District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – The owner of a Massachusetts-based food truck business has been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly 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, 55, was charged with one count of wire fraud. Vo was arrested yesterday afternoon at Newark International Airport and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.  

According to the charging document, 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 (SBA) pandemic relief programs: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). 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, it is alleged that 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. 

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 gross gain or loss from the scheme, 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; 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 Benjamin A. Saltzman of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

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

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

BOSTON – A Lowell man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on firearms and drug offenses.

Ricardo Colon, 34, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging document, on March 21, 2022, Colon was found in possession of cocaine and fentanyl intended for distribution as well as firearms and ammunition: a .22 caliber revolver, two 9 mm pistols, multiple gun magazines and 140 rounds of ammunition. Colon is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple previous felony convictions.

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

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Barry Golner, Interim Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting 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. 

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 owner of a local paving company was charged today and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a seven-year scheme to underreport income on his tax returns.

Robert Brainard, 52, of Weymouth, 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, Brainard, the former owner of Got Pavement Needs, Inc., underreported income on his personal tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2021, resulting in an income tax loss of more than $593,993. In addition, to hide his control of the business, Brainard allegedly transferred ownership of his company in a straw sale, while maintaining control over the company’s operations and income.

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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins 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 Rollins’ 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 Dorchester man previously convicted of state firearm charges pleaded guilty yesterday to illegal possession of a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition. 

Michael King, a/k/a “Rugga”, 30, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper deferred acceptance of the plea until sentencing, which is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2022. Lee was indicted in March 2021.

On Dec. 18, 2020, King possessed a Smith & Wesson, Model 442 Airweight, .38 caliber revolver, loaded with five rounds of .38 caliber ammunition. King is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.

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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz; and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrisey made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley, Jr. 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as 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.

BOSTON – A Springfield woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to her role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed heroin and crack cocaine across western Massachusetts and into Vermont.

Nia Dinzey, a/k/a “Nia Moore-Bush,” 31, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and/or crack cocaine; two counts of money laundering conspiracy; seven counts of money laundering; one count of conspiracy to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; one count of engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; one count of aiding and abetting the crime of engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; and one count of aiding and abetting the crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Oct. 5, 2022.

Nia Dinzey was arrested and charged in January 2018 and subsequently charged in a superseding indictment in December 2018 along with other members and associates of a Springfield-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that allegedly distributed heroin and crack cocaine.

“Ms. Dinzey was a main actor in a conspiracy that promoted drug distribution and violence in western Massachusetts and into Vermont,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This defendant and her co-conspirators jeopardized the safety of our communities by trafficking large quantities of deadly narcotics and dealing firearms that made their way into our Commonwealth, Vermont and New Hampshire. The scope of this illicit conduct is egregious and for that, she appropriately faces significant jail time.”

“Reducing violent crime and protecting the public in the communities that we serve is a priority for the ATF and our law enforcement partners,” James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Office. “We will continue to work vigorously with our law enforcement partners to make sure those individuals who commit violent firearms and narcotics crimes are brought to justice.”

Nia Dinzey and her husband, Dinelson Dinzey, obtained narcotics in the Springfield area, transported them to Vermont themselves or via couriers and distributed the drugs in the Barre area. The two then conspired to launder the drug proceeds through bank accounts allegedly held by co-defendant Daphne Moore in trust for Nia Dinzey. The DTO would make cash deposits of its Vermont drug proceeds into the accounts. To obtain the proceeds, Nia Dinzey and, allegedly, Moore would facilitate withdrawals of those funds from the accounts in Massachusetts. Additionally, Nia Dinzey, her husband and others also conspired to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms and in a May 5, 2017 firearms sale. According to court documents, six firearms involved in this conspiracy were traced to individuals connected to Vermont or New Hampshire.

Dinelson Dinzey previously pleaded guilty and, in October 2019, was sentenced to 19 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. Moore has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charges of money laundering conspiracy and money laundering provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. The charges of conspiring to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms and engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aiding and abetting the crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and ATF SAC Ferguson made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the ATF’s Springfield Area Firearms Enforcement Task Force with assistance of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, ATF’s Burlington Field Office, the Massachusetts State Police and the Vermont State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Office 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 remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Connecticut doctor pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to receiving kickbacks in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary brain scans.

Dr. Donald Salzberg, 67, of Avon, Conn., pleaded guilty before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to receive kickbacks. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. Salzberg was charged by an Information on May 23, 2022.

Salzberg, a licensed medical doctor in the State of Connecticut for 36 years, owned and operated Donald J. Salzberg, M.D., an ophthalmology practice in West Hartford, Conn. From 2014 through 2019, Salzberg conspired with a principal for a medical diagnostics company that performed transcranial doppler (TCD) scans – brain scans that measure blood flow in parts of the brain – to order hundreds of medically unnecessary TCD scans in exchange for kickbacks. Salzberg and his co-conspirator used false patient diagnoses to order the unnecessary brain scans, for which the co-conspirator would submit claims to Medicare and other insurance companies on behalf of the medical diagnostic company for payment. In exchange, Salzberg was paid cash kickbacks of $100 to $125 per test that he ordered, as well as sham administrative services fees. The scheme resulted in fraudulent bills of over $3 million to Medicare and private insurance companies. 

The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, Boston Field Office; Carol S. Hamilton, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office; Ketty Larco Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Y. Hemani and Howard Locker of Rollins’ Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston gang associate was sentenced today for cocaine and firearm offenses in connection with his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Renardo Williams, 45, of South Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to time served (approximately 32 months in prison) and six years of supervised release. In September 2021, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Williams was charged in June 2020 along with 23 others as part of Operation Snowfall – a multi-year investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) comprised of Boston-based street gang members and associates. Investigators identified Williams as a drug customer and distributor for co-defendant Kenji Drayton, the DTO’s principal drug suppler. In the hours preceding his arrest, investigators intercepted calls and conducted surveillance of Williams and Drayton, which allegedly indicated that Williams sought to purchase drugs from Drayton. At the time of his arrest, Williams was found in possession of approximately 125 grams of cocaine and a loaded firearm.

On April 13, 2022, Drayton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 10, 2022.

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

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

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

BOSTON – BioReference Health, LLC, formerly known as BioReference Laboratories, Inc., (BioReference) and OPKO Health, Inc. (OPKO) have agreed to pay $9.85 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act. The government alleges that BioReference rented office space from physicians and then paid those physician-landlords above-market rent so that the physicians would send their laboratory business to BioReference. BioReference, a subsidiary of OPKO, is headquartered in New Jersey and is one of the largest clinical laboratories in the United States.

Between January 2013 and March 2021, BioReference made lease payments to physicians and physician groups for the rental of office space for amounts that exceeded fair market value, in violation of the Physician Self‑Referral Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute.  The Physician Self‑Referral Law, commonly known as the Stark Law, prohibits a health care provider from billing for certain services referred by physicians with whom the provider has a financial relationship, unless that relationship satisfies one of the law’s statutory or regulatory exceptions. The Anti‑Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying remuneration with the intent to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded programs. Both the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute are intended to ensure that physicians’ medical judgments are not compromised by improper financial inducements.

As part of today’s settlement, BioReference admitted that it rented the office space from the specified physician practices for Patient Service Centers (PSCs) where patients could have their blood samples taken. In calculating payments under certain PSC lease arrangements, BioReference inaccurately measured the amount of space it would use exclusively and included a disproportionate share of common spaces. BioReference analyzed referrals from nearby health care providers—including physician-landlords—when deciding whether to open, maintain, or close PSCs. Following OPKO’s acquisition of BioReference, the companies conducted multiple internal audits that showed that the payments to the specified physician-lessors exceeded fair market value. BioReference did not report or return any overpayments to federal health care programs.

“Medical decisions by doctors should be based on what is best for each patient, not a doctor’s personal financial interest,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “When companies violate the federal health care laws that are meant to protect patients, health care costs for hard working people increase. We will continue to find fraud and use the False Claims Act to make companies that break the law pay back the taxpayers they defrauded as well as pay a financial price for their misconduct.”

“The integrity of federal health care programs depends on providers making decisions based on the interests of their patients,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice and its agency partners are committed to enforcing laws prohibiting illegal financial arrangements that may distort health care decision-making and drive up costs to federal health care programs and patients.”

In connection with the False Claims Act settlement, BioReference and OPKO have also entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, which provides for periodic reviews of BioReference’s processes, policies, and transactions for compliance with the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law by an Independent Review Organization. 

“This settlement is a warning to laboratories that think they can boost their profits by entering into improper financial arrangements with referring physicians,” said Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to crack down on such deals, which work to undermine impartial medical judgement, drive up health care costs, and corrode the public’s trust in the health care system.”

“Laboratories that scheme to enrich their businesses through health care fraud—such as by paying kickbacks—drive up health care costs for everyone,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This settlement shows how seriously the FBI takes its responsibility to weed them out, and we’d also like to thank the whistleblower in this case for helping us ensure these entities are held accountable.”

“When health care companies pay unlawful remuneration to physicians and submit false claims for improper referrals, they undermine the integrity of TRICARE and place an unnecessary financial burden on the program,” stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.  “The settlement agreement announced today demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate healthcare fraud and protect TRICARE, the healthcare system for military members and their dependents.”

The False Claims Act allegations being resolved were originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.  In connection with today’s settlement, the whistleblower will receive 17 percent of the recovery. 

Under the settlement, the defendants will also pay approximately $145,000 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Connecticut to resolve alleged violations of their respective state False Claims Acts. 

U.S. Attorney Rollins, HHS-OIG SAC Coyne, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and DCIS SAC Hegarty made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Brazier and Charles B. Weinograd of Rollins’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, and Trial Attorney Douglas Rosenthal of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, handled the matter.

BioReference Health LLC, formerly known as BioReference Laboratories, Inc., (BioReference), and OPKO Health, Inc. (OPKO) have agreed to pay $9.85 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act arising from BioReference’s payment of above-market rents to physician landlords for office space in order to induce referrals from those physicians to BioReference. BioReference, a subsidiary of OPKO, is headquartered in New Jersey and is one of the largest clinical laboratories in the United States.

“The integrity of federal health care programs depends on providers making decisions based on the interests of their patients,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice and its agency partners are committed to enforcing laws prohibiting illegal financial arrangements that may distort health care decision-making and drive up costs to federal health care programs and patients.”

BioReference and OPKO have agreed to pay $9.85 million to resolve allegations that, between January 2013 and March 2021, BioReference made lease payments to physicians and physician groups for the rental of office space for amounts that exceeded fair market value, in violation of the Physician Self‑Referral Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute.  The Physician Self‑Referral Law, commonly known as the Stark Law, prohibits a health care provider from billing for certain services referred by physicians with whom the provider has a financial relationship, unless that relationship satisfies one of the law’s statutory or regulatory exceptions. The Anti‑Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying remuneration to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and certain other federally funded programs. Both the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute are intended to ensure that medical judgments are not compromised by improper financial inducements.

As part of today’s settlement, BioReference admitted that it rented the office space from the specified physician practices for Patient Service Centers (PSCs), where patients could have their blood samples taken. In calculating payments under certain PSC lease arrangements, BioReference inaccurately measured the amount of space BioReference would use exclusively and included a disproportionate share of common spaces.  BioReference analyzed referrals from nearby health care providers — including physician-lessors — when deciding whether to open, maintain or close PSCs. Following OPKO’s acquisition of BioReference, the companies conducted multiple internal audits that showed that the payments to the specified physician-lessors exceeded fair market value. BioReference did not report or return any overpayments to federal health care programs.

“Medical decisions by doctors should be based on what is best for each patient, not a doctor’s personal financial interest,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts. “When companies violate the federal health care laws that are meant to protect patients, health care costs for hard working people increase. We will continue to find fraud and use the False Claims Act to make companies that break the law pay back the taxpayers they defrauded as well as pay a financial price for their misconduct.”

In connection with the False Claims Act settlements, BioReference has also entered into a “Corporate Integrity Agreement” with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). 

“This settlement is a warning to laboratories that think they can boost their profits by entering into improper financial arrangements with referring physicians,” said Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Coyne of HHS-OIG. “Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to crack down on such deals, which work to undermine impartial medical judgement, drive up health care costs, and corrode the public’s trust in the health care system.”

“Laboratories that scheme to enrich their businesses through health care fraud — such as by paying kickbacks — drive up health care costs for everyone,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI Boston Division. “This settlement shows how seriously the FBI takes its responsibility to weed them out, and we’d also like to thank the whistleblower in this case for helping us ensure these entities are held accountable.”

“When health care companies pay unlawful remuneration to physicians and submit false claims for improper referrals, they undermine the integrity of TRICARE and place an unnecessary financial burden on the program,” stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.  “The settlement agreement announced today demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate health care fraud and protect TRICARE, the health care system for military members and their dependents.”

The settlement resolves allegations that were originally brought in a lawsuit filed by Jean Marie Crowley, a former employee at BioReference and OPKO, under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.  Ms. Crowley will receive approximately $1.7 million as her share of the recovery in this case.  The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Crowley v. BioReference Laboratories, Inc. and OPKO Health, Inc., Civil Action No. 19-CV-10981-WGY (D. Mass.).  Under the settlement, defendants will also pay the Commonwealth of Massachusetts $141,041 and the State of Connecticut $5,001 to resolve alleged violations of their respective state False Claims Acts. 

The investigation was conducted by the Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts with assistance from HHS-OIG and Office of the General Counsel, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General and the FBI. 

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act.  Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Florida-based Solera Specialty Pharmacy has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and agreed to pay a $1.31 million civil settlement to resolve allegations that it submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for Evzio, a high-priced drug used in rapid reversal of opioid overdoses.

According to Solera’s admissions in the criminal and civil agreements, the pharmacy dispensed Evzio from January 2017 to May 2018. During that time, Evzio was the highest-priced version of naloxone on the market and insurers frequently required the submission of prior authorization requests before they would approve coverage for Evzio. Solera completed Evzio prior authorizations forms in place of the prescribing physicians, including instances in which Solera staff signed the forms without the physician’s authorization and listed Solera’s contact information as if it were the physician’s information. In addition, Solera submitted Evzio prior authorization requests that contained false clinical information to secure approval for the expensive drug. Finally, Solera waived Medicare beneficiary co-payment obligations for Evzio on numerous occasions without analyzing whether the patient had a genuine financial hardship.

“Pharmacies, like all Medicare providers, must submit accurate claims,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement demonstrates the department’s continuing commitment to preventing submissions of false claims by entities at all levels of the health care delivery chain.”

“Taxpayers deserve honesty and integrity from those who profit from federal health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins for the District of Massachusetts. “This resolution will provide oversight to correct behavior and prevent it from happening again.”

Solera entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in connection with a criminal information charging the pharmacy with one count of health care fraud. Solera and its CEO, Nicholas Saraniti, also entered into a civil settlement agreement and will pay the government $1.31 million to resolve claims under the False Claims Act.

In connection with the settlements, Solera and Saraniti entered into a three-year integrity agreement (IA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). The IA requires, among other things, Solera implement measures designed to ensure that its submission of claims for pharmaceutical products complies with applicable law relating to prior authorizations and collection of beneficiary co-payment obligations. In addition, the IA requires reviews by an independent review organization.

“The submission of truthful and accurate documentation by all parties involved in the delivery of health care goods or services is essential to the integrity of federal health care programs. This includes pharmacies that submit claims for pharmaceutical products,” said Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Coyne of the HHS-OIG. “Along with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG is committed to preventing fraud in Medicare and other taxpayer-funded health care programs.”

“Today’s settlement resolves serious allegations that Solera submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for their own financial gain, pilfering funds from a program intended to help those truly in need, while going behind the backs of prescribing physicians to secure approval for this expensive anti-overdose drug,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI Boston Division. “This is not a victimless crime — health care fraud is a crime against all of us who contribute hard earned income and taxes into the system. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who willingly defraud the American people are held accountable.”

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Rebecca Socol, a former employee of kaléo Inc., the manufacturer of Evzio. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. As part of this resolution, Ms. Socol will receive $262,000 of the settlement amount. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Socol v. Solera Specialty Pharmacy LLC., 18-cv010050-RGS (D. Mass.) (under seal). In 2021, the department announced settlements with kaléo for $12.7 million and with other pharmacies for $1 million relating to the submission of false claims for Evzio.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, with assistance from the HHS OIG; the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Office of Personal Management, Office of Inspector General; the FBI; and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Derusha, Abraham George and Amanda P.M. Strachan for the District of Massachusetts.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

BOSTON – Florida-based Solera Specialty Pharmacy has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and has agreed, along with its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to pay a $1.31 million civil settlement to resolve allegations that it submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for Evzio, a high-priced drug used in rapid reversal of opioid overdoses.

According to the admissions of Solera and its CEO Nicholas Saraniti in the civil agreement, and Solera’s additional admissions in the criminal agreement, the pharmacy dispensed Evzio from January 2017 to May 2018. During that time, Evzio was the highest-priced version of naloxone on the market and insurers frequently required the submission of prior authorization requests before they would approve coverage for Evzio. Solera completed Evzio prior authorization forms in place of the prescribing physicians, including instances in which Solera staff signed the forms without the physician’s authorization and listed Solera’s contact information as if it were the physician’s. In addition, Solera submitted Evzio prior authorization forms that contained false clinical information to secure approval for the expensive drug.  Finally, Solera waived Medicare beneficiary co-payment obligations for Evzio on numerous occasions without analyzing whether the patient had a genuine financial hardship.

Solera entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in connection with a criminal information charging the pharmacy with one count of health care fraud. Solera and its CEO, Saraniti, also entered into a civil settlement agreement and will pay the government $1.31 million to resolve claims under the False Claims Act.   

“Taxpayers deserve honesty and integrity from those who profit from federal health care programs,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “This resolution will provide oversight to correct behavior and prevent it from happening again.”

“Pharmacies, like all Medicare providers, must submit accurate claims,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement demonstrates the department’s continuing commitment to preventing submissions of false claims by entities at all levels of the health care delivery chain.”

In connection with the settlement, Solera and Saraniti entered into a three-year Integrity Agreement (IA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The IA requires, among other things, that Solera implement measures designed to ensure that its submission of claims for pharmaceutical products complies with applicable law relating to prior authorizations and collection of beneficiary co-payment obligations. In addition, the IA requires reviews by an independent review organization.

“The submission of truthful and accurate documentation by all parties involved in the delivery of health care goods or services is essential to the integrity of federal health care programs. This includes pharmacies that submit claims for pharmaceutical products,” said Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Coyne of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Along with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG is committed to preventing fraud in Medicare and other taxpayer-funded health care programs.”

“Today’s settlement resolves serious allegations that Solera submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for their own financial gain, pilfering funds from a program intended to help those truly in need, while going behind the backs of prescribing physicians to secure approval for this expensive anti-overdose drug,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This is not a victimless crime—health care fraud is a crime against all of us who contribute hard earned income and taxes into the system. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who willingly defraud the American people are held accountable.”

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Rebecca Socol, a former employee of kaléo Inc., the manufacturer of Evzio. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Socol v. Solera Specialty Pharmacy, LLC., 18-cv010050-RGS (D. Mass.) (under seal). In 2021, the department announced settlements with kaléo for $12.7 million and with other pharmacies for $1 million relating to the submission of false claims for Evzio.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, Principal Deputy AAG Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, HHS-OIG SAC Coyne and FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Derusha, Abraham R. George, and Amanda P.M. Strachan of Rollins’s Office and Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni of the Justice Department’s Civil Division handled the matter.

BOSTON – A Connecticut man has agreed to plead guilty to threatening, harassing and intimidating a Massachusetts woman through social media and email.

Marshall Nicholas Fain, 31, of New Haven, Conn., has agreed to plead guilty to one count of cyberstalking and one count of transmitting threats through interstate commerce. Fain was arrested and charged on Feb. 2, 2022. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

“The language used by this individual made his intent clear. Threats of violence, whether spoken, written, or transmitted over the internet, will not be tolerated. Domestic violence takes many forms. Verbal abuse and threats are one of them and can be precursors to escalated behaviors – like the stalking involved in this case – and, in some cases, physical abuse. Mr. Fain’s violent words landed him in this situation, and we will continue to prosecute threats of violence of any form,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins.

According to the charging documents, Fain was in a relationship with the victim for approximately two years, until the relationship ended in August 2021. Soon after, in September 2021 and continuing through December 2021, Fain sent the victim multiple private messages through email and social media threatening to kill the victim and members of her family.

According to the charging documents, Fain created multiple social media and email accounts which he used to harass and threaten the victim anonymously. Specifically, Fain used anonymous Instagram and Facebook accounts to send the victim messages that said, among other things, “I’ll kill you” and “You gonna get yours if it’s the last thing I do.” Fain also used anonymous email addresses to send the victim threatening messages that said, among other things, “I’m gonna find you and kill you if it’s the last thing I do,” “By now you know I don’t give a f*** about my own life so I really don’t mind taking yours,” and “When the time is right you gonna be one of the girls going missing. Ima torture the f*** out of you when I catch you.”

The charge of stalking by electronic means provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transmitting threats through interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Division, provided valuable assistance in the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob of Rollins Major Crimes Division 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 former employee of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for receiving illegal gratuity.

Kevin Richards, 52, of Hanover, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to four months in prison and one year of supervised release. Richards was also ordered to pay a fine of $7,500 and forfeiture of $10,250. On March 29, 2022, Richards pleaded guilty to one count of receiving an illegal gratuity as a public official and two counts of making false statements to a federal agency.

Richards was employed as the Leasing Director for the New England Region of the Public Buildings Service, a division of GSA. Starting in 2017, Richards also worked as a licensed real estate agent for a Duxbury real estate company owned by Individual A, from whom he received real estate commissions in 2017 and 2018. Richards was permitted to have a job outside GSA provided that he disclosed it, and whether or not he received any compensation, in an annual financial disclosure report required by GSA’s ethics office.

In November 2019, GSA posted a job announcement “Realty Specialist (Lease Contracting Officer)” opening in Richards’s office for which he would be the hiring manager. In April 2020, Richards emailed Individual A about the job posting, substantively edited Individual A’s resume and gave Individual A confidential GSA interview questions, all without telling GSA. Individual A applied and was selected by Richards for the position over 65 qualifying individuals who had also applied for the job. Richards then successfully sought authorization for Individual A to receive an above-normal salary – $102,517 instead of $85,428 – and an above-normal accrual rate for annual leave. Richards did not disclose his financial relationship with Individual A with GSA officials.

Shortly after Individual A started at GSA and almost two years after Richards had earned a commission from the Duxbury real estate company, Richards texted Individual A, “If you need any help on your new listing let me know.” A few days later Individual A advertised Richards as a listing agent for a $1.1 million property in Duxbury. Individual A paid Richards a $10,250 commission when the second property sold.

In his GSA financial disclosure report for 2020, Richards falsely stated that he had not held any positions outside GSA that year. On Feb. 22, 2021, a GSA ethics official emailed Richards, asking whether he still had the position with the Duxbury real estate company that he had reported having in 2019. Richards falsely replied, “I did not work for them last year. I did not do any outside business last year.” In fact, Richards had done work for the Duxbury real estate company in 2020 and later filed a federal tax return in which he reported a net loss of $14,592 working for that company in 2020.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph Dattoria, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Investigations Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Dustin Chao of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Greenfield man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for receiving child pornography. The defendant used Facebook messenger to communicate with a minor in the Philippines and receive pornographic images of the child.

Charles Fox, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. On Nov. 22, 2021, Fox pleaded guilty to two counts of receipt of child pornography.

“Mr. Fox exploited a helpless child on the other side of the world, robbing them of their innocence,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “He engaged in this repugnant behavior while he was a registered sex offender. Protecting children from predators like Mr. Fox and securing Justice and accountability for vulnerable victims is one of my top priorities. Those who seek to sexualize and exploit children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Fox preyed upon a child, using common social media channels to seek out a vulnerable victim and exploit them,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations New England Field Office. “Child exploitation is among the most heinous crimes we investigate and HSI is totally committed to working with our partners to find predators like Fox and work for justice for their victims.”

Fox induced a minor in the Philippines to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images of that conduct. Specifically, Fox used Facebook messenger to communicate with the minor and to receive the pornographic images. In exchange for the images, Fox sent Western Union payments to the Philippines.

Fox is a registered sex offender for a 2010 conviction of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years of age.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and HSI SAC Millhollin made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Cambridge man was sentenced on July 8, 2022 in federal court in Boston for cocaine distribution.

Dante Starks, a/k/a “Tay,” 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to four years in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2021, Starks pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine.

This case was a part of Operation Landshark, a federal investigation targeting impact players and repeat offenders in Brockton and Boston, each who have prior convictions for acts of violence, firearm offenses and/or drug trafficking.

The investigation identified Starks a career offender and target impact player due to his multiple felony convictions of controlled substance offenses. In July 2018, Starks sold approximately 14 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness in a Brockton parking lot. At the time of the offense, Starks was on probation for a 2015 conviction out of Suffolk Superior Court for multiple drug distribution offenses, for which he served one year in prison.

Previously, in 2012, Starks was convicted in Plymouth Superior Court of drug distribution offenses, assault and battery of a police officer and resisting arrest, for which he served three years in prison. In 2011, Starks was convicted in Dorchester District Court of drug distribution offenses for which he served 30 months in prison. In 2004, Starks was charged and fined for drug distribution offenses.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; Boston Police Commissioner Gregory Long; and Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Plymouth and Essex County Sheriff’s Offices; Massachusetts Department of Corrections; U.S. Parole Commission; U.S. Postal Inspection Services; and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran, Chief of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit, prosecuted the case.

Operation Landshark was 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.

BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action against 24 marksmanship medals from the 1880s and 1890s believed to have been unlawfully removed from the Springfield Armory, a National Historic site, several decades ago. 

The Springfield Armory, located in Springfield, Mass., is a National Historic site managed by the National Park Service. All of the artifacts in the Springfield Armory’s collection are property of the United States Government. 

The medals were awarded to Milan Bull and Freeman Bull, members of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in the late 1800s. The daughter and niece of Freeman Bull and Milan Bull donated the medals to the Springfield Armory in 1944.

In October 2021, a collector contacted a curator at the Springfield Armory inquiring about the marksmanship medals. Based on the information provided by the collector, the Springfield Armory was able to determine that numerous items matching the collector’s items were missing from the Armory’s collection since the 1990s. The Federal Bureau of Investigation subsequently seized the medals. 

“Massachusetts is the birthplace of the American Revolution, a war that gained our nation’s independence. Protecting and preserving artifacts of our Commonwealth’s history is of fundamental importance to this,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “My office is committed to combating the theft and sale of stolen historical property. The recovery of these important artifacts is the result of the excellent collaborative work between my office’s Asset Recovery Unit, the FBI, and the National Park Service.”

“These stolen medals that once belonged to world class marksmen and have been missing for almost 30 years are now one step closer to being returned to their rightful owner,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Their absence represented not just a physical and financial loss, but a loss to every visitor who missed out on viewing these significant artifacts of military history. The FBI is very proud to have recovered them.” 

The Springfield Armory was established in 1777 as a federal arsenal to supply the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. After the Revolutionary War, the Springfield Armory remained under control of the United States Army until 1974 when Congress designated it as a national historic landmark and transferred control to the National Park Service. The Springfield Armory began operating a museum on the premises in 1866, and from that time, it collected artifacts. 

It is a violation of federal law to embezzle, steal, purloin, or knowingly convert, or, without authority, to sell, convey or dispose of government property. A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. The civil forfeiture action is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of Rollins’ Asset Recovery Unit. 

The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations. 

BOSTON – An Uxbridge man has agreed to plead guilty to his role in a conspiracy to defraud the government of thousands of dollars from 2014 to 2018.

Thomas Bouchard, 59, of Uxbridge, Mass, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of theft of government funds. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. Bouchard was arrested and charged in July 2020 along with co-defendant Chantelle Boyd.

Bouchard was the Contracting Officer in charge of the U.S. Army Natick Contracting Division, a full-service contracting organization for the Department of Defense. According to the charging documents, in 2014, Bouchard used his long-standing relationship with Evolution Enterprise, Inc., a government contractor, to allegedly have Boyd hired for a “no show” job as an assistant that specifically supported Bouchard. Boyd’s position cost the Department of Defense more than $490,000 during her time at Evolution from 2014 to 2018, during which Boyd allegedly performed little if any useful function. 

Bouchard and, allegedly, Boyd took numerous government-funded trips, ranging in duration from two to 15 days, under the guise that they were work related. This included 31 trips to Orlando, Fla., among other locations such as Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Stafford, Va., during which Boyd allegedly performed little if any work. For many of the trips, Bouchard and, allegedly, Boyd stayed in the same hotel room and spent time at the pool and Disney parks – all during business hours. In order to conceal the personal nature of the trips, Bouchard altered, created and approved false travel to reimburse the Boyd for out-of-pocket expenses. 

The charge of conspiracy provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of theft of government funds each provide 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph Dattoria, Special Agent in Charge of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General; Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and Michael Connor, Resident Agent in Charge of the Army Criminal Investigations Command, Major Procurement Fraud Unit made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob of Rollins’ Major Crimes 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 Chelmsford man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to trafficking counterfeit oxycodone and Adderall pills that actually contained fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Vando Gvozdarevic, 29, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Nov. 7, 2022.

“Yesterday, Mr. Gvozdarevic admitted to peddling deadly narcotics – fentanyl and methamphetamine – disguised in the form of counterfeit prescription pills into neighborhoods across New England. He is part of a drug pipeline that profited off of destroying lives, families, and communities,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “That he committed the instant felonies while on probation for similar state crimes is an affront to the overwhelming number of people that adhere to the terms of their probation without incident. This was a lost opportunity for Mr. Gvozdarevic. Probation can assist people with employment opportunities and training. I am committed to working with my law enforcement partners to make sure probationers and the community know all of the employment and advancement opportunities individuals have if they come into contact with the criminal legal system. There are viable options.”

 “Convicted felon Vando Gvozdarevic supplied a ruthless gang demonstrating a blatant disregard for the law by distributing counterfeit prescription pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl while on state probation for similar crimes. Today, he was convicted yet again for his role in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy that posed a significant threat to our communities,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Getting dangerous criminals off the street and dismantling the organized and violent criminal enterprises they belong to is a top priority of the FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force.”

Gvozdarevic was charged in November 2021 along with 12 others in connection with a large drug conspiracy centering around the Gangster Disciples in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. The investigation, which began in August 2020, intercepted communications between Gangster Disciples’ leaders, members and drug suppliers pertaining to their alleged distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and suboxone in Massachusetts, Maine and southern New Hampshire as well as into the Essex County Jail. The investigation identified Gvozdarevic as a supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl disguised as counterfeit Adderall and oxycodone pills. 12,556 counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and 3,717 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl were seized from Gvozdarevic’s apartment during the execution of a federal search warrant.

At the time of his arrest, Gvozdarevic was on probation for drug trafficking and firearm convictions out of Middlesex Superior Court, for which he served a five-year prison sentence.

Gvozdarevic is the third defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and 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 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 and up to a lifetime 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Chelmsford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang 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.

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 – A Boston man was arrested yesterday for his alleged participation in a conspiracy to distribute thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl.

Alexis Radhames Diaz Tejeda, 44, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Following an initial appearance today in federal court in Boston before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein, Diaz Tejeda was detained pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for July 12, 2022.

“Counterfeit fentanyl pills put lives at risk, destroy communities and worsen the opioid crisis. These powerful pills are manufactured to look like regular prescriptions from a pharmacy, but beneath that disguise is a deadly narcotic,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We believe Diaz Tejeda conspired to flood our neighborhoods with thousands of fentanyl pills. This arrest means that one less alleged drug trafficker, and approximately 5,000 fewer potentially deadly pills, are out on the streets of Boston threatening the health and safety of our residents. We will use every resource to stem the flow of fentanyl in our Commonwealth and remove drug traffickers from our communities.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling drug trafficking organizations and individuals like Mr. Diaz Tejeda who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like counterfeit fentanyl pills to the citizens of Massachusetts,” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “This arrest serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic with deadly drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. DEA’s top priority is combating the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes this poison.”

According to the charging document, in October 2021, law enforcement began an investigation into the drug trafficking and money laundering activities of Diaz Tejeda and others. On March 7, 2022, during a video-recorded controlled purchase in Dorchester, Diaz Tejeda was allegedly captured providing a confidential source with 30 counterfeit fentanyl pills as a sample. It is alleged that, on June 1, 2022, Diaz Tejeda again met with the confidential source during a controlled purchase in Lawrence, this time providing the source with 1,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills weighing approximately 152 grams. On July 5, 2022 in Dorchester, Diaz Tejeda allegedly agreed to sell another 4,000 fentanyl pills to the confidential source and arranged for the deal to occur the following day in Dorchester. Diaz Tejeda was arrested on July 6, 2022 after greeting the source for the arranged deal. It is alleged that approximately 4,000 fentanyl pills weighing approximately 513 grams were recovered during a subsequent search of Diaz Tejeda’s residence.  

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and DEA SAC Boyle made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department’s Gang Unit and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering 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 Swansea man has been arrested on child pornography charges.

Todd Miozza, 51, was charged with possession of child pornography. Miozza was arrested on June 29, 2022 and, following an initial appearance yesterday in federal court in Boston before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell, Miozza was detained pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for July 5, 2022. 

“My number one priority as U.S. Attorney is to keep the people of Massachusetts healthy and safe,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Child pornography is not a victimless crime. Although a person who views child sexual abuse material may never meet the children depicted in the imagery, a child was harmed to produce each image and each view and image exacerbates that harm. Some of the images in this case allegedly involve infants. We will dedicate every resource necessary to protect children.”

“Miozza stands accused of the same crime of which he was convicted of two decades ago—possession of child pornography. These materials document the abuse and exploitation of children, a horrific violation that inflicts untold harm on the most vulnerable. Homeland Security Investigations is committed to investigating those who possess child sexual abuse materials as part of our ongoing mission to prevent and protect the public from crimes of exploitation,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, New England. 

According to the charging document, law enforcement received information that Miozza had shared child pornography over the internet using a social media platform. During a search of Miozza’s residence yesterday morning, his iPhone and laptop were seized and found to contain child sexual abuse material – including videos depicting infants.

Miozza was previously convicted of possession of child pornography in the District of Massachusetts in 2002.

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

The charge of possession of child pornography by a person previously convicted of a child pornography offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, HSI SAC Millhollin and Swansea Police Chief Marc Haslam made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The case was 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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 Lawrence man has been charged for allegedly distributing counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl, made using multiple pill press machines.

Miguel Angel Fajardo, 32, was charged by an Information with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Fajardo was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 25, 2022 and has remained in custody since.

According to the charging documents, law enforcement allegedly seized approximately 7.3 kilograms worth of fentanyl pills, an industrial pill press and “M” and “30” pill stamps consistent with markings on pharmaceutical-grade Oxycodone pills in Fajardo’s apartment. Pill stamps are commonly used to make counterfeit pills appear to be legitimate pharmaceutical-grade pills. Also inside Fajardo’s apartment, law enforcement allegedly found approximately 1.4 kilograms of fentanyl powder, two individual finger presses, 50 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition concealed in a microwave, four kilograms of cutting agent and two air purifying respirators – which are commonly used when working with fentanyl powder. It is further alleged that investigators located two one-kilogram pill press machines and another large pill press in the landing outside the apartment.

“The opioid crisis remains a clear and present danger to our community, claiming over two thousand lives in Massachusetts in 2021 alone,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Fajardo allegedly possessed a staggering quantity of fentanyl – almost nine kilograms – and a clandestine laboratory outfitted with all the tools and materials necessary to press fentanyl into counterfeit pills. By seizing nearly 48,000 such pills along with the tools we believe Mr. Fajardo used to make them, our law enforcement partners likely saved countless lives.”

“Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Those who distribute this lethal drug are endangering the safety of the citizens of Massachusetts. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, county and state law enforcement efforts in Massachusetts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl provides 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 $10 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, DEA SAC Boyle and Lawrence Police Chief Roy P. Vasque made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering 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 – An associate of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for firearm and ammunition charges.

Derek Southworth, 34, of Fitchburg, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (approximately 15 days in prison). The government recommended a sentence of 20 months in prison. On Feb. 8, 2022, Southworth pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On April 18, 2017, Southworth provided an AK-47 style rifle and approximately 49 rounds of ammunition to a cooperating witness. The transaction was captured on audio-video recording. Due to a prior conviction, Southworth is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. 

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against dozens of leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Southworth is the 52nd defendant to be sentenced in the case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang 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 remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – The former head coach of men and women’s tennis at Georgetown University was sentenced today in connection with soliciting and accepting bribes to facilitate the admission of prospective Georgetown applicants and failing to report all of the income from the bribes on his federal income taxes.

Gordon Ernst, 55, of Rockville, Md. and Falmouth, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release, with the first six months to be served in home confinement. This is the longest prison term imposed in the college admissions case. Ernst was also ordered to forfeit $3,435,053, including more than $1.3 million in assets that the government seized in March 2019. In October 2021, Ernst pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, three counts of federal programs bribery and one count of filing a false tax return.

Ernst conspired with William “Rick” Singer to solicit and receive bribe payments from the families of prospective Georgetown applicants to facilitate their admission to Georgetown as purported student athletes. Specifically, Ernst regularly used at least two, and often as many as five, of the six recruitment slots Georgetown allotted him each year to recruit unqualified students in exchange for bribe payments. For more than 10 years, Ernst facilitated the admission of at least 22 students – at least 19 of which were Singer’s clients – to Georgetown as purported tennis recruits in exchange for a total of nearly $3.5 million in bribe payments. He then failed to report all of the income from those bribe payments on his federal income tax returns.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Terry Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General Eastern Regional Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of Rollin’s Asset Recovery Unit handled the forfeiture aspects of the case.

BOSTON – A Wenham man was charged today in connection with a scheme to obtain Paycheck Protection Program funds made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by submitting false applications.

James Joseph Cohen, 59, was charged and has agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

According to the charging documents, between April 2020 and September 2021, Cohen submitted six false applications to financial institutions and to the Small Business Administration to obtain pandemic-related relief funds on behalf of companies that he controlled. In the applications, it is alleged that Cohen falsely misstated the revenues of the companies, the persons employed, or amounts paid to those employees in the 12-month period preceding the application. In total, Cohen is alleged to have fraudulently obtained approximately $1.2 million in pandemic relief funds based upon these false submissions. 

The charge of bank fraud provides a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; 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 Mackenzie A. Queenin of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

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

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

BOSTON – Two previously convicted felons have been charged with illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a January shooting in a residential neighborhood of Everett.

Luis Rivera, 25, of Medford, and Kenneth Munoz, 24, of Revere, were charged with one count each of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Rivera was arrested this morning and, following an initial appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell, Rivera was detained pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for July 6, 2022. Munoz is currently in state custody on unrelated state firearms charges and will appear in federal court at a later date.

“Gun violence continues to plague and hurt our communities,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “These defendants, each prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior criminal convictions, are alleged to have recklessly fired shots in the middle of the day in a residential neighborhood, striking numerous homes. It is sheer luck that no one was harmed or killed as a result of their alleged reckless and violent conduct. Gun violence poses a real threat to our community. There is only one use for ammunition. One. Accordingly, we will prosecute prohibited individuals.” 

“The ATF values the partnership we have with our local, state and federal partners to target violent offenders,” said James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. “These individuals put the lives of everyday citizens at risk, and we will work diligently to combat these senseless acts of violence.”

According to the charging document, on the afternoon of Jan. 2, 2022, three individuals fired over 20 shots in an Everett neighborhood causing ballistic damage in the surrounding area, including bullet holes inside of bedrooms and living rooms in surrounding residences. The shooting was captured on video surveillance from nearby residences. Rivera and Munoz were allegedly identified as two of the shooters in the surveillance footage. Both men are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior convictions.

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

U.S. Attorney Rollins, ATF SAC Ferguson, Everett Police Chief Steven A. Mazzie and Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Massachusetts woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for her involvement in a sex trafficking conspiracy.

Muriel Close, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 12 months of home detention. In April 2021, Close pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.  

Close was charged in July 2020 with co-defendant and serial sex trafficker Bruce Brown. On Feb. 10, 2022, Brown was sentenced to 138 months in prison on charges arising from his exploitation of multiple victims in operating a sex trafficking enterprise for more than 15 years.

“As a prosecutor, some of the most difficult cases are those in which harmed and victimized individuals inflict trauma and harm on others,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Ms. Close was herself a victim of brutal physical and psychological abuse at the hands of her co-defendant, Bruce Brown. However, her recruitment and involvement with other victims in Mr. Brown’s enterprise caused others to experience the same force, fraud and coercion she did. Ultimately, it was Mr. Brown who ran his enterprise that inflicted inexplicable pain and trauma on numerous victims for his own financial benefit. For that, he is exactly where he deserves to be - behind bars for at least the next decade. But Ms. Close, although a victim herself, engaged in egregious conduct which requires consequences. Ultimately, people who prey on the vulnerable and engage in sex trafficking will be held accountable. We remain steadfast and dedicated in our fight on behalf of trafficking victims and survivors.”

“While Muriel Close conspired with Bruce Brown to commit sex trafficking, it’s important to remember that she too is a victim who suffered physical and psychological abuse at his hands. Today’s sentence reflects that, and while nothing can wipe away the trauma inflicted upon the victims in this case, we hope it helps them heal,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “With a victim-centered approach, FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who commit these reprehensible crimes.”

Close aided Brown’s sex trafficking operation through recruitment efforts and by monitoring victims on behalf of Brown.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. The Newton Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mackenzie A. Queenin and Mackenzie J. Duane of Rollins’ Civil Rights Enforcement Team prosecuted the case.

If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

BOSTON – The leader of a North Shore-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) and his mother have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy that manufactured and flooded the streets of Massachusetts with hundreds of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl made on high-volume pill press machines.

Vincent Caruso, 27, a/k/a “Fatz,” of Lynn, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 250 months (more than 20 years) in prison and five years of supervised release. On March 15, 2022, Vincent Caruso pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and other controlled substances; one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery); and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Yesterday, Vincent Caruso’s mother, Laurie Caruso, 52, also of Lynn, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel Gorton to nine years in prison and four years of supervised release. On Feb. 28, 2022, Laurie Caruso pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and other controlled substances.

“This family business has been shut down for good. Vincent Caruso was a prolific and violent drug trafficker who flooded North Shore communities with hundreds of thousands of deadly counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl. Caruso and his associates orchestrated numerous shootings and armed robberies using an arsenal of firearms – including machine guns – and then took to social media to brag about their incredibly destructive criminal conduct.  That this all took place while he was on pretrial release is even more appalling. Caruso, along with his mother and co-conspirator Laurie Caruso, pumped poison and violence into our communities and you won’t be hearing from them on Instagram for a long long time,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Thanks to the exceptional, coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners, this career criminal will now spend over 20 years behind bars – out of our communities and off of social media. This office will continue its relentless pursuit of individuals who threaten public safety for the sake of profit.”

“Vincent Caruso, a self-admitted Crip gang member, and his mother, Laurie Caruso ran a major drug trafficking organization that, for years, brought nothing but poison, mayhem, and violence to the North Shore of Massachusetts, and beyond. They peddled hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, capitalizing on those struggling with addiction, while raking in an obscene amount of money,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The severity of these sentences reflects the seriousness of their criminal conduct, and the tireless efforts of our North Shore Gang Task Force to make our communities safer for everyone.”

“ATF will continue to work in conjunction with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to identify organized violent criminals in our joint effort to protect the public,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division. “The sentencing of a self-admitted gang member of the Crips in federal court for possession of a machine gun and dangerous drugs should send a loud and clear message to anyone who chooses to engage in this type of criminal activity; it cannot and will not be tolerated and you will be held accountable.”

The Carusos were arrested and charged by complaint on June 30, 2021 along with co-conspirators Ernest Johnson and Nicole Benton as part of an investigation that began in 2020 in response to an increased number of shootings in communities north of Boston by street gangs whose violence was fueled by drug distribution. Vincent Caruso was later indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 19, 2022. Benton has pleaded guilty to her role in the DTO and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 8, 2022. Ernest Johnson has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 13, 2022.

Vincent Caruso, a self-admitted Crip gang member, operated a large and sophisticated DTO with multiple subordinates that sold counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl to street gangs for further distribution on the North Shore. Laurie Caruso served as her son’s right-hand in the operations and was the primary distributor for his well-armed DTO.

 The investigation identified Vincent Caruso’s DTO as a common supply source of counterfeit pressed fentanyl pills and other controlled substances for several street gangs responsible for the uptick in violence. Vincent Caruso’s DTO distributed approximately 36 kilograms of fentanyl, largely in the form of pressed fentanyl pills – equating to a total of over 360,000 fentanyl pills – of which, a significant portion was manufactured directly by Vincent Caruso’s DTO itself using multiple pill presses capable of generating thousands of pills per hour. In order to move these quantities, Laurie Caruso personally distributed fentanyl pills for the DTO at all hours of the day and retrieved cash owed by drug customers. A single counterfeit fentanyl pill retails at between $10-$20, thereby generating millions of dollars in proceeds for the DTO. In an effort to conceal the DTO’s operations, Vincent and Laurie Caruso conspired to launder their illegal proceeds by conducting cash transactions through sports bets at a New Hampshire casino.

In furtherance of his drug trafficking activities, Vincent Caruso possessed and used firearms and orchestrated multiple violent offenses, including two armed robberies and a shooting involving a machinegun. 

The first armed robbery took place on March 5, 2020, while Vincent Caruso on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. He orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which two individuals armed with a firearm and zip ties robbed the occupants of an apartment of approximately $18,000 and jewelry. Vincent Caruso dropped off the robbers, waited at a nearby coffee shop and returned to pick them up after the robbery.

In May 2021 a second armed robbery took place also while Vincent Caruso on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. For this incident, Vincent Caruso enlisted associates to rob an individual. Surveillance video shows assailants run up to the victim, including one assailant who was armed with an AR-15 style rifle. The victim escaped and ran off. Police responded and chased the assailant, who threw the AR-15 style rifle in a dumpster. The assailant ran into the highway and escaped police.

A third violent incident took place shortly after midnight on June 29, 2021, in Lynn. For this incident, Vincent Caruso provided a fully automatic handgun to an associate. The associate then used a fully automatic handgun to fire dozens of rounds at a number of victims who were gathered on a porch.  Bullets hit residences, vehicles and three individuals who were hit by the gunfire and survived. This incident was captured on surveillance video.

In addition, while on state pretrial release Vincent Caruso sent dozens of photos and videos via social media that depicted him in possession of firearms and machine guns, large quantities of fentanyl that would be distributed by his organization, large amounts of cash and high-end jewelry.

Over 1.5 kilograms of pressed fentanyl pills, over 12 firearms, multiple luxury brand watches, chains, four medallions, two custom ATVs, a dirt bike and over $177,000 in cash were recovered through various search warrants executed in this and related investigations.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI SAC Bonavolonta, ATF SAC Ferguson and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts States Police made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk County District Attorneys’ Offices; Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Hancock (Maine) County Sheriffs’ Departments; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; and the Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Danvers, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Salem, Saugus, Somerville, Revere, Bolton (Maine), Bangor (Maine), Portland (Maine) and Westbrook (Maine) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the cases.

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 member of the Gangster Disciple street gang was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston on drug distribution charges involving fentanyl.

Manuel Roderick, 44, of Auburn, Maine, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Earlier in the hearing, Roderick pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

“In communities across our Commonwealth and the country, drug traffickers use local dealers to peddle their poison on the vulnerable,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Addressing and ending the opioid crisis is a huge priority of my administration.  And we are targeting fentanyl dealers. That particular opioid is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Today’s sentence should make clear that we will seek significant sentences and subsequent oversight for these types of crimes.”

“Manuel Roderick will now spend the next five years behind bars after we caught him red-handed trafficking fentanyl, having traveled down from Maine to buy it at a reduced price.  He and his fellow gang members have flooded our neighborhoods with deadly drugs, furthering the scourge of opioids in our communities,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Our North Shore Gang Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to get drug dealers like him, and the gangs they belong to, off our streets for good.”

This case stemmed from a larger investigation into members and drug suppliers of the Gangster Disciples street gang operating in the greater Lawrence area, allegedly led by Justin Suriel. In March 2021, Roderick was observed visiting Suriel’s residence for what appeared to be a drug transaction. During a subsequent traffic stop, law enforcement seized 107 grams of powdered fentanyl in a large plastic bag from Roderick’s vehicle. According to court documents, during the traffic stop, Roderick admitted to law enforcement that he bought narcotics from Suriel and was a Gangster Disciple gang member.

Suriel was arrested in November 2021. He has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted 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.

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

BOSTON – The former head coach of women’s soccer at the University of Southern California (USC) was sentenced yesterday for his role in the college admissions bribery scheme.

Ali Khosroshahin, 52, of Fountain Valley, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to time served and one year of supervised release with the first six months to be served in home confinement. Khosroshahin was also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $208,990. In June 2019, Khosroshahin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering. Khosroshahin cooperated with the government’s investigation.

While serving as the head women’s soccer coach at USC, Khosroshahin conspired with William “Rick” Singer and others to facilitate the admission of student applicants to USC as purported recruits for the women’s soccer team in exchange for bribes. Specifically, Khosroshahin and co-conspirator Laura Janke, an assistant coach for the women’s soccer team, together purported to recruit one or two of Singer’s students to the USC women’s soccer team each year. In reality, Khosroshahin knew the students were not legitimate Division I college-level soccer recruits, and he was not actually recruiting them to be members of his team. To deceive USC’s subcommittee on athletic admissions into believing the students were legitimate recruits, Khosroshahin and Janke submitted falsified athletic “profiles,” which they either received from Singer or created themselves and which made the students appear to be elite high school athletes. In exchange, Singer paid Khosroshahin and Janke bribes, funded by the money from his clients, in the form of checks from his fake charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation, made out to the USC soccer program or to their private soccer club. In addition, Khosroshahin continued his involvement in the scheme after his USC tenure by encouraging other coaches to work with Singer and receiving payments when he facilitated “side door” deals through those coaches.

On June 28, 2022, Janke was sentenced by Judge Talwani to time served and one year of supervised release, with 50 hours of community service.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; 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. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Connecticut man was arrested yesterday on charges that he allegedly attempted to smuggle an individual from Brazil into the United States. 

Fagner Chaves De Lima, 41, of East Hartford, Conn., was charged with one count of attempted human smuggling. De Lima will appear in federal court in Worcester today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy.

“It is alleged that Mr. De Lima orchestrated an elaborate and manipulative human smuggling operation. For a steep price, Mr. De Lima allegedly made arrangements for victims to travel from Brazil to the United States, and then extorted the vulnerable victims and their families for more money, even threatening harm,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “As we all know, smuggling operations abuse, exploit and endanger defenseless victims. Combating human smuggling and trafficking networks is a top priority of our office. This alleged crime is an affront to human dignity and a danger to national security.”

“What Fagner Chaves De Lima is accused of doing is disgraceful. In attempting to smuggle human beings into the United States for his own financial profit and then allegedly extorting them for more money, under the fear of harm, he has demonstrated a deliberate disregard for the safety of their lives, and our country’s laws that are in place to ensure the public’s safety,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “It’s important for anyone who is a victim of human smuggling to know that we prioritize the safety of victims when working with our law enforcement partners to bring international human smugglers to justice.”

According to charging documents, De Lima ran a business that illegally smuggled individuals from Brazil into the United States. It is alleged that, in exchange for payments of thousands of dollars, De Lima made travel arrangements for clients to illegally enter the United States from Brazil by plane or bus and arranged lodging accommodations for clients during their travel. In addition, De Lima allegedly extorted clients while their journey to the United States was underway by threatening to harm them and/or their family if they did not pay additional money. 

In May and June 2022, an undercover agent initiated communications with De Lima over WhatsApp under the guise that the agent sought to have his sister and niece smuggled into the United States. The undercover agent offered to pay $15,000 for De Lima’s services, and De Lima allegedly agreed to the arrangement. According to the charging documents, De Lima stated during these communications (translated from Portuguese) that he had been engaged in human smuggling “for 20 years,” and that he will smuggle individuals “whether you have a visa, no visa, or if . . .[they] are wanted by the police.” De Lima also allegedly acknowledged in later messages that human smuggling is “dangerous.” On June 16, 2022, De Lima traveled to Worcester to meet with the undercover agent, during which De Lima allegedly accepted two checks for the agreed upon total of $15,000 in exchange for his smuggling services and requested the sister’s passport and Social Security number.

The charge of attempted human smuggling provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement.

Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Yuma Field Office; Homeland Security Investigations in Yuma; U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and the Marlborough, Worcester, Hartford (Conn.) and East Hartford (Conn.) Police Departments; Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Civil Rights Enforcement Team is prosecuting the case.

The Civil Rights Enforcement Team (CRET) was created in 2010 to coordinate the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in enforcing federal criminal civil rights laws.  CRET is composed of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and professional staff from the criminal and civil divisions of the office.  The primary goals of the CRET is to develop a comprehensive enforcement strategy to address civil rights issues that arise in the District of Massachusetts; to uphold the constitutional rights of all residents, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of society; and to enforce federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, and national origin. 

If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of human smuggling/trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or Text 233733.

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 career criminal pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to trafficking fentanyl while on supervised release for a previous federal conviction.

Robert Roscoe, 31, of Boston and Attleboro, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 21, 2022. Roscoe was indicted in July 2021.

“Despite his past encounters with the criminal legal system, Mr. Roscoe chose to continue engaging in illegal activity by trafficking deadly narcotics into our communities.  Adding insult to injury, he was on supervised release at the time he engaged in this new criminal conduct,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We have lost far too many people to the opioid crisis and that number continues to rise. Drug traffickers, especially ones who are career criminals, will be found and prosecuted by my office.”

“Today’s guilty plea is a direct result of the dedicated work of the ATF and our local, state and federal partners combating criminals that distribute fentanyl in our communities,” said   James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Division. “The ATF will continue to investigate individuals and groups who attempt to further the scourge of drugs and violence in the areas we serve.”

On Feb. 3, 2021, Roscoe conspired with co-defendant Ozair Pereira to distribute fentanyl to a cooperating witness at the Westgate Mall in Brockton. At the time of his conduct, Roscoe was on supervised release for a 2019 conviction out of U.S. District Court in Boston for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Roscoe had been previously convicted of armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and assault and battery on a police officer.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl provide 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins; ATF Boston SAC Ferguson; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez; and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston woman was sentenced today in connection with selling two kilograms of cocaine.

Ana Guadalupe Acosta Grajeda, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. On Sept. 23, 2021, Grajeda pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.      

According to court documents, Grajeda was arrested and charged in September 2019 along with her son, Carlos Acosta Estrella, after they sold two kilograms of cocaine to a cooperating witness in East Boston. A search of Estrella and Grajeda’s apartment allegedly resulted in the seizure of one kilogram of heroin, numerous cellphones, a high-powered tactical shotgun with a laser sight and a box of ammunition for the shotgun.

Carlos Acosta Estrella has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial.  

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Boston Police Officer was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for failing to report gambling winnings on his tax returns.

Dana Lamb, 57, of Roslindale, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal to six months of probation. On April 27, 2022, Lamb pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false document with the Internal Revenue Service and has cooperated in a related prosecution.

In May 2020, while an Officer for the Boston Police Department, Lamb sold a winning lottery ticket worth $10,000 to a convenience store owner for cash rather than properly claiming it with the Massachusetts Lottery Commission. He then failed to report his gambling winnings on his tax return. Lamb’s failure to report the gambling proceeds resulted in an additional tax due and owing for that year of $1,800.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’s Public Corruption Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to distributing methamphetamine.

Daniel Lennon, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 26, 2022. Lennon was indicted on March 3, 2021.

In January and February 2021, investigators conducted three undercover purchases of methamphetamine from Lennon. On Jan. 13, 2021, Lennon delivered approximately 28 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine; on Jan. 19, 2021, Lennon delivered approximately 112 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine; and on Feb. 4, 2021, Lennon delivered approximately 110 grams of 87% pure methamphetamine.

When investigators searched the hotel room in which Lennon was staying, they located a myriad of drugs and drug distribution paraphernalia, including nearly 400 grams of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, over 40 grams of cocaine and approximately $16,740 in cash.

The charge of distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $10 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department provided critical assistance in the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – Ten members and associates of NOB, a Boston-based street gang, have pleaded guilty over the last several weeks in federal court to various crimes, including racketeering (RICO) conspiracy, drug trafficking and illegal firearms charges. The final two defendants pleaded guilty last week. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencings for various dates in September and November 2022.

The 10 defendants were indicted in June 2020 as part of a federal sweep targeting numerous NOB street gang members and associates. According to court records, NOB – an abbreviation for the Norton/Olney/Barry streets in Dorchester – is a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates are involved in numerous types of criminal activities, including murders, attempted murders, armed robberies, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and illegal firearms offenses. While the gang is based in the Boston, its criminal activity has spanned across other communities, including Randolph, New Bedford, Stoughton, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Taunton and Cape Cod, as well as Rhode Island, Maine and Connecticut.

NOB members and associates use violence against rival gangs and witnesses to maintain and enhance their status and overall reputation, as well as to protect the gang’s power, reputation and territory. Members and associates assist each other with obtaining firearms and maintaining drug trafficking connections. NOB members and associates use various means to identify themselves as such, including gang-related hand signs, clothing and tattoos. Additionally, they create and publish gang-related videos used to promote NOB and further its activities.

Over the past several years, NOB members and associates committed multiple acts of violence, many of which targeted rival gang members, and engaged in drug trafficking activity involving fentanyl (in powdered form and counterfeit oxycodone pills), cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine), marijuana and various types of prescription pills, including opioids, throughout Massachusetts. In addition, NOB members and associates illegally possessed firearms and ammunition, several of which were seized during the investigation.

In addition to multiple historical firearm and drug recoveries by local law enforcement partners pursuant to search warrants executed during the course of this investigation, law enforcement seized numerous contraband items including 11 firearms, over one kilogram of fentanyl (including over 2,000 fentanyl pills manufactured to appear as commercial oxycodone pills), a commercial pill press, over 15 pounds of marijuana and approximately $36,000 in cash.

The charge of RICO conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and/or 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.

First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory P. Long; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Douglas Bartlett, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro; Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan; Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag; Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez; Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr.; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III; and Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Crowley and Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

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APPENDIX

1. Michael Brandao, a/k/a “G Fredo,” and “Frizzblock Fredo,” 21, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
2. Kelvin Barros, a/k/a “Kal” or “7981 Kal,” 26, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
3. Ricky Pina, a/k/a “Blake,” 25, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy.
4. David Rodriguez, a/k/a “D,” 36, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy.
5. Wilson Goncalves-Mendes, a/k/a “Dub,” 26, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
6. Joshua Teixeira, a/k/a “Trouble,” 27, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
7. Joseph Gomes, a/k/a “Joey” or “J-Money,” 26, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
8. Samael Mathieu, a/k/a “Hamma” or “Hamma Thang,” 25, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
9. Darius Bass, a/k/a “Tre” or “Trigga Tre,” 28, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy.
10. Damian Cortez, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for trading on inside information about a Massachusetts company’s planned acquisition of a California semiconductor company.

John Younis, 59, of Bristol, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to one month of home detention and two years of probation. The government recommended a sentence of six months in prison and six months of home detention. On March 23, 2022, Younis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and one count of securities fraud.

In January 2022, Younis was charged with co-defendants David Forte and Gregory Manning.

According to the charging documents, Younis was a close friend of co-conspirator David Forte, whose relative was a senior executive at Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), a Norwood-based semiconductor company. Beginning in or around June 2016, Forte allegedly obtained material non-public information from his relative about ADI’s planned acquisition of Linear Technology Corp. (Linear), a semiconductor company based in Milpitas, Calif. Forte allegedly passed the information to Younis, who purchased over 1,100 shares of Linear stock and call options (bets that the price of a stock will increase prior to the expiration of the option) in the week leading up to the public announcement of the acquisition on July 26, 2016. Younis also tipped a business associate who allegedly purchased 1,000 Linear shares. After the deal was announced, Younis and his associate sold their Linear securities at a profit. In total, Younis profited nearly $52,000 from the scheme.

Forte and Manning have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. The Securities & Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

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 commercial and residential paving business in Hanover was sentenced today for a tax evasion scheme in which he failed to report nearly $1.7 million in income.

William E. Dyer, 57, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release. Dyer was also ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $597,881. On Nov. 18, 2021, Dyer pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

Dyer owned and operated Pilgrim Paving. From 2014 through 2018, Dyer diverted payments from Pilgrim Paving customers by directing customers to write checks to him and then cashing those checks. Dyer failed to report over $1.7 million in diverted receipts and additional business deposits on the tax returns that he filed or that he directed a tax preparer to file on his behalf. As a result of this conduct, Dyer underreported his personal income tax obligations, causing a loss to the Internal Revenue Service of nearly $600,000.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The former assistant coach of women’s soccer at the University of Southern California (USC) was sentenced yesterday for her involvement in a bribery scheme to facilitate the admission of applicants to selective colleges and universities as purported athletic recruits.

Laura Janke, 39, of North Hollywood, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to time served and one year of supervised release, with 50 hours of community service. Janke was also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $129,213. In May 2019, Janke pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering. Janke cooperated with the government’s investigation.

While an assistant coach of USC’s women’s soccer team, Janke conspired with William “Rick” Singer and others to falsely designate the children of Singer’s clients as soccer recruits in exchange for bribes. Specifically, Janke and co-conspirator Ali Khosroshahin, the team’s head coach, together purported to recruit one or two of Singer’s students to the USC women’s soccer team each year. In reality, the students were not USC-caliber soccer players and they were not actually recruiting them to be members of the team. To deceive USC’s subcommittee on athletic admissions into believing the students were legitimate recruits, Janke and Khosroshahin submitted falsified athletic “profiles,” which they either received from Singer or created themselves and which made the students appear to be elite high school athletes. In exchange, Singer paid Janke and Khosroshahin bribes, funded by the money from his clients, in the form of checks from his fake charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation, made out to the USC soccer program or to their private soccer club.

In June 2019, Khosroshahin pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and was sentenced today to time served and one year of supervised release.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; 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. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A drug distributor within a Boston-area drug trafficking organization (DTO) pleaded guilty yesterday to a drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine and cocaine base.

Nelsin Hernandez, 31, of Brighton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22, 2022. 

Hernandez was charged with 23 others in June 2020 as part of Operation Snowfall, which ultimately resulted in the charging of two different drug trafficking conspiracies during the overall period of November 2018 through June 2020.

According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement investigated a DTO in which Hernandez was a drug distributor. The DTO was comprised of Boston-based street gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the DTO assumed control over multiple apartments, where Hernandez and others stored, cooked, packaged, and sold drugs – most of which consisted of cocaine or cocaine base, which the DTO supplied to customers, wholesalers and distributors. As a result, the DTO caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents. As the investigation continued, law enforcement ultimately identified another DTO operating within the Boston area and targeted its large-scale drug suppliers and their associates.

Hernandez distributed between approximately 100 and 200 grams of cocaine base during the course of his participation in the Fidelis Way DTO. Hernandez is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in the conspiracy. The remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty and are pending trial.

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

First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Douglas Bartlett, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistance with the investigation was provided by the Braintree, Cambridge, Canton, Randolph and Weymouth Police Departments; the Suffolk, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorneys’ Offices; and the Suffolk, Plymouth and Norfolk County Sheriffs’ Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Timothy E. Moran of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit 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 documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – Two California parents were sentenced today in federal court in Boston for their participation in the college admissions case in which they paid a total of $600,000 to facilitate their children’s admission to college.

Bruce Isackson, 65, and Davina Isackson, 58, of Hillsborough, Calif., were each sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to time served (approximately one day in prison), one year of probation and 250 hours of community service. Additionally, Bruce Isackson was ordered to pay a fine of $7,500 and Davina Isackson was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000. In May 2019, the Isacksons pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Bruce Isackson also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS. The Isacksons cooperated with the government’s investigation.

The Isacksons conspired with William “Rick” Singer and others – including university athletic coaches and administrators as well as standardized test administrators – to secure their daughters’ admission to elite colleges and universities through bribery and fraud. Specifically, the Isacksons agreed to pay Singer a total of $600,000 to facilitate cheating on their younger daughter’s college entrance exam to obtain an inflated test score, as well as to facilitate both daughters’ college admissions as purported athletic recruits. To conceal the scheme, Bruce Isackson conspired to make the bribes appear as charitable donations by laundering the payments through Singer’s fake charity, the Key Worldwide Foundation, and deducted the payments from their taxes as purported charitable contributions.

Case information, including the status of each defendant, is available here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/investigations-college-admissions-and-testing-bribery-scheme.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; 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. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney and Ian Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Turners Falls man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield on child pornography charges.

Brian Cooper, 64, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Feb. 24, 2022, Cooper pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of child pornography, six counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Between April 2018 and October 2019, Cooper distributed, received and possessed child pornography files depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He distributed and received the child pornography files from online associates via Instagram. A search of Cooper’s residence in October 2019 revealed thousands of child pornography files stored on a tablet and multiple thumb drives. At the time of the search, Cooper was arrested on state court charges and has been detained since.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; David E. Sullivan, Northwestern District Attorney; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

“Along with her husband, Haoyang Yu, Yanzhi Chen was charged by indictment in September 2020 with participating in a scheme to defraud Mr. Yu’s former employer, a Massachusetts company called Analog Devices Incorporated (ADI). Last month, a jury convicted Mr. Yu of one count of possessing a stolen ADI trade secret. However, the jury found Mr. Yu not guilty of the remaining 18 counts charged in the indictment, including counts alleging that Mr. Yu defrauded ADI and violated immigration laws.

Today’s dismissal of the fraud charges against Mr. Yu’s wife, Ms. Chen, is in the interests of justice. As prosecutors, we have a constant obligation to assess the merits of every prosecution that we pursue. Today’s dismissal is the result of my office’s continuing assessment of the evidence against Ms. Chen in light of the jury’s verdict against Mr. Yu. We understand that our charging decisions deeply impact people’s lives. I will continue to require our prosecutors to rigorously assess cases at every stage of our proceedings to see if we should continue pursuing and prosecuting those suspected of engaging in criminal conduct.”

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in connection with receiving child pornography, including images of an infant.

Paul Weddington, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On March 9, 2022, Weddington pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

According to court records, in November 2020, Nichole Cyr was arrested for child exploitation offenses after child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including images and videos, were located on her cell phones. Further analysis of Cyr’s phones found conversations with Weddington in which Weddington received CSAM from Cyr that depicted two children who were two and seven years old and known to Cyr. Following the investigation, Weddington’s phone was seized during a search of his residence in February 2021. The phone contained screenshots of an apparent video chat with Cyr in which CSAM of the two-year-old child was displayed.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Fall River Police Chief Paul Gauvin made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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

BOSTON – A former member and Enforcer of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges.

Orlando Santiago-Torres, a/k/a “King Landy,” 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Oct. 13, 2022.

According to court documents, the Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

As Enforcer, Santiago-Torres was an officer in the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings and was responsible for organizing violence against rival gang members and instilling discipline among Latin Kings members in the commission of violence. Santiago-Torres also organized security for the Latin Kings’ apartment buildings, or “trap houses,” from which the gang members distributed cocaine and cocaine base.

At today’s hearing, Santiago-Torres admitted to participating in a series of violent acts and shootings that were committed in New Bedford in furtherance of the Latin Kings enterprise.  In February 2019, Santiago-Torres assaulted a rival gang member and was captured on video chasing the rival gang member down, pushing him to the ground and kicking him. In May 2019, Santiago-Torres participated in the assault and shooting of a rival gang member and was captured on video surveillance with other Latin King members, one of whom engaged in a fight with the rival member and fired a handgun at him. In July 2019, Santiago-Torres fired multiple rounds of ammunition on a New Bedford street at rival gang members as they fled a fight with the Latin Kings. Later, in September 2019, Santiago-Torres participated in a shooting with other Latin Kings members in which a victim was struck with gunfire and casings from the scene were linked to a firearm recovered from Santiago-Torres’ apartment. Lastly, in November 2019, Santiago-Torres and other Latin Kings members assaulted a rival gang member, in which Santiago-Torres dragged the victim out of a vehicle to beat and kick him on the street.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Santiago-Torres is the 59th defendant to plead guilty in the case. 

The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to manufacture and 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Rollins’ Organized Crime and Gang 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 remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Bronx, N.Y., man has been sentenced in federal court in Springfield for his role in a large-scale drug conspiracy that trafficked dozens of kilos of heroin and fentanyl into Springfield from New York City and the Dominican Republic every month.

Marvin Ortega, 35, was sentenced on June 23, 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In March 2019, Ortega pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.

“The impact of drug trafficking can be felt by everyone. Mr. Ortega was involved in an organization that funneled heroin and fentanyl into the Springfield area – profiting off of people’s pain,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Drug trafficking activities, specifically those involving fentanyl, pose an immeasurable threat to public safety. The opioid crisis has taken the lives of over two thousand people last year in our Commonwealth. They were mothers, children, fathers, siblings, and loved ones and they are gone. Forever. We cannot allow ourselves to grow numb to this epidemic and become complacent. My office will not look the other way. Narcotics dealers will be identified, prosecuted and held accountable.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals like Mr. Ortega who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin and fentanyl to the citizens of Massachusetts” said Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division. “Let this arrest be a warning to those traffickers who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. DEA’s top priority is combating the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes deadly drugs.”

“Opioid-related overdoses and deaths affect our community on a daily basis. The increase of fentanyl on our streets has only increased how deadly these drugs have become. This sentence will hopefully send a message to those individuals looking bring heroin and fentanyl into our city and region that we have a team of law enforcement partners working together to investigate and ultimately convict those responsible. I’d like to thank U.S. Attorney Rollins, her team and our local, regional and federal partners for their work on this investigation,” said Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood. 

Ortega transported heroin to Springfield and the proceeds from the sale to New York for a drug trafficking organization (DTO) based in Springfield, which was run by Alberto Marte. Marte had direct contact with heroin suppliers in the Dominican Republic and members of his DTO transported between eight and 20 kilograms of heroin, with a street value of approximately $1.6 million and $4 million, respectively, into the Springfield area every month. When law enforcement authorities executed federal search warrants in September 2016, they recovered approximately $140,000 in cash and over six kilograms of heroin.

U.S. Attorney Rollins; DEA SAC Boyle; Superintendent Clapprood; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni; Chicopee Police Chief Patrick Major; Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt; and West Springfield Police Chief Paul Connor made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil L. Desroches of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office and Stephen W. Hassink of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted 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 Brockton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a highly sophisticated drug trafficking operation that manufactured and distributed a multitude of controlled substances using the Dark Web.

Steven McCall, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, Ketamine and Alprazolam (Xanax). U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Sept. 28, 2022.

McCall was indicted in June 2019 along with co-conspirators Binh Thanh Le and Allante Pires. Le, who was the ringleader of the drug-trafficking operation, created and operated a vendor site called “EastSideHigh” in marketplaces on the Dark Network, more commonly known as the Dark Web. The Dark Web is any portion of the internet that can only be accessed with specific software, configurations or authorization that anonymize internet traffic. Le used these Dark Web markets to advertise various drugs for sale, including cocaine, MDMA, Ketamine and Xanax. Le ordered and received wholesale quantities of the drugs he and the others were distributing in the mail, principally from foreign sources in Canada and Europe. McCall and Pires then processed and manufactured those controlled substances at an office space Le rented in Stoughton. After receiving the orders and payment via Bitcoin, the men mailed the drugs to customers throughout the United States.

At the time of his arrest, McCall had been manufacturing and packaging controlled substances at the co-conspirators’ stash location in Stoughton and was wearing latex gloves and a respirator.

Over 19 kilograms of MDMA, almost seven kilograms of Ketamine, nearly one kilogram of cocaine, more than 10,000 counterfeit Xanax pills and over $114,000 in cash were seized by authorities during the investigation. Investigators also recovered a computer with the “EastSideHigh” vendor page open, numerous packages containing MDMA and Ketamine, various shipping and packaging materials and a pill press from the office space in Stoughton.

On March 10, 2022, Le was sentenced to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release. Le was also ordered to forfeit more than 59 Bitcoin (currently worth more than $1.2 million), $114,680 in cash, $42,390 representing the proceeds from the sale of a 2018 BMW M3, along with other items including a pill press and currency counter. On June 3, 2022, Pires pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 8, 2022.

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

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance with the investigation was provided by the Homeland Security Investigations in Colorado; Postal Inspectors from around the country; and the Stoughton, Norwood and Brockton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

“Today’s dismissal of the criminal charges against Joseph Baptiste and Roger Boncy is the result of recently discovered contemporaneous communications about calls recorded on December 19, 2015 between defendant Boncy and an undercover FBI agent. These communications were never disclosed to the prosecutors on the case prior to the evening of June 23, 2022. Moreover, the FBI does not have the original recordings it made of the December 19, 2015 calls.

These defendants were first tried and convicted in 2019. The trial judge vacated their convictions pursuant to Rule 33 for ineffective assistance of counsel. The First Circuit affirmed the granting of a new trial. In preparation for that retrial, and in response to requests from defense counsel, the FBI gave the recently discovered materials to the prosecutors late last week and we promptly produced them to defense counsel the next day. 

As the government, our charging decisions deeply impact people’s lives. We have an obligation to provide all discoverable evidence in our possession to the defense. That is a core principle of the criminal legal system.  After a careful review of this entire matter, we dismiss these charges in the interest of justice.”

BOSTON – A Salisbury woman pleaded guilty on June 24, 2022 in federal court in Boston to the sexual exploitation of an infant.

Desiree Daigle, 26, pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child before U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV who scheduled sentencing for Oct. 24, 2022. Daigle was arrested and charged in November 2018.

“Ms. Daigle grossly exploited and sexually victimized an infant, took a video of her abuse which she shared with others. Her conduct tears at the hearts of all parents. This kind of case drives my office’s mission to do all that it can to prosecute individuals like Ms. Daigle, who prey on innocent and defenseless children,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to investigate and prosecute those who exploit our most vulnerable and bring justice to victims.”

“What Desiree Daigle has admitted to today is enough to make anyone’s stomach turn. There are few situations more urgent than when a child is physically at risk. People like her, who sexually exploit children, do serious lasting harm, and to engage in the manufacturing and trading of child sexual abuse material only perpetuates the abuse,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI is committed to finding such predators, locking them up, and ensuring the children they have victimized are safe.”

In November 2018, Daigle was identified in online chats exchanging various child pornography files with another individual. Some of the images depicted an infant in Daigle’s care, apparently taken in Daigle’s home. During the chats, Daigle discussed plans for the other individual to meet the child in person so that they could sexually abuse the child together. 

The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 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 $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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Amesbury, North Andover, Salisbury, Arlington, Billerica, Methuen, and Haverhill Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit, is 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 identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

BOSTON – A former New Bedford Police Department (NBPD) officer and NBPD Union Treasurer was sentenced today for stealing nearly $50,000 in union funds.

Joshua Fernandes, 41, of New Bedford, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to three months in prison and two years of supervised release, of which the first six months will be served in home confinement with location monitoring for the first three months. The government recommended a sentence of one year in prison. Fernandes was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $47,851. In October 2021, Fernandes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

“Mr. Fernandes took an oath to protect and serve the people of New Bedford. Instead, he violated the trust bestowed upon him by both the New Bedford community and his fellow officers,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “For several years, Mr. Fernandes stole tens of thousands of dollars in union funds and recklessly spent it on a range of personal expenses including beach vacations, phone bills and online dating. Adding insult to injury, he tried to cover up his theft by backfilling the depleted accounts with more stolen funds from the Union’s retirement investment account. Public officials who misuse their positions of trust for their own personal enrichment will be prosecuted. No one is above the law.”

“As a police officer, and union treasurer, Joshua Fernandes took an oath to uphold the law, but today he was sent to prison for breaking it. Fernandez stole tens of thousands of dollars in union funds—the hard-earned money of his fellow officers—and instead spent it on himself to settle more than four hundred personal charges, such as beach vacations, event tickets, children’s toys, and online dating,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “What he did is abhorrent, and today’s sentencing should be a warning to others that the FBI is committed to rooting out public corruption and preserving trust in law enforcement.”

Fernandes abused his position as Union Treasurer by using nearly $50,000 in union funds to pay for personal expenses including vacations, family outings, and a monthly wireless family phone plan, among other things. Fernandes carried out his scheme by reimbursing his personal credit card accounts with union funds and by using the union’s credit cards to pay directly for non-union expenses.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and Jonathan Russo, District Director of U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Springfield woman was sentenced yesterday for her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19-related unemployment assistance.

Audri Ford-Victory, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to three years of probation, with six months to be served in home confinement. On Jan. 31, 2022, Ford-Victory pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy.

In March 2020, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act created a temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which in Massachusetts is administered by the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This program provides unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits.

Ford-Victory submitted 25 PUA claims in Massachusetts on behalf of individuals living outside of Massachusetts. As a result, Massachusetts DUA issued $215,246 in payments to individuals not entitled to PUA benefits. Ford-Victory received kickback payments in exchange for submitting the fraudulent claims.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, New York Regional Office made the announcement. The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance provided assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Markham of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and Neil L. Desroches of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office 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.