District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – The owner of a local excavation and plowing company was sentenced today in connection with a multi-year scheme to underreport income on his tax returns and to obtain loans based on false loan applications.

Peter Tufts, 55, of Medford, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to two years of supervised release and 240 hours of community service. Tufts was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine, forfeiture of $450,000 and restitution of $551,941. On July 13, 2023, Tufts pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and two counts of submitting false loan applications.

Tufts is the owner of Tufts Construction, Inc., a construction company in Everett. For tax years 2015 through 2021, Tufts cashed check payments from customers and did not report the income from those checks in his tax filings, resulting in an income tax loss of more than $465,000. Instead, Tufts used the proceeds of his income tax evasion scheme to fund an off-the-books, under-the-table cash payroll that he used to avoid employment taxes, causing a payroll tax loss of more than $539,000.

Additionally, while perpetrating his tax evasion scheme, Tufts obtained loans from a local community bank and from the Small Business Administration (SBA) based on false loan applications. In his loan applications, and associated loan documents, Tufts falsely told the bank and the SBA that he had never declared bankruptcy, owed no back taxes, and was not involved in litigation. In fact, Tufts was involved in ongoing bankruptcy proceedings when he obtained his loans and was engaging in a multi-year income and employment tax evasion scheme.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service in Boston made the announcement today. The United States Postal Inspection Service, Office of the Inspector General; the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Criminal Investigations Bureau; and the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss Basil and James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain over $450,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds. 
 
Darwyn Joseph, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. On July 12, 2023, Joseph pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting. Joseph was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in December 2020 along with co-conspirator Ramon Joseph Cruz, Jr. The defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2021.

Between approximately April and December 2020, Joseph and Cruz were involved in a conspiracy to use stolen identity information of United States citizens to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Specifically, Joseph and Cruz used stolen identity information of U.S. citizens with high credit scores to open fraudulent bank accounts which were then linked to other fraudulent bank accounts set up to receive the SBA funds. Joseph and Cruz also received some of the debit cards associated with fraudulent bank accounts into which SBA funds were deposited, and then laundered those funds by using them to purchase large numbers of iPhones for re-sale. Joseph and Cruz also wired a portion of the funds to the Dominican Republic in furtherance of the scheme.
 
Over $452,000 in SBA funds were fraudulently obtained in connection with this scheme. Approximately $250,000 of this money was used to purchase iPhones in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

On Aug. 30, 2023, Cruz was sentenced to two years and one day in prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna Nuzum and Adam Deitch of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. 

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. 
 
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. 

BOSTON – A drug trafficker operating in the Boston area was sentenced yesterday for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
 
Maurice Coates, 46, of Randolph, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to eight years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. On April 18, 2023, Coats pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. 

In June 2020, Coates was charged along with 23 others as part of Operation Snowfall.  According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement conducted an investigation into drug trafficking activities by Boston-based street gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the defendants, through their drug trafficking activities, assumed control over multiple apartments, where they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs. As a result, their activities caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents.
 
The investigation also targeted large-scale drug suppliers and their associates. It is alleged that the targets continued to distribute cocaine and cocaine base throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. Coates is the 16th defendant to plead guilty in that case.

Coates was identified as a significant drug supplier and distributor within the drug conspiracy, during which it is estimated he distributed over 500 grams of cocaine. During intercepted calls with co-defendant Kenji Drayton, Coates used drug-coded language to discuss their drug supply needs and to coordinate drug deal meetups. Coates was one of Drayton’s main cocaine suppliers, including during the pandemic. At times, Drayton and Coates’s coded communications were corroborated by surveillance, including a surveilled meetup between Coates and Drayton for a suspected drug deal.  After their suspected deal, law enforcement intercepted communications of co-defendants Drayton and Jarmina Kallon coordinating a meeting. Following their meeting, law enforcement stopped Kallon and recovered approximately 62 grams of cocaine.  

One remaining defendant in the case has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial. Another defendant, Derek Hart, remains at large. On Sept. 28, 2022, Drayton was sentenced to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Timothy E. Moran of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

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

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Rutland man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to conspiring to access a protected computer of his former employer – a non-profit substance use and mental health treatment provider that operates recovery centers throughout Massachusetts.

Nathan Howe, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to access a protected computer to obtain information and cause damage and one count of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer and impairing medical treatment. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 17, 2024.  

Howe was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023. Co-conspirator Patrick Edmonds-Morin has since pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 13, 2023.

Howe and Edmonds-Morin were employed by the non-profit until April 2021 and October 2020, respectively. Between September and December of 2021, Howe conspired with Edmonds-Morin to access records of the non-profit’s employees, listen to and view conversations between the employees, and create and deploy a computer program designed to impede the non-profit’s use of the network. In November 2021, Howe accessed the computer network and transmitted a command that shut down the network for the non-profit’s Westborough campus where individuals were receiving in-patient treatment. By shutting down the network, Howe made the non-profit’s electronic medical records system inaccessible at its sites across Massachusetts, impairing or potentially impairing the medical examination, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients.

Additionally, between July 2018 and November 2020, Howe and Edmonds-Morin conspired to commit wire fraud by obtaining cell phones from a cell phone provider which were intended for the non-profit’s staff and, instead, selling the cell phones to third parties for personal profit, typically in the amounts of hundreds of dollars per phone. 

“In the Information Age, all one needs to commit crime is a keyboard and malicious intent. As this prosecution demonstrates, our office is committed to protecting computer networks from intrusions and fraud,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

“When Nathan Howe betrayed the trust placed in him by his former employer by illegally accessing their computer network, he also potentially jeopardized the treatment and care of their patients,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “This case illustrates the ongoing commitment of FBI Boston’s Cyber Task Force to work with our partners to ensure cybercriminals are brought to justice to face significant consequences for their conduct.”

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to access a protected computer without authorization to obtain information and cause damage, provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of intentionally causing damage without authorization to a protected computer and causing the potential impairment of medical treatment provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition while under house arrest for four state firearm charges.

Dumari Shakur Scarlett-Dixon, 22, pleaded guilty to being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Jan. 11, 2024.

A 2021 investigation into Heath Street, a violent Boston-area street gang, identified Scarlett-Dixon as a Heath Street member and the owner of a Snapchat account posting numerous videos and images of himself in possession of firearms. At the time of the conduct, Scarlett-Dixon was on pre-trial release for four separate state court cases of unlawful possession of a firearm. As a condition of his release, Scarlett-Dixon was on court-ordered home confinement with GPS monitoring at his grandmother’s residence in Weymouth. 

    
During a September 2021 search of his grandmother’s residence in Weymouth, a Bersa 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, 59 rounds of ammunition and blunts of marijuana – a Schedule I controlled substance – were found in Scarlett-Dixon’s bedroom. 

The charge of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and fine of  $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the Boston, Quincy and Lynn Police Departments and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The operation was conducted is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

BOSTON – A Connecticut man was arrested today for fraudulently obtaining gold coins and transporting them outside of Massachusetts.     

William Dawson, 51, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester on one count of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud. Dawson was arrested this morning and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester. 

According to the indictment, Dawson held himself out as a property buyer and reseller. Person-1 operated a home cleanout business in Massachusetts that sold property contained in decedent estates. 

It is alleged that in or around December 2022, Person-1 was retained by a decedent estate to clean out a residence in Shrewsbury. In that home, Person-1 found 170 Queen Elizabeth II Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins, collectively worth approximately $290,000. With approval from the estate, Person-1 allegedly agreed to sell 120 of the gold coins to Dawson.

In January 2023, Dawson allegedly met with Person-1 in Millbury and purchased the 120 gold coins with two checks totaling $198,800. However, it is alleged that Dawson had significantly less than $198,800 in the bank account when he wrote the checks to Person-1. Later that same day, Dawson allegedly called Person-1 claiming that his car had been broken into and that the gold coins had been stolen. The next day, Dawson allegedly traveled to a pawn shop in Pawtucket, R.I. where he sold 43 of the gold coins in exchange for $80,442. It is further alleged that, on several occasions in February 2023, Dawson traveled to a pawn shop in Cranston, R.I., where he sold 19 more of the gold coins in exchange for a total of approximately $35,094.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Milford Police Department and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.   

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – An Amherst man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Springfield for allegedly distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Bradley Driscoll, 25, was indicted on one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Driscoll was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Springfield later today.

According to the indictment, in August 2022, Driscoll possessed CSAM in the form of videos and knowingly distributed CSAM that depicted a minor victim under 12 years old. 

The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Mazur of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for his role in a wide-ranging cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Hector Matos, 32, of Pawtucket, R.I, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 13 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In May 2021, Matos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. 

Following a fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization in the Fitchburg area. Beginning in July 2019, court authorized interceptions of wire and electronic communications to and from telephones used by members and suppliers of the drug trafficking organization revealed that Torres was a cocaine dealer who supplied cocaine to the drug trafficking organization. 

Over the course of the investigation, over 1.8 kilograms of a heroin/fentanyl mixture, over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine, over 50 grams of crack cocaine, a stolen loaded handgun, drug manufacturing equipment and over $376,000 in U.S. currency were seized.  
    
Matos is the 14th defendant to be sentenced in this case. All 18 defendants have been convicted – either by guilty plea or jury conviction following trial. The remaining convicted defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in October and November 2023.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The Fitchburg and Lunenburg Police Departments, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Massachusetts State Police provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Sarah Hoefle of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.  

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

BOSTON – A Wakefield, Mass. man was indicted today for knowingly concealing the source of material support or resources that he intended to go to a foreign terrorist organization, namely the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Mateo Ventura, 18, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on one count of knowingly concealing the source of material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. Ventura will appear in federal court at a later date. Ventura was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint in June 2023.

According to the charging documents, Ventura provided multiple gift cards to an individual he believed was an ISIS supporter, with the intention that the gift cards be sold on the dark web for a little less than face value and resulting profits be used to support ISIS. Ventura allegedly stated that he wanted the proceeds to go to ISIS “for war on kuffar,” (disbelievers). In total, it is alleged that between January and May 2023, Ventura donated $705 intended to support ISIS.

The charge of knowingly concealing the source of material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy H. Kistner and Laura J. Kaplan of the National Security Unit are prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by Trial Attorneys Charles Kovats and Andrea Broach of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – The former information technology manager of a Quebec City, Canada-based telecommunications company was sentenced today in connection with a fraud scheme that involved the theft of over $1.4 million in computer equipment from his employer. 

Tod Erickson, 60, of Londonderry, N.H., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one year and one day in prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,596,328 and to forfeit $1,457,429. On May 18, 2023, Erickson pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing a false tax return. 

Erickson served as the information technology manager at a telecommunications company that, until February 2019, had an office located in Chelmsford, Mass. As information technology manager, Erikson was responsible for submitting requests to purchase equipment – such as computers and hard drives. From at least January 2012 through February 2019, Erickson fraudulently submitted purchase requests for computer equipment that the company did not need. Thereafter, without the knowledge or approval of his employer, Erickson sold the items to third parties. Erickson also filed income tax returns for the tax year 2016 in which he intentionally underreported his income by failing to disclose money he received from the sale of his employer’s property.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A California-based life sciences company that makes diagnostic tests for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, Exagen Inc., has agreed to pay $653,143 to resolve allegations that it paid specimen processing fees to referring physicians to induce those physicians’ use of Exagen’s laboratory tests.

According to the settlement agreement, Exagen agreed to factual admissions that it paid certain referring physicians to complete blood draws for patients pursuant to specimen processing agreements that Exagen entered into with those physicians.  Exagen billed federal health care programs, including Medicare and other programs, for tests that it performed after receiving orders from the referring physicians to whom it paid the specimen processing fees.  Exagen did so after becoming aware of a June 25, 2014 Special Fraud Alert from the Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) that warned laboratories that the practice of paying referring physicians specimen processing fees could present a substantial risk of fraud and abuse.

The settlement stems from allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allows private parties, known as relators, to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery.  In connection with today’s announced settlement, the relator will receive 16 percent of the recovery.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Roberto Coviello; and Christopher F. Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abraham R. George, Chief of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, and Alexandra Brazier, also of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, handled the matter.

BOSTON – A Newton man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

Franklin Alcantara-Lorenzo, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Nov. 15, 2023. 

Alcantara-Lorenzo, a citizen on the Dominican Republic, was deported from the United States in July 2021 after serving a 21-month federal sentence for conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. At some point thereafter, Alcantara-Lorenzo returned to the United States and was arrested by immigration authorities in Chestnut Hill in April 2023. 

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.  

BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after been deported.

Francisco Araujo Lara, 43, pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2023 to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 25, 2024. 

Araujo Lara, a citizen on the Dominican Republic, was deported from the United States in September 2019, after serving an 18–30-month state sentence for a cocaine distribution conviction. Sometime thereafter, Araujo Lara unlawfully reentered the United States. In 2022, he was arrested in Lawrence for heroin and cocaine distribution. Araujo Lara pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.  

BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

Lawrence Rutherford, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 78 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2023, Rutherford pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

During a search of Rutherford’s residence in June 2019 two loaded .22 caliber pistols and approximately 613 rounds of ammunition was seized. Rutherford is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to several prior felony convictions punishable by more than one year in prison. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division; and Interim Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Greg A. Friedholm and John T. Mulcahy of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A registered sex offender pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) via multiple groups on a messaging app. 

Angel Figueroa, 51, of Fall River, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 26, 2024. In December 2021, Figueroa was arrested and has been in federal custody since that time.

Figueroa was identified as an active member of at least four messaging applications where CSAM was being disseminated. A forensic examination of Figueroa’s cell phone revealed approximately 523 images and 72 videos of CSAM depicting children as young as infants. At least one image depicted bondage of a child under two years old. During an interview with law enforcement, Figueroa admitted that he downloaded, saved and viewed CSAM using apps on his cell phone and had been doing so for one or two years. Figueroa is a registered sex offender based upon a 2013 Massachusetts state court conviction for indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old.  

The charge of receipt of child pornography after a prior conviction provides a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography after a prior conviction provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, in New England; and Fall River Chief of Police Paul Gauvin made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Soto, Meghan C. Cleary, and J. Mackenzie Duane of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a regional organized theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 470 vehicles, robbed jewelry stores and stole ATMs.

Nicolas Davila, 25, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce; two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property; and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The drug charge arises from cocaine found during the search of Nicolas Davila’s residence as part of the catalytic converter theft investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Jan. 9, 2024. 

Davila and six other men were arrested on April 12, 2023, and charged with offenses related to the theft, transportation and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from over 470 vehicles during 2022 and 2023.

Catalytic converter theft has become a nationwide problem across a multitude of state, local, and federal jurisdictions due to the high-valued precious metals they contain – some of which are more valuable than gold, with black-market prices being more than $1,000 each in recent years. The theft of a vehicle’s catalytic converter results in damage that renders the vehicle inoperable – both mechanically and legally under EPA regulations. 

Nicholas Davila was a member of an organized crew that allegedly stole catalytic converters from at least 471 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. It is believed that a significant number of additional thefts have not been identified or were not ever reported to law enforcement.. According to court documents, the crew was skilled and able to locate and cut away the catalytic converter from a vehicle within a minute in most instances – often utilizing battery operated power-tools, car jacks. It is alleged that, on numerous occasions, the defendants targeted more than 10 vehicles in a single night, with one night reporting thefts from 26 vehicles.  

Once in possession of the stolen catalytic converters, the crew would then sell them to Jose Torres, who would accumulate stolen catalytic converters from multiple theft crews and then in turn sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast – transacting approximately $30,000 to $80,000 in stolen catalytic converters per week. In particular, Torres sold stolen catalytic converters to scrap dealers who have since been charged federally for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering in the District of Connecticut, the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma. 

On May 17, 2023, Torres pleaded guilty to his role in the catalytic converter theft conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 14, 2023. On May 24, 2023, Oyola pleaded guilty to the ATM and jewelry store burglaries and will be sentenced at a later date. 

In addition to the federal charges, Nicolas Davila faces a pending murder indictment in Hampden County Superior Court. The case in Hampden County Superior Court is being prosecuted by the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office.

The charge of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of interstate transportation of stolen property each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to twenty years, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Kevin Gallagher, Director of Operations for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the District of Connecticut, the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Eastern District of California; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN). Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

Over 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to this investigation through the submission of their investigations of catalytic converter thefts in their jurisdiction. The Massachusetts police departments contributing to the investigation were Abington, Acton, Andover, Auburn, Bedford, Bellingham, Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Bridgewater, Canton, Carver, Chelmsford, Concord, Cranston, East Hampton, Easton, Fitchburg, Framingham, Franklin, Gardner, Hampton, Hanover, Haverhill, Hingham, Holliston, Holyoke, Hudson, Ipswich, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, Malden, Mansfield, Medford, Marlborough, Methuen, Middleton, Milford, Millbury, Needham, Newton, Northborough, Norwell, Norwood, Peabody, Pembroke, Plymouth, Randolph, Rockland, Sharon, Shrewsbury, Springfield, Sterling, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Tyngsborough, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, West Bridgewater, Weymouth, Wilmington, Woburn and Worcester. The New Hampshire police departments contributing to the investigation were Bow, Concord, Derry, Hooksett, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Salem and Windham. The South Windsor and Windsor Connecticut Police Departments also contributed to the investigation.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – The founder and operator of a Swiss asset management firm was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a massive global securities fraud scheme that generated over $150 million in illicit proceeds.   

Roger Knox, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 36 months in prison. Knox was also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $10,909,709 and restitution in an amount that will be determined at a later date. In January 2020, Knox pleaded guilty to securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

“Illegal pump-and-dump schemes cause financial hardship on countless innocent investors and erode the integrity of our capital markets. For at least six years, Mr. Knox helped implement a staggering securities fraud scheme that generated over $150 million in illicit profits, $5 million of which ended up in Mr. Knox’s own pocket,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “With our federal partners, including the FBI and the SEC, our office is committed to identifying fraudsters like Mr. Knox and holding them accountable.”

“Roger Knox was a critical participant in a massive global securities fraud scheme that generated more than $150 million in illegal proceeds. While today’s sentence cannot make up for the significant financial and emotional harm he and others inflicted upon their unwitting victims, it does send a message to those who may be looking to profit from similar schemes—think twice because the penalties you’ll face are steep,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Market manipulators should know that the FBI has a proven track record of rooting out fraudsters who illegally tilt the playing field against honest investors and undermine confidence in our markets.”

Knox, with others, operated an asset management firm based in Switzerland called Silverton, and later renamed Wintercap. Through this business, Knox helped facilitate pump-and-dump schemes by selling massive quantities of microcap securities on behalf of undisclosed control groups who secretly owned the stock through nominee entities formally owned by third parties. The shares were generally held by the nominees in blocks of less than 5% of the issuer’s total outstanding shares in order to evade the disclosure obligations and sale limitations in the federal securities laws. To generate investor demand for the shares, the undisclosed control groups simultaneously orchestrated promotional campaigns to artificially inflate the price and trading volume of the shares. Knox then funneled the proceeds of the pump-and-dumps—totaling over $137 million between just 2016 and 2018—to co-conspirators in the United States and around the world through a complex money transfer system that disguised the source and nature of the funds.  

Examples of the securities that traded through Knox’s firm as part of pump-and-dumps included: Environmental Packaging Technologies, Inc. (EPTI), which Knox traded for a control group involving Morrie Tobin, Milan Patel and Matthew Ledvina and resulted in approximately $1.5 million in illicit proceeds; Garmatex Holdings, Ltd. (GRMX) and OneLife Technologies Corp. (OLMM), which Knox traded for a control group allegedly involving Luis Carrillo and resulted in approximately $5 million in illicit proceeds each; and Vitality Biopharma, Inc. (VBIO) (formerly known as Stevia First Corp.), which Knox traded for a control group allegedly involving Mike Veldhuis and generated over $17 million in illicit proceeds. 

The United States has already collected and is forfeiting approximately $9 million of the forfeiture amount due from Knox, as well as numerous securities, from bank and brokerage accounts located in United States, Canada, Malta, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Today, the District Court also ordered forfeiture of several bank accounts located in Switzerland. 

Tobin, Patel and Ledvina each previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the EPTI pump-and-dump. In June 2020, Ledvina was sentenced to 30 months of probation. In December 2020, Patel was sentenced to 15 months in prison and Tobin was sentenced to one year and one day in prison. Patel was later granted compassionate release after six months of incarceration and ordered to serve six months of home incarceration. Tobin’s sentence was later reduced to four months in prison followed by eight months home incarceration. Tobin was also ordered to pay a $100,000 fine and forfeited $4 million, and Ledvina and Patel were ordered to a pay $50,000 fine each. They were also ordered to pay restitution, jointly and severally, in the amount of $1,908,583.

A criminal complaint is pending against Carrillo and Veldhuis for the GRMX, OLMM and VBIO pump-and-dumps, as well as against alleged additional co-conspirators Frederick Sharp and Courtney Kelln, all of whom are located outside the United States. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. The Boston regional office of the SEC provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit, prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of charges of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and false statements.

Abhijit Das, a/k/a “Beej,” 50, of North Andover, Mass., was convicted of one count of accepting excessive campaign contributions, one count of conduit contributions, one count of conversion of campaign funds, and two counts of making a false statement. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Jan. 17, 2024. In June 2021, Das was indicted by a federal grand jury.

“Protecting our elections through campaign finance laws is crucial in defending transparency and accountability in our government and a well-functioning democracy,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Das illegally solicited and accepted donations, used the money for a different purpose and hid his actions. He lied to the government and to the voters. He abused the campaign finance process and thought he could get away with it. Today’s speedy verdict by the jury after two-weeks of evidence should send a resounding message that the light of justice will always find its way to political candidates who break the law.”

“Today, Abhijit Das was convicted of orchestrating a calculated scheme to blatantly violate federal campaign finance laws to further his candidacy for Congress and his business ventures at the expense of voters and the electoral process,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Mr. Das solicited his friends and family for at least $125,000 in illegal campaign contributions, used that money for his own business expenses, debts, and a 100-foot super yacht, and then lied about it. The FBI will continue pursuing investigations like this one in order to ensure the continued integrity of our electoral process.”

Das was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts in the 2017-2018 election. To inflate his fundraising numbers, Das devised a scheme in or about December 2017 to solicit personal loans from friends and close associates in excess of the $2,700 legal limit. On or about Dec. 17, 2017, Das emailed a contributor asking for a friend to support his campaign to reach a specific fundraising goal of over $450,000 by the end of the year and indicated that reaching that goal might need “some engineering.” Das advised a member of his campaign that he would “aggregate” the loans into “one batch” and execute a main transfer into the campaign account. 

Further, Das caused three different individuals to contribute approximately $125,000 to his campaign and structured the contributions as personal loans to a family member to circumvent Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting requirement and contribution limits. Das falsely claimed that the funds from the excessive contributions were his own personal funds and engaged in illegal conduit contributions to his campaign.

In addition, between January and May 2018, Das withdrew approximately $314,500 in funds from his campaign account and used at least $267,000 of these funds to pay outstanding debts for his hotel business relating to vendors, the hotel’s yacht and real estate taxes unrelated to his congressional campaign. In making these withdrawals, Das sought to conceal his conversion of campaign funds by instructing bank tellers to report the withdrawals as separate withdrawal and deposit transactions, rather than direct transfers.

Das aided and abetted in the submission of false information in quarterly reports to the FEC by overstating the amount of cash-on-hand the Das-for-Congress Campaign had in its campaign bank account. For example, in June 2018, Das reported that his campaign’s total amount of cash-on-hand was approximately $440,000, when in fact the amount of cash-on-hand in the campaign bank account was less than $5,000.

In June 2023, Das was separately indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on 10 counts of wire fraud, alleging he diverted more than $5 million in escrow funds from his clients’ accounts for personal expenses. Das has pleaded not guilty and has been on release pending trial in that case.

Each of the charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI Boston SAC Cohen and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil J. Gallagher Jr. and Elysa Wan of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to reentering the United States and distributing fentanyl after previously being deported.  

Juan Carlos Santos-Ocasio, a/k/a “Cristhian Aybar-Done,” 40, was indicted on one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10, 2024. Santos-Ocasio was initially arrested and charged in November 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2022

In October 2007, Santos-Ocasio was arrested in the Bronx, N.Y., on heroin distribution conspiracy charges. Santos-Ocasio is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and did not have legal authority to be present in the United States. In November 2008, Santos-Ocasio pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York to heroin distribution conspiracy and was subsequently sentenced to 37 months in prison. He was removed from the United States upon completion of his sentence in the summer of 2010.  

Sometime after his removal, Santos-Ocasio reentered the United States unlawfully. In November 2022, he was arrested in Lawrence for allegedly reentering the United States without authorization. In addition to being in the U.S. without authorization, Santos-Ocasio also distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl. 

The charge of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Chelsea man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for federal firearms offenses. 

Miguel Reyes, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Patti B. Saris to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. On Mar. 16, 2023, Reyes pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. 

On two separate occasions in August 2020, Reyes was found in possession of a Beretta, Model U22, .22 LR caliber pistol and ammunition and a Glock, Model 48, 9 mm pistol and ammunition. Additionally, at the time of his arrest in Chelsea in May 2021, Reyes was found in possession of a Glock replica, polymer 80 and ammunition. Due to a prior felony conviction, Reyes is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Chelsea Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. 

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

BOSTON – A Melrose man pleaded guilty today to a decade-long tax fraud scheme in which he failed to pay employment taxes he had withheld from employees of his two businesses.   

Stephen Schofield, 70, pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay over taxes before U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper, who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 23, 2024. 

Schofield operated and controlled two businesses – Schofield Concrete Forms in Stoneham and Schofields of Melrose, Inc. located in Melrose. For tax years 2010 through 2020, Schofield withheld federal and state employment taxes from his employees’ wages and issued W-2 forms to the employees showing that the taxes had been withheld. However, Schofield did not pay over those taxes to the IRS as required by federal law, resulting in a tax loss of approximately $1,051,000.

The charge of failure to pay over taxes provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.  

BOSTON – Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy has announced that $118,366,566 in federal grants has been allocated to the District of Massachusetts to support public safety and community justice initiatives. The grants are part of $4.4 billion in funding awarded by the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), which help to build community capacity to curb violence, serve victims and youth, and achieve fair outcomes through evidence-based criminal and juvenile justice strategies.

The more than 3,700 OJP grants being awarded this fiscal year will support state, local and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime and recidivism while delivering treatment and services to those at-risk of justice system involvement. Funding will expand partnerships between criminal justice professionals and behavioral health experts, help people safely and successfully transition from confinement back to their communities, reach crime victims in underserved areas, steer young people away from justice system contact, improve the management of sex offenders and support a wide range of research and statistical activities that will help justice system professionals meet community safety challenges.

“Everyone in this country deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why, in addition to continuing our efforts to identify and prosecute the most violent criminals, the Justice Department is putting every available resource to work to support the efforts of our law enforcement and community partners nationwide. This significant investment will go directly to state and local programs that support the victims of crime, support officer safety and wellness, build the public trust in law enforcement essential to public safety, and help make all of our communities safer.”

“Protecting the people of Massachusetts is my highest priority, and the best way to accomplish that goal is to forge close working relationships with our state and local partners. Federal resources like this are invaluable in the support they provide for comprehensive public safety solutions and resources specific to the unique needs of Massachusetts communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “By investing in state and local programs, we aim to empower victims, enhance officer safety, strengthen public trust in law enforcement, and ultimately create safer communities across Massachusetts.”

In Massachusetts, nearly $60 million has been awarded under OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), which provides leadership and assistance to local criminal justice programs that improve and reinforce the nation’s criminal justice system. BJA’s goals are to reduce and prevent crime, violence, and drug abuse and to improve the way in which the criminal justice system functions. BJA funding announcements are posted at: https://bja.ojp.gov/news/announcements.

    Additionally, over $34 million has been awarded to support crime victim compensation and assistance in Massachusetts under OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). This funding will support local victim assistance and compensation programs across Massachusetts to help build capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization. To learn more about OVC funding, visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding. 

“Across the country, the Justice Department is working side-by-side with our partners in state and local law enforcement to combat violent crime by using our federal resources to amplify their work on the front lines,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “The billions of dollars in grants announced today will augment those efforts and the tools law enforcement is using to curb violence, counter deadly drug abuse, and promote safety and public trust. Together with our state and local partners, the Department will continue to do everything we can to protect the communities we all serve.”

“The Department of Justice is investing in community-based approaches to violence prevention, law enforcement health and wellness, Tribal courts, improved services for victims, research and data collection efforts, reentry programs, and much more,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “The grants announced today further our commitment to working with our state, Tribal, and local partners to increase public safety, build police-community trust, and ensure safe, healthy, and just communities for all.”

“Every sector of our society — not only the justice system, but nonprofit and faith-based groups, local leaders, and advocates, and people with lived experience who serve as credible messengers — plays a critical role in ensuring public safety and public health,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “The Office of Justice Programs is proud to make these substantial investments in building community infrastructure and supporting communities as co-producers of safety and justice.”

Grants will support five major community safety and justice priorities nationwide:

• Awards totaling more than $1 billion will promote safety and strengthen trust, helping communities tackle the proliferation of gun violence in America and restore bonds of trust between community residents and the justice system. Grants will support innovative and evidence-based strategies designed to prevent and reduce violent crime, support the health and safety of law enforcement and public safety professionals, promote rehabilitation and reentry success and address the rise in hate crimes across the country.
• More than $437 million in grant awards will accelerate justice system reforms designed to achieve equal justice and fair treatment for all. Grants will expand access to services among historically underserved and marginalized communities, reduce counterproductive involvement in the justice system, increase opportunities for diversion and build pathways to treatment for people with substance use and mental health disorders.
• Over $192 million will improve the fairness and effectiveness of the juvenile justice system by supporting developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for youth. Funding will ensure that young people are served at home in their communities whenever possible, are equipped to transition to a healthy adulthood free of crime, and are protected from violence and abuse.
• More than $1.7 billion will expand access to victim services by investing in programs that provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to victims. Funding will support thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory, while helping these programs build their capacity to reach those disproportionately affected by crime and victimization.
• Over $418 million in awards will advance science and innovation to strengthen the base of knowledge that policymakers and practitioners can use to design and deploy effective community safety strategies. Awards will support research and data collection on a wide range of public safety issues, help maintain timely and accurate criminal history records, and improve the capacity of crime labs and forensic analysts to solve crimes, absolve the innocent, and deliver justice to victims.

In addition, OJP will award more than $611 million to continue its support of other previously funded programs and congressionally directed spending. 

An interactive map that shows where grants are going can be found at: Workbook: OJP Awards Dashboard

BOSTON – An Edgartown man pleaded guilty today to an armed robbery of a Falmouth bank, during which he zip-tied individuals, brandished a firearm, placed a purported bomb on the counter and fled the scene in the vehicle of a bank customer. 

Petar Petyoshin, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery before U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 24, 2024. Petyoshin was charged in July 2023. He was initially arrested on related state charges in May 2023. 

On April 8, 2023, Petyoshin departed Martha’s Vineyard aboard a Steamship Authority vessel at 7 a.m. and arrived at Woods Hole in Falmouth. At approximately 8:58 a.m. on April 8, 2023, Petyoshin entered the Rockland Trust Bank in Falmouth, placed an alleged bomb on the teller counter and brandished a firearm. Petyoshin pointed the firearm at the tellers and customers, telling one bank employee, “I’m robbing you,” before having the customers and bank employees zip-tie each other’s hands together. Petyoshin then had two additional tellers place over $20,000 in cash from the bank into a brown bag, took a customer’s car keys and fled the scene in the customer’s vehicle. Petyoshin then boarded a 1:15 p.m. return ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. 

On May 23, 2023, Petyoshin was arrested on state charges in connection with the robbery. A subsequent search of his residence in Edgartown, Mass. resulted in the recovery of thousands of dollars in cash bundled together in Rockland Trust money bands, zip ties and clothing items the suspect was captured wearing on surveillance footage both before and after the robbery. Additionally, 57 firearms and a large quantity of ammunition were seized during the search. The same jacket worn by the robber inside the Rockland Trust bank was recovered during a search of Petyoshin’s personal locker at the Oak Bluffs Water Department where he is employed. The investigation also determined that the Facebook page for Petyoshin’s clothing store, Dapper Martha’s Vineyard, displayed photos of the same clothing – including jacket, sunglasses and wig – he wore during the bank robbery. 

The charge of armed bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and John. E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Falmouth and Edgartown Police Departments; Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department; and the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Lynn woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing over $50,000 in Social Security benefits intended for her deceased mother over a period of three and a half years.    

Teresa M. Carrington, 66, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to five years’ probation. Carrington was also ordered to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the amount of $50,210. On May 31, 2023, Carrington pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds. 

Carrington’s mother died in May 2016. However, the death was never reported to the SSA and, as a result, continued to issue monthly SSA Retirement Insurance Benefits to Carrington’s mother. From June 2016 through January 2020, Carrington stole at least $50,210 in RIS benefits erroneously paid to her deceased mother. To obtain the funds, Carrington wrote monthly checks on her deceased mother’s bank account – each of which was made payable to Carrington and fraudulently endorsed with her mother’s forged signature. Carrington then used the funds to pay bills and other personal expenses.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Sharon MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A California attorney was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with the illegal sale of over $1.3 million worth of unregistered shares of a Massachusetts-based health care company. 

Daniel V. Martinez, 64, of Yuba City, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service. Martinez was also ordered to pay a fine of $7,500 and forfeit $110,999. In December 2022, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of sale of unregistered securities. 

Between 2013 and 2016, Martinez served as a real-estate attorney for Avtar Singh Dhillon, who was then chairman of the Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, Arch Therapeutics, Inc. Dhillon and Martinez placed 2.75 million Arch Therapeutics shares that Dhillon beneficially owned into a limited liability company that Martinez created and for which Martinez was the sole manager. At Dhillon’s direction, Martinez then sold the shares in the open market without a valid exemption under the relevant securities laws and distributed the approximately $1.34 million in proceeds. Martinez distributed the proceeds primarily to third parties for Dhillon’s benefit, taking a small portion directly for himself. 

In December 2022, Dhillon pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to disclose stock sales, one count of aiding and abetting the sale of unregistered securities and one count of touting compensation nondisclosure conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23, 2024. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Office made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by SEC’s headquarters and Boston regional office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Brookline man was sentenced today for illegally possessing two privately made machine guns.  

Stewart Silvestri, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 42 months in prison. On July 19, 2023, Silvestri pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of machine guns. 

On Oct. 15, 2022, law enforcement responded to multiple calls about an erratic driver on Route 95 in Rowley, Mass., who had pulled into a weigh station. Upon arriving at the weigh station, law enforcement approached the driver – Silvestri – who stated he had just come from an armory in New Hampshire. While asking for his license and registration, Silvestri was observed sitting on what appeared to be firearms. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered 14 privately made firearms (also known as ghost guns), hundreds of rounds of ammunition and numerous firearm parts. Two of the firearms were fully automatic pistols, classified as machine guns.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. 

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

BOSTON – A Bourne man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to receiving and possessing child pornography.

Bryan C. Mileikis, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Feb. 16, 2024. Mileikis was initially arrested and charged in July 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2020. 

Mileikis was identified as the owner of a Kik Messenger account distributing child pornography online. A subsequent search of Mileikis’ Bourne residence in June 2019 resulted in the seizure of his iPhone which contained approximately 156 images and 22 videos depicting child pornography.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; and Bourne Police Chief Brandon Esip made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

BOSTON – A New York man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to trafficking drugs and firearms.

Jason Lebberes, 31, of Tuckahoe, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine; one count of transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident; and one count of transferring a machinegun. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 17, 2024. Lebberes was arrested and charged in March 2023.

Lebberes sold more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a privately manufactured firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun” and a Glock switch. A Glock switch is a device that converts firearms into automatic weapons. The investigation revealed that Lebberes had sold numerous Glock switches to other customers in the past. 

During a search of Lebberes’ residence, numerous handguns, assault rifles and ammunition were recovered, several of which were privately manufactured. A video of Lebberes discharging a handgun out of his car window was also recovered during the investigation.  

The charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5,000,000. The charge of transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of transferring a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office; Ketty-Larco Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to coercing a minor he found on TikTok to send him child sexual abuse material. 

Hector Acevedo, 33, of Jamaica Plain, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 24, 2024. 

Acevedo is a Level 3 registered sex offender. Acevedo was previously convicted in Suffolk County Superior Court on multiple child and sexual exploitation offenses including trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, extortion by threat of injury, posing or exhibiting a child in state of nudity or sexual conduct, dissemination of matter harmful to minors, dissemination of child pornography and purchase or possession of child pornography. On Feb. 13, 2018, Acevedo was sentenced to five-to-seven years in state prison and three years of probation. 

While on state probation, Acevedo solicited a minor via TikTok and coerced the victim to engage in sexual conduct over video chat. 

The charge of receipt of child pornography by an individual previously convicted of a child pornography offense provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Arlington and Revere Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – A Chatham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to securities fraud for trading on inside information about a Massachusetts semiconductor company’s planned acquisition of a California semiconductor company.

Gregory Manning, 60, formerly of Needham, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Jan. 3, 2024. Manning was charged in January 2020 along with co-defendants John Younis and David Forte.

In or around June 2016, Forte ¬obtained material non-public information from his brother who was a senior executive at Analog Devices, Inc. (Analog), a Norwood-based semiconductor company, about Analog’s planned acquisition of Linear Technology Corp. (Linear), a semiconductor company based in Milpitas, Calif. Forte passed the information to Manning, who purchased 3,000 shares of Linear stock in the week leading up to the public announcement of the acquisition on July 26, 2016. After the deal was announced, Manning sold all of the Linear shares he had purchased in the days leading up to the announcement for a profit and later paid Forte a kickback in appreciation for Forte’s stock tip.

In June 2022, Younis was sentenced to one month of home detention and two years of probation after pleading guilty to trading in Linear securities based on the material non-public information Forte provided to him. On July 20, 2023, Forte was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 24, 2023.

The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Securities & Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Holcomb and Leslie A. Wright of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Worcester man was arrested today for allegedly using a stolen identity to apply for a United States passport after he had unlawfully reentered the United States following deportation.

Rohan Andrew Brown, 56, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester on one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien, one count of passport fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon, Brown was detained pending a hearing set for Oct. 12, 2023. 

According to the charging documents, Brown was previously deported in August 2002. It is alleged that, sometime after his is removal, Brown unlawfully reentered the United States. In May 2023, Brown allegedly used another person’s identity to apply for a United States passport.  

The charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of passport fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Matthew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Virginia-based nurse practitioner has been charged in connection with a $7.8 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), including orthotics such as back and knee braces. 

Daphne Jenkins, 64, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to the charging documents, between December 2018 and April 2020, Jenkins worked with a telemedicine company to sign orders for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment. It is alleged that these orders signed by Jenkins were pre-populated based on telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries, that Jenkins never had any contact with the beneficiaries herself and had no medical relationship with the patients, and that she generally signed these orders without even reading them. It is alleged that once Jenkins signed these orders, the telemarketing company sold the orders to DME suppliers and laboratories, which then submitted claims to Medicare. As a result of Jenkins’ alleged participation in this conspiracy, over $7.8 million in claims were submitted to Medicare for DME that was medically unnecessary, based on false documentation, and tainted by kickbacks.  

The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Carol S. Hamilton, Regional Director, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor; and Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, North East Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Graber and Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Units are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Salem, Mass. man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 

Andrew R. Sorrento, 35, pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10, 2024.  

In July 2022, Sorrento was identified as an individual distributing CSAM via social media and text messages. During a search of Sorrento’s Salem residence on Dec. 9, 2022, his cell phone was seized and found to contain 23 images and seven videos depicting CSAM – including images of a child under 12-years-old. 

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Calgary (Canada). Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to possessing fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine intended for distribution. 

Juan Ramos, a/k/a/ “Bebo,” 22, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine with intent to distribute before U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 25, 2024. Ramos was charged in May 2023.

In April 2023, law enforcement identified an apartment in Lynn that was fraudulently rented under a fictitious name. A subsequent investigation determined that the listed tenant did not exist and that the premises was being utilized as a hub for drug distribution and packaging.

During a search of the apartment on May 2, 2023, Ramos fled from law enforcement by way of the balcony before being apprehended a short distance away. At the time, Ramos was on pretrial release for an unrelated domestic violence offense and wearing a court-ordered GPS bracelet. A review of the GPS bracelet’s records showed that Ramos frequently travelled to the apartment. Inside the apartment, approximately 500 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, 30 pounds of cutting agent, blenders, scales and other paraphernalia used in the distribution and packaging of drugs as well as a .38 Taurus revolver was found. A search of Ramos’ vehicle outside the apartment revealed an additional 200 grams of fentanyl and a .40 caliber Glock pistol concealed inside a hidden compartment underneath the driver’s seat.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A California resident pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to sending more than one kilogram of methamphetamine to an undercover federal agent in Massachusetts.  

Hagen Dunphy, a/k/a “Molly Ruin” and “~Haley,” 36, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 11, 2024. Dunphy was indicted on Dec. 8, 2021, and was arrested in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2022. 

In March 2020 and again in October 2020, Dunphy agreed to send packages containing methamphetamine to an undercover agent. One of the packages was found to contain approximately 698.3 grams of 98% pure d-methamphetamine hydrochloride (also known as “ice”).  The second package contained approximately 294.69 grams of 75% pure d-methamphetamine hydrochloride in one bag and approximately 204.41 grams of 97% pure d-methamphetamine hydrochloride inside a second bag.  

The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by Los Angeles’ Divisions of the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Mexican man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. 

Gerardo Madrigal Quintero, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 29 months in prison and two years of supervised release. On July 11, 2023, Quintero pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. 

In August 2022, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico that was seeking to set up a cocaine distribution network in the Boston area. The investigation subsequently identified Quintero’s co-defendant, Joel Enrique Armenta Castro, as a member of the organization who came to Boston to facilitate the distribution of multiple kilograms of cocaine. In August 2022, Quintero transported 15 kilograms of cocaine from California to Massachusetts in the back of his tractor trailer. On Aug. 29, 2022, Quintero provided Castro with the cocaine at service plaza on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Ludlow.

On Sept. 28, 2023, Castro was sentenced to four years in prison and two years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. 

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

BOSTON – The owner of a tax preparation business in Jamaica Plain was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for preparing false tax returns for his clients.

Joseph Rodriguez, 73, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 15 months in prison and one year of supervised release. Rodriguez was also ordered to pay restitution of $110,462. In February 2023, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of aiding or assisting in filing a false tax return. 

On numerous occasions between 2014 and 2017, Rodriguez prepared and filed federal income tax returns for clients in which he included inflated and ineligible expenses on his clients’ Schedules A for medical and dental expenses, charitable contributions and unreimbursed employee business expenses. By inflating Schedule A deductions, Rodriguez decreased his clients’ taxable income and effectively increased the clients’ tax refunds. As a result, Rodriguez caused more than $2 million in tax loss to the IRS.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl. 

Alexis Radhames Diaz Tejeda, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 5, 2024. Diaz Tejeda was arrested and charged in July 2022. 

On March 7, 2022, during a video-recorded controlled purchase in Dorchester, Diaz Tejeda provided a confidential source with a sample of 15 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. On June 1, 2022, Diaz Tejeda again met with the confidential source during a controlled purchase in Lawrence, this time providing 996 fentanyl pills. On July 6, 2022, Diaz Tejeda was arrested in Dorchester while attempting to meet the confidential source to sell another 4,000 fentanyl pills. During a subsequent search of Diaz Tejeda’s Dorchester residence, 4,034 fentanyl pills were found. In total, Diaz Tejeda conspired to distribute approximately 5,500 fentanyl pills to the confidential source.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department’s Gang Unit and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – October marks the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy joins the U.S. Department of Justice in commemorating DVAM, paying tribute to victims and survivors, and saluting the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers and first responders who tirelessly work in support of survivors.

“Domestic violence is more prevalent than many realize. According to the CDC, one in four women and one in seven men experience severe physical violence from intimate partners during their lifetime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “We want communities to know that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is using all the tools at our disposal to ensure victims and survivors have a viable path to safety and justice. Our office will continue to leverage federal resources to prioritize the prosecution of domestic violence offenders who unlawfully possess firearms, or whose criminal conduct occurs online or crosses state lines.”

Domestic violence, dating violence and intimate partner violence has long-lasting impacts and consequences. Approximately one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe domestic violence in their lifetimes according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. However, rates are disproportionately higher for American Indian and Alaska Native populations, women of Color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and two-spirit people and people with disabilities. Domestic violence takes on many forms of abuse that are not limited to physical abuse. DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, immediate services and shelter information in Massachusetts can be found by calling the statewide toll-free domestic violence SafeLink hotline at 877-785-2020 or by visiting: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/list-of-domestic-violence-services-by-massachusetts-county. 

National support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or Strong Hearts Native Helpline at 1-844-762-8483. To find additional information on local support and resources by state, visit: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/local-resources. 

BOSTON – A Plymouth man was arrested today in connection with his alleged involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain and misuse COVID-19 relief funds from multiple assistance programs.

Ferris Brooks, 41, was charged with theft of government property. Brooks was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein.

According to the charging documents, from April to December 2020, Brooks submitted dozens of applications for government benefits, both in his own name and in the names of others, that contained false information. Specifically, Brooks allegedly submitted an application in the name of a fake business for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Brooks also allegedly submitted more than 15 applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in the names of others that contained false information, as well as filed approximately 10 tax returns for Economic Impact Payments in the names of others. Brooks allegedly directed payments on these fraudulent claims to bank accounts he had opened in his own name. 

The charge of theft of government property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Chelsea man was arrested yesterday for allegedly selling fraudulent Social Security cards and Legal Permanent Resident cards, often referred to as “Green Cards.”  

Wilberto Sandoval Mazariego, 40, was charged with one count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature. Sandoval Mazariego was arrested near his residence yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was detained pending a hearing set for Oct. 5, 2023. 

According to the charging documents, during an investigation into Tomas Xirum for selling fraudulent Green Cards and fraudulent Social Security cards, law enforcement allegedly identified Sandoval Mazariego as the creator of the fraudulent documents Xirum was selling. Following Xirum’s arrest in August 2022, law enforcement allegedly found a text message string between Xirum and Sandoval Mazariego that contained approximately 568 attachments. It is alleged that in the messages, Xirum would regularly text Sandoval Mazariego pictures of unknown persons along with a name, date of birth and country of birth – to which Sandoval Mazariego would later respond with pictures of Social Security cards and/or Green Cards with the person’s photo and information that Xirum provided.

On Aug. 17, 2023, Sandoval Mazariego allegedly sold a fraudulent Green Card and a fraudulent Social Security card to an undercover agent. 

On Aug. 21, 2023, Xirum pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and three counts of unlawful production of document or authentication feature. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11, 2024.

The charge of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and unlawful production of document or authentication feature provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to attempting to prevent a victim, to whom he exposed himself, from testifying against him in a federal proceeding. Defendant was on federal supervised release for sex trafficking at the time of the offense.

Mark Pinnock, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of witness intimidation. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 5, 2023. Pinnock was charged in July 2023. 

In 2014, Pinnock was sentenced to eight years in prison for a sex trafficking offense and in 2022, was released and under federal supervision while working as an Amazon driver. In July 2022, while on supervised release for the 2014 sex trafficking conviction, a victim reported to local law enforcement that Pinnock exposed his penis to her while delivering a package to the condominium complex where the victim worked as a custodian. As a result, the U.S. Probation Office sought to revoke Pinnock’s term of supervised release and the Court scheduled a hearing to adjudicate Pinnock’s alleged offense.  

One week before the hearing, Pinnock sent a co-conspirator to the condominium complex on his behalf. The co-conspirator told the victim not to go to Court and stood with his hand in his pocket as if he had something in it. Pinnock also used an encrypted messaging application to send an anonymous message to the security officer at the complex to “let the cleaning lady know” she would be arrested by immigration officials if she were to go to court. Finally, Pinnock placed three separate phone calls to immigration officials in an attempt to have the victim detained for being unlawfully present in the United States. In the calls to immigration officials, Pinnock falsely claimed that he had heard the victim was gang-affiliated, among other things.

The charge of witness intimidation provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today.  The Brockton Police provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.  

BOSTON – A Boston-area man pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number while on supervised release from an earlier federal firearm charge.

Dane Mitchell, 32, of Boston and Revere, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Jan. 9, 2024. 

In 2021, an investigation into a violent Boston gang identified Mitchell as the owner of a Snapchat account that posted images of himself with firearms. Specifically, the images showed Mitchell’s face with firearms and showing bullet holes in his vehicle after he had been shot at. Mitchell is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a 2018 federal conviction in Maine of unlawful transportation of firearms, for which he was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release. 

During a search of Mitchell’s Revere residence in December 2021, a Taurus TCP Model 738 PT .380 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number, loaded with four rounds of .380 caliber ammunition in the clip and one round in the chamber, five additional rounds of the same type of .380 caliber ammunition, one round of 5.7 millimeter ammunition, bags of cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl, cutting agents, a digital scale, blender and a press for packaging narcotics were seized. 

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The operation was conducted is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the Boston, Quincy and Lynn Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in connection with his role in expansive online fraud schemes targeting individuals in the United States, including romance and advance fee schemes. In total, approximately 30 victims lost more than $1.3 million as a result of the schemes.

Kelechi Collins Umeh, 40, of Boston and formerly of Quincy, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge William G. Young to 40 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Umeh was also ordered to pay restitution of $878,652. In January 2023, Umeh pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud conspiracy.  
 
Umeh participated in a series of online scams – including romance and advance fee schemes – designed to defraud victims into sending money to accounts controlled by him and his co-conspirators. Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. Advance fee scams occur when a criminal asks a victim to pay a fee up front – usually described as a fee, tax, or commission – in order to obtain a bigger payout later, but that payout never occurs.  
    
Umeh used fake passports in the names of numerous aliases to open bank accounts in and around Boston to collect and launder the proceeds of the online scams. Umeh and co-conspirators then rapidly executed large cash withdrawals from those accounts, often within days of the deposit and generally structured in amounts less than $10,000, in an effort to evade detection and currency transaction reporting requirements.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today.  Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – A private-equity investor and former senior Staples executive was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for falsely claiming payments he made to secure the admission of his son to the University of Southern California (USC) were deductible from his taxes as a business expense and a charitable contribution. 

John Wilson, 64, of Lynnfield, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to one year of probation, with the first six months to be served in home detention, and 250 hours of community service. Wilson was also ordered to pay a fine of $75,000 and restitution in the amount of $88,546.

In October 2021, Wilson was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and honest services mail and wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery; three counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud; two counts of federal programs bribery; and one count of filing a false tax return. He was subsequently sentenced in February 2022 to 15 months in prison, two years of supervised release, 400 hours of community service and ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 and restitution in the amount of $88,546. 

In May 2023, the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction for filing a false tax return and vacated and remanded the remaining counts of conviction. 

According to evidence presented at trial, in 2013, Wilson agreed to pay William “Rick” Singer $220,000 to facilitate his son’s admission to USC as a purported water polo recruit in exchange for payments to the water polo team account. Wilson requested that Singer provide him with a fake invoice for business consulting fees so that he could make the payments using his private investment firm’s corporate account. Wilson asked, “Can we make it for consulting or whatever from The Key so that I can pay it from the corporate account?” After Wilson’s son was accepted to USC, Wilson used his firm’s corporate account to wire $100,000 to Singer’s sham charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation, $100,000 to Singer’s for-profit company, The Key, and $20,000 directly to Singer. Wilson falsely deducted part of the payments as a business expense and the remainder as a charitable contribution. In 2018, Wilson approached Singer again about securing the admission of his two daughters to college as purported athletic recruits in sports they did not play at the collegiate level. Wilson once again asked Singer whether there was “any way” to make the payments “tax deductible as like donations to the school.”  

On Jan. 4, 2023, Singer was sentenced to 42 months in prison after previously pleading guilty. 

Further information on the College Admissions Case is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Terry Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Eastern Regional Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The former branch manager for a Boston bank was sentenced today for stealing over $100,000 in funds from customer bank accounts.

Nathan Wadsworth, 32, of Syracuse, N.Y., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 25 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Wadsworth was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $121,000. In June 2023, Wadsworth pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. 
 
From June 2020 through November 2021, Wadsworth was employed as a branch manager for PNC Bank in Boston. Beginning in or around March 2021, Wadsworth used his position to identify dormant accounts of foreign account holders, transferred the funds in those dormant accounts to a new account he opened in the customers’ names and then moved the funds to his own accounts for personal use. In total, Wadsworth stole approximately $121,000 in customer funds. All the funds have since been repaid by PNC to the affected customers.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. PNC Bank cooperated with the government’s investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.

Tyreek Hall, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 18, 2024. Hall was charged in September 2022. 

On June 9, 2022, Hall was found in possession of a 9x19mm caliber privately made Glock-style semi-automatic pistol, bearing no manufacturer serial number (commonly known as a “ghost gun”), and eight rounds of ammunition. Hall is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction. 

The felon in possession charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian Kyes, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Westfield woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to calling in a hoax bomb threat against Boston Children’s Hospital. 

Catherine Leavy, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false bomb threat and one count of intentionally conveying false or misleading information that a bomb was on the way to Boston Children’s Hospital. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2024. Leavy was initially arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2022. 

In August 2022, law enforcement began monitoring threats made against Boston Children’s Hospital and its employees. Among the wide range of healthcare services it provides, Boston Children’s Hospital is home to the Gender Multispecialty Service (GeMS) program – a healthcare program focused on gender-diverse and transgender adolescents. 

On Aug. 30, 2022, Boston Children’s Hospital received a telephonic bomb threat in which the caller said, “There is a bomb on the way to the hospital, you better evacuate everybody you sickos.” As a result of the call, the hospital and surrounding area was placed on lockdown status and a bomb squad was dispatched. An investigation determined no explosive devices were located at the hospital. Subscriber and call detail records and location information for the phone number that called in the threat determined that the phone number was subscribed in Leavy’s name. In addition, cell tower data indicated the phone was nearby Leavy’s residence at the time the bomb threat was made. 

During a search of Leavy’s residence on Sept. 15, 2022, the phone used to make the threat was recovered. In an on-scene interview with law enforcement, Leavy expressed disapproval of Boston Children’s Hospital on multiple occasions. Leavy also admitted that she called in the threat to Boston Children’s Hospital on Aug. 30, 2022, but stated that she had no plan or intention to actually bomb the hospital.

The charge of making a false bomb threat provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of intentionally conveying false or misleading information provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Westfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Dolan, Deputy Chief of the National Security Unit, is prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A Southbridge man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for methamphetamine distribution.

Christopher Williams, 35, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to one year in prison, followed by a term of two years supervised release. In September 2021, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. 

On two occasions in January 2021, Williams sold multiple ounces of methamphetamine to an undercover officer for $4,500 in Southbridge.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Mexican man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a Mexican-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that sought to establish a cocaine distribution network in the Boston area.

Joel Enrique Armenta Castro, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to four years in prison and two years of supervised release. On June 29, 2023, Castro pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. 

In August 2022, an investigation began into a DTO based in Mexico that was seeking to set up a cocaine distribution network in the Boston area. The investigation subsequently identified Castro a member of the DTO who came to Boston to facilitate the distribution of multiple kilograms of cocaine. On Aug. 29, 2022, Castro drove from Boston to a service plaza on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Ludlow where he obtained 15 kilograms of cocaine intended for distribution by the DTO from the back of a tractor trailer.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. 

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