District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – Two New Hampshire women have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with the sexual exploitation of children at a daycare in Tyngsborough, Mass.

Lindsay Groves, 38, of Hudson, N.H. and Stacie Marie Laughton, 39, of Nashua, N.H., were indicted on three counts each of sexual exploitation of children. Groves is also charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. 

Laughton will appear in federal court in Boston tomorrow, July 28, 2023 at 10:15 a.m. Groves will appear at a later date. The defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography on June 22, 2023 and July 18, 2023. Both defendants remain in custody.

“Ensuring the safety of our children is one of the highest priorities for this office. The conduct alleged today is horrific and inexplicable. This case is a reminder of how critical it is that we continue to focus on people who prey on our most vulnerable population, children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will never let up in our efforts to investigate and prosecute child exploitation. Perpetrators will be rooted out and aggressively pursued by this office,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

“These allegations are every parent’s worst nightmare. The individuals in today’s indictments are alleged to have collaborated to take advantage of trusted access to children to create exploitative material,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Homeland Security Investigations and our partners will never cease in our pursuit of those who prey upon children.”

According to the charging documents, Groves worked at Creative Minds located in Tyngsborough, Mass. It is alleged that, between May 2022 and June 2023, Groves took nude images of children at the day care and sent the photos to Laughton. Specifically, Groves allegedly used natural bathroom breaks for the children (routine diaper/pull-up changes prior to “naptime”) to take multiple photos of the prepubescent children in a private bathroom and then send the photos to the individual via text message.

According to the charging documents, a preliminary forensic review of Groves’ cellphone allegedly revealed over 10,000 text messages between Laughton and Groves that included discussion about, and transfer of, explicit photographs that Groves had taken of children while employed at Creative Minds daycare – including at least four sexually explicit images of three three-year-old children who were students at the daycare, as well as explicit descriptions of sex with each other and others, including children. The investigation remains ongoing.  

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274. Case information, including links to charging documents and victim resources, can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/victim-and-witness-assistance-program/united-states-v-lindsay-groves

The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, and distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five year and up to 20 years in prison.  Both offenses provide for 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 U.S. Attorney Levy; HSI Acting SAC Krol; and Nashua (N.H.) Police Chief Kevin Rourke made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office; and the Hudson, N.H. Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne Paruti and Jessica L. Soto 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.

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

BOSTON – Yogibo, a New Hampshire-based furniture seller, has agreed to pay $217,832 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to pay customs duties on imports from China.

Customs laws require importers to pay duties on the price paid for imported goods, including the cost of quality control testing, product design services, foreign inland freight and more.

Between 2016 and 2022, Yogibo imported goods from a Chinese manufacturer, Leadershow Home Textile Co., Ltd (Leadershow). For each shipment, Leadershow provided Yogibo with two invoices: a commercial invoice listing one price for the goods being imported; and a second invoice (which Yogibo called the “QC Invoice”) that included a separate and additional charge for inland freight from Leadershow to a Chinese port, design services and quality control testing. Yogibo did not provide the QC Invoice to its customs broker for determining duties owed to the United States government on Leadershow imports and instead, only provided the commercial invoice with the lower total price. As a result, the customs broker did not calculate the duties owed based the total cost of the goods, including the additional charges on the QC Invoice.

Under the Department of Justice’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases, the Department of Justice credited Yogibo’s cooperation in this matter.  

“Customs laws are intended to, among other things, protect domestic companies from unfair competition,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our office will deploy the False Claims Act to go after anyone who cheats the system and defrauds the federal government.”

“U.S. Customs & Border Protection is responsible for facilitating lawful international trade while regulating and enforcing hundreds of laws from dozens of federal agencies. Submission of false invoices on imported goods is a serious matter. This scheme involves entities importing goods without paying the U.S. Government the lawful amount of duties owed, creating an unfair advantage over law-abiding American businesses. I am glad that we were able to work with our federal partners to reach a satisfactory settlement to recover these funds,” said Michael McCarthy, Acting Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office.

“Customs fraud is a serious allegation. Yogibo used a system of dual invoicing to circumvent requirements for establishing the proper duty. HSI takes undervaluing products imported into the United States seriously and will continue to protect the integrity of the False Claims Act through the aggressive enforcement of our customs laws,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

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 allow 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 20 percent of the recovery. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, CBP Acting Director McCarthy and HSI Acting SAC Krol made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. LaMacchia of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter. 

BOSTON – A Boston woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for her role in a scheme to defraud multiple insurance providers for physical therapy services that were not provided to patients.  

Gyulnara Bayryshova, 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to three years in prison and two years of supervised release. Bayryshova was also ordered to pay restitution of $7,383,756 and forfeiture of $7,834. In April 2023, Bayryshova pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Bayryshova was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendants Anna Barenboym, Slava Pride and Raya Bagardi.

Bayryshova was the owner of Brighton Physical Therapy (BPT), a Brighton-based physical therapy clinic. From October 2018 through June 2020, Bayryshova and her co-defendants conspired to cause multiple insurance companies to reimburse them for physical therapy services that were not actually provided and/or were not medically necessary and, in some cases, were provided by individuals not licensed to provide the services. Specifically, Bayryshova and her co-defendants falsely billed for services purportedly rendered to patients injured in automobile accidents when the services were not actually provided. BPT also paid patients for referrals and referred patients to attorneys to assist with patients’ insurance settlements. 

On July 12, 2023, Pride was sentenced to two years in prison, two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution of over $2.3 million. On July 19, 2023, Bagardi was sentenced to two years of supervised release, with the first year to be spent in home confinement and was also ordered to pay restitution of over $2.3 million.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. 

Joe Anthony Montaner-Vazquez, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. In April 2023, Montaner-Vazquez pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

In May 2022, Montaner-Vazquez was found in possession of a Glock 9-millimeter caliber pistol and 20 rounds of ammunition after he attempted to flee from police. Montaner-Vazquez was previously convicted of a felony and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.  

BOSTON – The owner of a Massachusetts-based food truck business was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for filing fraudulent loan applications in order to obtain $1.5 million in pandemic relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.   

Loc Vo, 56, of Brighton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to two years in prison and two years of supervised release. Vo was also ordered to pay $1,516,606 in restitution and forfeiture. Vo pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in January 2023.

Vo owned Smart Gourmet LLC (Smart Gourmet), a food truck business in Massachusetts, and Indy Publish, a dormant Maryland company. Between April 2020 and July 2021, Vo submitted loan applications on behalf of these businesses under three Small Business Administration pandemic relief programs: the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund . In these applications, Vo requested approximately $1.5 million and committed to use the funds for rent, mortgage interest, payroll and utilities, among other eligible expenses.  

After receiving the relief funds, Vo immediately transferred most of them to brokerage accounts in his name to purchase shares in an electric car manufacturer, an internet marketplace company and a biotechnology company, among others.  

The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses, through the PPP. Another is the EIDL, through which the SBA offers loans that can only be used on certain permissible business expenses, which can include payment of fixed business debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other business-related expenses that could have been paid had the COVID-19 disaster not occurred. The American Rescue Plan Act established the RRF to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open through forgivable loans for eligible uses.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston 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 Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit 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 nearly 500-year-old manuscript signed by Conquistador Hernando Cortés in 1527 has been returned to the Archivo General de la Nación de México – Mexico’s national archives located in Mexico City. On July 19, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, along with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, participated in a formal repatriation ceremony at Mexico’s national archives, where the manuscript is believed to have been unlawfully removed from sometime before 1993. In November 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action against the manuscript to ensure its lawful return. It is a violation of federal law to transport or receive stolen goods valued at more than $5,000 that have traveled in foreign or interstate commerce.   

“After missing for decades, thanks to incredible international collaboration and persistence the Cortés manuscript is finally where it belongs back in Mexico, where it will remain a treasured part of Mexico’s history and heritage,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “I want to commend the asset recovery prosecutors in the U.S. attorney’s office whose hard work and dedication led to the return of this priceless and historically important artifact. We were honored to have assisted in this effort.”

The manuscript is a payment order signed by Cortés on April 27, 1527 authorizing the purchase of rose sugar for the pharmacy in exchange 12 gold pesos. It is believed to be one of several documents unlawfully removed from a collection of documents concerning a Spanish expedition to Central America in 1527 that is housed in Mexico’s national archives. 

According to the civil complaint, in early 2022, an individual consigned the Cortés manuscript for online auction at a Massachusetts auction house. Mexican authorities alerted federal authorities in the United States that the manuscript being auctioned appeared to have been stolen. In turn, the auction house removed the manuscript from the upcoming auction and the manuscript was recovered. 

The United States Attorney’s Office obtained a final order of forfeiture on February 27, 2023, and thereafter the Department of Justice authorized the manuscript’s return to Mexico.

“We are incredibly honored to be able to assist in the return of this national treasure to the people of Mexico. This manuscript, which is nearly five centuries old, preserves an important part of Mexico’s history, and reflects the FBI’s ongoing commitment to protect cultural heritage, not only in the United States but around the world,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division. “The recovery of this priceless artifact is a direct result of our close and ongoing collaboration with the government of Mexico, and we are very thankful for their partnership.”

Anyone with information on stolen art and cultural property are encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI (1-800-225-5324). Tips may also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov/. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI Acting SAC DiMenna made the announcement. The civil forfeiture action was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs Mutual Legal Assistance Team provided crucial legal assistance to the Government of Mexico.

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Jason Cruz, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In May 2023, Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Between approximately April 2022 and approximately June 2022, Cruz purchased fentanyl from the DTO that he then redistributed to others. Intercepted communications depicted Cruz discussing purchasing fentanyl from the DTO. In addition, surveillance footage showed other members of the DTO visiting Cruz’s residence for brief periods of times, often times consistent with illegal drug trafficking.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira; and Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; Bristol County Sherriff’s Office; and Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Scituate, Yarmouth, Providence (R.I.) and West Warwick (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering 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.

BOSTON – Two Lawrence men have pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiring to distribute fentanyl to individuals at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Deiby Bladimil Casado Ruiz, 30, and Pedro Antonio Sanchez Bernabel, 31, both of Lawrence, pleaded guilty on July 21, 2023 to one count each of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled Casado Ruiz’s sentencing for Nov. 1, 2023 and Bernabel’s sentencing for Nov. 6, 2023. The defendants were charged in November 2022

Between July 27, 2022 and November 2022, Casado Ruiz and Bernabel conspired to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl. Specifically, the defendants sold fentanyl to individuals at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford, including one veteran who was seeking treatment at the Medical Center for a substance use disorder.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and the charge of distribution of fentanyl each provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a maximum 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; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the VA Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Bedford VA Medical Center Police Service and the Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Callahan, Lauren Graber and Kelly Lawrence of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Somerville man was sentenced on July 19, 2023 in federal court in Boston for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

William Velez, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 105 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2022, Velez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

In or about October 2019 through in or about September 2020, Velez and others conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine throughout the Everett and Boston areas.   
    
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Alathea Porter of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.  

BOSTON – The owner of Conclave Media (Conclave) and Nationwide Health Advocates (Nationwide) has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a $44 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), including orthotics such as back and knee braces, and genetic tests. 

David Santana, 38, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. 

According to the charging documents, between January 2018 and August 2021, Santana, through his companies Conclave and Nationwide, entered into business relationships with telemarketing companies that generated leads by targeting Medicare beneficiaries. The telemarketers then allegedly paid Conclave and Nationwide on a per-order basis to generate orders for DME and genetic testing for these beneficiaries. To arrange for these orders to be signed, Santana allegedly worked with medical staffing companies to find doctors and nurses who were willing to review and sign prepopulated orders, typically without any contact with the beneficiaries. It is alleged that the records falsely portrayed the medical providers as having performed a legitimate examination of the beneficiary. Santana then allegedly provided the signed orders to the telemarketing companies which sold the orders to DME suppliers and laboratories. It is alleged that Santana knew these DME suppliers and laboratories would use the signed orders to submit claims to Medicare for DME and genetic testing that were 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, supervised release for up to three years, 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; Robert Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Christopher DiMenna, Acting 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 Howard Locker and Lauren Graber of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit 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 Lawrence man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. 

Eddy Reyes Tejada, 51 pleaded guilty on July 20, 2023 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2023. Tejada was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2022. 

Between January and December 2022, Tejada conspired to distribute fentanyl in and around the Lawrence area. Specifically, on June 14, 2022, Tejada distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl in Lawrence. On Sept. 6, 2022, Tejada distributed 400 grams or more of fentanyl in Lawrence.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl each provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. 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; Christopher DiMenna, Acting 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. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Fitchburg and Lunenburg Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter 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 Correctional Counselor for the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) assigned to Federal Medical Center Devens (FMC Devens) in Massachusetts has been charged with accepting payments from an inmate under his care, in violation of his duties as a public official. The defendant is also charged with lying to a bank about a loan he received from the inmate’s business associate and forging the associate’s signature to support this false claim. 

William S. Tidwell, 49, of Keene, N.H., was charged by Information in federal court in Boston with receipt of payments by a public official in violation of his official duties, making false statements to a bank and identity theft. Tidwell will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Tidwell has been employed by the BOP since 2000 and has been working at FMC Devens since 2008. According to BOP’s rules and policies that govern the duties and conduct of its employees, employees may not receive any payments, gifts, or personal favors from inmates, give preferential treatment to any inmate in the performance of their duties, or engage in outside employment that conflicts with their duties.  

In approximately 2014, Tidwell began working as a Correctional Counselor at FMC Devens, a position that give him significant levels of contact with, and authority over, inmates. Among other things, Tidwell was responsible for monitoring inmate work assignments, assigning inmate housing assignments, arranging inmate legal calls and coordinating prison visits for inmates. One of the inmates for whom Tidwell served as a Correctional Counselor was Individual 1 – an ultra-high net worth individual who had been convicted on federal charges in another jurisdiction. It is alleged that, starting in approximately 2018, Individual 1 caused a stream of benefits to be paid to Tidwell.  

In November 2018, Tidwell supervised Individual 1, who allegedly directed a close friend and business associate (Individual 2) to wire $25,000 to Tidwell’s close family member. Thereafter, starting in 2019, Tidwell and Individual 1 allegedly entered into an agreement pursuant to which Individual 1 would direct thousands of dollars to Tidwell as part of a property management agreement, which used Individual 2 as the conduit through which payments were made to Tidwell. In total, between 2019 and 2020, Tidwell allegedly received over $65,000 in benefits as part of this property management agreement with Individuals 1 and 2. Tidwell’s alleged receipt of payments and his employment relationship with an inmate or a close associate of an inmate violated his official duties as a BOP employee.

Separately, in 2020, it is alleged that Tidwell sought to purchase a home. In connection with seeking financing for the home purchase, Tidwell allegedly received a $50,000 loan from Individual 2. Tidwell also allegedly made multiple false statements to the bank in connection with his loan application, falsely telling the bank that the $50,000 was a gift from his employer.  It is further alleged that when the bank asked for written proof of this purported gift, Tidwell forged documents to support his earlier claim, including by unlawfully using Individual 2’s name and address, and forging Individual 2’s signature. 

“Corrections officers are placed in a position of public trust. The vast majority of corrections officers carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism. They know that accepting payments from an inmate – as is alleged against Mr. Tidwell here – is a serious violation of that trust and a betrayal of the BOP’s mission to care FOR federal inmates in a safe and impartial manner. This office is committed to holding public officials accountable when they exploit their power or official position to enrich themselves and compromise the public interest,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

“William Tidwell is alleged to have abused his authority and abandoned his duty after he befriended an inmate in his care and accepted tens of thousands of dollars from him,” said Christopher DiMenna. Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s arrest underscores the importance the criminal justice system places on policing its own. Make no mistake, the FBI will continue to work with our partners to root out public corruption wherever it may lie because it not only undermines the integrity of our government but is a violation of the public’s trust.”

“The safety and security of federal prisons depends on the integrity of Correctional Officers.  By allegedly accepting tens of thousands of dollars from an inmate, Tidwell compromised his integrity and jeopardized the safety and security of the institution,” said Ryan T. Geach, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General New York Field Office.

The charge of receiving payments in violation of official duties 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 making false statements to a bank provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of identity theft 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. 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 Acting SAC DiMenna and DOJ-OIG SAC Geach made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kunal Pasricha and Mark Grady of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Venezuelan man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to trafficking fentanyl.

Frank Bienvenido Perez Diaz, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Nov. 15, 2023.

On April 16, 2021, Perez Diaz sold over 2,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills to a cooperating witness.  

The charge of distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years in prison and no greater than 40 years in prison, as well as at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Perez Diaz will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence.  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 and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter 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 bank teller supervisor pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester for his role in defrauding his employer out of $375,000.

Pablo Rocha, 32, of Malden, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Nov. 16, 2023. Rocha was charged on June 26, 2023.  

Between July 2022 and December 2022, Rocha worked as a bank teller supervisor at a federally insured bank in Massachusetts. Rocha used his access to the bank’s vault to steal cash.  Rocha then covered his tracks by writing false entries in the bank’s records and by processing fake transactions in the bank’s electronic records system to make it appear that the cash had been shipped to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. In total, Rocha stole approximately $375,000.

The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, restitution 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 Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.  

BOSTON – A Dominican man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine, and for unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

Francisco Alberto Martinez, 52, was sentenced on July 19, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 87 months in prison and five years of supervised release. On April 19, 2023, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine; and one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

On nine separate occasions between August 2018 and May 2019, Martinez sold fentanyl and cocaine to a cooperating witness. Martinez first unlawfully entered the United States on an unknown date. In 2010, he was convicted in federal court in Boston of cocaine conspiracy and sentenced to 66 months in prison. Upon completion of his sentence in 2014, Martinez was deported to the Dominican Republic. Sometime after his removal, Martinez unlawfully reentered the United States and continued to distribute controlled substances.  
    
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Peabody Police Chief Thomas M. Griffin made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk Sheriff’s Office; the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force; and the Peabody, Concord, Reading, Watertown, Braintree, Waltham, Woburn, Salem, Revere, and Beverly Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig Estes, Charles Dell’Anno and Alathea Porter of the Criminal Division are 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 Quincy man pleaded guilty in federal court today to receiving child pornography.

Matthew Ormon, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Oct. 18, 2023. Ormon was indicted on Jun. 7, 2022

During a search of Ormon’s residence on Apr. 5, 2022, multiple electronic devices, including two custom built computers and a network drive device were seized. At least one device was found to contain a folder with numerous videos depicting child pornography. 

The charge of receipt 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 $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.

United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Quincy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Dell’Anno and Meghan C. Cleary of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 Needham police officer was convicted today by a federal jury in Boston of conspiring to trade on inside information about a Massachusetts company’s planned acquisition of a California semiconductor company.

David Forte, 60, of Acton, was convicted of 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 Oct. 24, 2023. Forte was charged in January 2020 along with two alleged co-conspirators. In June 2022, one of those co-conspirators, John Younis, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to one month of home detention and two years of probation after pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy. The second alleged co-conspirator has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial. 

Beginning in or around June 2016, Forte, a Needham Police Department officer, obtained material non-public information from his brother, who was a senior executive at Analog Devices, Inc. (Analog), a Wilmington, Mass.-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 Younis and, allegedly, the second-co-conspirator, who purchased Linear securities in the week leading up to the public announcement of the acquisition on July 26, 2016. After the deal was announced, Younis and, allegedly, the second co-conspirator sold their Linear securities for a profit. Younis and, allegedly, the other co-conspirator paid Forte cash kickbacks in exchange for Forte’s stock tip.

“Today, a federal jury found that Mr. Forte cheated the securities markets. He engaged in a conspiracy to trade on inside information. He illegally had tomorrow’s news today. Mr. Forte thought he could use his connections to make a quick buck by tilting the scale for his close friends’ financial benefit,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Insider trading is cheating, plain and simple. It hurts honest investors and damages the public’s confidence that our markets are open and fair. This office and our law enforcement partners will maintain the integrity of our financial markets and prosecute those who seek to corrupt them for their personal gain.”

“David Forte thought he was above the law when he conspired with childhood friends to trade on material, non-public information. Today’s conviction sends an unambiguous message that the temporary gains of insider trading will lead to life-long consequences, including being a felon,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Insider trading undermines faith in our financial markets and harms the everyday investors who play by the rules. The FBI takes this crime seriously. If you choose to conduct this type of illegal behavior, know that we will ensure you are held accountable.”

The charge of conspiracy to commit securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three 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 up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI Acting SAC DiMenna 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. 

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

BOSTON – A Marlboro man has been charged with allegedly receiving, possessing and distributing child pornography.

Larry Stephen, 44, was charged with one count of receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Stephen was arrested on June 18, 2023 and was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley.

According to the charging documents, authorities identified Stephen as an individual allegedly using a social media platform to receive and post child pornography. On June 7, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Stephen’s Marlboro residence where Stephen’s cell phone was seized. A preliminary examination of the cell phone allegedly revealed the presence of child pornography.

For the charge of receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography, the defendant faces 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. 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; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, in New England; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Marlboro Police Department. 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.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

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 Brockton man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for using others’ identities to fraudulently obtain over $60,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Benefits and for using one of those identities to fraudulently obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license. 

Francisco Jose Peguero Brea, 48, was sentenced on July 14, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Rya Zobel to three months in prison and three years of supervised release. In February 2023, Peguero pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of false representation of a Social Security number.

Peguero used the name and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen to fraudulently apply for and obtain PUA benefits as well as a Massachusetts Driver’s License.  Peguero received additional PUA benefits from another claim that directed the funds to be deposited into a bank account controlled by Peguero and another individual. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Massachusetts State Police; and the Brockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.
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 Worcester man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine disguised as counterfeit Adderall pills. 

Nestiano Kristo, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On March 17, 2023, Kristo pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

Over the course of two months, Kristo sold significant quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer. Specifically, on May 10, 2021, Kristo provided approximately 1,000 counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine to the undercover officer, as well as providing cocaine to advertise what else he could supply. On May 18, 2021, Kristo arranged to sell 2,000 pills containing methamphetamine to the undercover.  He sent an associate to deliver the pills while he waited in a nearby car. On June 2, he again provided over 1100 pills containing methamphetamine to the undercover officer. A search of Kristo’s home in June 2021 recovered over 50,000 counterfeit Adderall pills, over $140,000 in cash, cocaine, counterfeit Xanax, fentanyl, as well as three firearms – one of which was modified into a fully automatic weapon.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; John E. Mawn, Jr. Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – A Royalston man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield in connection with distributing child pornography using the Wi-Fi of a Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Kevin A. Divoll, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release. Divoll was also ordered to pay $5,000 each to two of the identified victims. On April 24, 2023, Divoll pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Divoll, a former employee of the VA Medical Center in Leeds, was identified as the owner and user of a device distributing child pornography over the VA Medical Center’s public Wi-Fi from May 2022 through July 2022. During a search of his residence on Aug. 4, 2022, Divoll was found to be in possession of child pornography that involved a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, made the announcement. Significant assistance was provided by the Leeds VA Medical Center Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – An Edgartown, Mass. man has been charged with the April 8, 2023 armed robbery of a bank in Falmouth, Mass. Defendant allegedly zip-tied individuals in the bank; brandished a firearm; placed a purported bomb on the counter; and fled the scene in the vehicle of a bank customer. 

Petar Petyoshin, 40, was charged with one count of armed bank robbery. Petyoshin was previously arrested on related state charged on May 23, 2023. He remains in state custody and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. 

According to the charging documents, at approximately 8:58 a.m. on April 8, 2023, Petyoshin entered the Rockland Trust Bank in Falmouth wearing a blonde wig, placed an alleged bomb on the teller counter and brandished a firearm. It is alleged that 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 allegedly had two additional tellers place over $20,000 in cash from the bank into a brown Walmart bag, took a customer’s car keys and fled the scene in the customer’s vehicle. 

It is alleged that surveillance footage from the surrounding area captured that approximately 30 minutes prior to the robbery, a man matching Petyoshin’s description entered a nearby grocery store parking lot in a grey van, remained in the vehicle for approximately 18 minutes, then exited the van and walked on foot in the direction of the bank. The individual can be seen returning to the vehicle from the direction of the bank approximately 15 minutes after the robbery. Additional surveillance footage captured the van travelling on the highway in the direction of Mashpee, Mass. following the robbery. 

The investigation later identified that, on the morning of the robbery, a vehicle matching the van’s description departed Martha’s Vineyard aboard a Steamship Authority vessel at 7 a.m. and arrived at Woods Hole in Falmouth, Mass. The van also had a scheduled return trip to Martha’s Vineyard later the same day, at 1:15 p.m. Surveillance footage obtained from the Steamship Authority depict a sole operator in the van who was wearing the same sneakers worn by the bank robber.

According to the charging documents, Petyoshin was subsequently identified as the registered owner of the van and cell site information located Petyoshin as being in the area of bank in Falmouth at the time of the robbery. It is further alleged that the Facebook page for Petyoshin’s clothing store, Dapper Martha’s Vineyard, displayed photos of clothing including the same jacket, sunglasses and wig worn by the bank robber. 

On May 23, 2023, Petyoshin was arrested on state charges in connection with the robbery. According to court documents, 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. It is further alleged that 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 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; John. E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division 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.

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 Brookline man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing two machine guns.  

Stewart Silvestri, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of machine guns. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Oct. 12, 2023. Silvestri was charged by criminal complaint on Nov. 16, 2022.

On Oct. 15, 2022, law enforcement responded to multiple calls for 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, law enforcement observed Silvestri 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.  

The charging statute 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 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 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 Boston woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud multiple insurance providers for physical therapy services that were not provided to patients.  

Raya Bagardi, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to time served (one day) and two years of supervised release, with the first year to be spent in home confinement. Bagardi was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,301,645. In March 2023, Bagardi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Bagardi was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendants Gyulnara Bayryshova, Anna Barenboym and Slava Pride.

Bagardi was a licensed physical therapy assistant at Brighton Physical Therapy (BPT), a Brighton-based physical therapy clinic owned by Bayryshova. From October 2018 through June 2020, Bayryshova, Bagardi and their co-defendants conspired to be reimbursed by multiple insurance companies for physical therapy services that were not actually provided and/or were not medically necessary and, in some cases, were provided by individuals not licensed to provide the services. Specifically, Bagardi and her co-defendants falsely billed for services purportedly rendered to patients injured in automobile accidents when the services were not actually provided. Further, BPT paid patients for referrals and referred patients to attorneys to assist with patients’ insurance settlements. 

All three of Bagardi’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy. On July 12, 2023, Pride was sentenced to two years in prison and two years of supervised release. Pride was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,301,645. Bayryshova and Barenboym are scheduled to be sentenced on July 26, 2023 and September 2023, respectively. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A New Hampshire woman and the former intimate partner of Tyngsborough, Mass. daycare worker, Lindsay Groves, has been charged with child exploitation.

Stacie Marie Laughton, 39, of Nashua, N.H., was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children – and aiding and abetting. Laughton will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. 

According to the charging documents, a preliminary forensic review of Groves’ cellphone allegedly revealed over 10,000 text messages between Laughton and Groves that included discussion about, and transfer of, explicit photographs that Groves had taken of children while employed at Creative Minds daycare – including at least four sexually explicit images of children who appear to be approximately three to five years old, as well as explicit descriptions of sex with each other and others, including children. The investigation remains ongoing.  

Groves was arrested and charged on June 22, 2023 with one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distribution of child pornography. Following a detention hearing on July 13, 2023, the Court took the federal government’s motion for detention under advisement. Groves remains in state custody in New Hampshire. 

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274. Case information, including links to charging documents and victim resources, can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/victim-and-witness-assistance-program/united-states-v-lindsay-groves 

The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 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; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Nashua (N.H.) Police Chief Kevin Rourke made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office; and the Hudson, N.H. Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne Paruti and Jessica L. Soto 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.

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

BOSTON – A Springfield man has been convicted by a federal jury for sex trafficking of a minor under 14 years old.

Carlos Casillas, 51, was convicted on July 14, 2023 following a three-day jury trial of one count of sex trafficking of a minor. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled by the court. 

In September 2021, an investigation began into Casillas for sex trafficking activity involving a 13-year-old girl living in a group home in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Evidence presented at trial established that Casillas solicited the minor victim using Facebook messenger, picked the minor victim up from her group home and eventually took her to a local motel.  

“Carlos Casillas preyed on a vulnerable 13-year-old girl in state custody. His conduct was beyond horrific and now he will face the lengthy sentence of incarceration the law requires for sex trafficking of a minor. This office and the incredibly dedicated federal, state and local law enforcement partners we work with will never cease in our efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

“Casillas preyed upon a child in a vulnerable situation. Now, he has been convicted of trafficking a minor and is facing a significant federal sentence. Homeland Security Investigations works every day to bring predators like Casillas to justice and to help connect victims to assistance to heal and move forward,” said Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Members of the public who believe they, or someone they know, may be a victim of this crime should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please visit https://polarisproject.org/ for information and resources. 

The charge of sex trafficking of a minor under 14 years old provides for a sentence of at least 15 years in prison, 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 U.S. Attorney Levy; HSI Acting SAC Krol; Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni; Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi; and West Springfield Police Chief Ronald Campurciani made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine G. Curley and Deepika Bains Shukla of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted 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 Salvadoran man and former employee of the Taste of Brazil – Tudo Na Brasa restaurant in Woburn was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for providing false identification documents to Brazilian employees of the restaurant who lacked work authorization.

Marcos Chacon Gil, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to time served (approximately 10 months in prison) and two years of supervised release. On May 23, 2023, Chacon Gil pleaded guilty to one count of transferring false identification documents.

Chacon Gil worked at Taste of Brazil for three years beginning in 2014. Beginning in approximately 2018, Chacon Gil provided false identification documents to Brazilian employees of the restaurant who lacked work authorization in the United States. Chacon Gil did so in order for the employees to secure work authorization. In one instance, on Feb. 20, 2020, Chacon Gil met with an employee and provided the employee with a fake green card and a fake social security card.
        
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael Krol, Acting Special Agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Harry Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Woburn Police Chief Robert F. Rufo, Jr. made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James D. Herbert, Kelly Lawrence and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A West Roxbury man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud multiple insurance providers for physical therapy services that were not provided to patients.  

Slava Pride, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years in prison and two years of supervised release. Pride was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,301,645. In November 2022, Pride pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Pride was indicted in February 2021 along with co-defendants Anna Barenboym, Gyulnara Bayryshova and Raya Bagardi. Pride pleaded guilty in November 2022.

Pride was a physical therapy assistant at Brighton Physical Therapy (BPT), a Brighton-based physical therapy clinic owned by Bayryshova. Barenboym and Bagardi were also employed at BPT as a licensed physical therapist and a licensed physical therapist assistant, respectively. According to the charging documents, from October 2018 through June 2020, Pride and his co-defendants conspired to cause multiple insurance companies to reimburse them for physical therapy services that were not actually provided and/or were not medically necessary and, in some cases, were provided by individuals not licensed to provide the services. Specifically, Pride and, allegedly, his co-defendants falsely billed for services purportedly rendered to patients injured in automobile accidents when the services were not actually provided. It is further alleged that BPT paid patients for referrals, referred patients to attorneys to assist with patients’ insurance settlements and accepted kickbacks from those attorneys in return. 

Pride was one of three defendants to plead guilty in the case. Barenboym and Bagardi previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are scheduled to be sentenced on August 3, 2023 and July 19, 2023, respectively.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Vancouver man has been extradited from Canada to the United States for his alleged role in a market manipulation scheme intended to defraud investors in the Boston-based company Endeavor Power Corp.

Marco G. Babini, 62, was arrested in April 2020 and was extradited to the United States on July 7, 2023. Babini made his initial appearance in federal court on July 10, 2023 and was arraigned on July 12, 2023, at which time a federal magistrate judge took his pretrial detention under advisement. Babini was indicted in September 2015 on one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud; one count of securities fraud; and two counts of wire fraud.

According to the charging documents, between approximately July 2012 and March 2013, Babini allegedly conspired to manipulate the securities of Endeavor. Specifically, it is alleged that Babini and others executed a scheme in which Babini secretly controlled and accumulated a significant portion of the purportedly unrestricted shares of Endeavor without making the legally mandated disclosures to the public. While doing so, Babini and others allegedly engaged in manipulative stock trading transactions and then orchestrated a promotional campaign for the purpose of facilitating the fraudulent dump of their shares into the market, a course of conduct commonly known as a “pump-and-dump.”

Babini’s alleged co-conspirators Edward Withrow III and Samuel Brown were previously charged with and convicted of federal offenses. In May 2018, Withrow pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Brown separately pleaded guilty in July 2015 to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud and one count of making false statements to the SEC. Withrow and Brown were sentenced in December 2018 and January 2019, respectively.

The charges or conspiracy and securities fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the amount involved, 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 Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today.  The U.S. Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Department of Justice Canada provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney James R. Drabick of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit 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 Texas man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to advertising child pornography on the dark web.

Neal Grubert, 35, of Bertram, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of advertising child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Nathanial M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2023. Grubert was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2021. 

In May 2020, Swedish law enforcement authorities determined that a Swedish citizen was producing images and videos of himself sexually abusing his three-year-old niece and distributing them on various dark websites. The investigation identified Grubert as an administrator of one of the websites. Following the Swedish individual’s arrest, a forensic examination of their phone revealed several images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including images and videos in which Grubert’s face could be seen watching the exploitation as it happened via webcam while logged onto this dark website. Specifically, Grubert was masturbating while directing the Swedish individual how to molest his niece. A subsequent undercover investigation by federal law enforcement located images and a video uploaded and published by Grubert in his role as an administrator on the dark website.  

The other individual pleaded guilty to charges in Sweden and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The charge of advertising child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 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 and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Swedish Police Authority; Swedish National Operations Department; Swedish National IT Crime Centre; Swedish Prosecution Authority; Swedish National Public Prosecution Department; and Swedish National Unit against Organized Crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and Benjamin Tolkoff 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 Leominster man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to possessing large quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine intended for distribution. 

Chanhda Onesyvieng, 48, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Oct. 4, 2023. Onesyvieng was charged on May 1, 2023.

In early April 2023, federal law enforcement received information that Onesyvieng was distributing significant quantities of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine in Rhode Island. On April 28, 2023, during a traffic stop of Onesyvieng in Worcester, approximately two kilograms of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and approximately 135 grams of cocaine were seized. During a subsequent search of the defendants’ residence in Leominster, approximately one kilogram of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, approximately one kilogram of cocaine, and approximately $60,000 in cash were seized.    

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 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and John. E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – Six individuals were arrested today for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed oxycodone pills obtained from a source in the Houston area, across Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond.  

• John Campbell, a/k/a Jizz, 40, of Taunton, Mass. was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
• Kenneth Veiga, 33, of Abington, Mass. was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
• Michael Atwood, 36, of Carver, Mass. was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
• Austin Gonsalves, 36, of Fall River, Mass. was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
• Scott Lambert, 55, of Falmouth, Mass. was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; and
• Christan Russell, a/k/a Christian Russell, a/k/a Bear, 32, of Tomball, Texas was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

The defendants will appear in U.S. District Court later today.

According to the charging documents, an investigation into John Campbell began in April 2022 after receiving information that he was allegedly distributing oxycodone pills. A series of controlled buys were conducted and Campbell’s telephone calls and text messages were intercepted. Those interceptions allegedly revealed that Campbell redistributed oxycodone pills to Michael Atwood and Scott Lambert. It is further alleged that Atwood and Lambert re-distributed the oxycodone pills they obtained from Campbell to others. On Feb. 24, 2023, law enforcement stopped Lambert in Bourne, Mass after he allegedly met with Campbell, and 73 oxycodone pills were found hidden in a Krazy Glue container. 

Kenneth Veiga’s telephone calls and text messages were also intercepted and revealed that he allegedly obtained and distributed oxycodone pills that he received from Christan Russell and that re-distributed oxycodone pills to Austin Gonsalves. It is further alleged that Russell obtained and brought oxycodone pills from pharmacies in the Houston area to the Boston area for distribution to Veiga. Specifically, it is alleged that in February 2023, flight records show that Russell travelled to Boston and met with Veiga; during a meeting in March 2023, Veiga met with Russell at the Twin River Casino, in Lincoln, R.I., where Russell allegedly distributed oxycodone pills to Veiga; and in May 2023, Veiga and Russell met again for an oxycodone pill exchange at a hotel in Brookline, Mass.  

“Massachusetts continues to suffer from the devastating effects of the lethal opioid crisis and overdose deaths are far too common. Stemming the opioid crisis is one of this office’s highest priorities including stemming the flow of illegally diverted narcotics as alleged in this case from Texas to Massachusetts,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Illegally distributed opioids leave a trail of violence and death as they course through the black market. We will never cease in our efforts to penetrate these drug rings and do everything in our power to protect the people of Massachusetts.”

“The state of Massachusetts is faced with an opioid crisis unlike ever before,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency. “Those responsible for distributing oxycodone pills illegally to the citizens of Massachusetts need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA will aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals who distribute drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

“Traffickers of Oxycodone pills are among the main culprits behind the opioid epidemic, and investigation and interdiction of these criminals rightfully remains a major priority of law enforcement. The Massachusetts State Police and our partners at the US Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are committed to disrupting the drug trafficking organizations that facilitate the influx of illegal narcotics into our state, or communities, and our neighborhoods,” said Massachusetts State Police Interim Colonel John E. Mawn Jr.

“The opioid crisis has a very real and very harmful impact on our communities. Today’s charges illustrate that those involved in illicit opioid trafficking and those employing money laundering schemes to move their illegal proceeds will be held accountable. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed, working with our law enforcement partners, to identifying those who place our communities at risk through the illicit opioid trade and dismantling their operations through enforcement actions such as these,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.

“The Falmouth Police Department is committed to working with our Local, State and Federal Partners in a unified effort to hold those accountable bringing this poison into our Communities and Commonwealth,” said Falmouth Police Chief Jeffrey Lourie.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; DEA SAC Boyle; MSP Interim Colonel Mawn Jr.; USPIS INC Larco-Ward; Chief Lourie; and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation made the announcement today. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; United States Coast Guard Investigative Service; the Barnstable, Dennis, Bourne, Mashpee, Yarmouth, Sandwich and Falmouth Police Departments; and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys John Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit and Alexandra Amrhein of the Asset Recovery Unit are prosecuting the case.

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

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

BOSTON – A Manchester, N.H. man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a multi-state methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

Anthony Elwell, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Nov. 1, 2023. In May 2021, the defendant was indicted along with three other individuals, Andrew Lunn, Mark Daileanes and William Velez.

On four occasions between June and September 2020, Lunn sold pure methamphetamine to a cooperating witness in amounts ranging from 100 to almost 280 grams. Velez supplied Lunn with the methamphetamine for each of those deals. For one of the deals, in July 2020, Elwell provided Daileanes with money to purchase 280 grams of methamphetamine from Lunn.

Elwell is the last of the four defendants to plead guilty in this case. Lunn is scheduled to be sentenced on July 27, 2023, Daileanes is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 20, 2023 and Velez is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2023.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. 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 and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division, made the announcement today. The New Hampshire State Police and the Everett, Nashua (N.H), Merrimack (N.H.), Litchfield (N.H), and Manchester (N.H.) Police Departments provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to 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, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2023. 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 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.

Cruz pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on May 18, 2023. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 30, 2023.
 
The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. 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, Acting 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 are 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. 

BOSTON – A Clinton man and Leominster man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester in connection with their involvement in tax and mail fraud, and other offenses.  

Juliano Fernandes, 42, of Clinton, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of employment tax fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and two counts of making false statements to a federal agency.  Anderson Dos Santos, 39, of Leominster, pleaded guilty to four counts of filing a false tax return.  U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencings for October 2023. 

Fernandes exercised financial control over Force Corporation and AB Construction, both Massachusetts-based construction companies.  Between 2015 and 2017, Fernandes willfully failed to account for and pay over employment taxes for these companies to the United States Internal Revenue Service.  In addition, from approximately April 2013 through January 2017, Fernandes defrauded worker’s compensation insurance companies by misrepresenting the number of employees at Force Corporation and AB Construction, and the amount of wages paid to the employees.  Fernandes also, in August 2017, made materially false statements to the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the value of property he owned in Lunenburg, Mass., and that he never had responsibility or control over the payroll of Force Corporation.  These statements related to the Department of Labor’s efforts to collect funds from Fernandes and his businesses in connection with alleged civil wage violations.    

Dos Santos, who worked for AB Construction, signed and filed individual tax returns for tax years 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017, in which he materially under-reported his income.

The charge of mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of failure to pay over employment taxes and making a false statement each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations, Boston Field Office; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud, Northeast Region; and Anthony DiPaolo, Executive Director of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan D. O’Shea and Danial Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office, and John T. Mulcahy of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit, are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – An Andover man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in connection with a fentanyl trafficking operation that spanned across northern New England. 

Randell Starlin Medina Rodriguez, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and p-Fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Oct. 5, 2023.

Medina Rodriguez was arrested and charged in February 2022 along with five other co-defendants. All six defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2022.

Beginning in mid-2021, Medina Rodriguez conspired with others to deliver hundreds of grams of fentanyl throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Specifically, Medina Rodriguez and others served as Massachusetts-based dealers who delivered large quantities of fentanyl to wholesale customers who in turn would distribute those substances in Maine and/or New Hampshire. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and p-Fluorofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, 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.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Hassink and Lauren Graber of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-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 Worcester man was sentenced on July 7, 2023 in federal court in Worcester for distributing and possessing child pornography. 

Kenneth Gianatasio, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 12 years in prison and eight years of supervised release. On March 14, 2023, Gianatasio pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. 

In August 2019, Gianatasio initiated a conversation with an undercover agent on Kik Messenger. During the conversation, Gianatasio requested to meet the agent in order to engage in sexual activity with the agent’s fictitious underage daughter. During subsequent interviews with law enforcement, Gianatasio admitted that he used Kik as well as other applications to distribute, receive, and possess images and videos of child pornography as well as engage others in conversations about meeting to perform sexual acts on children. Gianatasio also stated that he kept his child pornography in secret applications in his devices for five years. A search of Gianatasio’s iPhone and iPad were found to contain videos and images of child pornography, including thousands of thumbnails in applications on his iPhone. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Worcester Police Department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lucy Sun and Kaitlin J. Brown of Levy’s Criminal Division prosecuted 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 – Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly conspiring to straw purchase firearms in Maine and traffic the firearms to Massachusetts. 

Traveyon Richardson, 25, of Bangor, Maine and Breon Stroup, 26, of Fall River, Mass., were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms. Richardson was also indicted on one count of trafficking of firearms and Stroup was indicted on one count of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The defendants will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging document, in September 2022, Stroup allegedly used Snapchat to ask Richardson to purchase two specific firearms for him in Maine, where Richardson resides. It is alleged that the following day, Stroup sent Richardson a Cash App money transfer and Richardson purchased the firearms online. Then, Richardson allegedly picked up the firearms from the federal firearm license dealer and drove the firearms to Massachusetts in October 2022.  
    
It is further alleged that approximately two weeks later, in October 2022, Richardson and Stroup had a phone conversation where Stroup assured Richardson that he had deleted his Snapchat account. When Richardson allegedly inquired about Stroup’s iCloud account, Stroup responded that he had deleted his iCloud account also. 

The charge of conspiracy to straw purchase firearms provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of trafficking of firearms provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition 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 and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Fall River Police Department and the Maine State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun of Levy’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Springfield man has been sentenced in connection with an armed robbery of a convenience store and firearms charges.

Emilio Rivera, 34, was sentenced on July 6, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In March 2019, Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using a firearm in relation to crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

On Nov. 14, 2019, Rivera and, allegedly, co-defendant Alfredo Aldeco robbed a clerk in a West Springfield convenience store at gunpoint. When law enforcement later executed a search warrant on Rivera’s home, they found the firearm used in the robbery along with another firearm and ammunition, owned by Rivera. At the time, Rivera was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction. 

Aldeco has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the West Springfield, Holyoke, Agawam, Chicopee, Northampton and Springfield Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Levy’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The owner of a local landscaping company was charged today and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a multi-year scheme to underreport income on his tax returns.

Steven O’Brien, 70, of Rockport, was charged with five counts of filing false tax returns. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

According to the charging documents, O’Brien, the owner of Steve’s Landscaping, Inc., cashed customer checks instead of depositing customer payments into his business bank accounts. It is alleged that O’Brien then did not report his income from the cashed checks on his corporate tax filings and personal tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2021, resulting in an income tax loss of more than $368,000.

The charge of filing false tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, up to one year 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 Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Levy’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A former senior Correctional Officer at U.S. Bureau of Prisons Federal Medical Center in Devens (FMC Devens) was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using excessive force on an inmate.

Seth M. Bourget, 42, of Woodstock, Conn., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to one year and one day in prison and two years of supervised release. In December 2022, Bourget was convicted by a federal jury of one count of deprivation of civil rights under color of law.

On or about June 18, 2019, Bourget struck a handcuffed inmate suffering from severe mental disorders with a large protective shield with excessive force, causing serious head injuries. Specifically, on the day of the incident, the inmate was acting out and not prepared for his move to a different unit. Evidence at trial established that the inmate was sprayed in the face with pepper spray and locked in a cell with his hands cuffed behind his back for approximately 45 minutes. As a result, the inmate was in an agitated state and unable to consistently engage in a coherent conversation or understand regular verbal commands. Bourget and other officers prepared to conduct a use of force on the inmate involving a train of five men entering the cell – which Bourget volunteered to lead using a protective shield. Trial evidence established that, upon entry into the cell, Bourget thrust the protective shield upward and struck the handcuffed inmate in the chin area, snapping the inmate’s head back and causing the inmate to fall back onto the concrete cell floor. The resulting impact caused significant injury to the inmate’s head, including lacerations that required 12 staples and a gash on his lip that required six sutures.

“Corrections officers are placed in a position of public trust and the overwhelming majority of correctional officers do their jobs with professionalism, respect and dedication to protect and serve. In this case, a jury unanimously found that Mr. Bourget abused his position of authority when he violently struck a mentally ill and defenseless inmate,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This office will continue to hold accountable bad actors who abuse their power and violate the public’s trust in them.”

“No inmate should experience abuse at the hands of a Federal Bureau of Prisons employee. Bourget assaulted an inmate using excessive force, and today’s sentencing shows that those who abuse their power will be held accountable for their actions,” said Ryan T. Geach, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General New York Field Office.

“Corrections officer Seth Bourget betrayed the public trust when he violently struck a severely mentally ill inmate who was handcuffed inside a locked cell. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his blatant disregard for the laws he swore to uphold, and the civil rights he violated,” said Christopher DiMenna. Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “As law enforcement officers, we are all bound by oath to serve all citizens equally, with compassion, professionalism, dignity, and respect which clearly did not happen in this case.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; DOJ-OIG New York Field Office SAC Geach; and FBI Acting SAC DiMenna made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of the Public Corruption Unit and Torey B. Cummings of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – Five Springfield men were indicted on July 6, 2023, in connection with a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.   

• Abraham Heredia, 23, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl; 
• Jose Heredia, Jr., 34, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense; 
• Lamiek White, 29, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm;
• Isais Diaz, 24, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl; and
• Robert Collado, 38, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. 

Heredia, Heredia, Jr. and White were arrested in June 2023. White and Abraham Heredia were arraigned in federal court in Springfield on July 6, 2023, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson, and the remaining defendants will be arraigned in the upcoming weeks.  

According to the charging documents, Heredia and Heredia, Jr. conspired on at least two dates to distribute fentanyl. On June 7, 2023, the defendants allegedly conspired to distribute more than one and a half kilograms of fentanyl. It is further alleged that approximately 200 grams of fentanyl and a firearm with an obliterated serial number were found during a search of White’s residence. Court documents also allege that Diaz conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and that he and Collado conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and fine of up to $8 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and fine of $8 million. The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison, which must be served consecutive to the sentence imposed for the drug offense. 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 Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; the Holyoke, Springfield, Chicopee, West Springfield and Easthampton Police Departments; the Berkshire, Hampden and Franklin County Sherriff’s Offices; and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Unit is prosecuting the case.  

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

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

BOSTON – A Dominican man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Manny Bautista-Arias, 31, was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Bautista-Arias was deported from the United States in September 2017. It is alleged that sometime after his removal, Bautista-Arias unlawfully returned to the United States and was removed again in November 2018. Sometime after his removal, it is alleged that Bautista-Arias unlawfully reentered the United States for a second time. On June 10, 2023, Bautista-Arias was arrested by immigration authorities in Quincy.

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 Meghan C. Cleary of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit 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 Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally transporting firearms from Alabama into Massachusetts. 

Jarmori Brown, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2023, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of illegal transportation or receipt in state of residency of firearm purchased or acquired outside of state of residency, and one count of conspiracy to illegally transport firearms.

In July 2022, Brown was charged along with co-defendants Brandon Moore, Jahquel Pringle and Kobe Smith. Brown has been in state custody on unrelated state charges since being charged federally. Pringle and Smith are currently in federal custody pending their trials. Moore’s case was transferred to his home district of the Middle District of Alabama, where he has since pleaded guilty.

Brown, and allegedly Pringle, Smith and Moore, conspired to obtain at least 24 firearms from Alabama, where Moore lived, and then transport them to Boston. In August 2020, Brown traveled from Boston to Alabama on a commercial bus to pick up the firearms, allegedly from Moore, and then transported the firearms, concealed within luggage, back to Boston on the commercial bus. According to court documents, at least seven firearms obtained in this manner have been recovered by law enforcement from the streets of Boston and surrounding communities.  

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Levy’s Major Crimes 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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 owner of a concrete company was charged today and has agreed to plead guilty to a multi-year scheme to underreport income on his tax returns.

Cleber Gomes Pecanha, 48, of North Easton, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of tax evasion. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

According to the charging document, Pecanha, the owner of CGP General Construction, Inc., cashed customer checks and did not deposit the receipts in his business bank accounts.  Pecanha did not tell his tax preparer that he was cashing large numbers of checks from customers and only gave the tax preparer his bank statements as support for his tax filings.  By hiding his income in this manner, Pecanha underreported income from the business on his personal tax returns, resulting in an income tax loss of more than $1,862,033 for the tax years 2017 to 2021.  Pecanha used the proceeds of his income tax evasion scheme to fund an off-the-books cash payroll.

The charge of tax evasion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to 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 Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Levy’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – The last remaining defendant in a multi-phase investigation targeting drug trafficking and gang violence in communities north of Boston was found guilty yesterday of operating a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that manufactured and distributed kilograms of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in Maine. The trial evidence also included proved his participation in six shootings. The defendant served as a supplier for multiple large-scale drug dealers in Maine and participated in the acquisition of over 40 firearms for gang members.

Armani Minier-Tejada, a/k/a “Shotz,” a/k/a “Gustavo,” 23, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and other controlled substances; one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to, and possess a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime; and one count of use and carrying, brandishing and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime.. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 5, 2023. Based upon the charges for which he was convicted, Minier-Tejada faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 40 years in prison.

The investigation began in 2020 in direct response to an increasing number of shootings in communities north of Boston committed by street gangs whose violence is fueled by drug distribution. The investigation resulted in the arrest and charging of Minier-Tejada and his co-conspirators Shelby Kleffman, Jaiir Coleman and Christina Bernbaum in early 2021. All three of Minier-Tejada’s co-conspirators pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

Minier-Tejada was a member of a street gang known as the Tiny Rascal Gangsters (TRG), one of the largest and most violent criminal street gangs in the country that operates on a decentralized structure via local groups or “sets.” TRG is involved in street-level distribution of powdered cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamine and members are known for their involvement in gun violence, including drive-by shootings of residences of rival gang members.

The government introduced evidence at trial that Minier-Tejada and his co-conspirators participated in a long-running conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in Boston, the North Shore and Bangor, Maine. At trial, the government introduced evidence that Minier-Tejada served as the supplier for multiple large-scale drug dealers in Maine and, in total, he and his co-conspirators were responsible for trafficking more than 10 kilograms each of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into Maine.

Minier-Tejada and his coconspirators produced numerous videos and images in which they were depicted brandishing and holding firearms, including multiple machine guns. Evidence was introduced at trial that in 2019 and 2020, Minier-Tejada and co-conspirator Coleman committed six shootings in Boston and surrounding communities in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. One of the shootings, which took place in Cambridge in July 2020, was in response to a video being live-streamed from a parking lot accusing Minier-Tejada and Coleman of cooperating with law enforcement. Minier-Tejada and Coleman travelled to the streaming location with two firearms – including a machine gun – and together fired at least 30 rounds into a large crowd of people gathered in the parking lot.  

Additionally, evidence was introduced that the drug conspiracy of which Minier-Tejada was a leader acquired over 40 firearms and multiple “selector switches” for TRG members. “Selector switches,” or auto sears, are aftermarket parts that convert a semi-automatic firearm into a machine gun. 

“The highest calling for the Department of Justice is to keep our communities safe. This case should send a clear and unequivocal message to those who chose to pump fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our streets and brazenly brandish highly dangerous firearms to protect their trade – you will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will spare no resources working with our federal, state and local partners to make sure that people who terrorize their communities and who show a callous disregard for human life will spend decades behind bars,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. 

“Armani Minier-Tejada stands convicted of numerous shootings committed in furtherance of his large-scale drug trafficking ring that polluted the streets of Maine with everything from deadly fentanyl to cocaine, crack cocaine & methamphetamine,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division. “The FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force will continue to work diligently to remove violent criminals from our communities, and we thank the jury for their swift verdict in this case.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling violent poly drug trafficking organizations like this operating in Massachusetts led by Armani Minier-Tejada,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office. “As we all know, drug trafficking in our communities, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, is a serious threat to public safety. This is unacceptable and we will not allow it to happen. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes. This verdict not only holds Mr. Minier-Tejada accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are contributing to the drug crisis in Massachusetts.”

“ATF’s deepest gratitude goes out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for pursuing this investigation, as well as the state and local partners who diligent assisted with this investigation, which included a cavalier act of shooting a machine gun into an open public area. Our community can rest tonight, knowing our streets are safer with Armani Minier-Tejada being found guilty for his crimes,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. 

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to our officers, and law enforcement partners, who worked collaboratively to bring justice following a very concerning series of events in Cambridge and across our region,” said Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow. “This conviction is yet another example of how working together can make our streets and communities safer. It also demonstrates the collective action we all are deeply committed to taking, particularly when addressing important issues like gun violence and drug trafficking that can cause great harm and trauma to our communities.”

“The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency continues to coordinate our enforcement efforts with our local, State and Federal partners to combat the lethal drug epidemic in Maine. This case underscores how dangerous these criminal drug traffickers are and how vital it is to shut down these criminal enterprises. We want to recognize and thank the many law enforcement professionals who participated in complex case and the successful prosecution,” said Rick Desjardins, Director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. 

Minier-Tejeda is the 18th and final federal defendant to be convicted in this case. Over the past three years, the investigation has resulted in the arrest, conviction and imprisonment of multiple drug traffickers and violent offenders in the greater Boston area, including Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz;” his mother Laurie Caruso and co-conspirator Ernest Johnson, a/k/a “Yo Pesci;” Malden-based drug trafficker Phillips Charles, a/k/a “Phon C;” and large-scale methamphetamine supplier and TRG leader David Oth, a/k/a “Baby Bouncer.”

The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and other controlled substances, provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least 10 years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to, and possess a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime provides for a sentence of up to life in prison because a machine gun was involved in the offense, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge use and carrying, brandishing and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and up to life to be served consecutively to the penalty for the underlying drug trafficking crime, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. As such, based on the crimes for which Minier-Tejada was convicted, he faces a mandatory 40 years in federal prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI SAC DiMenna, DEA SAC Boyle, ATF SAC Ferguson, Commissioner Elow and MDEA Director Desjardins made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; Middlesex and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices; Essex and Hancock (Maine) County Sheriff’s Department; and the Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Salem, Somerville, Bangor (Maine), Portland (Maine) and Westbrook (Maine) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of Levy’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

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

UPDATE: This press release was amended on July 25, 2023.

BOSTON – A Dorchester man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition as a previously convicted felon.

Kevin Blackmore, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 7, 2023, Blackmore pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. 

On June 19, 2022, police were dispatched to a hotel in Sharon, Mass. in response to a call for a possible disturbance involving two vehicles. At the scene, the female occupant of one vehicle requested police assistance in collecting personal items from Blackmore, who was driving the second vehicle. When officers assisted Blackmore in searching the vehicle for those items, they recovered a black Smith and Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic firearm, a Taurus .9mm semi-automatic firearm, 97 rounds of .9mm ammunition and 100 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition. According to court records, Blackmore has numerous prior felony convictions stemming back to 1996 and going up through 2020, as a result Blackmore is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Blackmore has multiple prior convictions for violent behavior, nine restraining orders involving eight different women and a prior conviction for illegal possession of a firearm in 2009.  

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 Sharon Police Department and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of Levy’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Florida man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for paying bribes to receive contracts for work at a college in New York.

Willian Borges, 30, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to two years of probation and forfeiture of $225,000. The government recommended a sentence of two years in prison. In October 2022, Borges pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to pay bribe payments and three counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
 
Borges was a principal of DWD Builders, a general contracting firm, from 2018 to 2019. During this time, Borges paid bribes to co-conspirator Floyd Young, who held positions involving facility maintenance at a New York college, in exchange for preference in obtaining contracts for construction, repair, maintenance and other work for the college. The bribes Borges paid Young during face-to-face meetings were made in cash and worth 15% of the contract. In addition, as Borges received payment for work done at the college, he paid Young bribes on a periodic basis. Borges paid approximately $225,000 in exchange for approximately $2,250,000 in contracts.

In August 2020, Young pleaded guilty to steering contracts for construction, repair, maintenance and other work for the colleges to favored contractors, including Borges, in exchange for bribe payments typically in the amount of 15% of the contract.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Levy’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday for selling two kilograms of cocaine and possessing nearly one kilogram of heroin as well as a high-powered rifle in East Boston.
    
Carlos Acosta Estrella, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 10 years in prison and eight years of supervised release. In September 2022, Estrella pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. Estrella was indicted along with his mother, Ana Guadalupe Acosta Grajeda, in October 2019.

Estrella and Grajeda were arrested after they were videotaped selling two kilograms of cocaine to a cooperating witness in East Boston. A search of Estrella and Grajeda’s apartment in East Boston resulted in the seizure of nearly one kilogram of heroin, an additional kilogram of cocaine, numerous cellphones, a high-powered tactical shotgun with a laser sight and a box of ammunition for the shotgun.

Grajeda was sentenced in June 2022 after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and has since been deported to Mexico.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Levy’s Narcotics & Money Laundering 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.

BOSTON – A New York man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Springfield to drug trafficking charges involving fentanyl. 

Chanty Reynoso Vasquez, 28, of Bronx, N.Y., pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 20, 2023. Reynoso Vasquez was indicted by a grand jury in May 2022.

On March 30, 2022, in Springfield, Reynoso Vasquez possessed 400 grams or more fentanyl intended for distribution. 

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, up to six 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; and Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Levy’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.