District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – An associate and co-conspirator of the recently convicted former Mayor of Fall River, Jasiel F. Correia II, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for extortion and lying to federal agents about his role in assisting Correia to obtain money and property from local marijuana vendors.

Hildegar Camara, 60, of Fall River, who testified during Correia’s trial, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to three years of probation, including 18 months of home confinement, and 150 hours of community service per year. In September 2019, Camara pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion conspiracy, two counts of extortion and two counts of false statements.

Camara conspired with Correia and others to obtain cash bribes and other payments from local marijuana vendors in exchange for non-opposition letters and community host agreements. Correia, as Mayor, was solely responsible for approving all non-opposition letters in Fall River. Camara facilitated the bribe payments between two marijuana vendors and Correia in return for non-opposition letters.

On May 14, 2021, Correia was convicted by a federal jury of nine counts of wire fraud, four counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of extortion conspiracy and four counts of extortion. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 20, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Glenn A. Cunha, Massachusetts Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Hafer and David Tobin of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Worcester psychiatrist was arrested yesterday on charges that he illegally prescribed controlled substances to patients and submitted false reimbursement claims to defraud the Medicare program.

Mohamad Och, 65, was indicted on eight counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and two counts of health care fraud. Och was released on conditions following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy in federal court in Worcester.

Och was a licensed psychiatrist who owned and operated Island Counseling Center (ICC), in Worcester, Mass., and has practiced psychiatry elsewhere in Massachusetts including Nantucket. Among other services, Och was authorized to prescribe Schedule II-IV controlled substances to patients.

According to the charging documents, Och repeatedly prescribed a combination of benzodiazepines and stimulants to patients without a legitimate medical purpose. Specifically, it is alleged that on at least numerous occasions between August 2016 and March 2017, Och knowingly issued prescriptions for Adderall (a Schedule II controlled substance) in combination with Xanax or Klonopin (both of which are Schedule IV controlled substances) to patients outside the usual course of professional practice.

It is also alleged that between approximately January 2016 and July 2017, Och engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare by submitting or causing to be submitted false and fraudulent claims in connection with office visits in order to obtain greater reimbursements than he was entitled to receive based on the services actually provided. 

The charge of illegal prescription of a Schedule II controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million.  The charge of illegal prescription of a Schedule IV controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of health care fraud conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Regional Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced yesterday for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy.

Victor Alejandro-Carrillo, 26, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On March 15, 2021, Alejandro-Carrillo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

In December 2019, Alejandro-Carrillo was charged along with 12 co-defendants with various drug trafficking offenses.

From at least June 2017 through December 2019, it is alleged that Alejandro-Carrillo was involved in a cocaine distribution conspiracy in which he agreed with others to receive parcels containing cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts. Upon receipt of the parcels, Alejandro-Carrillo arranged to deliver the cocaine to co-conspirators. Investigators intercepted a number of communications between the defendant and co-conspirators in furtherance of that conspiracy and seized multiple parcels containing kilograms of cocaine. In total, Alejandro-Carrillo possessed and conspired to distribute at least 17.9 kilograms of cocaine.    

In addition, from at least February 2019 through December 2019, Alejandro-Carrillo was allegedly involved in another cocaine distribution conspiracy. As a part of that conspiracy, Alejandro-Carrillo communicated with co-conspirators to purchase varying quantities of cocaine on multiple occasions for re-distribution. In addition, from approximately February 2019 through April 2019, Alejandro-Carrillo was involved in a conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Investigators intercepted communications with respect to both of those conspiracies.

Alejandro-Carrillo is the second defendant to be sentenced. One additional defendant has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The remaining 10 defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

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

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 Lawrence man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to cocaine distribution charges. 

Anthony Rafael Corcino, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19, 2021. Corcino was charged in October 2020.

On or about May 19, 2020, Corcino sought to obtain a parcel shipped to a business in Wilmington, which was subsequently found to contain 23 kilograms of cocaine. After initially failing to obtain the drugs, Corcino had multiple communications with an undercover agent in which he attempted to obtain the parcel. According to court documents, the value of 23 kilograms of cocaine is well over $500,000.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of attempted possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Wilmington Police Chief Joseph Desmond made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Guatemalan national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegal reentry after deportation.

Franklin Vasquez Ramirez, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to five months in prison and three years of supervised release. Ramirez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. Earlier in the hearing, Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Ramirez was indicted on June 9, 2021.

In December 2020, law enforcement encountered Ramirez in Ashland and determined him to be illegally present in the United States. Ramirez was previously deported in November 2010.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; 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 Benjamin A. Saltzman of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former New Bedford Police Department (NBPD) officer and NBPD Union Treasurer has agreed to plead guilty to stealing nearly $50,000 in union funds.

Joshua Fernandes, 42, of New Bedford, was charged with one count of wire fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled.

According to the charging documents, Fernandes abused the trust placed in him by fellow union members by using nearly $50,000 in union funds to pay for personal expenses including vacations, family outings, and a monthly wireless family phone plan, among other things. Fernandes carried out his scheme by reimbursing his personal credit card accounts with union funds and by using the union’s credit cards to pay directly for non-union expenses.

The charging statute provides 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Jonathan Russo, District Director of U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with misusing another individual’s Social Security number to receive housing and unemployment benefits. 

Ramon Hiciano, 59, formerly of Roxbury, pleaded guilty to false representation of a Social Security number and theft of government money. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Oct. 7, 2021. Hiciano was charged in October 2020.

Between January 2016 and August 2020, Hiciano used the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen to apply for and receive MassHealth benefits and Section 8 housing assistance. Specifically, Hiciano fraudulently received over $58,000 in federally-funded MassHealth benefits and approximately $20,780 in Section 8 housing assistance benefits over the four-year period. He also used the stolen identity to receive $5,736 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits. 

The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Jermaine Jack, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Regional Office; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

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

BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty yesterday to fentanyl distribution charges.

Luis Aybar-Guerrero, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Nov. 18, 2021. In August 2020, Aybar-Guerrero was indicted along with co-conspirator Guillermo Aybar-Guerrero.

According to charging documents, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Guillermo on June 10 and 17, 2020. On June 25, 2020, investigators set up a third controlled purchase, at which time Guillermo was arrested in possession of approximately 30 grams of suspected fentanyl. It is alleged that Guillermo retrieved these 30 grams of fentanyl from his brother, Luis. A search of Luis’ residence resulted in the seizure of an additional 263 grams of fentanyl as well as a scale, baggies and other drug-distribution paraphernalia.

A plea hearing for Guillermo scheduled for July 27, 2021.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. 

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

BOSTON – A Lawrence woman pleaded guilty today in connection with her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19-related unemployment assistance.

Raquel Pena, 40, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Nov. 4, 2021. Pena was charged by criminal complaint on April 1, 2021.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) created a temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). PUA, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, provides unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits (e.g., the self-employed, independent contractors or gig economy workers). Pena and others conspired to file fraudulent claims for PUA using others’ personally identifiable information. Pena recruited acquaintances to receive the proceeds of the fraudulent claims into their bank accounts, withdraw all or a portion of those funds and give the cash to Pena. The investigation connected Pena and her co-conspirators to more than $360,000 in unemployment claims between May 2020 and March 2021. 

The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud 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 $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentenced imposed, 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolanta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement today. The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance provided assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Markham of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

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

BOSTON – A Pittsfield man was found guilty by a federal jury in Springfield yesterday in connection with firearm and drug trafficking offenses.

Elvins Sylvestre, 43, was convicted following a three-day trial of possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking felony. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 19, 2021.

Evidence at trial established that in November 2019, Sylvestre was found in possession of heroin and cocaine along with a handgun and over 40 rounds of ammunition. Federal law prohibits Sylvestre from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.

The charges provide for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Fall River man was sentenced today in connection with a cocaine distribution conspiracy.

Alexander Santiago Medina, a/k/a “Flaco,” 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas L. Woodlock to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. On March 9, 2021, Santiago Medina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

From at least February 2019 through December 2019, Santiago Medina was involved in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Investigators intercepted a number of communications between Santiago Medina and co-conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy, including communications on June 17, 2019, in which Santiago Medina and various co-conspirators agreed to distribute two kilograms of cocaine or more. Later that day, investigators seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine from one of Santiago Medina’s co-conspirators. After Santiago Medina was arrested on Dec. 5, 2019, investigators searched a storage unit used by Santiago Medina and found a firearm and approximately 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. 

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspector Service, Boston Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

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

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 – An Upton man was arrested and charged today in federal court in Worcester for possessing child pornography.

Matthew Stefanelli, 31, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography. Following an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessey this afternoon, Stefanelli was detained pending a detention hearing set for July 19, 2021.

According to the charging documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, agents seized several electronic devices from Stefanelli’s residence. A forensic review of the devices revealed images of child pornography saved in an encrypted application designed to appear as a calculator.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Upton Police Chief Michael J. Bradley Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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

BOSTON – A Dominican national previously residing in Dorchester was sentenced today for distributing fentanyl.

Snolbert Ramirez-Sandoval, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to two years in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 3, 2021, Sandoval pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl and two counts of employment or use of persons under 18 years of age in drug operations.

Sandoval sold fentanyl on July 26, 2018, by directing the buyer to go to an apartment in Roslindale. The sole occupants were two young boys (one between 10-and-14-years-old and the other between 2-and-6-years-old). The older boy led the buyer to the room in which Ramirez-Sandoval had left the fentanyl. The buyer made payment for the substance and left. On Aug. 2, 2018, the buyer returned to the Roslindale apartment to purchase additional fentanyl from Ramirez-Sandoval who told the buyer by phone that he was not yet there, but the kids were upstairs and instructed the buyer to ring the buzzer. The buyer was greeted by the same two children. Approximately 20 minutes later, Ramirez-Sandoval and another individual arrived at the apartment and sold the buyer the fentanyl.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced today for his role in distributing fentanyl throughout southeastern Massachusetts.

Eric Marques, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. On March 25, 2021, Marques pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more fentanyl.

In 2019 and 2020, law enforcement conducted an investigation into fentanyl traffickers operating in southeastern Massachusetts. A cooperating witness and undercover police officer purchased a total of 180 grams of fentanyl and 260 pressed fentanyl pills from Marques. Marques was arrested on March 16, 2020. A search of residences tied to Marques in Brockton and Bridgewater resulted in the seizure of $10,700 in cash, bags of fentanyl, a digital scale and other drug packaging materials.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; East Bridgewater Police Chief Paul O’Brien; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON – A Dominican national was arrested today and charged with fraudulently using someone else’s Social Security number.

Angel Manuel German Familia, 38, who previously resided in North Andover, was charged with one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft. Following an initial appearance before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley, German Familia was detained pending a detention hearing.

According to the charging documents, in 2016, German Familia fraudulently applied to renew a driver’s license at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a United States citizen. German Familia also allegedly applied for MassHealth benefits and opened bank accounts in the victim’s name. It is alleged that German Familia was using the stolen identity since as early as 2009 and had submitted a Social Security card and birth certificate in the victim’s name in a previous RMV application.

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.

The charge of false representation of a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of at least two years in prison to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, up to 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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 Field Division; and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and the North Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak III, of Mendell’s Criminal Division, is prosecuting the case.

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

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

Carlos Antunes, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 65 months in prison and four years of supervised release. On March 11, 2021, Antunes pleaded guilty to two counts of a multi-count indictment charging him with 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 possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, in the fall of 2018, law enforcement agents began investigating a Brockton drug crew headed by Djuna Goncalves. The investigation revealed that Goncalves worked with Antunes and others to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, heroin and marijuana throughout southeastern Massachusetts. Agents intercepted telephone calls and observed meetings between Goncalves and Antunes where Antunes ordered fentanyl from Goncalves. On Oct. 12, 2018, agents seized fentanyl from a customer of Antunes shortly after Goncalves and Antunes delivered the fentanyl to him.

Antunes and Goncalves were indicted along with 15 others in a wide-ranging drug conspiracy that included members of Goncalves’s Brockton crew and several Boston-based drug traffickers who supplied Goncalves with controlled substances. Of the 17 defendants named in the indictment, 11, including Antunes, have pleaded guilty. Antunes is the ninth defendant to be sentenced in 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.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Alathea Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

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

BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl throughout southeastern Massachusetts.

Filomeno Monteiro, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28, 2021.

According to court records, in 2019 and 2020, law enforcement conducted an investigation into fentanyl traffickers operating in southeastern Massachusetts. In December 2019, Monteiro worked with co-defendant Christian Collins to distribute 20 grams of fentanyl to a cooperating witness and undercover police officer at a location in Plympton. At the time of the offense, Monteiro was on probation for a prior Plymouth Superior Court conviction for kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. Monteiro was previously convicted twice in state court of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Collins pleaded guilty on June 23, 2021 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28, 2021.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; East Bridgewater Police Chief Paul O’Brien; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Leicester woman and man were charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Worcester in connection with their alleged involvement in a pandemic unemployment fraud scheme.

The superseding indictment added one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud against Destinee Snay, 19, who was arrested today. In April 2021 co-defendant William Cordor, 26, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Cordor was previously arrested by criminal complaint.

According to the indictment, from about June 2020 to about October 2020, Cordor and Snay conspired with others to file false and fraudulent claims for unemployment assistance in multiple states, including Nevada, using stolen identities and transfer the payments into prepaid debit card accounts they obtained. It is alleged that on Aug. 18, 2020, Cordor was encountered by police in connection with a domestic violence incident and found in possession of approximately 21 prepaid debit cards in approximately 13 different names. In addition, evidence related to this scheme was allegedly found on Cordor’s computer and cell phone.

Cordor also allegedly engaged with others in a second wire fraud scheme that involved using stolen identities to fraudulently apply for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster loans from the SBA and similarly deposited the loans into prepaid debit card accounts.

Charging documents allege that in May 2020 Cordor admitted to federal agents that he had fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  That same day, Cordor agreed to surrender to federal authorities the balance of $79,000 in his bank account that were proceeds of his unemployment fraud scheme in Massachusetts. This occurred before Cordor is alleged to have filed the fraudulent unemployment claim with Nevada in July 2020.

The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison in addition to any other sentenced imposed, up to 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Michael Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations; and Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the case was provided by the Leicester and Marlboro Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

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

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

BOSTON – An Attleboro man was sentenced today for receipt and possession of child pornography.

Garry Bienvenue, 59, of Attleboro, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor to 10 years and one month in prison and five years of supervised release. On March 10, 2021, Bienvenue pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

Law enforcement learned that an internet user at Bienvenue’s Attleboro home had solicited and received child pornography from children over the internet using the Snapchat messaging application, including through the video chat feature. A search of the home resulted in the seizure of Bienvenue’s smartphone, which was found to contain child pornography videos that had been received through Snapchat, including one depicting the rape of a child as young as 3-5 years old. The investigation also revealed that Bienvenue had used a phone application to solicit and pay individuals in the Philippines to force children to participate in naked video chats with him and watch him engage in sexual conduct.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Attleboro Police Chief Kyle P. Heagney made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

BOSTON – A Revere man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Jassiel Ramirez, 25, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. In February 2020, Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Between September and October 2018, Ramirez engaged in four separate drug sales of fentanyl to a cooperating witness. Those sales totaled approximately 110 grams of fentanyl. 

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Salem Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former Leader of the Massachusetts Department of Correction Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced yesterday on racketeering charges.

Frutuoso Barros, a/k/a “King Fruity,” 40, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 126 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Feb. 17, 2021, Barros pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.

In February 2020, Barros and other gang members conspired to murder two members of the Latin Kings active in the area of Lynn, Mass., who were believed to be “renegade” and not following directives issued by the gang’s national leadership in Chicago. In 2015, Barros was convicted in Essex County Superior Court for these crimes and sentenced to state prison. While he was substantively convicted in state court for those offenses, Barros committed these crimes in furtherance of the Latin Kings racketeering enterprise.

As detailed in court filings, the Latin Kings bring disputes and related gang violence into jails and prisons where members are incarcerated. Once in state prison, Barros’s membership in the Latin Kings continued and he took the position as Inca, or Leader, of the Latin Kings within the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MA DOC) system. In this role, Barros coordinated the operations of the Latin Kings inside MA DOC, including issuing directives of violence against individuals serving sentences and coordinating the violence that the gang committed inside of the MA DOC facilities. As part of his leadership role, Barros received information concerning the identities of those targeted for violence in the jails and prisons, locations of the targets and of incarcerated Latin Kings members, the standing of certain individuals with the gang and the status of disputes and alliances with other gangs both inside and outside of the prison system.

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. Barros is the 35th defendant to be sentenced in the case.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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 today. 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. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

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

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 – Eight individuals were charged and arrested yesterday in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking ring operating between California and New England. Investigators seized approximately 152 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the investigation from controlled purchases, motor vehicle stops and package seizures.

The following individuals were indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine:

• Reshat Alkayisi, 60, a Turkish national residing in Coventry, R.I.;
• Brian Keleman, 52, of Woonsocket, R.I.;
• Robyn Costa, 35, of Whitman, Mass.;
• Eric Daneault, 45, of Manchester, N.H.:
• Andre Watson, 45, of Nashua, N.H.;
• Emil Dzabiev, 40, of Scarborough, Maine; and
• Edison Klotz 40, of Stoughton, Mass.

Klotz is also charged with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine - aiding and abetting, and Costa is also charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking.

Patrick O’Hearn, 61, of Braintree, Mass., was charged separately by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“Traffickers are bringing massive shipments of methamphetamine to New England, and that creates a new and especially dangerous threat,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “Meth is exceptionally destructive, and the people selling it here should see this prosecution as a warning: we are on to you, we are going to prosecute you, and you will go to federal prison. My office and our law enforcement partners cracked this case, but this is only the beginning.”

“Today we arrested members of a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking organization who lined their pockets by poisoning our communities, capitalizing on the misery of others. We have taken at least 152 pounds of methamphetamine off the street, which is a record amount for this region, and seized numerous firearms,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This investigation is just one example of the Boston OCDETF Strike Force’s coordinated efforts to disrupt those who traffic in violence, addiction, and death. We simply will not stand idly by and watch our neighborhoods degrade due to daily drug dealing and the violence it brings.”

“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of New England,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office. “DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.”

As alleged in the charging documents, in approximately October 2020, investigators received information about drug trafficking activities of a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in the Boston area. In late 2020, investigators identified Alkayisi as a methamphetamine trafficker, who distributes multi-pound quantities to customers throughout the New England area. Between February and April 2021, the investigators conducted three controlled purchases of suspected methamphetamine—two directly from Alkayisi and one that was negotiated with Alkayisi and delivered by Keleman. Intercepted electronic communications identified regular methamphetamine customers of Alkayisi, including Costa, Daneault, Watson, Dzabiev and O’Hearn. It is alleged that O’Hearn assists Alkayisi in storing methamphetamine and drug proceeds.

On June 1, 2021, investigators seized four packages containing a total of approximately 100 pounds of suspected methamphetamine from Keleman that he allegedly picked up on behalf of Alkayisi from a UPS store in Rhode Island. According to court filings, investigators seized approximately 152 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the investigation from controlled purchases, motor vehicle stops and package seizures.

During a search of Alkayisi’s residence in Rhode Island yesterday, investigators seized an AK-47 assault rifle, a handgun and ammunition, over $23,000 case and multiple controlled substances, including suspected methamphetamine. 

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine each provide for a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 in prison, four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $ 5 million. The charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking provides for a mandatory sentence of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta and DEA Boston SAC Boyle made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Strike Force including the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; and Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown and Waltham Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and James Arnold of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

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 Dalton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to child sexual exploitation offenses. 

James LaFrance, 65, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Nov. 19, 2021. 

LaFrance admitted that on two separate occasions in 2018 and 2019, he encouraged a 16-year-old girl from Massachusetts, whom he had befriended on the internet, to engage in sexually explicit conduct during video chat sessions. LaFrance recorded the girl’s actions on his computer and provided specific directions as to what she was to do on camera. LaFrance engaged in virtually identical behavior toward a 16-year-old girl from Pennsylvania on two occasions in July 2019. 

The charges of sexual exploitation of children each provide for a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Dalton Police Chief Deanna Strout; Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King; and Newbury Police Chief John R. Lucey, Jr. made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s 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 California parent pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to a tax offense in connection with his involvement in the college admissions case.

Homayoun Zadeh, 60, an associate professor of dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC), pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Nov. 10, 2021. Zadeh was charged in March 2019.

Zadeh agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay $100,000 to facilitate the admission of Zadeh’s daughter to USC.  Zadeh made installment payments toward that total to Singer’s purported charitable foundation, the Key Worldwide Foundation, and deducted the payments from his taxes as a purported gift to charity, despite knowing that they were not legitimate charitable contributions, but were made in exchange for facilitating his daughter’s admission to USC.  

Singer has previously pleaded guilty for his role in the college admissions scheme.

Zadeh is the 31st parent to plead guilty in the case. Under the terms of Zadeh’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of six weeks in prison, one year of supervised release with 250 hours of community service and a fine of $20,000. 

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

The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Ian J. Stearns, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Mendell’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fentanyl trafficking.

Andres Arias, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On Jan. 21, 2021, Arias pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and five counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Arias and co-defendant Cristian Lara Diaz conspired to distribute fentanyl and engaged in five separate controlled sales of fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Boston between April 2017 and January 2018. 

On Jan. 12, 2021, Lara Diaz was sentenced to 63 months in prison and four years of supervised release.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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 Stephen W. Hassink of Mendell’s 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 – A Lexington doctor and his wife, who works as his office manager, were charged today in a superseding indictment in connection with an international money laundering scheme involving importing illegal, misbranded drugs.

Rahim Shafa, 64, was indicted on health care fraud conspiracy, international money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the United States, illegally importing merchandise contrary to law and receiving and delivering misbranded drugs with an intent to defraud and mislead. Nahid “Nina” Tormosi Shafa, 63, was indicted on one count of health care fraud conspiracy and one count of international money laundering conspiracy. The defendants were previously indicted in August 2020. 

According to the charging documents, Shafa was a psychiatrist who owned and operated Novel Psychopharmacology, for which Tormosi Shafa served as office manager. From April 2016 through January 2019, the defendants allegedly filed false and fraudulent Medicare reimbursement claims that they deposited into bank accounts they controlled.

It is further alleged that from approximately January 2008 through January 2018, Shafa and Tormosi Shafa engaged in an international money laundering scheme to purchase naltrexone pellet implants as well as disulfiram pellet implants and injections from Hong Kong. Naltrexone and disulfiram are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in certain forms for the treatment of alcohol dependence and alcohol and opioid dependence, respectively. However, the forms that Shafa and Tormosi Shafa allegedly purchased are not approved by the FDA. Shafa allegedly falsified shipping documents to conceal that the packages containing the drugs were shipped from Hong Kong to Shafa in Massachusetts. For example, packages containing naltrexone pellet implants were falsely declared as ‘plastic beads in plastic tubes’ in shipping documents. Shafa and Tormosi Shafa offered to sell these drugs to patients of Novel.

The charge of health care fraud conspiracy 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 money laundering and money laundering conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of importing merchandise contrary to law provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of exporting merchandise contrary to law 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 receiving and delivering a misbranded drug with intent to defraud and mislead provides for a sentence of up to three 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office; Philip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Regional Office; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – A Boston man was found guilty by a federal jury in Boston yesterday of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Rahshjeem Benson, a/k/a “Six Nine,” 38, was convicted following a six-day trial of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 29, 2021.

Evidence at trial established that, on April 5, 2019, Benson was arrested inside a bar in the Copley area of Boston for cocaine distribution. A Charter Arms Bulldog Pug .44 SPL caliber revolver loaded with five Smith & Wesson .44 caliber SPL cartridges was found in Benson’s sweatshirt pocket following his arrest. Due to a prior felony conviction, Benson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Fred M. Wyshak, III of Mendell’s 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 Ghanaian national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for making a false statement on an application for naturalization and fleeing the United States after being released on conditions from pretrial custody.

Richard Kyeremeh, 46, previously of Worcester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 18 months in prison and three years years of supervised release. Earlier in the hearing, Kyeremeh pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement relating to naturalization and one count of committing contempt.

In February 2019, a federal grand jury indicted Kyeremeh on one count of making a false statement relating to naturalization and one count of aggravated identity theft. After his arraignment, Kyeremeh was released from pretrial custody on certain conditions, including that he not travel outside New England without permission from Pretrial Services.

In August 2019, Pretrial Services was unable to locate Kyeremeh. His roommate discovered a letter and sent it to Pretrial Services. The letter was an attempt to mislead authorities about Kyeremeh’s whereabouts. It said, “I am going back to Ghana because I can’t bear what is going on. I have not been myself after my arrest and I have decided to go back to Ghana to start at fresh.” In fact, Kyeremeh had fled on foot into Quebec from Champlain, N.Y.

In January 2020, Kyeremeh was located living and working in Ontario by Canadian authorities and was later extradited to the United States. In January 2021, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment adding a charge of contempt based on Kyeremeh’s flight to Canada.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Denis C. Riordan, District Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, District 1, made the announcement today. Assistance with the investigation was also provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The former owner of the now-defunct New England Compounding Center (NECC) was resentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with the 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak. The defendant was resentenced after the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed his criminal convictions but vacated his sentence and forfeiture order.

Barry Cadden, 54, previously of Wrentham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 174 months in prison. Cadden was also ordered to pay forfeiture of $1.4 million and restitution of $82 million.

Cadden was originally sentenced in June 2017 by Judge Stearns to nine years in prison,  three years of supervised release and forfeiture in the amount of $7.5 million after being convicted by a federal jury in March 2017 of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead.

Co-defendant Glenn Chin, NECC’s former supervisory pharmacist, is scheduled to be resentenced tomorrow by Judge Stearns. Chin was sentenced in January 2018 to eight years in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture of $175,000 and restitution in an amount to be determined. In October 2017, Chin was convicted by a federal jury of all 77 counts, including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud and mislead.

In 2017, the government appealed the defendants’ sentences. In July 2020, the First Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the defendants’ sentences, finding that the Court failed to impose applicable sentencing enhancements and erred in its forfeiture rulings. Significantly, the First Circuit held that the patients who were injected with NECC’s contaminated preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) may be considered victims of the fraud. According to court documents, more than 100 patients died and approximately 800 patients were sickened as a result of contaminated MPA injections. As a result of the First Circuit’s decision, the defendants’ convictions were affirmed, and their sentences and forfeiture orders were vacated and remanded to the District Court for resentencing.

In 2012, 753 patients in 20 states were diagnosed with a fungal infection after receiving injections of MPA manufactured by NECC, and more than 100 patients died as a result. The outbreak was the largest public health crisis ever caused by a contaminated pharmaceutical drug.

Cadden was responsible for directing and authorizing shipments of contaminated MPA to NECC customers nationwide. In addition, he authorized the shipping of drugs before test results confirming their sterility were returned, never notified customers of nonsterile results and compounded drugs with expired ingredients. Furthermore, certain batches of drugs were manufactured, in part, by an unlicensed pharmacy technician at NECC. Cadden also repeatedly took steps to shield NECC’s operations from regulatory oversight by the FDA by claiming to be a pharmacy dispensing drugs pursuant to valid, patient-specific prescriptions. In fact, NECC routinely dispensed drugs in bulk without valid prescriptions. NECC even used fictional and celebrity names on fake prescriptions to dispense drugs, such as “Michael Jackson,” “Freddie Mae” and “Diana Ross.”

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D.; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda P.M. Strachan, Chief of Mendell’s Health Care Fraud Unit, Christopher R. Looney, David G. Lazarus, Chief of Mendell’s Asset Recovery Unit, and Alexandra W. Amrhein prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – The former Chairman of the Crown Council for the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) in Massachusetts was sentenced today on racketeering charges.

Gregory Peguero-Colon, a/k/a “King Trece,” 48, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. On March 9, 2021, Peguero-Colon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.

Peguero-Colon served as the Chairman of the Crown Council, acting as an independent advisor to the State Leadership team and presiding over “trials” for gang members that violated the Latin Kings code of conduct. Peguero-Colon also kept and maintained a spreadsheet identifying individuals who were in bad standing with the gang for various reasons, including whether individuals had provided information to law enforcement or committed “treason” against the gang. Peguero-Colon disseminated this spreadsheet to the Latin Kings members, and multiple people on the spreadsheet had in fact been targeted for violence by the Latin Kings.

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

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Peguero-Colon is the 34th defendant to be sentenced in the case.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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 today. 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. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

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

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 Cambridge woman was arrested today in connection with fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Section 8 housing assistance.    

Malisha Pitt, 49, was indicted on three counts of theft of public funds. She will make an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Dein this afternoon. 

According to the indictment, over a period of approximately 13 years, Pitt allegedly stole Social Security benefits and Section 8 housing assistance benefits. In addition, Pitt allegedly stole SNAP benefits (previously known as Food Stamps) over a period of more than three years. 

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Jermaine Jack, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s 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 Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Springfield to marijuana and tax offenses. 

Zachary Sweener, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of filing a false tax return and two counts of failing to file tax returns. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28, 2021. 

Sweener admitted that from 2014 to 2017, he conspired with others to distribute marijuana. On Jan. 10, 2017, a search of Sweener’s residence recovered 1,000 marijuana vape oil pens and over $90,000 in cash, two gold bars and other luxury items. Sweener also admitted that he filed a false income tax return for 2013 by substantially under-reporting his income and failed to file tax returns for tax years 2014 and 2015, despite earning over $250,000 in each of those years. For tax years 2013 through 2015, Sweener failed to report over $625,000 in income and therefore failed to pay over $150,000 in federal income taxes. 

The charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and forfeiture. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.  The charge of failing to file a tax return provides for up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex J. Grant of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Christopher O’Donnell of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A Melrose man pleaded guilty on Thursday, July 1, 2021 in connection with his role in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme. 

Alan Neal Scott, 68, pleaded guilty to four counts of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Oct. 12, 2021. Scott was indicted in August 2020.

Over the course of six years, Scott submitted numerous fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Scott submitted these claims using his own identity as well as the identities of various individuals, including some who were not eligible for unemployment benefits as they were incarcerated at the time and could not have been employed as reported. Moreover, the fraudulent claims all reported prior employment at a non-operational Massachusetts-based business also associated with Scott. As a result of these fraudulent claims, the DUA sent unemployment benefits funds to several addresses connected to Scott and deposited funds into accounts he controlled. Scott also submitted fraudulent pandemic unemployment insurance claims in the names of others.

The charges of mail and wire fraud provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The aggravated identity theft charges provide for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Nikitas Splagounias, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Unemployment Assistance, Program Integrity Unit also provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – The owner of a Brockton construction company and related businesses was sentenced yesterday on charges that he paid employees under-the-table payroll wages that defrauded the government, workers compensation insurance carriers and the state unemployment benefits program of more than $1.6 million. 

Richard McLaughlin, 61, of Quincy, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution of approximately $747,781 to the IRS, $207,572 to workers’ compensation insurance carriers and $731,188 to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance. McLaughlin was also ordered to forfeit $207,572 to the federal government. In December 2020, McLaughlin pleaded guilty to five counts of filing false tax returns and three counts of mail fraud. 

During tax years 2005 through 2010, McLaughlin paid wages in cash to employees under-the-table totaling more than $2.9 million, for which McLaughlin did not collect, account for or pay over to the IRS income and FICA taxes as required by law. The cash payments to employees were funded through off-the-books accounts McLaughlin created and used solely to pay the under-table wages. By failing to pay the required taxes on the $2.9 million, McLaughlin evaded nearly $750,000 in federal taxes.

McLaughlin was also required by state law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The insurance premiums were based on an audit of his payroll records to determine actual wages paid. By failing to disclose the wages paid under-the-table, McLaughlin underreported the wages for which he owed more than $200,000 in insurance premiums.

In addition, McLaughlin instructed employees to apply for unemployment benefits while they were working for him. When McLaughlin falsely verified that employees had been laid off and concealed the fact that he was paying them wages, those employees received more than $725,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits. 

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The former CEO and co-founder of a Boston-based cell phone music streaming service was sentenced Tuesday, June 29 in connection with embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his employer and filing false tax returns.  

David John, who recently changed his name from David Fondots, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. John was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $187,603 to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as restitution to the victims in an amount to be determined at a later date. In February 2020, John pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of filing false tax returns.

John misappropriated company funds which he used for his personal benefit. From 2014 to 2016, John caused his company to pay significant sums of money directly to himself, to a family member and to companies controlled by a family member. John used the embezzled funds to pay personal expenses for himself and his family, including car payments, legal fees and travel, among other things.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Office; and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Miron Bloom of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and Jordi de Llano, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit, prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former nurse was sentenced on Tuesday, June 29 in federal court in Boston for tampering with opioids intended for emergency department patients at a hospital where he worked and then attempting to conceal his crime by replacing the diverted narcotics with saline. 

Mark Croft, 48, of West Boylston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release, with the first year to be severed in home confinement. On Jan. 28, 2021, Croft pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of acquiring a controlled substance by deception and subterfuge.

While working at a Massachusetts hospital in January 2016, Croft administered hydromorphone and meperidine – both Schedule II controlled substances – to emergency department patients in need of pain relief. A month earlier, in December 2015, Croft had entered into an Agreement Not to Practice with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing after being terminated from a previous position as a nurse. Croft did not inform his then-current employer that he had voluntarily agreed not to practice. Between Jan. 5 and Jan. 14, 2016, Croft tampered with carpujects – syringe devices used to administer injectable fluid medication – containing hydromorphone and meperidine by accessing the automated dispensing machine (ADM) in the hospital’s emergency department.

Specifically, Croft used his credentials to enter false “cancel” or “return to stock” transactions in the ADM, which allowed him to remove carpujects containing hydromorphone and meperidine. He then used syringes to puncture the carpujects and remove portions of the hydromprohone and meperidine for his own use. In several instances, Croft replaced the medication he removed with saline in an attempt to conceal his conduct. To avoid detection, Croft later put the carpujects with the diluted medication back in the ADM where they remained available for nurses to unwittingly use on patients.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office; and Margaret R. Cooke, Acting Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Callahan of Mendell’s Health Care Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former Boston Police officer pleaded guilty today in connection with an ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse. 

Craig Smalls, 55, of Roxbury, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Oct. 21, 2021. Smalls was charged on June 17, 2021.

From at least March 2015 through September 2016, Smalls submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.

For the “purge” shift, Smalls claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., or earlier. For the “kiosk” shift, Smalls submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact he and, allegedly, other members of the unit only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts.

Between March 2015 and September 2016, Smalls personally collected approximately $16,252 for overtime hours he did not work.

To date, 14 Boston Police officers have been charged in connection with committing overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse. Smalls is the eighth officer to plead guilty.

From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.  

The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting 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 California parent has agreed to plead guilty to a tax offense in connection with his involvement in the college admissions case.

Homayoun Zadeh, 59, an associate professor of dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC), has agreed to plead guilty to a superseding information charging him with one count of filing a false tax return. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled. Under the terms of Zadeh’s plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence, subject to the Court’s approval, of six weeks in prison, one year of supervised release with 250 hours of community service and a fine of $20,000.

As set forth in the charging document, Zadeh agreed with William “Rick” Singer to pay $100,000 to facilitate the admission of Zadeh’s daughter to USC.  Zadeh made installment payments toward that total to Singer’s purported charitable foundation, the Key Worldwide Foundation, and deducted the payments from his taxes as a purported gift to charity, despite knowing that they were not legitimate charitable contributions, but were made in exchange for facilitating his daughter’s admission to USC.  

Singer has previously pleaded guilty for his role in the college admissions scheme.

Zadeh will be the 31st parent to plead guilty in the case.  

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

The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Mark Deckett, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin D. O’Connell, Leslie A. Wright, Kristen A. Kearney, Ian J. Stearns, Karin M. Bell and Stephen E. Frank of Mendell’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

BOSTON – Four defendants were arrested today and charged in connection with operating a prolific drug trafficking organization that allegedly supplied counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl to suppliers on the North Shore of Massachusetts. A fifth defendant currently in state custody was charged with firearm and drug offenses. It is alleged that the defendants possessed a pill press capable of generating up to 15,000 pills per hour, which they used to produce counterfeit Percocet pills, containing fentanyl.

Vincent Caruso, 26, a/k/a “Fatz” and “Big Boy,” and Ernest Johnson, 33, a/k/a “Yo Pesci,” both of Salem, were charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate commerce involving the proceeds of dealing in a controlled substance; and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy. Vincent Caruso was also charged with one count of conspiracy to possess a tableting machine to manufacture a controlled substance.

Laurie Caruso, 51, of Lynn, and Nicole Benton, 45, of Saugus, were with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate commerce involving the proceeds of dealing in a controlled substance.

Cesar Rivera, 22, of Revere, was charged separately with one count of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of conspiracy to possess and use a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Vincent Caruso, Johnson, Laurie Caruso and Benton were arrested this morning and will make initial appearances via zoom in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

According to the charging documents, Vincent Caruso, a self-admitted Crip gang member, operates a large drug trafficking organization with co-defendants Johnson, Laurie Caruso (Vincent’s mother) and Benton, among others, to sell counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl to street gangs for further distribution on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Vincent Caruso allegedly possessed multiple pill presses, which can generate thousands of pills per hour, to produce counterfeit pills designed to resemble Percocet pills, but in fact contained fentanyl. According to the charging documents, a counterfeit fentanyl pill retails at prices between $10-$20, thereby generating millions of dollars in retails sales. It is alleged that Caruso possessed multiple pill presses, including one described as being capable of producing 15,000 pills per hour and weighing 1,000 pounds.

It is further alleged that Vincent Caruso and Johnson possessed and used firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. Vincent Caruso and Johnson posted and messaged photos and videos using social media that depicted firearms (including an AR15), fentanyl pills, cash and high-end jewelry. In a number of videos, Johnson allegedly described his involvement in shootings, beatings and drug trafficking and identified people he believed to be a “rat” or a “snitch.”

In addition, it is alleged that Benton and Laurie Caruso conducted cash transactions in order to launder portions of the illegal proceeds of the drug trafficking operation by placing sports bets at a New Hampshire casino.

The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate commerce involving the proceeds of dealing in a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. The charge of conspiring to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy involving a machine gun provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to possess a tableting machine to manufacture a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts States Police made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk County District Attorneys’ Offices; Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk County Sheriffs’ Departments; Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Danvers, Everett, Lynn, Malden, Salem, Saugus, Somerville and Revere Police Departments; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; Bolton (ME), Bangor (ME), Portland (ME) and Westbrook (ME) Police Departments; and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

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

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

BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced on Monday, June 28 in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl, identity theft and fraudulent use of a Social Security number.

Cesar Lara Castillo, 37, a Dominican national previously residing in Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 44 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2020, Castillo pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of false representation of Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft.

On July 10, 2019, Castillo arrived at the location of a pre-arranged sale of fentanyl with approximately 53 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, packaged in five “fingers,” or compact cylinders designed for distribution. When Castillo was arrested, he gave police a Massachusetts driver’s license in the name of a United States citizen. Castillo had applied for the driver’s license from the Massachusetts RMV in April 2019, using the personal identifying information of the victim, including their Social Security number.

This case is part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley dubbed “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.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; 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 Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Massachusetts State Police; Lawrence Police Department and North Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak III of Mendell’s Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national was arrested yesterday for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Melvin Baez Peguero, 46, a Dominican national residing in Boston, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Peguero was detained following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein.

According to the charging documents, Peguero was previously removed from the United States in April 2013, and subsequently found in Boston in November 2020.

The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Peguero will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathanial R. Mendell and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Boston gang associate pleaded guilty on Monday, June 28, 2021 to his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Michael Toussaint, 40, of Hyde Park, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Nov. 2, 2021.

In June 2020, Toussiant was charged along with 23 others as part of Operation Snowfall.  According to the charging documents, beginning in November 2018, law enforcement conducted an investigation into drug trafficking activities by Boston-based street gang members and associates in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton, formerly known as Fidelis Way, a multi-apartment public housing development. It is alleged that the defendants, through their drug trafficking activities, assumed control over multiple apartments, where they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs. As a result, their activities caused a blight of the development and reduced the quality of life of the other residents.

The investigation also targeted large-scale drug suppliers and their associates. It is alleged that the targets continued to distribute cocaine and cocaine base throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown. Toussaint is the fifth defendant to plead guilty in the case.

During the investigation, investigators identified Toussaint as a drug customer and distributor for co-defendant Hassan Monroe, who was a significant supplier to co-defendant Kenji Drayton, the leader of the drug-trafficking organization. Over the course of the investigation, Monroe provided a large quantity of cocaine to Toussaint for the purpose of drug trafficking. Monroe has agreed to plead guilty and Drayton pleaded not guilty. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, 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 O’Donnell and Timothy Moran of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting 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 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts was arrested today on charges of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and false statements.

Abhijit Das, a/k/a “Beej,” 47, of North Andover, was indicted on one count of accepting excessive campaign contributions, one count of conduit contributions, one count of conversion of campaign funds, one count of engaging in a scheme to falsify, conceal, and cover up material facts and two counts of making a false statement. Das was arrested today and will make his initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal at 2:30 p.m.

“Mr. Das allegedly solicited illegal campaign donations, used the money for his own business expenses and debts, and then attempted to conceal his actions,” said Nathaniel R. Mendell, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. “We are committed to prosecuting this kind of criminal conduct, because doing so protects the election process and vindicates every voter’s right to law-abiding campaigns and transparent elections.” 

“Today, we arrested Abhijit Das for allegedly soliciting his friends and family for at least $125,000 in illegal campaign contributions, repeatedly dipping into his campaign coffers to pay outstanding debts related to his hotel business, and falsifying campaign finance reports to try and cover his tracks,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “We believe Mr. Das engineered this calculated scheme to show he was a viable candidate for office, at the expense of voters and the election process. The FBI will continue to investigate allegations of campaign finance abuse like these to ensure openness and fairness in our elections so that everyone’s interests are protected.”

“Campaigns funds are governed by strict federal rules so political contributions aren’t used as personal slush funds, among other reasons,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Boston Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. “Today’s indictment alleging campaign finance violations for the personal benefit of the defendant, represent a flagrant violation of those laws and blatant betrayal of the public trust.”

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

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

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

Das allegedly aided and abetted in the submission of false information in quarterly reports to the FEC by overstating the amount of cash-on-hand the Das-for-Congress Campaign had in its campaign bank account. For example, on June 30, 2018, Das allegedly reported that his campaign’s total amount of cash-on-hand was approximately $440,000, when in fact the amount of cash-on-hand in the campaign bank account was less than $5,000.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, FBI Boston SAC Bonavolonta and IRS-CI Acting SAC Covington made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil J. Gallagher Jr. of Mendell’s 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 Winchester man pleaded guilty today to robbing and assaulting a federal postal worker and possessing cocaine.

Raymond Acevedo, 29, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to one count of robbing a federal postal worker, one count of assaulting a federal postal worker and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Oct. 26, 2021. Acevedo was arrested and charged in November 2019.

On Oct. 24, 2019, a U.S. postal worker attempted to deliver an Express Mail package from Puerto Rico to an addressee in Dorchester. The postal worker was unable to locate the addressee and was returning to his vehicle when another individual, later determined to be Acevedo, approached the postal worker and demanded the package. When the postal worker would not give Acevedo the package, Acevedo assaulted the postal worker, took the package, and a fight ensued. As the postal worker and Acevedo were fighting over the package, police arrived and eventually arrested Acevedo. The postal worker was transferred to a local hospital for the injuries he received during the altercation.

On Oct. 25, 2019, law enforcement officers opened the package pursuant to a federal search warrant and seized approximately 1.390 kilograms of cocaine.

The charge of robbery of United States’ property provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of assaulting a federal postal worker provides 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. The charge of distribution of cocaine provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – An associate and co-conspirator of the recently convicted former Mayor of Fall River, Jasiel F. Correia II, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for extortion and lying to federal agents about his role in assisting Correia to obtain money and property from local marijuana vendors.

Antonio Costa, 52, of Fall River, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to three years of probation, with the first 15 months to be in home confinement with electronic monitoring, and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service to benefit the city of Fall River. Costa was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $107,550 in forfeiture. In September 2019, Costa pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion conspiracy, two counts of extortion and one count of false statements.

Costa conspired with Correia and others to obtain cash bribes and other payments from local marijuana vendors in exchange for non-opposition letters and community host agreements. Correia, as Mayor, was solely responsible for approving all non-opposition letters in Fall River. Costa facilitated the bribe payments between two marijuana vendors and Correia in return for non-opposition letters. In one instance, Costa kept between $20,000 and $30,000 for himself and kept all of the approximately $77,550 paid by another vendor in cash and marijuana. In addition, Costa gave Correia a Rolex watch in return for the City’s activation of a water line to a commercial building owned by Costa.

On May 14, 2021, Correia was convicted by a federal jury of nine counts of wire fraud, four counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of extortion conspiracy and four counts of extortion. He is awaiting sentencing which is scheduled for Sept. 20, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Glenn A. Cunha, Massachusetts Inspector General made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Hafer and David Tobin of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Canton woman was sentenced yesterday in connection with two fraud and embezzlement schemes that netted more than $1.4 million from her non-profit employers.

Nicole Lescarbeau, a/k/a “Nicole Coulibaly,” 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to six years in prison, five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution.

In December 2019, Lescarbeau pleaded guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with an embezzlement scheme. In December 2020, Lescarbeau was charged again with a separate embezzlement scheme and agreed to plead guilty on May 3, 2021 to wire fraud and bank fraud.

From August 2013 until her termination in January 2018, Lescarbeau stole funds from her employer, a Boston-based non-profit, for her personal use. Specifically, Lescarbeau wrote unauthorized checks to herself using the non-profit’s accounting software and affixed the signatures of the authorized signers on the account. In addition, Lescarbeau repeatedly logged on to the non-profit’s online bank accounts and directed unauthorized payments and transfers for her personal benefit. Lescarbeau also made unauthorized personal charges using the non-profit’s business credit cards. In total, Lescarbeau embezzled more than $1.3 million from the non-profit organization.

While out on pre-trial release for the prior case, Lescarbeau was hired as an administrator at a small, Brookline-based non-profit organization. Lescarbeau did not tell the non-profit about her pending indictment and applied for the position using her married name in an effort to conceal the prior charges. From August 2019 until February 2020, Lescarbeau used her position to steal funds from the non-profit for her personal use by diverting checks to herself that the non-profit had issued for legitimate business and depositing them into her personal bank account. Lescarbeau also opened a PayPal account in the non-profit’s name to make unauthorized wire transfers from the non-profit’s bank account and made transfers directly from the non-profit’s bank account to pay for her personal rent. In total, as a result of this scheme, Lescarbeau embezzled nearly $57,000 from the non-profit’s bank account.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant United States Attorney Justin D. O’Connell of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A former Boston Police Sergeant pleaded guilty today in connection with an ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse. 

William Baxter, 62, of Hyde Park, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Oct. 21, 2021. Baxter was charged on May 24, 2021.

From March 2015 through June 2016, Baxter submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours that he did not work for two overtime shifts at the evidence warehouse. The first, called “purge” overtime, was a 4 – 8 p.m. weekday shift intended to dispose of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called “kiosk” overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston one Saturday a month to collect old prescription drugs to be burned.

For the “purge” shift, Baxter claimed to have worked from 4 – 8 p.m., but he routinely left at 6 p.m., and sometimes earlier. Additionally, Baxter knowingly endorsed the fraudulent overtime slips of his subordinates who, allegedly, also left early from this shift. For the “kiosk” shift, Baxter and, allegedly, others routinely submitted overtime slips claiming to have worked eight-and-one-half hours, when in fact he and, allegedly, other members of the unit, only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts.

Between March 2015 and June 2016, Baxter personally collected approximately $9,223 for overtime hours he did not work.

To date, 14 Boston Police officers have been charged in connection with committing overtime fraud at the Boston Police Department’s evidence warehouse. Baxter is the seventh officer to plead guilty. An eighth former officer, Craig Smalls, is scheduled to plead guilty on July 1, 2021.

From 2015 through 2019, BPD received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Justice in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants. 

The charge of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of conspiracy 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 other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Russell W. Cunningham, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Washington Field Office; and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting 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 – An Auburn man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on child pornography offenses.

Jesse Laino, 25, was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of distribution of child pornography. The original indictment charged Laino with one count of possession of child pornography. Laino was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on July 22, 2020.

According to the charging documents, from about January 2019 to July 2020, Laino distributed child pornography. In July 2020, a search of Laino’s residence resulted in the seizure of electronic devices that contained images and videos of child pornography.

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

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Auburn Police Chief Andrew J. Sluckis, Jr.; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester 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.

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 Georgetown woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for embezzling over $419,000 from her employer.

Michelle Higson, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 27 months in prison, five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay over $419,000 in restitution. In September 2019, Higson pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud. 

Higson was also sentenced separately for violating her supervised release, which was imposed in a prior case following her September 2017 conviction for a fraudulent scheme. U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper sentenced Higson to an additional six months in prison for the supervised release violation. 

In 2013, Higson began working as a part-time bookkeeper for a Wilmington company. From 2015 until her termination in 2018, Higson stole a series of the company’s checks, made them payable to herself or to her husband, and forged her employer’s signatures. Higson cashed and deposited the checks for her own personal use. To conceal her criminal conduct and avoid detection by the company, Higson falsified entries in the company’s books to make it appear as if the stolen checks had been issued to satisfy payment to actual vendors. In addition, on several occasions, Higson inflated her pay rate and falsified the number of hours she worked, thereby collecting more money than what she actually earned. In total, Higson embezzled over $419,000.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fraudulently using another person’s Social Security number.

Manuel Maria German Familia, 30, who previously resided in Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Sept. 30, 2021. German Familia was arrested and charged on Feb. 9, 2021.

German Familia admitted to fraudulently using a Social Security number that was assigned to someone else in an application at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles in 2016.

The charge of false representation of a Social Security number 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 other statutory factors.

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.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Billerica Police Department and Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III, of Mendell’s Criminal Division, is prosecuting the case.