – into a life of prostitution for his benefit.  Today's lengthy sentence was certainly warranted, and it reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that human traffickers like Robinson are held accountable for their criminal actions.”

“Today, we have removed Granville Robinson not just off of the streets of Louisiana, but also from the streets of America,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey S. Sallet of the FBI’s New Orleans Office.  “He is nothing short of a predator who took advantage of and abused vulnerable women.  His need for control and greed comes to an end today with this lengthy sentence he so justly deserves.”

“Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that ICE Homeland Security Investigations fights as one of its highest priorities via a coordinated global effort with the FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr. of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans.  “The results speak for themselves; over the past two years HSI has doubled its number of human trafficking arrests. HSI will continue to investigate and seek prosecution of these criminals while also ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need.”

On Oct. 3 2014, Robinson and co-defendants Duane Phillips, Christopher Williams, Anthony Ellis and Laquentin Brown were charged in a second superseding indictment with sex trafficking conspiracy and varying counts of sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution.  An additional defendant, Kanubhai Patel, who owned the Riviera Motel where the sex trafficking scheme was based, was charged in the same indictment with benefitting financially from sex trafficking.  A seventh defendant, Zacchaeus Taylor, was charged separately on March 28, 2014.

According to Robinson’s admissions during his plea hearing and other court documents, he enforced strict rules on the women he trafficked as part of his conspiracy.  These rules included requiring the women to earn a minimum amount each day, to provide him with all of their earnings and to seek his permission to stop prostituting for the night.  Robinson confiscated some women’s identification to make it harder for them to leave, and forced some to get tattoos signifying that they belonged to him.  When the women broke the rules or did not earn enough money, Robinson physically assaulted them. 

Robinson acknowledged compelling and coercing more than 10 different women to engage in prostitution for his profit from 2012 through January 2014 in connection with the charged conspiracy.  Robinson admitted to using force to punish and control the women, including one instance of punching and kicking a woman in the abdomen, knowing she was pregnant, to punish her for texting without his permission, and another instance of shoving a woman into a toilet tank hard enough to break it, then striking her repeatedly with a wooden board, to punish her for reportedly planning to escape.

Robinson and his co-defendants aided each other by posting bond for each other following arrests, monitoring the women and reporting to each other any violations of the rules the defendants imposed on the women and transporting women together from New Orleans to Texas, Tennessee, Maryland and Washington, D.C., for prostitution.  When two women tried to escape on one such trip, Robinson and a co-defendant found them, forced them into a car, and brought them back to New Orleans to continue prostituting.

Robinson and his co-defendants operated out of certain motels, including the Riviera, which generally did not report their activities to the police.  The defendants rented multiple rooms at the Riviera where women would meet prostitution clients, and paid the Riviera above-market rates to reflect the high traffic through the rooms.

On July 1, 2015, Patel pleaded guilty to benefitting financially from human trafficking.  In March and April 2015, Phillips, Williams, Ellis and Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.  Ellis and Brown also pleaded guilty to interstate transportation for prostitution.  On June 25, 2014, Taylor pleaded guilty to sex trafficking conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.

This case was investigated jointly by the FBI’s New Orleans Division and HSI’s New Orleans Field Office, with assistance from the FBI’s Memphis Division.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti and Former Special Litigation Counsel John Cotton Richmond of the Civil Right Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia K. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Sex Trafficking Scheme Used Threats, Violence and Coercion to Compel Women into Prostitution in New Orleans and Elsewhere

The Justice Department announced today that Granville Robinson, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced to 294 months in prison for his role in operating a sex trafficking scheme out of the Riviera Motel in New Orleans, using force and threats to compel multiple women to engage in prostitution for the defendants’ profit in New Orleans and elsewhere.

On Feb. 3, 2016, Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit sex trafficking and one count of sex trafficking.  A restitution hearing is scheduled for July 13, 2016.  Six other defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with the case, and are awaiting sentencing.  

“Trafficking in human beings is abhorrent to our nation’s belief in freedom, dignity, and individual rights,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  “The Civil Rights Division is deeply committed to seeking justice on behalf of vulnerable individuals, and we will continue to be unwavering in our commitment to restoring the lives of human trafficking victims and survivors, and to holding human traffickers accountable.”

“Of the seven defendants convicted in this prosecution, Robinson was the most violent,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana.  “He regularly used physical abuse to coerce vulnerable victims – including a pregnant woman – into a life of prostitution for his benefit.  Today's lengthy sentence was certainly warranted, and it reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that human traffickers like Robinson are held accountable for their criminal actions.”

“Today, we have removed Granville Robinson not just off of the streets of Louisiana, but also from the streets of America,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey S. Sallet of the FBI’s New Orleans Office.  “He is nothing short of a predator who took advantage of and abused vulnerable women.  His need for control and greed comes to an end today with this lengthy sentence he so justly deserves.”

“Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that ICE Homeland Security Investigations fights as one of its highest priorities via a coordinated global effort with the FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr. of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans.  “The results speak for themselves; over the past two years HSI has doubled its number of human trafficking arrests. HSI will continue to investigate and seek prosecution of these criminals while also ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need.”

On Oct. 3 2014, Robinson and co-defendants Duane Phillips, Christopher Williams, Anthony Ellis and Laquentin Brown were charged in a second superseding indictment with sex trafficking conspiracy and varying counts of sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution.  An additional defendant, Kanubhai Patel, who owned the Riviera Motel where the sex trafficking scheme was based, was charged in the same indictment with benefitting financially from sex trafficking.  A seventh defendant, Zacchaeus Taylor, was charged separately on March 28, 2014.

According to Robinson’s admissions during his plea hearing and other court documents, he enforced strict rules on the women he trafficked as part of his conspiracy.  These rules included requiring the women to earn a minimum amount each day, to provide him with all of their earnings and to seek his permission to stop prostituting for the night.  Robinson confiscated some women’s identification to make it harder for them to leave, and forced some to get tattoos signifying that they belonged to him.  When the women broke the rules or did not earn enough money, Robinson physically assaulted them.

Robinson acknowledged compelling and coercing more than 10 different women to engage in prostitution for his profit from 2012 through January 2014 in connection with the charged conspiracy.  Robinson admitted to using force to punish and control the women, including one instance of punching and kicking a woman in the abdomen, knowing she was pregnant, to punish her for texting without his permission, and another instance of shoving a woman into a toilet tank hard enough to break it, then striking her repeatedly with a wooden board, to punish her for reportedly planning to escape.

Robinson and his co-defendants aided each other by posting bond for each other following arrests, monitoring the women and reporting to each other any violations of the rules the defendants imposed on the women and transporting women together from New Orleans to Texas, Tennessee, Maryland and Washington, D.C., for prostitution.  When two women tried to escape on one such trip, Robinson and a co-defendant found them, forced them into a car, and brought them back to New Orleans to continue prostituting.

Robinson and his co-defendants operated out of certain motels, including the Riviera, which generally did not report their activities to the police.  The defendants rented multiple rooms at the Riviera where women would meet prostitution clients, and paid the Riviera above-market rates to reflect the high traffic through the rooms.

On July 1, 2015, Patel pleaded guilty to benefitting financially from human trafficking.  In March and April 2015, Phillips, Williams, Ellis and Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.  Ellis and Brown also pleaded guilty to interstate transportation for prostitution.  On June 25, 2014, Taylor pleaded guilty to sex trafficking conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.

This case was investigated jointly by the FBI’s New Orleans Division and HSI’s New Orleans Field Office, with assistance from the FBI’s Memphis Division.  This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Christine M. Siscaretti and Former Special Litigation Counsel John Cotton Richmond of the Civil Right Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia K. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ROY AUSTIN, 69, of St. Tammany Parish and a retired Colonel of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (“OPSO”), pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, AUSTIN admitted that in his role as a Colonel in the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, he arranged for security details through a private company (Austin Sales and Service) for local entities and events, including Mardi Gras Krewes, music and food festivals, and sporting events, and engaged in a scheme to defraud those local entities and events by padding the billing documents with names of individuals who did not in fact provide any security services (“Ghost Employees”). 

Additionally, AUSTIN admitted that after submitting the fraudulently inflated invoices via interstate wires, AUSTIN kept a portion of the overbilled amount in the Austin Sales and Service corporate bank account for his own personal use.  In some instances, AUSTIN drafted Austin Sales and Service corporate checks made payable to the Ghost Employees who did not work and then fraudulently endorsed those checks and deposited them into his personal bank account for his own personal use.  AUSTIN also admitted drafting checks made payable to other OPSO employee(s)’ family members under the fraudulent guise of payments for detail work that in fact did not take place as those employee(s)’ share of the fraudulently collected funds.

AUSTIN faces statutory penalties of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.   U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt set sentencing for August 3, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter and would also like to acknowledge the assistance provided by the Louisiana Legislative Auditors.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Toomey is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that HENRIETTA KAMBI, age 59, of New Orleans, was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to Food Stamp Fraud for receiving approximately $132,768 from the United State Department of Agriculture based upon food stamp benefits through her store, CTN Grocery, located in New Orleans, that were not authorized.

U.S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced KAMBI to three years probation and restitution in the amount of $132,768.

According to court documents, grocery retailers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal government program formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, may only accept and redeem food stamp benefits in exchange for the sale of eligible food items.  Retailers may not exchange food stamp benefits for cash or any other ineligible items of value such as tobacco products or alcoholic beverages. Store owner KAMBI knowingly presented for payment and redemption SNAP benefits which had been purchased in exchange for cash money and ineligible items through her store.                                                                                                   

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United State Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Loan “Mimi” Nguyen was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SERGIO GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ, age 40, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to the illegal use of a Social Security Number.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ to seven months imprisonment and ordered that he pay a special assessment of $100.  Following completion of his sentence, GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.                                

According to court records, GALVEZ-VELAZQUEZ illegally obtained a Louisiana Identification Card from the Louisiana DMV office in Houma by using a Social Security number that did not belong to him.  

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JUAN CARLOS FERRERA-RAMIREZ, age 44, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.

U.S. District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced FERRERA-RAMIREZ to 9 months of incarceration, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee. Following completion of his sentence, FERRERA-RAMIREZ will be surrendered to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.

According to court documents, on December 2, 2015, FERRERA-RAMIREZ was found in the United States after having been previously deported from the United States on June 24, 2013.

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

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite announced that MICHAEL MENDEZ of Houston, Texas, age 52, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride (“powder cocaine”).

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey sentenced MENDEZ to 60 months in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

According to court records, on June 10, 2015, Louisiana State Police conducted a traffic stop of MENDEZ as he was driving east on Interstate 12 in Tangipahoa Parish.  During the stop, police discovered over thirteen kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride hidden inside of a “trap” compartment underneath the body of the car and a loaded 9 millimeter Glock pistol on the front-passenger seat. 

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is responsible for the prosecution.

WASHINGTON – On Saturday, a jury in New Orleans convicted the owner of a health care company for her role in a $3.2 million Medicare fraud scheme operating in and around New Orleans. 

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey S. Sallet of the FBI’s New Orleans Division and Special Agent in Charge CJ Porter of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)’s Dallas Regional Office made the announcement.

Tracy Richardson Brown, 46, of New Orleans, was convicted of 18 counts after a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval Jr. of the Eastern District of Louisiana.  Brown was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, nine counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks and seven counts of paying illegal kickbacks.  Brown’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10, 2016. 

Evidence introduced at trial showed that Brown owned and operated Psalms 23 DME LLC (Psalms) and caused Psalms to bill Medicare for durable medical equipment and orthotics that were not needed and/or were not provided.  Brown paid patient recruiters for the names and Medicare numbers of Medicare recipients in and around New Orleans and then used these Medicare numbers to bill Medicare, claiming that Psalms provided them power wheelchairs, accessories and orthotics.  Trial evidence showed that a vast majority of these patients did not need and often did not receive, or even want, the equipment.  Evidence also revealed that Brown engaged in “upcoding,” billing Medicare as if she provided these patients with high-cost back and knee braces, when she in fact provided them much cheaper versions of these braces.  Brown caused Psalms to bill Medicare for more than $3.2 million in claims, a large number of which were fraudulent.  Medicare paid Psalms approximately $1.9 million on these claims.

This case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, under the supervision of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrice Sullivan of the Eastern District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney William Kanellis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in nine cities across the country, has charged nearly 2,300 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $7 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers. 

To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that a federal jury has convicted former District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District, WALTER P. REED, age 69, and his son STEVEN P. REED, age 44, both of Covington.

The jury found WALTER P. REED guilty on 18 of 19 counts.  WALTER P. REED was found guilty of:

• one count conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering,

           (Count 1) maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment;

• seven counts of wire fraud,

  (Counts 2-8) maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment per count;

• one count of money laundering,

  (Count 9) maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment;

• four counts of false statement on income tax return,

  (Counts 11-14) maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment per count;

• five counts of mail fraud,

  (Counts 15-19) maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment per count.

 

STEVEN P. REED was found guilty on 3 of 4 counts, including:

• one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering,

            (Count 1) maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment;

• one count of wire fraud,

            (Count 7) maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment;

• one count of money laundering,

  (Count 9) maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment;

 

Evidence presented at trial showed that WALTER P. REED and STEVEN P. REED devised a scheme to defraud the Walter Reed Campaign and contributors to the Walter Reed Campaign by using donations to WALTER P. REED’s campaign to pay for goods and services unrelated to the campaign or to the holding of public office, and in amounts that grossly exceeded the value of the services provided. 

Additional evidence presented showed that WALTER P. REED caused a series of payments to be made from the Campaign Fund to STEVEN P. REED’s companies in order to pay down a loan on which WALTER P. REED was a cosigner for services that either were not provided or whose value was substantially less than the amount paid.  For example, WALTER P. REED caused STEVEN P. REED’s company, Globop, to be paid approximately $8,352.64 for producing a housewarming party at WALTER P. REED’s new condominium in April 2012 that was unrelated to WALTER P. REED’S campaign, or the holding of public office.  Similarly, STEVEN P. REED’s company, Liquid Bread LLC, received $29,400 from the Campaign Fund account for purportedly providing catering or bar services at a campaign event at the Castine Center in September 2012 that STEVEN P. REED did not actually provide.  WALTER P. REED also required one company that provided services at the September 2012 event to kickback a portion of his payment to STEVEN P. REED as a means to funnel campaign monies to him.

WALTER P. REED was also convicted of  paying for numerous other personal expenses unrelated to his campaign out of his Campaign Fund, including flowers with an accompanying message that stated, “[T]o my rodeo girl from a secret admirer from Camp J,” $1,885.36 for a Thanksgiving Day dinner for REED and approximately ten other members of his family and a $500 gift card for his future personal use, and $2,635.00 to a North shore steakhouse for a dinner he hosted for “Pentecostal Preachers” for the purpose of recruiting clients to refer him private civil legal work.  Subsequently, REED also sought, and received, a reimbursement for the $2,635.00 dinner from the law firm with which he was affiliated, which he did not then put back into his Campaign Fund.  In total, WALTER P. REED, spent over $120,000 from the Walter Reed Campaign Fund bank account on personal expenses in this manner, including to recruit potential clients for his private legal practice, to pay off various expenses incurred by his son, STEVEN P. REED, and to pay for private and personal dinners.

Additionally, WALTER P. REED was convicted of diverting money paid by St. Tammany Parish Hospital for work performed by the Office of the District Attorney to his personal bank account.  Specifically, between about 1994 and 2014, St. Tammany Parish Hospital retained the services of the Office of the District Attorney to advise it on various matters, for which it agreed to pay between $25,000 and $30,000 per year.  REED attended some of the monthly meetings, though on dozens of occasions he directed Assistant District Attorneys to attend.  Notwithstanding REED’s use of resources and personnel of his office, REED deposited into his own personal bank account each check provided by St. Tammany Parish Hospital that were intended for the Office of the District Attorney.

“We thank the jury for its careful deliberation in the Walter and Steven Reed trial,”  stated U.S. Attorney Polite.  “The defendants’ actions were not innocent 'mistakes,' as Walter Reed claimed in his testimony.  They were crimes.  As a community, we are tired of hearing, and accepting, excuses from public officials who violate the public trust to enrich themselves.  The time for excuses is over.”

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon set sentencing for September 15, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation for investigating this matter and thanked the Metropolitan Crime Commission for its assistance.  The prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg, Marquest Meeks, Brian Klebba and Maria Carboni.

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that BRIDGET MARIE MILES, age 47, of New Orleans, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Superseding Bill of Information for Misprision of a Felony, Hobbs Act robbery.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced MILES to serve 21 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release.

According to court documents, MILES conspired with and gave information to members of a local New Orleans gang led by GREGORY DENSON.   DENSON used the information provided by MILES to commit home invasion robberies of drug dealers in an effort to make money and/or obtain illegal drugs for later retail sale.  Members of this gang also conspired to use, possess and discharge firearms to further their drug trafficking activity, and commit acts of violence against other drug dealers to obtain drugs and drug proceeds.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department led Multi-Agency Gang Unit in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael M. Simpson and Michael E. McMahon were in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CLARENCE R. SINGLETON, age 30, of New Orleans, pled guilty yesterday to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to Hobbs Act Robbery is 20 years imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.  The maximum penalty for the use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes is 20 years imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.  U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing for August 4, 2016.

According to court documents, SINGLETON participated in home invasion robberies of drug dealers in an effort to make money and/or obtain illegal drugs for later retail sale.  They also conspired to use, possess and discharge firearms to further their drug trafficking activity, and crimes of violence during the robberies of these drug dealers to obtain drugs and drug proceeds.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department led Multi-Agency Gang Unit in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael M. Simpson and Michael E. McMahon are in charge of the prosecution. 

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JOHN F. KELLY III, age 57, of Metairie, was charged today in a one-count Bill of Information with wire fraud.

According to court documents, from 2011 through 2014, KELLY operated a tax sale investment business with investor monies. During this time period, KELLY defrauded his investors by diverting their investment funds for his personal use and benefit. As part of the scheme to defraud, KELLY used investor monies to pay off personal loans and to purchase real estate properties in New Orleans that he titled in separate corporate entities he controlled.

The maximum penalty for wire fraud is twenty years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim.  The maximum penalty for failing to pay over taxes is five years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000. 

U.S. Attorney Polite 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 Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations Division, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys, Richard R. Pickens, II, Andre J. Lagarde, and Hayden M. Brockett are in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JARED HARRIS, age 26, of Riverdale, Georgia, was sentenced yesterday after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Superseding Bill of Information charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to use five or more fraudulent identification documents.

U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon sentenced HARRIS to serve 21 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Additionally, HARRIS was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,170 to the victim, Wal-Mart Corporation.

According to court documents, HARRIS, together with another Georgia man, co-conspirator TERRELL WASHINGTON, drove through several states in possession of multiple stolen U.S. Treasury checks, fraudulent forms of identification, and proceeds of their illegal check cashing scheme.  The pair was ultimately caught in a Kenner Wal-Mart after a cashier identified HARRIS and WASHINGTON, as the individuals who had first attempted to use fake IDs to cash a stolen U.S. Treasury check.  WASHINGTON’s trial is scheduled for June 13, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Secret Service in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson was in charge of the prosecution.

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CHRISTOPHER FRANCIS, age 32, and VINCENT JONES, age 46, both of New Orleans, were sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced FRANCIS to 240 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.  Judge Barbier sentenced JONES to 180 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. 

FRANCIS and JONES were two of twelve defendants charged in a 23-count Indictment on July 25, 2014.  According to court documents, this Indictment sprung from an investigation into a heroin-trafficking organization operating in New Orleans East.  This organization was responsible for distributing at least 15 kilograms of heroin in the New Orleans area.  As part of the arrests in this case, federal agents have seized from the twelve defendants approximately $1,200,000 in assets (a combination of vehicles, currency, jewelry, and real property) as proceeds made from the sale of heroin.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JEFFERY HOWARD, age 35, of Nicholson, Mississippi, pled guilty today to use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958(a).

According to court documents, as a result of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Domestic Terrorism investigation, the New Orleans Joint Terrorism Task Force (“JTTF”) became aware of HOWARD, a known member of the Aryan Brotherhood, a violent white supremacy prison gang. HOWARD, who was allegedly involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine, sold drugs to an undercover law enforcement officer on numerous occasions. During one of the sales of drugs, HOWARD volunteered that he would be willing to commit a murder in exchange for money.  HOWARD later accepted payment to commit a murder.

HOWARD faces up to ten years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a three year term of supervised release.  U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing for August 4, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Division JTTF for investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MICHAEL ROSS, a/k/a “Mikey,” age 36, of Houma, pled guilty today one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. 

According to court documents, ROSS was a heroin distributor in the Houma area.  Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that ROSS worked with two other individuals in Houma, WILLIAM DANIELS and TYNISHA JONES, in selling heroin.  ROSS would drive to New Orleans every three to four days to obtain heroin for resale.  On July 28, 2014, ROSS and JONES were arrested by Louisiana State Troopers in Terrebonne Parish while traveling back from New Orleans.  Troopers found them to be in possession of just over 29 grams of heroin. 

ROSS faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum of forty years.  He also may be fined up to $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release.  U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing for August 4, 2016.  DANIELS and ROSS are scheduled for trial on June 20, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the DEA’s New Orleans Field Office, along with the assistance of the Louisiana State Police and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Payne is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that NAPTALI ESCOBAR-ARTURO, age 37, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced ESCOBAR-ARTURO to seven months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.   Following completion of his sentence, ESCOBAR-ARTURO will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.                                 

According to the Indictment, ESCOBAR-ARTURO was found by Border Patrol agents in the Eastern District of Louisiana after records showed he had been previously deported from the United States to Honduras on October 13, 2009, September 30, 2010, and June 9, 2014.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of Border Patrol agents in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALEX OBDULIO CRUZ-MATUTE, age 45, was charged today 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, CRUZ-MATUTE reentered the United States after he was previously deported on October 11, 2007.  If convicted, CRUZ-MATUTE 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 Polite 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 Polite 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 Kenneth A. Polite announced that BRIAN CARTER, age 41, of Kenner, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to stealing gift cards from the mail while delivering the mail on his postal route.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced CARTER to twelve months of probation and a $100 special assessment. Additionally, CARTER was ordered to pay $105 in restitution to the victims of the theft.

According to court documents, CARTER was employed as a Postal Carrier in Kenner.  A federal investigation revealed that in June and July 2013, CARTER stole first class mail containing various gift cards totaling $105 from his mail route.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharan Lieberman was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ROBERT DURST, age 73, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced DURST to 85 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Additionally, DURST was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.

A judge in Los Angeles, California, signed an arrest warrant for DURST on March 11, 2015, for the 2000 murder of Susan Berman.  Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), New Orleans Field Office, located DURST in a local hotel on March 14, 2015, where he had checked in under the alias “Everette Ward.”  A lawful search of DURST’s hotel room found him to be in possession of a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, a realistic mask, and over $40,000 in cash.  DURST had previously been convicted of multiple felonies and was indicted in the Eastern District of Louisiana on April 10, 2015, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Polite would like to thank the hard work of the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael McMahon and Myles Ranier were in charge of the prosecution. 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JOHN WAYNE THOMAS, age 36, of New Orleans, was charged today in a one-count Bill of Information for possession of stolen mail.

According to the Bill of Information, on or about May 23, 2015, THOMAS was found in possession of mail matter than had been stolen, taken, embezzled and abstracted from a mail receptacle. 

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

U. S. Attorney Polite 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 Polite praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service and Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SABRINA BOURGEOIS of Marrero, age 34, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of powder cocaine. 

According to court documents, BOURGEOIS was arrested on February 8, 2015, after traveling from Houston to New Orleans, carrying four kilograms of powder cocaine in the back-seat of her truck.  As part of her plea agreement, BOURGEOIS admitted that she had made frequent trips between Houston and New Orleans, carrying money and multiple kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, in furtherance of her drug conspiracy with her codefendant, SHANNON DUPLESSIS.

BOURGEOIS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum possible sentence of forty years in prison and/or a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release.  U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing for August 10, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Houston Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is responsible for the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MARCELO ORDONEZ-RIVAS, age 34, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced ORDONEZ-RIVAS to time served, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  ORDONEZ-RIVAS will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.

According to court documents, ORDONEZ-RIVAS was found in the United States on December 25, 2014, after having been previously deported on May 9, 2009. 

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ROY JOSEPH BUSIERE, age 68, of Covington, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced BUSIERE to 54 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. As part of the sentence, the Court ordered BUSIERE to pay $1,540,973.39 in restitution. 

According to court documents, BUSIERE, who worked as a comptroller for A & H Armature Works, Inc., embezzled from the company’s bank account at First American Bank. BUSIERE conspired with another to steal from A & H Armature Works, Inc. by using Paypal and American Express accounts to transfer the funds. 

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Secret Service, New Orleans Field Division, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Loan A. "Mimi" Nguyen was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that EDGAR POUNDS, age 66, of Bogalusa, was sentenced today for two counts of selling oxycodone tablets to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent.  Oxycodone is a prescription-only Schedule II controlled substance and a highly addictive and abused opioid drug.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced POUNDS to four years of probation, a $500 fine, a $200 special assessment, and 100 hours of community service.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Michael B. Redmann was in charge of the prosecution.

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that EZOLA ISAAC, age 70, of Ball, Louisiana, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to theft of government funds.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced ISAAC to three years probation and ordered her to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $165,878.80

According to court documents, ISAAC received Social Security Title II Benefit payments to which she knew she was not entitled.  

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work for the United States Social Security Administration- Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Loan "Mimi" Nguyen was in charge of the prosecution.

The Justice Department has filed for contempt against Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman regarding his non-compliance with a consent decree governing conditions of confinement at the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans, and has requested that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana appoint a receiver with full authority to administer operations of the jail until compliance is achieved.

The filing was announced by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The department’s filing details Sheriff Gusman’s inability to achieve compliance with the vast majority of provisions of the court’s 2013 consent judgment despite extensive technical assistance from the monitors appointed by the court, additional court ordered relief, frequent court hearings and intensive oversight by the court, the department and the plaintiff class.

Although the court ordered the consent judgment more than two years ago, Gusman remains dangerously non-compliant with numerous substantive provisions that immediately impact the safety and health of Orleans Parish prisoners.  The department requests a finding that Gusman is in contempt of the consent decree provisions on prisoner supervision, suicide prevention, use of force, incident reporting and tracking, prisoner grievances, investigations, classification, youthful prisoners and sanitation and environmental health.  The most recent compliance report filed by the court monitors confirms not only Gusman’s widespread non-compliance, but also regression from the small degree of progress previously achieved.  In addition, the court monitors fault the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) leadership for a failure to commit to achieving compliance.

The court heard monitor testimony this month about the March 2016 jail suicide of Cleveland Tumblin, who died by hanging himself from a known suicide hazard – behind a locked door – after a mental health evaluation flagged him for mental health follow-up that he did not receive.  The mental health monitor further testified that, despite OPSO being on notice of systemic problems from a mortality review of the suicide, those problems had not been fixed.  During the monitors’ site visit this month, shower stall doors were still locked from the inside and suicide cut-down tools that were too dull to rescue Tumblin remained too dull to cut a sheet of notebook paper.

Due to Gusman’s inability to achieve compliance, concerns about OPSO’s leadership shortcomings and top-to-bottom staffing deficiencies, the department is filing an enforcement action and requesting that a court-appointed receiver manage the jail until substantial compliance with the consent decree is achieved.  The department requests a receiver with the full authority to administer operations of the jail, including the ability to discipline, reassign, terminate and promote jail employees; develop and implement policies and procedures; allocate jail budget funds; and enter into contracts for jail services.  The department further seeks an opportunity to submit briefing to the court regarding the proposed duties and authority of a receiver.

This case was initiated as a private prisoner class action filed in 2012.  The department intervened pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, which authorizes the department to seek a remedy for a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the constitutional rights of persons confined in a jail, prison or other correctional facility.  The department’s motion was filed jointly with the plaintiff class, represented by the MacArthur Justice Center.

For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. 

Orleans Parish Jail Memo in Support of Appointment of a Receiver

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that his Office will observe National Reentry Week through the following special events and programs:

 

Monday, April 25, 2016           Launching of National Reentry Week

2:00 pm                                       with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

                                                      Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramirez

                                                      Educare of New Orleans

                                                      Columbia Parc Facility

                                                      3801 St. Bernard Avenue

                                                      New Orleans, LA

                                               

Wednesday, April 27, 2016    Reentry Challenges…Bridging the Gap

8:30 am                                      Pollock Federal Correctional Complex

                                                     1000 Airbase Road

                                                     Pollock, LA

 

Thursday, April 28, 2016       Reentry Simulation hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office

10:00 am                                   for the Southern District of Alabama

                                                    Arthur Outlaw Convention Center

                                                    1 South Water Street

                                                    Mobile, AL

 

In visiting with inmates at the federal prison, Polite will be the first sitting U.S. Attorney in Louisiana to visit Pollock FCC.  He will be joined by Lilia Valdez-Lindsley of the Veterans Administration and Hakim Kashif, a former federal inmate who has successfully returned to the New Orleans community as a college student and criminal justice advocate.

Earlier today, the Eastern District of Louisiana kicked off its National Reentry Week activities when 11 returning citizens graduated from the Rise and Recover post-release reentry program.  A partnership between the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. District Court, the Federal Defenders Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Rise and Recover provides individuals with job training, life skills, conflict resolution skills, and drug treatment.  If the individual completes the 14-month program, he or she receives a one-year reduction in supervised release time.

The Obama Administration has taken major steps to make our criminal justice system fairer, more efficient, and more effective at reducing recidivism and helping formerly incarcerated individuals contribute to their communities.  An important part of that commitment is preparing those who have paid their debt to society for substantive opportunities beyond the prison gates, and addressing obstacles to successful reentry that too many returning citizens encounter.

As part of this effort, the Department of Justice designated the week of April 24-30, 2016, as National Reentry Week. Leadership from across the Administration are traveling during National Reentry Week in support of these many events and are encouraging federal partners and grantees to work closely with stakeholders like federal defenders, legal aid providers, and other partners across the country to increase the impact of this effort. 

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MYRNA SHILOH, 56, of New Orleans, pled guilty yesterday to theft of public money.

According to the court documents, SHILOH lived with Individual “A”.  Individual “A” was receiving Social Security Benefits until she died on May 16, 1998.  After she passed away, checks continued to be sent from the Social Security Administration to Individual “A’s” address in New Orleans.  From February 3, 1999 to March 3, 2015, SHILOH cashed the checks totaling $152,179.60. 

In addition, SHILOH forged the name of Individual “A” on the check, deposited the forged checks into her account, and changed her address after Hurricane Katrina in order to keep getting the checks. 

SHILOH faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.  SHILOH will be ordered to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration.  U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk set sentencing for July 21, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Secret Service, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today’s unsealing of a two-count Indictment charging JONATHAN LAWRENCE, a/k/a “Chop,” a/k/a “Mego,” age 29; DONALD MARCELIN, a/k/a “Snook,” a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Golfer,” age 39; BRANDON HALL, a/k/a “B-Hilly,” age 26; and BRIAN MAXSON, a/k/a “Chin,” age 32, all of New Orleans, with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act.  Count One charges all four defendants with a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.  Count Two charges defendants LAWRENCE, HALL, and MAXSON with a conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of their drug-trafficking activities. 

If convicted of the drug charge, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of twenty years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release.  If convicted of the firearm charge, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of twenty years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and not more than three years of supervised release. 

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

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Division’s Violent Gang Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long is in charge of the prosecution.                                                   

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that three members of the Harvey Hustlers organization were sentenced today for their participation in four murders, multiple shootings, and extensive drug distribution on the Westbank of Jefferson Parish.  ISAAC SMITH, age 22, FRANKIE HOOKFIN, age 25, and TERRENCE KELLEY, age 29, all of Waggaman, received sentences of life, 35 years, and 40 years in prison, respectively.

SMITH pled guilty to being a drug distributor and gunman for the organization, and admitted to his role in four murders, including a vicious double murder of a couple whose children, were unharmed while in the backseat of their vehicle when the shooting occurred, and a 74 year old woman whose grandson was the target of the attack.  During the sentencing hearing today, family members of the victims had the opportunity to address SMITH about the pain that the loss of the victims had caused to them and their families.  After hearing the testimony, Judge Africk sentenced SMITH to serve the rest of his life in federal prison, emphasizing that in the federal system there is no parole.  SMITH was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims’ families.

HOOKFIN also admitted to his participation in two murders, including the killing of a 74 year-old woman, and two other non-fatal shootings, as well as extensive drug dealing.  Judge Africk sentenced HOOKFIN to serve 35 years in federal prison.  HOOKFIN also has pending charges in Jefferson Parish related to his participation in shooting that left five people injured.

KELLEY admitted to participating in the murder of a 58 year-old man, two other non-fatal shootings, as well as dealing over a kilogram of heroin on the streets of Jefferson Parish.  Judge Africk sentenced KELLEY to serve 40 years in federal prison. 

This case is a product of an ongoing investigation into the violent acts in furtherance of the drug trafficking by the Harvey Hustler gang and its various offshoots on the West Bank.  It represents the continued coordinated effort of the federal and state law enforcement authorities, including the United States Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Gang Task Force, and officers of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Kennedy, David Haller, and Myles Ranier and Special Assistant United States Attorney Collin Sims, who is a former Assistant United States Attorney and the Criminal Chief at the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, are in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced the return of a 31-count Superseding Indictment against fourteen individuals charging approximately $30,252,906 in Medicare fraud.

Specifically, HENRY EVANS, age 71; MICHAEL JONES, age 46; PAULA JONES, age 45; SHELTON BARNES, age 62; GREGORY MOLDEN, age 60, SUPRENIA WASHINGTON, age 59; ERICA EDWARDS, age 31; ZELLISHA DEJEAN, age 37, LARRY TAYLOR, age 69; CAREN BATTAGLIA, age 49; SHEILA HOPKINS, age 62; and VERINESE SUTTON, age 63, all of New Orleans; and JONATHON NORA, age 28, of River Ridge;  and JEFFREY KOON, age 43, of Lockport,  were indicted for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to receive and pay health care kickbacks, and health care fraud. BARNES was also charged with obstruction of a federal audit.

The Indictment is the second one involving many of the same parties who were originally indicted in March of 2015. Ten individuals and/or companies have already pleaded guilty to charges associated with the original Indictment and a related Bill of Information involving RHONDA MABERRY. In this Superseding Indictment, three new defendants were added including LARRY TAYLOR, DR. GREGORY MOLDEN, and JEFF KOON. TAYLOR is charged only in Count 2, the kickback conspiracy along with MOLDEN, who also is charged with the health care conspiracy and two individual counts of health care fraud.  KOON is charged in the health care conspiracy and four individual counts of fraud. MICHAEL JONES and BARNES were also charged with nine and two additional counts of health care fraud, respectively. Additionally, BARNES was also charged with one count of obstructing a federal audit.

This Superseding Indictment is related to the Indictment returned in March 2015, charging LISA CRINEL and others, some of whom have entered guilty pleas. According to the Superseding Indictment, the defendants participated in a criminal organization for the purpose of fraudulently billing Medicare for medically unnecessary home health services for patients who were not homebound. DRS. BARNES, BARNES, EVANS, MOLDEN and MICHAEL JONES, known as “House Doctors,” ordered home health services for Medicare beneficiaries who had no legitimate medical necessity.  The House Doctors falsely signed home health orders regardless of the beneficiary’s needs, homebound status, or diagnoses.  In return, DRS. BARNES, EVANS, and MOLDEN received monthly payments fraudulently characterized as medical consultant or director fees for which they provided no services other than fraudulently certifying Medicare beneficiaries for unnecessary home health services.  Instead of receiving monthly payments from the home health agency, Abide hired PAULA JONES, DR. MICHAEL JONES’ wife and, thereafter, inflated salary payments to PAULA JONES represented MICHAEL JONES’ fees for fraudulently certifying home health for ineligible Medicare beneficiaries. Abide also paid LARRY TAYLOR, MICHAEL JONES’ patient recruiter/driver and, in return, MICHAEL JONES agreed to send Abide Medicare patients for home health. 

Marketers contacted JONATHAN NORA and others to confirm that the person fraudulently referred for home health was a Medicare beneficiary. Once NORA determined the referred individual was a Medicare beneficiary, NORA scheduled a physician visit, usually with an Abide House Doctor, well knowing that the individual referral to Abide was by a Marketer, instead of the beneficiary’s own health care professional.

Registered nurses, including EDWARDS, WASHINGTON, DEJEAN, HOPKINS and KOON were assigned to go to the homes of Medicare beneficiaries to complete assessments that determined the necessary level of care required for the beneficiary and the reimbursement rate for the claims made by Abide. When EDWARDS, WASHINGTON, DEJEAN, HOPKINS, and KOON completed these assessments, they routinely and fraudulently included a group of diagnoses that were unrelated to the needs of the beneficiaries and included items suggesting the need for assistance with different activities of daily living in order to falsely inflate the reimbursement rates paid by Medicare to Abide. EDWARDS, WASHINGTON, HOPKINS, DEJEAN and KOON also fraudulently included other items in the assessment to falsely document the beneficiary’s homebound status.

After assessments were completed, Abide generated plans of care reflecting the falsely created assessments.  The plans of care were given to DRS. BARNES, EVANS, MOLDEN and MICHAEL JONES to falsely certify and recertify medically unnecessary episodes of home health.  Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) assigned to beneficiaries, including BATTAGLIA, performed skilled nursing visits usually once a week and BATTAGLIA routinely falsified documentation of visits to support the ongoing fraudulent billing by PAULA JONES, on behalf of Abide, of medically unnecessary home health services.

The Superseding Indictment also charges SHELTON BARNES with obstruction of a federal audit in connection with his billing to Medicare Part B of services related to the medically unnecessary home health services.

If convicted, VERINESE SUTTON and LARRY TAYLOR, face a possible maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment; JONATHAN NORA and PAULA JONES face a possible maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment; ERICA EDWARDS and SUPRENIA WASHINGTON face a possible maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment; CAREN BATTAGLIA and ZELLISHA DEJEAN face a possible maximum sentence of 30 years imprisonment; DRS. HENRY EVANS and GREGORY MOLDEN face a possible maximum sentence of 35 years imprisonment; JEFFREY KOON face a possible maximum sentence of 50  years imprisonment; SHEILA HOPKINS faces a possible maximum sentence of 70 years imprisonment; DR. SHELTON BARNES faces a possible maximum sentence of 110 years imprisonment; and DR. MICHAEL JONES face a possible maximum sentence of 125 years imprisonment.  For each count for which any defendant is convicted, they are subject to a $250,000 fine.

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

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the ongoing investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrice Harris Sullivan, Sharan Lieberman and Andre Lagarde are in charge of the prosecution.

As you know, on July 13, 2010, our Office, together with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, filed criminal charges against 6 former NOPD officers in connection with the September 4, 2005 shooting of several New Orleans citizens on the Danziger Bridge.  The case against one, Sgt. Gerald Dugue, was severed and remains pending.  The case against the remaining 5 proceeded to trial.  Following jury convictions and sentencings, the District Court threw out the convictions and granted a new trial, based on prosecutorial misconduct.  That decision has been affirmed by a closely divided 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the matter has returned to the District Court for further proceedings.

This morning, the five defendants entered guilty pleas to various counts of the indictment.  As part of the agreements, the Court accepted the pleas as well as the negotiated sentencing terms.

Former NOPD Officers Robert Faulcon, Kenneth Bowen, Robert Gisevius, and Anthony Villavaso each plead guilty to 3 charges:  deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, substantive obstruction of justice.  Faulcon was sentenced to 12 years, Bowen and Gisevius to 10 years, and Villavaso to 7 years.  Their former supervisor, Arthur Kaufman, plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of falsification of evidence to obstruct justice.  He was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

While an imperfect resolution, today's proceeding ensures that these defendants are held accountable for their criminal actions.  As the son and brother of police officers, I know all too well that serving as an officer is perhaps the most complex and difficult job in our society.  At the same time, when individuals ignore their oath of office, and instead violate the civil rights of the public they are sworn to serve, they will be held accountable.

This is an extremely unique case with a long history.  These events occurred almost 11 years ago, and our indictment, almost 6 years.  While we disagreed with the legal reasoning that vacated the convictions and granted a new trial, we must undoubtedly accept the fact that the misconduct was unacceptable. I was not in the Office at the time, but I certainly deal with these consequences every day.  It undermined the work of this Office and the Department, and called into question the credibility and integrity of the people who do it.  Since I became U.S. Attorney, our entire Office has worked hard to help restore that credibility by emphasizing collegiality, diligence, and professionalism at every turn, all while allowing our good work to speak for itself.  Those of us who continue to serve as prosecutors must embrace the lessons learned from this case.  As prosecutors, we must always be mindful of the unique position that we have in our criminal justice system.  We are not called to seek victories in the courtroom, but to ensure that justice and fairness reign throughout all parts of the process, for all parties involved, at all times.

Lastly, today’s proceeding also ensures some measure of finality for the victims and their families.  Indeed, we would not have entertained the notion of these pleas without their approval.  They have suffered enough, and today allows them to move forward, to continue with additional legal proceedings, all while gaining some peace by knowing that these 5 defendants stood in court today and pled guilty for their criminal actions.  I ask that the public embrace the sentiments of these families.  This case – regardless of its outcome -- would never bring back their deceased loved ones.  This case was never about receiving some specific jail sentences.  It was always about accountability.  Nothing more, and certainly nothing less.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MORRIS SUMMERS, age 25, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today after having previously pled guilty to federal firearm and drug violations.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced SUMMERS to 60 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release.

SUMMERS was one of twelve defendants charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine base in the St. Roch neighborhood.  In addition, all twelve defendants were charged with conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes.  Three defendants were also charged with conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, as well as substantive acts of violence.

To date, nine defendants charged in this case have pled guilty to various charges and have been sentenced.  Co-defendant ANDREALIE LEWIS was previously sentenced to 48 months incarceration; TYONE BURTON was previously sentenced to 121 months of incarceration; ERVIN SPOONER was previously sentenced to 108 months of incarceration; PERRY WILSON was previously sentenced to 108 months of incarceration; TRE CLEMENTS was previously sentenced to 96 months of incarceration; NYSON JONES was previously sentenced to 87 months of incarceration; ROMALIS PARKER was previously sentenced to 70 months of incarceration; and TYRONE BURTON was previously sentenced to 60 months of incarceration.  Three defendants were convicted following trial and are awaiting sentencing: DELOYD JONES, a/k/a “Puggy,” age 23; BYRON JONES, a/k/a/ “Big Baby,” age 25; and SIDNEY PATTERSON, a/k/a “Duda Man,” age 24.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the above-stated trial, the defendants were members and associates of the “Ride or Die” gang, which they also referred to as “R.O.D.”  The Ride or Die gang was initially formed in or about 2007 and continued to exist through in or about 2013.  During the course of the federal investigation into the gang, agents learned that the defendants used a house, located at 1632 Mandeville Street, among other locations, as a base of operations to package, sell, and store narcotics, as well as store firearms.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as part of the metro area’s Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MAG) in investigating this matter.  As an integral component of NOLA FOR LIFE’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, the MAG Unit consists of a partnership with New Orleans Police Department (NOPD); Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (DA); Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO); Louisiana State Police (LSP); Parole Board of the Louisiana Department of Corrections; United States Attorney’s Office (USAO); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); United States Marshal’s Service (USMS); and the United States Probation & Parole Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.   Assistant United States Attorneys Nolan D. Paige and Marquest Meeks, along with former Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Ebarb, who was assigned from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, were responsible for the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ANISHA LYNN GALLIN, age 27, of New Orleans, pled guilty today to one count of theft of mail.

According to the Indictment, on or about July 18, 2014 and again on or about July 22, 2014, GALLIN, a United States Postal employee, stole the contents of four first-class letters.

If convicted, GALLIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, followed by three years of supervised release, a maximum fine of $250,000, and restitution, as to each count.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General for investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer is in charge of the prosecution.

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JORGE MALDONADO-RIOS, age 29, a citizen of Honduras, pled guilty today to illegal reentry of a removed alien and conspiracy to transfer identification documents.

According to court documents, MALDONADO-RIOS illegally reentered the United States after he was deported on August 16, 2012.  Additionally, the court documents also indicated that MALDONADO conspired with two other individuals to sell a social security card and birth certificate to a confidential informant working with special agents of the Department of Homeland Security.

At sentencing, MALDONADO 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 on the reentry charge.  MALDONADO faces a maximum term of fifteen years, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum term of supervised release of three years, and a mandatory $100 special assessment on the conspiracy charge.  U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance has scheduled sentencing for June 1, 2016.

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

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that NOE FRANCISCO MARADIAGA-MIRANDA, a/k/a “ISAAC LISBOA MORALES,” a/k/a “NOE FRANCISCO MARADIAGA,” a/k/a “NOE FRANCISCO,” a/k/a “ISAAC LISBOA,” age 34, a Honduran citizen, was sentenced today for falsely representing a social security number in order to obtain employment.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced MARADIAGA-MIRANDA to 8 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release.  Following completion of his sentenced, MARADIAGA-MIRANDA will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.

According to the court documents, from on or about April 30, 2012, until on or about September 15, 2015, MARADIAGA-MIRANDA falsely represented that Social Security Number XXX-XX-5102 was assigned to him by the Commissioner of Social Security to obtain employment when in truth and in fact it was not.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter.   Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Greenfield was in charge of the prosecution.

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today HARRY J. MOREL, JR., age 73, pled guilty to obstruction of justice in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(d)(1).

According to court records, MOREL served as the elected prosecutor of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana from on or about January 1, 1979 until May 31, 2012. Thereafter, he became an Assistant District Attorney in the Office of the District Attorney for St. Charles Parish and remained in that position until January 11, 2013.  MOREL resided in, and his office was located in, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

As District Attorney and as an Assistant District Attorney for St. Charles Parish, MOREL was responsible for prosecuting individuals charged with criminal and traffic offenses against the State of Louisiana.  As the District Attorney, MOREL had the authority and discretion to, among other things, make bail recommendations, make sentence recommendations and bring dismiss, forego or reduce charges.

MOREL freely admitted that he is guilty of Obstruction of Justice in that he harassed Individual "A" and attempted to prevent and dissuade Individual "A" from attending or testifying in an official proceeding, i.e., the federal grand jury, by telling Individual "A" to "get rid of” and to "destroy" the evidence of a meeting they had and to deny the inappropriate nature of the meeting to law enforcement officials. Furthermore, based on Individual "A"'s representations,  MOREL believed there would be a federal Grand Jury investigation, and as a result asked her to conceal information that would have likely led to her being a witness before that body.

MOREL also admitted that on other occasions, between 2007 and 2009, he solicited sex from other individuals who were defendants or who had family members who were defendants in the St. Charles Parish criminal justice system.   While soliciting sex from these individuals, MOREL likewise used the office of the District Attorney to provide benefits to these other individuals, including falsifying community service reports.

MOREL faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a fine of $250,000 and one year of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.  Under the terms of his Rule 11(c)(1)(B) plea agreement, MOREL acknowledges that the Government will recommend that the Court impose the maximum sentence of three years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt set sentencing for August 17, 2016.   

U.S. Attorney Polite noted that the investigation has not implicated any other former or current employees of the St. Charles Parish District Attorney's Office.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, particularly Special Agent Michael Zummer, and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.   Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Baehr and Mark Miller are in charge of the prosecution. 

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DON FRANCIS, JR., age 45, of Metairie, pled guilty today for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.

According to court records, on February 5, 2014, Special Agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) assisted the Louisiana Department of Justice and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant at FRANCIS’s residence in Metairie.    HSI computer forensic agents located 5,378 images and 362 videos depicting the sexual victimization of children (some of whom were infants) on FRANCIS’s computer.

FRANCIS faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of fifteen years, followed by up to a lifetime term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine pursuant to his plea agreement.  U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing on August 3, 2016.

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 Polite praised the work of the special agents from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security-HSI, the Louisiana Department of Justice, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced today that five former officers of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) pled guilty and were sentenced in connection with the federal civil rights prosecution of a police-involved shooting that occurred on the Danziger Bridge in the days after Hurricane Katrina.  That shooting left two innocent civilians dead and four others seriously wounded.  The defendants also pled guilty and were sentenced for their roles in an extensive cover-up of the shooting.

KENNETH BOWEN pled guilty to Counts 1, 11, and 20; deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice by engaging in misleading conduct, respectively.  BOWEN was sentenced to ten years imprisonment, to be followed by up to five years of supervised release on Counts 1 and 11, and up to three years as to Count 20.

ROBERT GISEVIUS pled guilty to Counts 1, 11, and 21; deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice by engaging in misleading conduct, respectively.  GISEVIUS was sentenced to ten years imprisonment, to be followed by up to five years of supervised release on Counts 1 and 11, and up to three years as to Count 21. 

ROBERT FAULCON pled guilty to Counts 8, 11, and 22; deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice by engaging in misleading conduct, respectively.  FAULCON was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment, to be followed by up to five years of supervised release on Counts 8 and 11, and up to three years as to Count 22. 

ANTHONY VILLAVASO pled guilty to Counts 1, 11, and 23; deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice by engaging in misleading conduct, respectively.  VILLAVASO was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, to be followed by up to five years of supervised release on Counts 1 and 11, and up to three years as to Count 23. 

ARTHUR KAUFMAN pled guilty to Counts 11 and 17, conspiracy to obstruct justice and falsification of evidence to obstruct justice, respectively.  KAUFMAN was sentenced to three years imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release as to Count 11, and up to five years as to Count 17. 

The defendants are each assessed a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 as to each count.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MARTIN VELLOZZI, age 58, of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to mail fraud for his role in creating and selling non-authentic Mercedes Benz diagnostic equipment

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced VELLOZZI to four years’ probation and a $6,000 fine.

According to court documents, VELLOZZI owned LMV Industries, a California-based company that, among other things, offered technical information and support for Mercedes-Benz automobiles.  Between about 2005 and July 2012, VELLOZZI produced and sold, with the help of companies located in Durham, North Carolina and Harahan, Louisiana, unauthorized, non-authentic versions of the Mercedes-Benz Star Diagnostic System (SDS), a hand-held computer containing proprietary, confidential software.  The SDS is used by mechanics to diagnose problems with and assure the safety of Mercedes-Benz vehicles employing electronic control systems.  The companies in Durham, North Carolina and Harahan, Louisiana—Beckmann Technologies, Inc. and The Brinson Company, respectively – have previously pleaded guilty and been sentenced. 

According to court documents, VELLOZZI, in conjunction with the other companies, obtained, modified, and duplicated the authentic SDS software so that it would operate on ordinary laptop computers without Mercedes-Benz’s authorization or license. 

The “real” SDS sold for between $8,300 and $22,000 each, while VELLOZZI sold the fake SDS for around $6,000 each.  In total, VELLOZZI sold approximately ninety-five non-authentic SDS.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Cyber Task Force of the FBI’s New Orleans Division in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg and Myles Ranier were in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that CINDY DANDRIDGE, age 43, of Marrero, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with theft of government funds.

U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon sentenced DANDRIDGE to 12 months and a day imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release. As part of the sentence, the Court also ordered DANDRIDGE to pay $50,000 in restitution to the government.

According to documents filed in federal court, DANDRIDGE owned a home in Marrero, Louisiana. In September and October 2010, DANDRIDGE executed application documents with the Home Elevation Mitigation Grant Program (“HMGP”) to receive federal grant funds to elevate her house in Marrero, Louisiana. The application was completed with the understanding that the grant monies would be used to elevate her home.

In January 2011, DANDRIDGE received federal HMGP grant monies totaling $50,000 to elevate her house in Marrero. DANDRIDGE deposited these federal funds into her personal bank accounts. However, instead of using the monies to elevate her home, DANDRIDGE used the grant monies to pay for personal expenses. 

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney, Richard R. Pickens, II is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALLAN WENDERLAY DOMINGUEZ, age 33, a citizen of Honduras, was charged today in a one-count Indictment for reentry of removed alien previously convicted of an aggravated felony.

According to the Indictment, on or about February 11, 2016, DOMINGUEZ, was found in the United States after having been convicted on or about September 10, 2009, of a felony theft and subsequently officially deported and removed on or about June 24, 2011.

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

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

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that LAVERT LAYMON, age 27, of Gretna, was charged today in a one-count Indictment with the March 31, 2016 robbery of the Whitney Bank branch located at 3740 Elysian Fields. 

If convicted, LAYMON faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Polite 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 Polite praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Myles Ranier is in charge of the prosecution. 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that LIONEL THOMAS, age 30, of New Orleans, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to an Indictment charging him with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced THOMAS to 264 months imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to the court records, THOMAS conspired with others known and unknown to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Scheduled I drug controlled substance.  THOMAS admitted to using the phone system while incarcerated at the Orleans Parish Prison, where all calls are recorded, to further his drug trafficking activities. Law enforcement officers also seized over $60,000 from THOMAS during various stops and searches in the fall of 2013. 

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from Louisiana State Police and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney David Haller was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that DARRIN MCCRAINEY, a/k/a “Skutta,” a/k/a “Darren McCraney,” age 33,  of New Orleans, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to a one-count superseding Bill of Information for a violation of the Federal Gun Control Act.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle sentenced MCCRAINEY to 84 months, followed by five years of supervised release, and/or a fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment fee.  MCCRAINEY will be surrendered to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.

According to court documents, on April 4, 2015, MCCRAINEY brandished a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime as he robbed the victim of a quantity of marijuana, which affected interstate commerce.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in investigating this matter. Former Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Ebarb was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MARCELINO OLAVE-GRANJA, age 46, a citizen of Colombia, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count indictment for illegal reentry of a removed alien.

U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan sentenced OLAVE-GRANJA to 10 months imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.  OLAVE-GRANJA will be surrendered to the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings.

According to court documents, on June 11, 2015, OLAVE-GRANJA was found in the United States after having been previously deported from the United States on June 9, 1998.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of United States Customs and Border Protection agents in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jon Maestri was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that his Office will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week through the following special events and programs:

Saturday, April 9, 2016                   Crime Victim’s Rights Informational Table

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm                          Walmart Superstore, 1901 Tchoupitoulas St. New Orleans

                                                           

Wednesday, April 13, 2016            Crime Victim’s Rights Informational Table

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm                         Young Leadership Council Wednesday at the Square, 

                                                             Lafayette Square, 601 S Maestri Place, New Orleans

 

Thursday, April 14, 2016                  Crime Victim’s Rights Informational Table

10:00 am                                             Washington-St. Tammany Parish Crime Victim’s Recognition Ceremony

                                                              Washington-St. Tammany Parish Justice Center 

                                                              701 N. Columbia St., Covington

 

Friday, April 15, 2016                      Crime Victim’s Rights Informational Table

10:00 am -1:00 pm                          Circle Food Store, 1522 St. Bernard Avenue, New Orleans

                                                           

Saturday, April 16, 2016                 Crime Victim’s Rights Informational Table

9:00 am – 12:00 pm                        The Good Shepherd Nativity School

                                                             Community Health & Wellness Fair

                                                             Kingsley House Gymnasium

                                                             1600 Constance St., New Orleans             

 

Members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be on-hand at each of these events.  All members of the public are welcome to attend, where they can obtain information on victims’ rights and federal resources through the DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime (“OVC”) and the Crime Victims Fund.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrated nationally from April 10-16, 2016, honors and celebrates the achievements of the past thirty years in securing rights, protections, and services for victims.  This year’s theme—Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.—presents the opportunity to highlight the importance of providing needed services at the earliest stage of victimization. Early intervention helps prevent both further victimization and involvement in the criminal justice system, thus addressing the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future.

OVC encourages widespread participation in the week’s events and in other victim-related observances throughout the year. The U.S. Department of Justice will host OVC’s annual Service Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 12, in Washington, DC, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime. For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist victims in your community, please contact The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana Victim/Witness Unit at 504-680-3000 or visit www.usdoj.gov/usao/lae.  For additional ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit the Office for Victims of Crime website, www.ovc.gov.

 

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that ALBERT J. DOYLE, JR., age 47, of Metairie, was sentenced today for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced DOYLE to 72 months incarceration to be followed by ten years of supervised release.  In addition, DOYLE was ordered to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act.

According to court records, this investigation developed in April 2015 as a result of an undercover investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”).  After determining DOYLE was downloading images depicting the sexual victimization of children, HSI executed search warrants at DOYLE’s residences in Metairie and Baton Rouge.  DOYLE was arrested during the execution of the search warrant after confessing to downloading and possessing images and videos depicting child pornography.  HSI computer forensic examiners conducted a search of DOYLE’s seized computer equipment and located approximately 563 videos and 6,385 images depicting the sexual victimization of children on DOYLE’s electronic devices.

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 Polite praised the work of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security-HSI in investigating this matter.  Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba was in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that PRENTISS MARTIN, age 51, of Marrero, pled guilty today to theft of government funds.

According to court documents, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency of the United States under the Department of Homeland Security, provided federal funds to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which provided grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration.

MARTIN executed application documents with the HMGP to receive federal grant funds to reconstruct his house on Bay Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina. In support of his HMGP Home Reconstruction Grant application, MARTIN submitted fraudulent documents. As a result of his fraudulent submissions, MARTIN accepted and received federal HMGP grant monies in the amount of $80,000 to reconstruct his house in New Orleans, Louisiana. When special agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General traveled to MARTIN’s property on Bay Street, they observed a vacant lot.

MARTIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon set sentencing for July 21, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General, in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Loan "Mimi" Nguyen is in charge of the prosecution.