District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Seekonk man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston on charges of child pornography.

Sean J. Trahan, 45, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to 126 months in prison and five years of supervised release. On Oct. 19, 2021, Trahan pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of access with intent to view child pornography.

Trahan was convicted following two separate investigations into his child pornography activities. An undercover investigation revealed that Trahan used the dark web to access child pornography in February 2015. In October 2015, Trahan was arrested and charged after a search of his residence revealed images of child pornography on his personal computer. At the time of his arrest, Trahan stated that he had accessed sites containing child pornography.

Trahan was released on conditions, including cell phone monitoring. On Sept. 8, 2021, he was arrested for violating conditions of his release and has remained in custody since then.

In October 2021, Trahan was charged in a superseding Information after a further investigation connected Trahan with a username that posted child pornography in a Kik messenger group. Another search of Trahan’s residence in September 2021 revealed child pornography on Trahan’s tablet.

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. Valuable assistance was provided by the Winnebago (Wis.) Sherriff’s Office and the Seekonk Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James D. Herbert of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON – A Lynn man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally possessing and selling firearms.

Jufrandy Montano, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 52 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 13, 2022, Montano pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.  Montano was indicted on Sept. 28, 2021.

Between March 4 and March 19, 2020, Montano sold three firearms, including a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun. Montano does not possess a license to import, manufacture or deal firearms and is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. At the time of the offenses, Montano was on probation for a conviction out of Lynn District Court.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON – A Bronx, N.Y., man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

Eric Encarnacion Medina, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 51 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In November 2021, Encarnacion Medina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

In January 2021, Encarnacion Medina was identified as working with a drug trafficker based in the Dominican Republic who shipped multiple kilograms of fentanyl to a location in Pennsylvania. Encarnacion Medina would then transport the fentanyl from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. On Jan. 28, 2021, Encarnacion Medina sold one kilogram of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Boston and discussed future drug sales before going back to New York. On Feb. 11, 2021, Encarnacion agreed to sell the cooperating witness 400 fentanyl pills and drive to Boston again from New York for the transaction. Encarnacion Medina also discussed future deals and the potential for transactions involving high quantities of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine. Encarnacion Medina was arrested upon his arrival in Boston on Feb. 12, 2021.

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 today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Hassink of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Darwin Geovani Herrera Orellana, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to six months in prison and one year of supervised release. Herrera Orellana will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. On Jan. 4, 2022, Herrera Orellana pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

Herrera Orellana was initially encountered in Arizona in 2009, determined to be illegally present in the United States and subsequently deported. Sometime after his removal, Herrera Orellana illegally reentered the United States and was arrested in Texas in 2012. Herrera Orellana was again placed into removal proceedings and deported.

In December 2020, Herrera Orellana was arrested in Waltham and charged with, among other things, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. In June 2021, he was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and sentenced to 14 months in prison. In July 2021, while serving this sentence in the Middlesex County House of Correction, agents determined that Herrera Orellana was illegally present in the United States after the fingerprints from his Waltham arrest and noncitizen records were determined to be a positive match. Upon completion of his state prison sentence, Herrera Orellana was subsequently transferred into federal custody.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Chicopee man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to possessing more than 100 images of child pornography.

Herve Plasse, 67, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22, 2022. Plasse was indicted in September 2019.

In July 2015, a search of Plasse’s residence revealed over 100 images of child pornography on his computer, including images of prepubescent girls engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Plasse admitted that he had accessed a website on an encrypted network for the purpose of viewing child pornography.

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

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Berkley nurse pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to tampering with fentanyl intended for patients at a hospital’s post-surgery recovery unit and an outpatient vascular surgery center. 

Hugo Vieira, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Aug. 24, 2022. Vieira was charged on March 3, 2022.

From December 2018 to January 2019, while working at a Massachusetts hospital and an outpatient vascular surgery center, Vieira removed fentanyl from vials meant for patients who were undergoing surgery or recovering from surgery. To conceal his conduct, Vieira replaced the diverted fentanyl with saline. Sixty tampered vials were identified at the vascular surgery center and two vials at the hospital post-surgery recovery unit. Those vials contained only 1.3–7% of the declared concentration of fentanyl citrate.

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

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office; and Margret R. Cooke, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elysa Q. Wan and David J. Derusha of Rollins’ Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with two schemes to steal USPS funds.

Zeon Johnson, 27, of Saugus, was indicted on one count of theft of government money. Johnson will appear in federal court in Boston on Monday, May 9, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler. 

According to the indictment, beginning in approximately August 2018, Johnson worked as a Sales and Service Distribution Associate for USPS at the Marblehead Post Office. As part of his job, Johnson sold stamps and processed money order transactions for USPS customers. It is alleged that from approximately July 2019 through June 18, 2020, Johnson engaged in two schemes to convert USPS funds for personal use.

It is alleged that Johnson intentionally voided cash transaction sales of USPS stamps to customers, resulting in no records being made of cash payments for stamps, and then stole the cash for his own personal use. It is further alleged that Johnson stole USPS funds through fraudulent money orders, specifically by issuing himself blank money orders, money order refunds as well as money orders made payable to himself. In total, it is alleged that Johnson stole over $18,000 in USPS funds.

The charge of theft of government money 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Lynn man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with stealing money from the mail. 

Juan Murillo, 32, was indicted on one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. Murillo was released on conditions following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal.

According to the indictment, on or about Sept. 23, 2021, Murillo stole money from mail which came into his possession.

The charge of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service provides for a sentence of up to five 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Harvard University Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, is prosecuting the case.

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

UPDATE: On Sept. 27, 2024, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed David DeQuattro’s conviction for federal-program bribery. The case was remanded for further proceedings. On Oct. 21, 2024, the Court ordered the defendant acquitted. 

UPDATE: On Sept. 27, 2024, the First Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Cedric Cromwell’s convictions on the federal program bribery counts and reinstated his extortion convictions.

BOSTON – The former Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the owner of an architecture-and-design firm in Providence, R.I. were convicted today by a federal jury in connection with bribery involving the Tribe’s plans to build a resort and casino in Taunton.

Cedric Cromwell, 55, of Attleboro, was convicted following a 10-day jury trial of two counts of accepting bribes as an agent of an Indian tribal government, three counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiring to commit extortion. Cromwell faces four remaining charges of filing a false tax return, which will be addressed at a later date. David DeQuattro, 54, of Warwick, R.I., was convicted of one count of paying a bribe to an agent of an Indian tribal government. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduling sentencing for Sept. 9, 2022.

The jury acquitted both defendants of one count of conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery. DeQuattro was also found not guilty on one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and Cromwell was found not guilty on one count of extortion.

Cromwell was the Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and President of the Tribe’s Gaming Authority. DeQuattro’s architecture-and-design company signed a contract to serve as the Gaming Authority’s owner’s representative for the First Light Resort and Casino, which the Tribe was building in Taunton. Cromwell was found guilty of accepting three bribes from DeQuattro in exchange for an agreement to protect DeQuattro’s firm’s contract: $10,000 in November 2015, a Bowflex Revolution home gym in August 2016 and a weekend stay at an upscale Boston hotel in May 2017. DeQuattro was found guilty of bribing Cromwell with regard to the Bowflex and the hotel stay. The jury also found Cromwell guilty of extortion under color of official right in connection with the three above items and conspiracy to commit extortion.

“No one is above the law. That rings true today, loudly and clearly,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Mr. Cromwell and Mr. DeQuattro entered into a business arrangement that was fueled by bribery for their own selfish and unlawful gain. In doing so, Mr. Cromwell exploited his position and the trust placed in him by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Today’s guilty verdict makes clear that the jury saw this case for what it is – a textbook example of public corruption.”

“Today’s verdict proves that Cedric Cromwell accepted $10,000 and other valuable items in bribes, committed extortion, and abused his elected position as Chair of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to line his own pockets at the expense of Tribe members whose trust he grossly betrayed,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The quid pro quo scheme that he orchestrated with David DeQuattro was an affront to the Tribe that elected him to serve their best interests. This is exactly why the FBI will not hesitate to investigate elected officials who use their positions to commit illegal acts. We are committed to protecting the integrity of government at all levels from the plunder of public corruption.”

In November 2015, Cromwell received a $10,000 personal check from DeQuattro and deposited it into a bank account for a company he had formed called One Nation Development LLC. Cromwell’s website described One Nation Development as helping Native American tribes with economic development. It stated, “One Nation works with Federal and State agencies on behalf of Native American communities. We have relationships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and provide our Native community clients with direct and active engagement with these various agencies.” The website touted experience in the areas of strategic planning, gaming, hospitality and legal services. It stated, “One Nation Development is comprised of a team of committed professionals that bring together several decades of collective wisdom and experience to the work done on behalf of client communities. Each professional is individually committed to the One Nation approach: a multi-generational approach to advance community-building solutions.” In fact, One Nation Development had no employees and Cromwell spent DeQuattro’s check on personal expenses.

In August 2016, Cromwell asked DeQuattro for a piece of exercise equipment. DeQuattro and his business partner paid $1,700 to buy a used Bowflex on Craigslist, and had it delivered to Cromwell’s home. Cromwell told DeQuattro he was disappointed it was used.

In May 2017, Cromwell texted DeQuattro: “Hello Dave. I hope all is well. My Birthday is coming up this Friday May 19th and I wanted to spend Friday through Monday at a very nice hotel in Boston for my Birthday weekend. Is it possible that you can get me a nice hotel room at the Four Seasons or a suite at the Seaport Hotel? I am going to have a special guest with me. Please let me know and Thank You.” DeQuattro forwarded the text to his business partner, writing, “U can’t think of this stuff…..what is next?” DeQuattro and his business partner paid over $1,800 for Cromwell to stay in an Executive Suite King – Harbor View at the Seaport Boston Hotel for three nights.

The charge of paying a bribe to an agent of an Indian tribal government, or being an agent of an Indian tribal government who accepts a bribe, provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of extortion under color of official right and conspiring to commit extortion each provide for a sentence of up to 20 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by Attleboro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Jared C. Dolan of Rollins’ Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

With respect to the tax charges, the details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Cromwell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

BOSTON – A California man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with making threats to commit anti-LGBTQ violence against Springfield-based Merriam-Webster, Inc. and others. 

Jeremy David Hanson, 34, of Rossmoor, Calif., was indicted on one count of interstate communication of threatening communications to commit violence. The grand jury also charged Hanson with intentionally selecting Merriam-Webster, Inc., its property and its employees as the object of the threatening communications pertaining to one’s actual or perceived gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Hanson will appear in federal court in Springfield on May 13, 2022. On April 20, 2022, Hanson was arrested and charged by criminal complaint.

“We believe Mr. Hanson, motivated by hate and veiled by the assumed anonymity of the internet, made numerous threats of violence to instill fear in our communities,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Hateful and bigoted activity, like the conduct alleged here, is destructive on so many levels and will not be tolerated. Every individual has a right to feel safe in their community. My office will continue its relentless pursuit of those who seek to threaten, intimidate and divide us and hold them accountable.”

“Jeremy Hanson is accused of repeatedly making violent threats, motivated by hate, to intimidate others – even going as far as causing Merriam-Webster to shut down its offices for five days out of fear for their employees’ safety,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Threatening violent action strikes at the heart of our fundamental right as Americans to live and work without fear, and this case underscores the FBI’s commitment to ensuring that everyone’s civil rights are protected, and those who try to infringe on them are brought to justice.”

According to the charging documents, between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8, 2021, Springfield-based Merriam-Webster, Inc. received various threatening messages and comments demonstrating bias against specific gender identities submitted through its website’s “Contact Us” page and in the comments section on its webpages that corresponded to the word entries for “Girl” and “Woman.” Authorities later identified the user as Hanson.

Specifically, it is alleged that on Oct. 2, 2021, Hanson used the handle “@anonYmous” to post the following comment on the dictionary’s website definition of “female”: “It is absolutely sickening that Merriam-Webster now tells blatant lies and promotes anti-science propaganda. There is no such thing as ‘gender identity.’ The imbecile who wrote this entry should be hunted down and shot.”

Hanson also allegedly sent the following threatening message via the website’s “Contact Us” page: “You [sic] headquarters should be shot up and bombed. It is sickening that you have caved to the cultural Marxist, anti-science tranny [sic] agenda and altered the definition of ‘female’ as part of the Left’s efforts to corrupt and degrade the English language and deny reality. You evil Marxists should all be killed. It would be poetic justice to have someone storm your offices and shoot up the place, leaving none of you commies alive.”

It is further alleged that on Oct. 8, 2021, Hanson posted another threatening comment on the dictionary’s website and a threatening message via the “Contact Us” page that read: “I am going to shoot up and bomb your offices for lying and creating fake definitions in order to pander to the tranny mafia. Boys aren’t girls, and girls aren’t boys. The only good Marxist is a dead Marxist. I will assassinate your top editor. You sickening, vile tranny freaks.” As a result of the threats, Merriam-Webster closed its offices in Springfield and New York City for approximately five business days.

The criminal complaint identified numerous related threats, including to the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Land O’ Lakes, Hasbro, Inc., IGN Entertainment, the President of the University of North Texas, two professors at Loyola Marymount University and a New York City rabbi.

Individuals or entities who believe they may be victims of this alleged crime should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 888-221-6023.

The charge of interstate transmission of threatening communications provides for a sentence of up to five 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case. 

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

BOSTON – A Malden man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with illegally possessing a firearm.

Herby Paul, 27, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Paul was detained following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler.

According to the indictment, on or about Nov. 24, 2021, in Canton, Paul possessed a semiautomatic handgun and 13 rounds of ammunition. Paul is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Charlestown man living under a false identity was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on charges arising from his use of the name and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen.

An individual referred to as “John Doe” was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Dec. 22, 2021, Doe pleaded guilty to one count of false statements on a United States passport application, one count of false representation of a Social Security number, three counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

On or about March 31, 2020, Doe used the name and personally identifiable information (PII) of a Puerto Rican resident to apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) with the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (MA DUA). On April 1, 2020, MA DUA approved the claim and began issuing benefits to Doe via a prepaid debit card, which he used for cash withdrawals at ATM machines and for the purchase of goods and services. As a result, from April through September 2020, Doe fraudulently received over $15,000 in UI benefits under the stolen identity.

In 2017, Doe used the victim’s Social Security number to apply for a duplicate driver’s license with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and, in 2010, used the victim’s name and PII to apply for a United States passport. Further investigation revealed that Doe had been using the victim’s name and personal identifiers since at least 2000 and, since 1992, he had provided at least four other names when he was arrested by police and to apply for and receive driver’s licenses.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Jonathan Davidson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter, Benjamin Saltzman and James Herbert of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service together with Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

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

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

BOSTON – A Saugus woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud her elderly uncle of his life’s savings.

Jayne Carbone, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Carbone was also ordered to pay $493,279 in restitution and forfeiture. On Oct. 12, 2021, Carbone was convicted by a federal jury of four counts of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

Carbone was the caretaker for her uncle for over a decade from 2007 to 2018. Carbone systematically defrauded her uncle of $493,279, by using her uncle’s name and Social Security number to withdraw the funds from his bank accounts. To conceal the scheme, Carbone intercepted her uncle’s mail, removed his bank statements and then delivered him fake statements reflecting inflated balances. Once the scheme was uncovered, Carbone refused to return the funds and made various threats against her uncle and other family members.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Markham, James R. Drabick and Leslie Wright of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Providence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester in connection with drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl and heroin. 

Darwin J. Gonzalez Reyes a/k/a “España,” 36, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Sept. 29, 2021, Gonzalez Reyes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin, one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and heroin.

In June 2019, Gonzalez Reyes coordinated the delivery of 200 grams of fentanyl to an individual and, in August 2019, coordinated the delivery of another 300 grams of fentanyl and 40 grams of heroin to the same individual. Gonzalez Reyes directed another individual to make both deliveries on his behalf. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Worcester Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Providence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally possessing a firearm and selling cocaine.  

Khyron Thompson, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Dec. 13, 2021, Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

On Feb. 13, 2020, Thompson distributed cocaine and possessed a loaded .32 caliber Hi-Point pistol firearm with an obliterated serial number and six rounds of ammunition. Thompson is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple previous state convictions including assault and battery.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Gotlob and Kenneth G. Shine of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. 

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

BOSTON – A Norwich, Conn. man was sentenced today for illegal possession of ammunition.

Paul Marino, 57, formerly of New Bedford, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 21, 2021, Marino pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

On various dates in September 2019, Marino attempted to purchase a handgun and silencer from an undercover agent. During a search of Marino’s home in New Bedford on Sept. 26, 2019, agents seized three 9mm handgun magazines and 277 rounds of 9mm ammunition from a closet in Marino’s bedroom. The ammunition was in a FedEx box addressed to “Vincent Amoroso” in Rhode Island, bearing a return address in Tennessee. Counterfeit Virginia identification documents were also seized in the aliases of Vincent Amoroso and Christian Bennington, each of which bore Marino’s photograph, and an American Express card in the name of Christian Bennington.

Due to a prior federal conviction for wire fraud, Marino is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Additionally, after pleading guilty, Marino submitted several letters to the court that were purported to be from others in support of a lesser sentence for the defendant but were in fact altered and fraudulent – including letters with forged signatures and a letter purported to be from an individual who was deceased at the time.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The New Bedford Police Department provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Abely, Chief of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A California man has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to embezzling over $1.2 million from his employer over a 16-year period.

Darrell Pike, 56, of Hesperia, Calif., was charged and has agreed to plead guilty to one count of mail fraud. Pike will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date for a plea hearing that has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

According to the charging document, Pike was the general manager of an Ontario, Calif. subsidiary of a supply and service company based in Wilmington, Mass. From in or about 2005 to 2021, Pike allegedly prepared and submitted fraudulent invoices to his employer on behalf of a fake temporary staffing company, Consumer Information Systems (CIS), for staffing services CIS purportedly provided at his employer’s Ontario location. It is further alleged that Pike added approving initials of company personnel to the invoices without their knowledge or consent. Through the fraudulent invoices, Pike allegedly caused the company to pay approximately $1,271,206 to CIS, which he deposited into a bank account he controlled.

The charge of mail fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss. 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 Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of Rollins’ Securities & Financial 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 Brockton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for unlawfully possessing two trafficked handguns.

Tyrell Hampton, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to six months in prison and two years of supervised release. In February 2020, Hampton pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms.

In June 2019, investigators learned that Hampton was offering guns for sale on social media. An undercover officer posing as an interested buyer contacted Hampton on Facebook and arranged to buy two handguns. When negotiating the transaction, Hampton told the undercover officer that they should move fast because “they [the firearms offered for sale] go quick but I can always get more.” On June 27, 2019, Hampton sold a Taurus G2c 9mm Luger caliber pistol and a Glock 9mm Luger caliber pistol and 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition to the undercover officer for $2,200. Following Hampton’s arrest, investigators traced the two handguns to a trafficker who was sourcing cheap guns in Georgia and selling them in Massachusetts. The investigation revealed that Hampton met with the gun trafficker on approximately eight occasions and purchased approximately 14 firearms. Due to multiple previous felony offenses, including drug convictions and a prior firearms conviction, Hampton is prohibited from possessing guns and ammunition.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, New England Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Brockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Abely, Chief of Rollins’ Criminal Division, and Fred M. Wyshak III of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

Adriano Cortez, a/k/a, “A,” 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 121 months in prison and four years of supervised release. On Oct. 29, 2021, Cortez was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine.

In March 2015, Cortez was observed conducting a street-level drug deal in Weymouth. Law enforcement subsequently attempted to pull over Cortez’s vehicle, but he refused to stop his and instead, fled on foot, leaving the car at an intersection while still in the drive position, causing it to crash. Cortez was ultimately apprehended at which time he was found carrying numerous drugs including over 47 grams of cocaine, approximately 70 grams of heroin and approximately 73 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture. Cortez was arrested on state charges and placed on court-ordered location monitoring and later home detention in connection with this conduct.

Between September and November 2017, while still on court-ordered location monitoring and home detention, Cortez orchestrated approximately 10 drug deals with undercover officers. During this conspiracy, Cortez managed all aspects of the drug operation from his Dorchester residence. He informed undercover officers of the meeting location and payment amount for each drug sale and used couriers to deliver cocaine or fentanyl, or both, to the undercover officers. The couriers returned the cash proceeds to Cortez at his home after the deals.

On or about Nov. 21, 2017, Cortez cut off his court-ordered GPS monitor and fled Massachusetts. He was ultimately apprehended by law enforcement in Colorado.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long; and Weymouth Police Chief Richard Fuller made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah B. Hoefle and John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for the armed robbery of a grocery store in Boston’s North End.

Dante Mirabella, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 92 months in prison and four years of supervised release. On Nov. 2, 2021, Mirabella pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with commerce by robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Mirabella is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition due to prior felony convictions.

Mirabella robbed Bob’s Grocery Store on May 30, 2019, while brandishing a Hi-Point .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Prior to the robbery of the market, Mirabella committed two armed robberies of a parking lot attendant and a restaurant employee.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals, Inc., an affiliate of the Waltham-based Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (Thermo Fisher), has agreed to pay $25,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act, by improperly purchasing and distributing chemicals regulated by the Act. Thermo Fisher self-disclosed these violations to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

The Controlled Substances Act regulates the manufacturing, purchasing and distribution of certain chemicals that can be used to manufacture scheduled controlled substances. The Act allows only DEA registrants to engage in certain activities relative to listed chemicals and requires DEA registrants to, among other things, inform the DEA of sales of listed chemicals to foreign entities. These provisions are designed to ensure that only appropriate entities handle listed chemicals that can be used to manufacture scheduled controlled substances. 

Under the settlement agreement, Thermo Fisher acknowledges that it failed to file export declarations when distributing listed chemicals to foreign customers; distributed listed chemicals to a Thermo Fisher location that did not have appropriate DEA registrations; and purchased listed chemicals from suppliers that did not have appropriate DEA registrations.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Rollins’ Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the case.

BOSTON – A Stoneham Police Officer and his brother, an owner of an electrical contracting company, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly paying a Mass Save vendor company employee tens of thousands of dollars in weekly cash bribes, kickbacks and other in-kind benefits – including a John Deere tractor, a computer, home bathroom fixtures and free electrical work, among other things – in exchange for the procurement of over $36 million in Mass Save contracts with the vendor company.

Joseph Ponzo, 48, of Stoneham, and Christopher Ponzo, 47, of North Reading, were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and 12 counts of wire fraud. The defendants were arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at noon today.

According to the indictment, Joseph Ponzo, a full-time Stoneham Police Officer, and his brother, Christopher Ponzo, an owner of an electrical contracting company, conspired to bribe an associate employed by a Mass Save lead vendor company (Company A) in exchange for the associate’s assistance in procuring Mass Save contracts that netted the Ponzos millions of dollars in Mass Save contracts.

Specifically, from 2013 to 2017, the Ponzos allegedly paid the associate tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, kickbacks and other in-kind benefits. According to the indictment, from 2013 to 2017, Christopher Ponzo paid the associate $1,000 in cash on a weekly basis. At times, Christopher Ponzo allegedly paid the associate $5,000 to $10,000 in cash, telling the associate that the extra money was from Joseph Ponzo for his part in the bribery scheme.

In return for these payments, it is alleged that the associate, among other things: helped the Ponzos create companies; assisted in gaining approval for the companies to serve as Mass Save contractors for Company A; assisted in obtaining Mass Save projects for the Ponzo’s companies; and helped the Ponzo’s receive payments from Company A for completed projects. As a result of the scheme, Christopher Ponzo and Joseph Ponzo allegedly collected approximately $29 million and $7 million in fraudulently obtained Mass Save funds, respectively.

In one such instance, according to the indictment, the associate helped Joseph Ponzo set up a company, Air Tight, to do insulation work and get approved as a Company A contractor under the Mass Save program. Joseph Ponzo put his spouse’s name on Air Tight incorporation documents and contracting licenses in order to conceal his involvement in his corrupt side business. It is alleged Joseph Ponzo collected millions of funds under the Mass Save program through this contract, despite having no professional experience in residential insulation work.

“Virtually every Massachusetts resident who uses energy is surcharged and pays for Mass Save. These payments are mandatory and amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. Defrauding the Mass Save program for millions of dollars means we are all left paying the bill,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “As we allege, these defendants, motivated by greed, orchestrated a corrupt scheme to line their pockets with money fraudulently obtained from honest paying energy consumers. These bad actors allegedly took advantage of funds set aside for energy-efficiency projects for their own personal financial gain and, moreover, did so through illegal, preferential treatment. It is corruption at its core and will not be tolerated.”

“Every year, Massachusetts homeowners shell out hundreds of millions of dollars to fund energy conservation projects for consumers—and today we arrested Joseph and Christopher Ponzo for allegedly cheating them by paying a steady stream of bribes and kickbacks to an insider who steered contracts their way,” said Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston. “These brothers allegedly raked in millions of dollars and are now accused of going to great lengths to conceal their bold and brazen scheme. We have said this before, and it merits repeating. If you are a victim of, or witness to a public corruption scheme, it’s never too late to do the right thing. The FBI is here, we are doing our job, and we want to hear from you.”

“Mass Save is all about providing consumers, who qualify in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with low or no-cost energy-efficiency projects for their homes,” said Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston. “The fact that a member of law enforcement who pledged an oath to protect the community allegedly abused this program as a get-rich scheme is particularly reprehensible. Today’s indictment begins the path to ensuring integrity in this program and should serve as a clear warning to those who are attempting to defraud it.”

Massachusetts law requires utility companies to collect an energy efficiency surcharge on all Massachusetts energy consumers. These funds, which amount to hundreds of millions of dollars each year, are to be disbursed by the utility companies to fund energy efficiency programs and initiatives in Massachusetts. Mass Save is a Massachusetts public-private partnership sponsored by various gas and electric utility companies that disburses these energy efficiency funds by funding energy conservation projects for consumers. Under the Mass Save program, utility companies select lead vendors to approve and select contractors to perform energy improvement work for residential customers. This contracting work – performed at no-cost or reduced cost to the customer – is then paid for by the lead vendors with Mass Save funds.

The charges of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 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, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and IRS SAC Simpson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elysa Wan and Dustin Chao of Rollins’ Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A former U.S. Postal Service employee pleaded guilty today in Worcester to stealing packages in Gardner. 

Roberta Feliz, 33, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 19, 2022. Feliz was charged by an Information on Feb. 4, 2022.

Feliz was employed as Lead Sales and Services Associate with the Gardner Post Office. Between February and July 2020, Feliz stole over $90,000 in cash deposits that were mailed from a Tractor Supply Company to its bank. Feliz, who was scheduled to work on each day that a cash package was mailed, was observed on surveillance camera removing envelopes from the postal service floor into the employee locker area or the women’s restroom. In August 2020, Feliz was approached by law enforcement after she took a control package containing cash from the postal floor into an office, removed money from the envelope and hid it in an unused desk. Feliz admitted to stealing packages from the Tractor Supply Company and stated that she used the money to pay off debt and sent some to family overseas.

The charge of theft of mail by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. 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 Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A former Campus Police Dispatcher for Cape Cod Community College Police pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with making false statements in order to purchase two firearms which can only be purchased by law enforcement officers.

Justin F. Watson, 36, of Mashpee, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements during the purchase of firearms and one count of making false statements in a record. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2022. Watson was indicted along with girlfriend and co-defendant Angel Ecker in July 2019. Ecker has pleaded not guilty.

From March 2018 to February 2019, Watson was an Institutional Security Officer/Campus Police Dispatcher with the Cape Cod Community College Police. As such, Watson neither carried a weapon nor had the power to make arrests on campus.

Watson ordered a Glock pistol to be delivered to a firearms dealer on Cape Cod. On Aug. 26, 2018, Watson went to the firearms dealer to pick up the Glock, Model 22, GEN4, .40 caliber pistol. Before receiving the firearm, Watson provided his Cape Cod Community College identification card, which listed him as “Campus Police” and “Faculty/Staff,” to the manager and completed a Public Safety Purchase Form identifying himself as an Institutional Security Officer.

Watson called another firearms dealer and spoke with the store’s operator, who informed him that only law enforcement officers with the power to conduct arrests could purchase Glock Model 26 firearms. Watson said he was a police officer with authority to make arrests. On Nov. 17, 2018, Watson went to the firearms dealer with Ecker and spoke with a sales manager. Ecker allegedly told the sales manager that she was Watson’s boss and that Watson had authority to make arrests. Watson identified himself as a police officer to the sales manager and then purchased a Glock, Model 26, GEN4, 9mm pistol for $425. Watson completed a required ATF Form and affirmed that he was the actual buyer of the firearm. The form warned that, “If you are not the actual buyer, the dealer cannot transfer the firearm(s) to you.”

During the sale, Watson provided his Cape Cod Community College identification card and completed a certification letter indicating that he was purchasing the firearm for “on or off duty use” and not “for resale.” Watson also completed another certification form and listed himself as “Campus Police.”

It is further alleged that Watson then transferred the Glock Model 26 to Ecker on Dec. 19, 2018.

During an interview with law enforcement, Watson acknowledged that he used his Cape Cod Community College identification card when he purchased both Glock firearms. He stated he used that ID because he did not think he could purchase the firearms without it. He also acknowledged that if the firearms dealers had understood that he was not a police officer with arrest powers, they would not have sold him the firearms. Watson further stated that he knew that Ecker, a civilian, could not purchase a Glock Model 26 herself and that he purchased the firearm for her.

Straw purchases interfere with firearm regulation and recordkeeping, and federal law makes it a crime to knowingly make false statements to a firearms dealer in connection with the lawfulness of the sale. 

The charge of making false statements during the purchase of firearms provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making false statements in a record 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 and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. The Cape Cod Community College Campus Police, Barnstable Police Department and Mashpee Police Department provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption Unit and Philip C. Cheng of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

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 Florida man has been charged with allegedly trafficking two women to engage in commercial sex acts and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Angelo Dominic Lombardo, 27, was charged by criminal complaint with two counts of sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud and coercion and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Lombardo is currently in state custody in Massachusetts and will appear in federal court in Worcester before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy on May 4, 2022.

According to the charging document, Lombardo trafficked two victims to engage in commercial sex acts by coercing the victims psychologically, making false promises of a better life, and making explicit threats to one of the victims with a firearm.

It is alleged that Lombardo first met the victims in Oregon. Lombardo posted advertisements of each victim on various websites and arranged “dates” for the victims to have sex in exchange for money. Lombardo allegedly set the pricing for the commercial sex acts they engaged in, for which he collected most, if not all, of the profit.

In July 2021, Lombardo allegedly flew with the two victims from Portland, Ore., to Boston and allegedly arranged for the victims to engage in commercial sex at meeting spots he set up throughout the city and continued to collect most, if not all, of the profit.

According to the charging document, local law enforcement in Massachusetts met with the two victims. In the first victim’s interview with law enforcement, she alleged that Lombardo told her that she would have a better life and financial stability if she worked for him and expressed fear that Lombardo would retaliate if he knew she was speaking to the police. In a separate interview, the second victim advised law enforcement that she felt like a hostage and alleged that Lombardo would tell her she was better off dead. It is further alleged that prior to travelling from Oregon to Massachusetts, Lombardo threatened the second victim with a firearm because she did not return home from an arranged meeting with enough money. Lombardo allegedly put a gun to the victim’s head and made the victim go back out to make the full payment.

On July 12, 2021, following a traffic stop in Boston, Lombardo was arrested on state trafficking charges. At the time of his arrest, Lombardo had approximately $3,310 in his possession. A subsequent search of a hotel room in Revere associated with Lombardo allegedly resulted in the recovery of a firearm with a laser attached matching the descriptions provided by both victims, and a loaded large capacity magazine with 20 live rounds of ammunition. Due to prior felony convictions for possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver or sell and possession of over 20 grams of marijuana, Lombardo is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

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

The charge of sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, 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.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; Revere Police Chief David Callahan; and Arlington Police Chief Juliann Flaherty made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of Rollins’ Civil Rights Enforcement Team is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Texas man and an Arkansas woman were arrested today in connection with allegedly operating a money transmitting business that laundered the proceeds of online investment fraud schemes.

Charles Ochi, 27, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Danielle Liggins, 32, of Little Rock, Ark., were charged with one count of conspiracy to conduct an unlicensed money transmitting business. Ochi and Liggins were arrested this morning in the Northern District of Texas and the Western District of Arkansas, respectively, and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging document, Ochi met Liggins in Texas through a dating website and convinced Liggins to help him run a cryptocurrency company, even though Liggins did not know anything about cryptocurrency. It is alleged that Ochi and Liggins used two sham companies to transmit proceeds of Ponzi-style investment fraud schemes based in Nigeria. Specifically, the schemes purported to offer trading and Bitcoin investing services when, in fact, investor funds were stolen and later victims’ investments were used to pay purported returns to earlier investors. 

To conduct the scheme, Liggins allegedly opened bank accounts at Ochi’s direction and used sham businesses, Global Prime and Liggins Starflexx Commercial, to receive money from investing victims, which she either withdrew or mailed to individuals designated by Ochi using cashier’s checks. For each transaction, Ochi paid Liggins about $1,000. Liggins and Ochi allegedly transmitted fraud proceeds from at least three online investment fraud schemes, with victims in Massachusetts, California, Florida and Canada. Ochi and Liggins did not hold money transmitting licenses in Texas, nor were they registered as money transmitters as required by federal law.

The charge of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the laundered funds, 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; Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Division of Enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. 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 defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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

Juan Jimenez, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 15, 2022. Jimenez was charged in May 2021 and subsequently indicted in June 2021.

On multiple occasions in May 2021, Jimenez sold fentanyl to an undercover agent. Specifically, on May 12, 2021, Jimenez met the undercover officer at a parking lot in Sturbridge where he provided the agent with a package containing almost 50 grams of fentanyl. During the meeting, Jimenez expressed to the agent that he did not want to have “that much” on him and therefore intended to bring another individual to future meetings to handle transactions. On May 19, 2021, Jimenez drove himself and another individual to the same parking lot to meet with the undercover agent. There, Jimenez sent his accomplice to provide the agent with a package containing 50 grams of fentanyl. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, eight years of supervised release and a fine of up to $8 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; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson; and Sturbridge Police Chief Earl Dessert made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A former employee of the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) was sentenced yesterday for conspiring to misuse her position in an effort to obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds through fraudulent claims, including claims using identities she stole. 

Tiffany Pacheco, a/k/a Tiffany Tavery, 36, formerly of New Bedford, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $199,555 and forfeiture of $17,181. On Aug. 30, 2021, she pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Tiffany Pacheco was hired by the DUA in April 2020, shortly after her release from federal prison following a conviction for aggravated identity theft. While employed by DUA, Tiffany Pacheco abused her position and access to the PUA claim system to submit fraudulent claims using stolen identity information and to submit fraudulent PUA claim information on behalf of herself and her husband, Arthur Pacheco, who was incarcerated in Texas until Sept. 4, 2020, and thus ineligible for PUA funds. Tiffany Pacheco also induced a friend to continue her scheme after she was caught, charged and detained.

“Ms. Pacheco violated the public’s trust by egregiously abusing her position as a DUA employee to perpetrate a fraud scheme that stole personal information from innocent victims and stole money from hardworking taxpayers,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “COVID-related assistance is intended to help hardworking American workers most affected by the pandemic. To take from these funds is to take from those experiencing legitimate hardship and genuine need. Adding insult to injury, Ms. Pacheco’s job at DUA presented an opportunity for new beginnings following her previous felony conviction. However, she ruined that opportunity by engaging in criminal behavior and refusing to change. Now she will be held responsible.”

“Pacheco abused her privileged access to the personal information of Massachusetts residents seeking unemployment assistance. She stole identities and manipulated records in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance computer system in a scheme to enrich herself and her husband without regard for the lives of those whose identities were impacted or for the funds that should have gone to those in legitimate need,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ New England Field Office.

“Tiffany Pacheco, while employed at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), engaged in a scheme to defraud the Department of Unemployment Assistance by applying for and receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance that she was not entitled to, using her own identity, her husband's identity, and at least two stolen identities she accessed through DUA records. Pacheco abused her position at DUA by taking action on claims, including her husband's claim, to secure just under $200,000 in stolen benefits. The Office of Inspector General remains committed to protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program, particularly against those who attempt to use their positions of trust to enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

Tiffany Pacheco abused her employment-related access to DUA’s online PUA claim system to submit and make changes to claims for five individuals. For two of these claims, she used personal identifying information (PII) obtained by virtue of her job at DUA, while other claims used PII that she had obtained independently. Tiffany Pacheco also used her access to the PUA claim system to make unauthorized eligibility determinations to prompt the payment of benefits and to increase the amount of payments. The total loss associated with the fraudulent claims Tiffany Pacheco submitted using stolen PII is $159,922. 

In June 2020, PUA claims submitted for Tiffany Pacheco and her husband reflected 2019 income of $0 and no dependents. In July 2020, via her employment with DUA, Tiffany Pacheco obtained access to the PUA computer system, and later changed claim information for herself and Arthur Pacheco in order to increase the amount of PUA funds they would receive. For example, Tiffany Pacheco increased the amount of 2019 income for her and Arthur Pacheco to more than $240,000 and increased the number of their dependents to seven. Tiffany Pacheco further used her access to the PUA system to verify the increased 2019 income on both claims without the required income verification documents.

In November 2020, Arthur Pacheco called DUA and falsely denied that he had been incarcerated during the timeframe leading up to September 2020, and that he was only incarcerated for approximately one month. Tiffany Pacheco also spoke with DUA and misrepresented the period of time in which Arthur Pacheco had been incarcerated.

Additionally, Tiffany Pacheco instructed Donna Wasson – a friend who resided in Texas – to use the DUA customer portal to access PUA claims for two of the fraudulent claims Tiffany Pacheco had submitted using stolen PII. Tiffany Pacheco further instructed Wasson to pose as a claimant and directed Wasson to a Google Drive account that contained the images of driver’s licenses and other documents under certain stolen identities. As a result, Wasson accessed unemployment claims under multiple stolen identities to fraudulently obtain benefits to which she was not entitled.

In September 2020, a search of the New Bedford apartment where Tiffany and Arthur Pacheco resided uncovered various tools of identity fraud, including an ID laminator, 100 blank ID cards, 68 hologram overlays, 150 card lamination sheets and 649 sheets of blank checks. Law enforcement also seized approximately $17,000 cash and a notebook that contained the personal identifying information of various individuals. In addition, a driver’s license recovered during the search matched the name of a victim Tiffany Pacheco used to submit another fraudulent PUA claim. On Sept. 23, 2020, DUA terminated Tiffany Pacheco’s employment.

On Nov. 18, 2021, Arthur Pacheco was sentenced by Judge Talwani to one year in prison and three years of supervised release. Arthur Pacheco was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $7,491. On March 8, 2022, Wasson was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Wasson was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $5,437.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, HSI SAC Millhollin and DOL OIG SAC Mellone made the announcement today. The New Bedford Police Department, Massachusetts Parole Board and Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, Program Integrity Unit provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Abely, Chief of Rollins’ Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao, Chief of Rollins’ Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit, prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

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

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

BOSTON – A Worcester man pleaded guilty on Monday, April 25, 2022, to attempting to purchase a $56,000 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a counterfeit check.

David Hogan, 58, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 27, 2022. Hogan was charged on March 4, 2022.

On March 31, 2021, Hogan visited a car dealership in Newton, where he agreed to purchase a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon for $56,208. Hogan tendered a check from Charles Schwab bank in the amount of the purchase price, took possession of the Jeep and drove it off the lot. When the car dealership attempted to cash the check, the bank did not honor it because the bank account had been frozen. The dealership contacted Hogan and advised that the check was not valid.

On April 9, 2021, using the dealership’s electronic chat app, Hogan promised the dealership that he would wire the money to the bank. Hogan did not ultimately wire any funds and the vehicle was repossessed by the dealership. A subsequent investigation revealed that the Charles Schwab account was opened using a stolen identity. Hogan later admitted that the phony check he used when attempting to purchase the Jeep had been printed by Brandon Brouillard.

Brouillard was charged separately with two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in connection with using two victims’ identities to open bank accounts and attempting to purchase an $83,000 Chevrolet Camaro. Brouillard has since pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 13, 2022.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 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.

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. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston, Braintree, Natick, Newton, Norwood, Worcester and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Rollins’ Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Malden man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy in which he possessed over 150 grams of cocaine base and other controlled substances and conspired to possess firearms.

Phillips Charles, a/k/a “PHON C,” 22, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and other controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Sept. 7, 2022. According to the terms of the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of 78 months in prison.

While Charles was on pretrial release from Malden District Court and Middlesex Superior Court, and later serving a probation sentence, he continued to conspire with others involved in the conspiracy to distribute large quantities of controlled substances. Members of the conspiracy also possessed firearms, including multiple firearms with “selector switches” that convert firearms into machine guns, to protect the drug trafficking operation and target rival gang members. Charles remained on pretrial release until he was arrested and charged in state court with possessing a firearm in December 2020.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of conspiring to possess, use and carry firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy provides for a maximum penalty of life in prison because a machine gun was involved in the offense, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy: Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts States Police; and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis 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 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.

BOSTON – A Florida man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a scheme to defraud a Massachusetts-based company by falsifying invoices.

Brian Halpern, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to time served (one day in prison) and three years of supervised release with the first 18 months to be served in home confinement. Halpern was also ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $1,516,186 and restitution in the amount of $3,032,272. On Aug. 12, 2021, Halpern pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

Between approximately 1998 and March 2019, Halpern and others defrauded the uniform-supply company by causing the company to pay fake invoices for products that were not actually delivered, and by diverting other products that they re-sold for their own benefit. In addition, Halpern and his co-conspirators created a fake supply company and caused the uniform-supply company to pay more than $3 million in fraudulent invoices for purported products that he knew would never be delivered or used. 

Halpern is the third person to be sentenced in connection with the conspiracy. On Sept. 8, 2021, co-conspirator Richard Ritz was sentenced to 21 months in prison and two years of supervised release. On Oct. 12, 2021, co-conspirator Keith Smedley was sentenced to three years in prison and two years of supervised release. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Joseph Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian J. Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Sara Miron Bloom prosecuted the case. 

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

Dana Lamb, 57, of Roslindale, pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false document with the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal scheduled sentencing for June 30, 2022. Lamb was charged on April 7, 2022.

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 U.S. Individual Tax return for the that year. Lamb’s failure to report the gambling proceeds resulted in an additional tax due and owing for that year of $1,800.

The charge of filing a false document with the Internal Revenue Service provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000. 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; 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, is prosecuting the case.

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

Gino Romano, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 18, 2022, Romano pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Romano was charged in November 2020 after he was identified as a customer and distributor for a cocaine supplier who was charged in “Operation Snowfall” – a multi-year investigation into drug trafficking activities by Boston-based street gang members and associates. The investigation identified Romano on intercepted calls with the cocaine supplier during which he used coded language to negotiate pricing and a meeting location for a cocaine deal. At the designated location, Romano and the supplier met briefly in a vehicle before the supplier left the scene. A subsequent search of Romano’s vehicle recovered 125 grams of cocaine and the cellphone he had used to communicate with the supplier.

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.

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 of the Organized Crime & Gang 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 – A Springfield man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with his involvement in a scheme to launder the proceeds of various phone fraud scams. 

Utkarsh Thakur, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Sept. 14, 2022. Thakur was charged on March 29, 2022.

Between January and August 2021, Thakur’s co-conspirators called victims over the phone pretending to be individuals in positions of authority, such as law enforcement, and threaten the victims in order to obtain money. The victims were instructed to mail cash to fictitious individuals at addresses in Massachusetts. Thakur obtained fake identification cards in the names of those fictitious individuals, retrieved the cash mailed by the victims and transported the cash to others involved in the scheme. In total, Thakur laundered more than $1 million in victim funds and kept a portion of those funds for himself.

The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and forfeiture. 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 Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by many local law enforcement partners, including the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Bellingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston-based fentanyl and cocaine supplier was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

Jose Perez Felix, a/k/a “Eugenio Piedraita-Rivera,” “Roberto Patricio Ramirez,” “Grande,” 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 87 months in prison and four years of supervised release. On Sept. 29, 2021, Perez Felix pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone and marijuana and one count of distribution of heroin.

In 2018, federal and state law enforcement agents began investigating a violent Brockton drug crew headed by Djuna Goncalves. The investigation revealed that Goncalves and others distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana throughout Southeastern Massachusetts from a base of operations in Brockton. The investigation also identified Perez Felix as a Boston-based fentanyl and cocaine supplier for Goncalves and others. Intercepted communications from Perez Felix’s cellphone determined that he distributed large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from a base of operations in Boston throughout the greater Boston area and that Perez Felix routinely provided Djuna with supplier quantities of fentanyl (50 grams at a time).

On April 9, 2019, agents observed Perez Felix deliver heroin to a customer in Dorchester and subsequently seized 60 grams of a heroin-fentanyl mixture from the buyer. A search of Perez Felix’s residence in May 2019 resulted in the seizure of cellphones, materials commonly used to package drugs for street level sale, digital scales and a bag containing approximately 60 grams of a heroin-fentanyl mixture.

In all, 17 defendants, including Perez Felix, were indicted as part of a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy reaching from Boston to Brockton to Cape Cod. Perez Felix is the 14th defendant to be sentenced in the case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON – An alleged member of the Trinitarios street gang was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with trafficking firearms, ammunition, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine in the Greater Lawrence area.

Jose Omar Hernandez-Aragones, 24, of Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Nov. 30, 2021, Hernandez-Aragones pleaded guilty to four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm; one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine.

Hernandez-Aragones was indicted and arrested in November 2019 as part of a sweep targeting federal and state offenders, including members and associates of the Trinitarios street gang in the Greater Lawrence area.

Beginning in 2017, law enforcement conducted an investigation into the members, associates and suppliers of the Trinitarios operating in the Greater Lawrence area. The Trinitarios is a street gang originating in the New York area with increased presence in Lawrence and the surrounding communities. According to court documents, many Trinitarios members are involved in a broad range of illegal activities including, but not limited to, firearms and drug trafficking as well as violent crimes undertaken to protect the interests of the gang and its members.

During the investigation, Hernandez-Aragones sold 27 guns, ammunition, and approximately 27.5 grams of fentanyl/heroin, 83 grams of cocaine and 33 grams of cocaine base over the course of 14 controlled purchases between May and July 2018. This included two handguns and ammunition for $1,900 on May 16, 2018; a bulletproof vest, a loaded 9 mm handgun, a SKS rifle and a magazine containing ammunition for the rifle on June 4, 2018; two handguns and approximately 55.4 grams of a substance containing cocaine on July 3, 2018; as well as three guns, one of which was stolen, and approximately 8.7 grams of a substance containing crack cocaine on July 13, 2018. Hernandez-Aragones is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a 2016 conviction of assault that was punishable by more than one year in prison.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Field Division; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy P. Vasque made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mulcahy of Rollins’ Criminal Division 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 – A former eBay, Inc. executive pleaded guilty today in connection with his role in a cyberstalking campaign targeting the editor and publisher of a newsletter that eBay executives viewed as critical of the company.

James Baugh, 47, of San Jose, Calif., eBay’s former Senior Director of Safety & Security, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit stalking through interstate travel and through facilities of interstate commerce, two counts of stalking through interstate travel, two counts of stalking through facilities of interstate commerce, two counts of witness tampering and two counts of destruction, alteration and falsification of records in a federal investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 29, 2022.

In June 2020, Baugh was arrested and charged along with David Harville, eBay’s former Director of Global Resiliency. Co-conspirators and former eBay employees Philip Cooke, Brian Gilbert, Stephanie Popp, Veronica Zea and Stephanie Stockwell previously pleaded guilty. Cooke was sentenced in July 2021 to 18 months in prison. Gilbert, Popp, Zea and Stockwell are awaiting sentencing. Harville has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

According to court documents, between approximately Aug. 5, 2019 and Aug. 23, 2020, Baugh and his co-conspirators at eBay agreed to engage in a harassment campaign targeting a husband and wife in Natick, Mass. for of their roles in publishing a newsletter that reported on issues of interest to eBay sellers. Senior executives at eBay were frustrated with the newsletter’s tone and content, and with the tone and content of comments posted beneath the newsletter’s articles. The harassment campaign arose from communications between those executives and Baugh, who was eBay’s senior security employee. 

Baugh and his co-conspirators allegedly executed a three-part harassment campaign intended to intimidate the victims and to change the content of the newsletter’s reporting. The campaign included sending anonymous and disturbing deliveries to the victims’ home; sending private Twitter messages and public tweets criticizing the newsletter’s content and threatening to visit the victims in Natick; and traveling to Natick to surveil the victims and install a GPS tracking device on their car.

The deliveries ordered to the victims’ home included a book on surviving the death of a spouse, a bloody pig mask, a fetal pig, a funeral wreath and live insects. The harassment also featured Craigslist posts inviting the public for sexual encounters at the victims’ home.

The threatening Twitter messages were written as if they had been sent by eBay sellers who were unhappy with the victims’ coverage in the newsletter. Some of these messages posted the victims’ address and threatened to visit the victims at their home. 

On Aug. 15, 2019, Baugh and co-conspirators allegedly traveled from California to Natick to surveil the victims and to install a GPS tracking device on the victims’ car. The victims spotted the surveillance team and contacted local police. After learning of the police’s investigation, Baugh made false statements to police and internal investigators, deleted digital evidence related to the cyberstalking campaign and falsified records intended to throw the police off the trail.

The charges of conspiracy to commit stalking and stalking each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution.  The charges of witness tampering and destruction, alteration and fabrication of records in a federal investigation each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. The witness tampering charges also carry the potential for forfeiture. 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 Field Division; and Natick Chief of Police James G. Hicks made the announcement. eBay provided valuable assistance and cooperation with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto, Deputy Chief of Rollins’ Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in 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 owner of a used car dealership in Fall River pleaded guilty yesterday to money laundering.

Augustine Osemwegie, 54, of Milton, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Aug. 3, 2022.

Osemwegie used his car dealership, vehicle auctions and international car shipping to launder and transmit the proceeds of romance scams, pandemic unemployment fraud and other fraudulent schemes. Specifically, Osemwegie accepted fraud proceeds in cash from “customers,” took a percentage fee for laundering the funds and then used the remaining funds to purchase used vehicles at auto auctions, purportedly for the use of his customers. Osemwegie then shipped those vehicles abroad, principally to Nigeria, where they were sold for the benefit of Osemwegie’s customers.

In September 2020, during recorded calls and meetings with an undercover agent, Osemwegie agreed to accept fraud proceeds from the undercover agent and transfer them abroad, under the guise of purchasing a used luxury sedan. 

The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 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 and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Stearns of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Mexican national living in Lawrence was indicted yesterday on charges of trafficking fentanyl.

Jesus Gracielo Garcia-Vega, a/k/a Jonathan Ivan Badillo-Hernandez, 34, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Garcia-Vega was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 24, 2022, and has remained in custody since then.

According to charging documents, it is alleged that on March 23, 2022, Garcia-Vega gave a sample of fentanyl to a confidential source working with law enforcement. During that transaction, Garcia-Vega agreed to sell a kilogram of fentanyl the next day to the confidential source. On March 24, 2022, Garcia-Vega drove to the Premium Outlets in Wrentham with a kilogram of fentanyl inside a laundry bag, intending to sell it to the confidential source, but was stopped by police on I-495 in Westford and arrested.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl 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 up to $10 million. If convicted, Garcia-Vega is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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. Valuable assistance was provided by 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 documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Holyoke man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for distributing heroin and cocaine base (crack cocaine).

Ronny Authier, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In January 2022, Authier pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

On two occasions in September 2019, Authier distributed a total of approximately 12 grams of heroin to an undercover agent. On a third occasion in September 2019, Authier sold the agent approximately 24 grams of crack cocaine.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood; and Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A California man was arrested on Tuesday, April 20, 2022 and charged in federal court in Springfield, Mass. in connection with making threats against Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Jeremy David Hanson, 34, of Rossmoor, Calif., was charged by criminal complaint with one count of interstate communication of threats to commit violence. Hanson was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in the Central District of California. Hanson will appear before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson in federal court in Springfield on April 29, 2022.

“Hate-filled threats and intimidations have no place in our society,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “We believe Hanson sent a multitude of anonymous threatening and despicable messages related to the LGBTQ community that were intended to evoke fear and division. My office and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate threats against members of our communities, no matter what corner of the internet they’re sent from. Perpetrators will be identified, arrested, and held accountable in federal court.”

“Jeremy Hanson is accused of making hate-fueled threats of violence that crossed a line,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Everyone has a right to express their opinion, but repeatedly threatening to kill people, as has been alleged, takes it to a new level. We are always going to pursue individuals who try to intimidate and isolate members of our community by inciting violent, hateful acts. Threats to life are most certainly not protected speech and they cause real fear in victims. Rest assured, the FBI will do everything we can to bring to justice anyone who commits these criminal acts.”

According to the criminal complaint, between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8, 2021, Springfield-based Merriam-Webster, Inc. received various threatening messages and comments demonstrating bias against specific gender identities submitted through its website’s “Contact Us” page and in the comments section on its webpages that corresponded to the word entries for “Girl” and “Woman.” Authorities later identified the user as Hanson. As a result of the threats, Merriam-Webster closed its offices in Springfield and New York City for approximately five business days.

Specifically, it is alleged that on Oct. 2, 2021, Hanson used the handle “@anonYmous” to post the following comment on the dictionary’s website definition of “female”: “It is absolutely sickening that Merriam-Webster now tells blatant lies and promotes anti-science propaganda. There is no such thing as ‘gender identity.’ The imbecile who wrote this entry should be hunted down and shot.”

Hanson also allegedly sent the following threatening message via the website’s “Contact Us” page: “You [sic] headquarters should be shot up and bombed. It is sickening that you have caved to the cultural Marxist, anti-science tranny [sic] agenda and altered the definition of ‘female’ as part of the Left’s efforts to corrupt and degrade the English language and deny reality. You evil Marxists should all be killed. It would be poetic justice to have someone storm your offices and shoot up the place, leaving none of you commies alive.”

It is further alleged that on Oct. 8, 2021, Hanson posted another threatening comment on the dictionary’s website and a threatening message via the “Contact Us” page that threatened to “bomb your offices for lying and creating fake…”. 

The investigation identified numerous related threats, including to the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Land O’ Lakes, Hasbro, Inc., IGN Entertainment, the President of the University of North Texas, two professors at Loyola Marymount University and a New York City rabbi.

Individuals or entities who believe they may be victims of this crime should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 888-221-6023.

The charge of interstate transmission of communications to injure the person of another provides for a sentence of up to five 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.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and FBI SAC Bonavolonta made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office 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 Springfield man with known ties to organized crime was sentenced yesterday for being a felon in possession of ammunition.

David Cecchetelli, 54, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to time served (approximately 62 days in prison) and one year of supervised release to be served in home confinement with electronic monitoring. In December 2021, Cecchetelli pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

During a search of Cecchetelli’s residence on Dec. 5, 2019, law enforcement found a gun and ammunition in Cecchetelli’s bedroom. The ammunition was concealed under his mattress.  Cecchetelli is a known associate of the Genovese LCN in Springfield and was previously convicted of bookmaking with the underboss of the Springfield LCN in 2005. Due to his prior conviction, Cecchetelli is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A tobacco wholesaler from Connecticut has pleaded guilty to violating the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act.

Syed I. Bokhari, 57, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in federal court in Springfield before U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni who scheduled sentencing for July 28, 2022. Bokhari was indicted in October 2014, and subsequently charged in a superseding indictment in December 2015. 

Established in 2010, the PACT Act is designed to prevent the evasion of state tobacco taxes on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. The PACT Act requires, among other things, businesses to file a statement with the state tobacco tax administrator prior to shipping cigarettes or smokeless tobacco into that state.

Bokhari owned and operated a wholesale supply business in Scranton, Pa., that sold smokeless tobacco to customers in Massachusetts. Between 2010 and June 5, 2012, Bokhari’s business shipped smokeless tobacco to customers in Massachusetts without ever filing the required statement with the Massachusetts tobacco tax administrator.

“By circumventing the law, Mr. Bokhari sold smokeless tobacco directly to consumers thereby cheating on his tax obligations,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Whether it is through underreporting taxable income or secreting taxable products to customers, tax fraud is a crime that we will continue to investigate – plain and simple.”

“The Department of Revenue’s partnerships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations make it clear that we will pursue those who violate both federal and Massachusetts tax laws,” said Massachusetts Department of Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey E. Snyder. “The Department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau remains committed to working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to combat the illegal tobacco trade and recover lost revenue on behalf of Massachusetts taxpayers.”

“When unscrupulous tobacco wholesalers skirt their tax obligations, it puts competitors at an unfair disadvantage in the marketplace,” said Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, Boston Office. “As the investigative arm of the IRS, IRS-CI special agents are a critical force multiplier with our partners in these investigations which focus on ensuring a level playing field for law-abiding tobacco businesses.”  

“This guilty plea should send a clear message that the illegal diversion of tobacco products will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson of the ATF Boston Field Division. “ATF will continue to work alongside our partners to investigate incidents of illegal conduct and tax evasion of tobacco products.”

“As a wholesaler, Bokhari imported large quantities of tobacco to Massachusetts without paying the appropriate taxes, diverting significant revenue that belongs to the state. HSI is proud to support our law enforcement partners in this investigation,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office.

The charge of violating the PACT Act provides for a sentence of up to three 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, ATF SAC Ferguson, IRS-CI SAC Simpson, HSI SAC Millhollin, Massachusetts DOR Commissioner Snyder and Connecticut Department of Revenue Service Commissioner Mark D. Boughton made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex J. Grant and Christopher Morgan of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – The Superintendent of the Chicopee Public Schools has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of making false statements in connection with sending 99 threatening messages to a candidate for Chicopee Police Chief.

Lynn Clark, 51, of Belchertown, was indicted today on two counts of making false statements. She will appear in federal court in Springfield on April 27, 2022. Clark was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on April 6, 2022.

According to the charging documents, in December 2021, the City of Chicopee was in the process of hiring a new Police Chief. On Dec. 3, 2021, law enforcement received a report that a candidate for the position was receiving threats intended to force the victim to withdraw their application for Chicopee Police Chief. In November 2021, after submitting their application for Police Chief, the victim allegedly received numerous text messages from unknown numbers containing threats to expose information that would cause the victim reputational harm. As a result, the victim withdrew their application and the City delayed the selection process.

The investigation revealed that a total of approximately 99 threatening messages were sent from fictitious phone numbers purchased through a mobile app. Phone and internet records revealed that these numbers were allegedly purchased by Clark and that these accounts allegedly sent each of the threatening messages.

According to the charging documents, on or about Dec. 6, 2021, Clark falsely stated to federal agents that she received threatening text messages from unknown phone numbers, when, in fact she sent the messages to herself. On or about Feb. 7, 2022, it is alleged that Clark again falsely stated that she did not know who sent the messages in addition to denying that she had downloaded a mobile app with which she purchased the fictitious phone numbers to send the messages. It is further alleged that Clark later admitted that she did indeed send the messages and downloaded the app.

The charges of making false statements each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to one of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000. 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 and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

“After six delays, today’s order from the First Circuit declares what so many have longed to hear in the case against former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia – he will begin his prison sentence in the coming days. Although we cannot erase the impact Jasiel Correia’s conduct and subsequent legal battle has had on the City and constituents he swore to honestly serve, this ruling marks the next step in bringing justice to the people of Fall River and the many others who fell victim to his corruption.”

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Jose Martinez, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Sterns to 66 months in prison and four years of supervised release. On Aug. 31, 2021, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Martinez was charged as part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley dubbed “Operation Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.

In the spring of 2019, federal agents began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in the Lawrence area. Between April and June 2019, federal agents made five controlled purchases of fentanyl from the DTO. Each purchase took place near Martinez’s residence and the fentanyl was delivered by Martinez’s co-defendant, Ronyel Pena. Immediately following the transactions, Pena was observed going directly to Martinez’s home.

Following a controlled purchase in June 2019, agents arrested Pena and approached Martinez’s residence. After knocking and hearing movement inside, agents forced entry out of concern for potential destruction of evidence. As agents entered, Martinez attempted to flee out of a window but was detained at the perimeter of the property. A search of the home revealed a loaded Kel Tec .566 semi-automatic rifle caliber pistol, a Glock 26 handgun, as well as additional ammunition, a bullet proof vest, an attachment for a firearm and gun oil. Law enforcement also found two large plastic bags containing empty capsules, a tray to fill pill capsules, several wet plastic bags in the trash can that contained a white residue, a bottle of lactose and several plastic bags, a digital scale, a money counter, a large quantity of cash and multiple cellphones. In the bathroom, agents found hundreds of empty green pill capsules and a smashed cell phone in the sink and observed that the toilet water was green, similar in color to the pill capsule – indicating that Martinez had destroyed evidence by flushing fentanyl down the toilet and smashing cell phones.

In May 2021, Pena was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and four years of supervised release.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. The Massachusetts State Police and the Lawrence Police Department assisted in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former Assistant Chief Probation Officer for Lynn District Court was convicted by a federal jury today of child exploitation offenses.

Brian Orlandella, 49, of Beverly, was convicted following a six-day jury trial of one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of transfer of obscene material to a minor. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for Aug. 5, 2022. Orlandella was arrested and charged in December 2018 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2019.

In May 2018, a mother in Texas contacted local police about messages she found on her 13-year-old daughter’s cell phone between her daughter and an adult man, later identified as Orlandella. In the messages, sent via the Kik mobile application, Orlandella sent the victim images of himself masturbating and directed her to send him sexually explicit pictures and videos of herself. The victim told him she was 14-years-old and he acknowledged that he was much older than she was. 

The Kik account’s IP address was traced to Orlandella’s residence. During a search of his residence, two of Orlandella’s phones were seized, one of which contained evidence tying Orlandella to the Kik account that was used to procure sexually explicit imagery from the victim. During an on-site interview at his home, Orlandella admitted that he had used Kik and was the person depicted in the obscene videos recovered from the victim’s phone. 

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 a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transfer of obscene material to a minor provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $150,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Port Neches (Texas) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anne Paruti, Chief of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit and Adam W. Deitch, also of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit 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 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

BOSTON – A former associate of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings), and owner of multiple apartment buildings utilized by the Latin Kings, commonly referred to as “trap houses,” pleaded guilty yesterday to racketeering and drug charges.

Robert Avitabile, a/k/a “Bobby,” 41, 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 cocaine and cocaine base (crack cocaine). U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Aug. 10, 2022.

The Latin Kings in New Bedford ran a vast cocaine base distribution network that used multi-unit apartment buildings known as “trap houses” to distribute narcotics. Members of the Latin Kings dealt drugs in the trap houses, obtaining their supply of crack cocaine from the Chapter leader, Jorge Rodriguez, a/k/a “King G.” As detailed in court filings in the case, evidence developed during the investigation included multiple recordings of Rodriguez cooking crack cocaine at the trap houses, directing violence against rival gang members, meting out discipline and handling firearms used to protect the Latin Kings’ drug distribution network.

Avitabile owned multiple apartment buildings in New Bedford referred to as a “trap houses” and rented them to the Latin Kings, knowing that they would be used by the gang as locations where drugs would be dealt, and otherwise serve as centers of power for the gang. Despite the fact that police searched the rental units controlled by the Latin Kings dozens of times, Avitabile continued to rent the units to the gang. Court documents also described recordings and interceptions made of Avitabile coordinating with Jorge Rodriguez on arrangements including payment of rent by Latin Kings members, placement of Latin Kings members in certain apartment units and investment of Rodriguez’s drug proceeds into real estate.

Avitabile rented the apartment units to Latin Kings members, knowing that they would be used to sell, store and manufacture drugs. Through Avitabile’s association with the Latin Kings and Rodriguez, the Latin Kings used the apartment buildings to facilitate their campaign of street violence, drug dealing and otherwise control the neighborhood.

Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Avitabile has agreed to forfeit proceeds from the sale of three apartment buildings in New Bedford, which were historically used by the Latin Kings.

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. Avitabile is the 57th 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. Depending on the drug quantity, the drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years, 40 years  or life in prison; a minimum of three, four or five years of supervised release; and fines of $1 million, $5 million and $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.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts; 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 Joseph C. Cordeiro 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 the 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 owner of a warehousing company for the shipping industry was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in the college admissions case. 

I-Hsin “Joey” Chen, 67, of Newport Beach, Calif., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to nine weeks in prison, one year of supervised release, 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $75,000. On Dec. 15, 2021, Chen pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud.

Chen conspired with William “Rick” Singer and others to defraud ACT, Inc. by agreeing to cheat on his son’s ACT exam. Specifically, in early 2018, after hiring Singer as a college counselor for his son and agreeing to the testing scheme, Chen got approval for his son to receive multiple day testing accommodations through his son’s high school counselor. Such accommodations allowed for his son’s testing location to be moved to a testing center in West Hollywood that Singer “controlled” through bribes to Igor Dvorskiy, a corrupt test administrator. There, Dvorskiy allowed Mark Riddell, a corrupt test “proctor,” to secretly correct Chen’s son’s ACT exam answers to obtain a fraudulently inflated score. In exchange, Chen paid Singer $75,000 disguised as a business consulting fee paid by Chen’s company to Singer’s for-profit business, The Key.

On April 8, 2022, Riddell was sentenced to four months in prison and two years of supervised release. Riddell was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and forfeit $239,449. Singer and Dvorskiy previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Chen is the 35th parent to be sentenced in the college admissions case.   

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’s Eastern Regional Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen E. Frank, Kristen A. Kearney, Ian J. Stearns and Leslie Wright of Rollins’ Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A supervisor of a Boston-area drug trafficking organization (DTO) pleaded guilty today to his role in a cocaine and cocaine base (crack cocaine) trafficking conspiracy.

Arthur Hodges, 36, formerly of Brighton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 10, 2022. 

Hodges was charged with 23 others in June 2020 as part of Operation Snowfall, which ultimately resulted in charges against two different drug trafficking conspiracies from November 2018 and June 2020.

According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement investigated a DTO for which Hodges was both a supervisor and 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 they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs – most of which was cocaine or crack cocaine – which the DTO supplied to customers, wholesalers and distributors. As a result, the DTO caused a blight on the development and reduced the quality of life for 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.

Hodges oversaw a number of the Fidelis Way-related DTO members who were responsible for the packaging, selling, storing and distribution of drugs to, or collection of proceeds from, drug customers, drug runners, or other drug distributors and suppliers. Hodges distributed between approximately 280 and 840 grams of crack cocaine during the course of his participation in the Fidelis Way DTO.

Hodges is the third defendant to plead guilty in the Fidelis Way-related drug conspiracy. The remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting 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.