District of Maryland

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Justina Elena Olivero, a/k/a Justina Guzman, age 33, of Laurel, Maryland for bank fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unlawful possession of stolen mail.  The criminal complaint was filed on July 1, 2020 and was unsealed at her initial appearance today.

The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, beginning in at least August 2017 and continuing through May 2020, Olivero allegedly orchestrated three separate fraud schemes involving multiple victims and losses of more than $142,000.  The affidavit alleges that the fraud schemes included: 1) an identity theft scheme in which stolen checks were deposited into various bank accounts and then the money was withdrawn by Olivero; (2) a credit card fraud scheme in which Olivero impersonated American Express customers, ordered emergency replacement cards in those customers’ names, and had those cards mailed to her addresses; and (3) while working at a criminal defense law firm, Olivero fraudulently posed as an attorney and convinced the law firm’s clients to send her money for services she could not and did not provide.

For example, as detailed in the affidavit, in June 2018, the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) received a complaint of check forgery and mail theft from Victim 1, a resident of Bethesda, Maryland. On December 29, 2017, Victim 1 mailed a check for $27,000 made payable to the Montgomery County Government for property taxes. Approximately six months later, Victim 1 learned the Montgomery County Government never received this check.  In fact, Victim 1’s check was altered and deposited into a TD Bank account opened in the names of Victim 2 and Victim 3 with an address in Laurel, Maryland, where Olivero was a resident.  Two additional stolen checks were also found to have been deposited into that account. Investigators interviewed Victim 2 and Victim 3, a married couple, at their residence in Potomac, Maryland and the victims reported that they did not open or authorize the opening of the account.

According to TD Bank records, there were two cash withdrawals from the account, on May 30 and June 6, 2018, each for $5,000, and both withdrawal slips were signed “Justina Guzman.”  Two checks were also issued from the account on May 28 and May 29, 2018, each for $1,750.  Investigators learned that Olivero provided both checks as payment for a rental property located in Laurel.

On September 14, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a state search warrant at Olivero’s Laurel residence and recovered stolen mail consisting of blank convenience checks; bank, credit card, and investment account statements belonging to victims residing in Potomac, Maryland; two Apple iPhones (including an iPhone X), one Apple iPad, and one HP laptop; credit/debit cards and numerous bank statements in the name of “Justina Guzman” and “Justina Olivero”; and a spiral notebook containing handwritten notes of victims’ names, addresses, social security numbers, and dates of birth, including the personal identifying information (“PII”) of Victim 2 and Victim 3.  Law enforcement officers also obtained and reviewed statements from six bank accounts allegedly associated with Olivero.  Twenty-three personal checks totaling $102,276.49 and involving seventeen victims were deposited into these six accounts and another account maintained by Olivero.  Once the stolen checks were deposited, approximately $102,276.49 was subsequently depleted from the accounts through ATM cash withdraws, online transfers, and debit card purchases.

In addition to stealing and altering checks, Olivero used stolen identities to order replacement American Express (“AMEX”) credit cards in the names of individuals without the account holders’ knowledge or consent. Olivero then directed those credit cards to addresses associated with Olivero.

According to the affidavit, in August 2017, an unknown individual purporting to be Victim 16 contacted AMEX to request an emergency card replacement (“ECR”).  AMEX issued an ECR in Olivero’s name, using a shipping address in Laurel which was a residence of Olivero’s.  In January 2018, an unknown individual contacted AMEX to add Olivero’s name to Victim 16’s account and subsequently requested another ECR.  AMEX issued the ECR and delivered it, via FedEx, to another residence of Olivero’s.  Also in January 2018, seven emergency replacement cards for Victim 17 were shipped to this residence.  Five of the ECRs that were sent had an unlimited credit limit, and two of the ECRs that were sent had credit limits of $14,500 each.  The calls requesting the ECRs came from a number associated with Olivero’s Apple iPhone seized during the search on September 14, 2018.

Finally, during the Fall of 2018, Olivero agreed to work at a law firm in exchange for legal services from the firm and Individual 3.  Unbeknownst to the law firm or Individual 3, Olivero used her employment with the law firm to hold herself out as an attorney in order to fraudulently obtain money from victims by providing services and obtaining their PII.  In total, as part of this scheme, victims provided approximately $13,000 in payments directly to Olivero.

If convicted, Olivero faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud; a maximum of 20 in federal prison for wire fraud; a maximum of five years in federal prison for possession of stolen mail; and a mandatory two years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for aggravated identity theft.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  At today’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms ordered that Olivero be detained pending trial.

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Montgomery County Police Department, and HSI for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin B. Pulice and Rajeev Raghavan, who are prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Clement Robert Mercaldo, Jr., age 61, of Timonium, Maryland and Stepfen Gerard Gaither, age 29, of Randallstown, Maryland, for collection of credit by extortionate means and for interstate communications with intent to extort.  The criminal complaint was returned on June 16, 2020, and was unsealed at their initial appearance yesterday.

The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Mercaldo loaned money to a Baltimore County restaurant owner.  The affidavit alleges that an arson and destruction of property at the restaurant owner’s residence, as well as numerous text message threats received by the restaurant owner and his business partner, are related to recent non-payments of this loan.  Furthermore, evidence collected during the investigation indicates that Mercaldo hired Stepfen Gaither to collect money for these loans and assist with the arson and destruction of property.  Mercaldo and Gaither allegedly also discussed and planned the murder of one or both of the victims.

Specifically, in June 2008, the restaurant owner obtained an “interest only” loan from Mercaldo to open a restaurant.  The loan was repaid through monthly checks given to Mercaldo, and was fully repaid by 2011.  Between 2010 and 2017, the restaurant owner took additional loans from Mercaldo, and Mercaldo insisted that the restaurant owner pay him in cash, weekly.

As detailed in the affidavit, the restaurant owner reduced his monthly payments to Mercaldo in March 2017, due to other outstanding debt.  In February 2019, the restaurant owner again cut his monthly payment to Mercaldo.  Shortly thereafter, the restaurant owner began receiving threatening phone calls and text messages regarding the debt.

On March 29, 2019, the Baltimore County Police Department received a report from the restaurant owner that his vehicle was vandalized while parked in front of his residence overnight.  Initial investigation revealed that between 9:45 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., an unknown subject destroyed the vehicle’s front windshield, and used a cement garden statue to shatter the rear window. 

On August 4, 2019 at 2:52 a.m., the restaurant owner called the Baltimore County Fire Department after he and his wife were awoken by smoke detectors and discovered a fire in the basement near the rear door.  The fire had extended to the exterior first floor of the home.  Based on the physical evidence at the residence, investigators believe that an unknown subject(s) started a fire by breaking the basement window, pouring an ignitable liquid inside and igniting the liquid.  An estimated $50,000 of damage was caused to the dwelling, and the restaurant owner and his wife had to move out of the residence.  There were no injuries to the residents or emergency responders.

The affidavit alleges that from March through September 2019, phone numbers associated with Mercaldo and Gaither used messaging and calling applications to call and text threatening messages to the restaurant owner and his business partner.  These messages including several that took credit for the fire and threatened additional harm to the restaurant owner, his business partner, and their family members if the restaurant owner did not pay his debt.  Text messages sent by Mercaldo and Gaither to each other between October 2019 and January 2020 indicated that Mercaldo solicited Gaither to kill the restaurant owner and his business partner and that Gaither conducted surveillance in furtherance of that plan.

If convicted, Mercaldo and Gaither face a maximum sentence of 20 years for both credit by extortionate means and for interstate communications with intent to extort.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  At yesterday’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles B. Day ordered that Mercaldo and Gaither be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2020 at 10 am, and 1:30 pm, respectively.

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who is prosecuting the case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Ambrose Augustus Doye, age 25, of Washington, D.C., yesterday to 9 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed commercial robbery and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Acting Chief Hector Velez of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to Doye’s guilty plea, on November 26, 2018, Doye and his co-defendant drove to a barbershop in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and spoke with two employees outside of the shop, pretending to be potential customers.  The two left and went to a convenience store across the street, then returned to the barbershop.  Doye sat in the barbershop chair while an employee prepared to cut his hair.  He then drew a handgun and pointed it at the employee, while Bolton struck a second employee in the back of the head with a handgun.

As detailed in the plea agreement, Doye and Bolton then forced the employees to the back of the store and pulled the blinds down over the windows of the barbershop.  They forced the employees to strip naked and lie face down on the floor with their hands behind their heads, and ordered them to count to 1,000.  They robbed the employees of their cellphones, money, and jewelry.  The robbers threatened to kill the employees if they moved while they counted to 1,000.  They demanded to know where additional money was located in the store and threatened to kill the employees when they were unable to locate additional money.  They again threatened to kill the employees if the robbery was reported, then left the barbershop with the personal belongings of the employees. A search of Doye’s residence recovered a distinctive silver necklace stolen from one of the barbershop employees and a loaded, silver and black .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Dick and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hernandez, who are prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Shawn Growden, age 30, of Winchester, Virginia, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Baltimore, Maryland to federal charges of possessing and distributing heroin and fentanyl.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Sheriff Mark A. Butler of the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Sheriff Lenny Milholland of the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office; and Chief John Piper of the Winchester, Virginia Police Department.

“State and federal law enforcement are working together to arrest and prosecute those who peddle deadly fentanyl on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “More and more people are dying from fentanyl overdoses, including the fatal overdose victim who bought drugs from this defendant.  We must do everything we can to reduce overdose deaths from this drug and from all opioids.”

According to Growden’s plea agreement, he regularly obtained narcotics from a Baltimore-based drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) which he then resold to paying customers in Winchester, Virginia and the surrounding areas.

From March 1, 2019, through Growden’s arrest on March 26, 2019, he regularly traveled to Baltimore to purchase approximately 62 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl, which he possessed with the intent to distribute.

On one occasion, Growden’s drug dealing resulted in a fatal overdose.  On March 22, 2019, Growden purchased approximately 11 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl from the DTO in Baltimore.  Later that day, Growden traveled to Winchester, Virginia and sold a portion of the heroin/fentanyl he had just bought to a victim.

On March 24, 2019, Virginia State Police responded to the victim’s house for a welfare check and found him deceased inside his bedroom.  Inside the residence, police found a powdery substance consistent with heroin, along with the victim’s phone which revealed that the final outgoing text communications were with Growden on March 22, 2019, the contents of which were consistent with arranging a drug transaction.  The medical examiner later concluded that the cause of death was acute combined fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, heroin, and tramadol poisoning.

On March 26, 2019, Growden again communicated with a member of the Baltimore DTO and arranged to purchase approximately 10 grams of heroin. While returning to Winchester, Virginia, Growden’s vehicle was stopped by members of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, who recovered the heroin that Growden had just purchased.

After Growden was arrested, he agreed to speak with investigators and admitted that he had sold heroin to the fatal overdose victim on March 22, 2019.  Growden also provided consent to search his cellular phone, which revealed additional text communications indicating that Growden had been redistributing the heroin purchased from the Baltimore DTO over the prior three weeks.

Growden faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison possessing and distributing heroin and fentanyl.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI; the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force; the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office; and the Winchester, Virginia Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Goldsticker and Matthew DellaBetta, who are prosecuting the case.

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BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Department of Justice‘s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) today announced nearly $42 million in funding to support state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and prescription opioids. 

In the District of Maryland, the Maryland State Police will receive $1,175,715 in federal funding to support investigations into trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

“State and federal law enforcement are working together to arrest and prosecute those who peddle deadly fentanyl on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We must do everything we can to reduce overdose deaths from this drug and from all opioids.”

“The scourge of opioid and methamphetamine use continues to take a devastating toll on our nation’s communities,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith.  “By providing these resources to law enforcement to help combat the further spread, the COPS Office is demonstrating our commitment to this Administration’s priority of reducing drug use and protecting our citizens from this public health and safety crisis.”

Drug overdose deaths and opioid-involved deaths continue to increase in the United States.  Deaths from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages, with more than three out of five drug overdose deaths involving an opioid.  More than 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, while methamphetamine continues to be one of the most commonly misused stimulant drugs in the world and is the drug that most contributes to violent crime.

The COPS Office is awarding more than $29.7 million in grant funding to 14 state law enforcement agency task forces through the Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF).  AHTF provides three years of funding directly to state-level law enforcement agencies with multijurisdictional reach and interdisciplinary team (e.g., task force) structures, in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions for heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and other opioids.  This funding will support the location or investigation of illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

Through the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP), the COPS Office is also awarding $12 million to 12 state law enforcement agencies.  These state agencies have demonstrated numerous seizures of precursor chemicals, finished methamphetamine, laboratories, and laboratory dump seizures.  State agencies are being awarded three years of funding through CAMP to support the location or investigation of illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, including precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine trafficking.

The AHTF and CAMP funding has a tremendous impact on state investigative and seizure work.  During the five month period between October 2019 and February 2020, current AHTF grantees reported the seizure of over $4 million in cash and 1,213 firearms.  Similarly, for CAMP, grantees reported seizures of more than $7 million in cash and 1,577 firearms.

The complete list of Anti-Heroin Task Force Program award recipients, and COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program award recipients including funding amounts can be found attached below. 

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 135,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training and technical assistance. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Ronald Wilson, age 39, of Baltimore, Maryland yesterday to 90 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can kill you.  The quantity of fentanyl seized in this case could kill over 230,000 people.  Law enforcement partners are working together to arrest and prosecute those who peddle deadly fentanyl on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We are determined to reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths in Maryland.”

According to Wilson’s plea agreement, during the execution of a search warrant at Wilson’s residence, law enforcement recovered a duffle bag, the contents of which included clear plastic bags containing approximately 461 grams of fentanyl, packaging materials, and two digital scales.  Law enforcement officers also recovered $1,760 in cash from Wilson’s vehicle and his person. Wilson admitted that he possessed the fentanyl with the intent to sell it.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Stendig and Lindsey McCulley, who prosecuted the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Murray Ray, age 22, of Baltimore, Maryland yesterday to 11 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to Ray’s plea agreement, he was involved in a drug trafficking organization operating a “drug shop” in the 1400 block of Kuper Street and in the area of West Pratt and South Calhoun Streets in Baltimore, Maryland. Members of the organization, including Ray, conducted hand-to-hand sales of drugs to customers in those areas.  Ray admitted that it was reasonably foreseeable to him that members of the conspiracy would distribute more than 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted video surveillance of the drug shop where Ray distributed fentanyl. 

On March 15, 2018, members of the Baltimore City Police Department (“BPD”) recovered a firearm and fentanyl from the backyard of a vacant house in the vicinity of Pratt and Calhoun Streets.  Video surveillance recorded Ray expressing frustration when he returned to look for the recovered items and could not find them.  Also, on May 2, 2018, law enforcement officers stopped Ray while he was driving a stolen vehicle. During a search of that vehicle, BPD recovered another firearm.

Eighteen other defendants were also convicted as members of the drug trafficking organization.  Eight, including Ray, have been sentenced to between 70 months and 11 years in federal prison and eleven others are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Stendig, Charles Austin, and Michael Hanlon, who prosecuted the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – James Edward Bender, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to federal conspiracy and tax fraud charges.  

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.

According to his guilty plea, from 2014 through August 2019, Bender controlled three eBay accounts, in the names of HiddenGemFurniture (HGF), EddiesAffordableGear (EAG), and AffordableGoodies4You (AG).  EAG and AG offered sports-related merchandise for sale, including jerseys and shirts.  Bender also used, operated, and controlled related PayPal accounts. 

Bender admitted that beginning in 2014 he agreed to allow a good friend, SC1, who lived in Texas and Colorado, as well as SC2, a relative of SC1 who lived in Berlin, Maryland, to use Bender’s eBay accounts to sell goods and merchandise after eBay had suspended SC1’s account due to security concerns.  From May 2014 through August 2019, Bender and SC1 conspired to engage in transactions to sell goods and merchandise which they knew had been previously stolen, using Bender’s eBay and PayPal accounts. 

As detailed in the plea agreement, in furtherance of the fraud scheme, Bender and SC1 repeatedly deceived online platforms such as Amazon, eBay, as well as the manufacturers and distributors, as to the source of the goods and merchandise being sold by Bender and SC1.  More than $3 million of these goods and merchandise had been stolen, including more than $125,000 of iPods that had been stolen from a New Mexico school district and intended for underprivileged children.  In 2018, SC1 and Bender sold more than $550,000 of goods and merchandise that had been stolen from a Delaware FedEx facility.  As part of his participation in the fraud scheme, Bender received more than $10,000 per year from the eBay sales of stolen goods and merchandise.

Bender further admitted that he filed false tax returns for the tax years 2014 through 2018, falsely inflating the gross receipts and cost of goods sold of Bender's businesses.  In each of these years, Bender reported as his gross receipts amounts that had actually been generated by SC1's sales through his eBay stores, and reported as his cost of goods sold the difference between gross receipts and the amount SC1 paid him for the use of his eBay stores.  As a result, Bender engaged in significant misstatements on his tax returns for each year.  Bender also subscribed to additional false information on his tax returns, including overstating his postage expenses.  In total, Bender stipulates that he failed to pay the United States an additional $36,518 in taxes due and owing for the tax years 2014 to 2018.

Bender faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy and a maximum of three years in federal prison for tax fraud.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the IRS-Criminal Investigation and HSI for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber and Paul A. Riley, who are prosecuting the case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – Victor Demattia, age 64, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to theft of government property, for stealing more than $400,000 in Civil Service Retirement benefits and Social Security benefits. 

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General; and Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Thomas W. South of the Office of Personnel Management – Office of Inspector General.

According to Demattia’s plea agreement, from February 2009 through June 2018, Demattia stole monthly Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) pension payments and Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefit (RIB) payments intended for his mother after her death, resulting in a loss to the United States Government of $409,421.

Specifically, at the time of his mother’s death, she was receiving CSRS pension payments from OPM and RIB payments from SSA by direct deposit to a joint account held by Demattia and his mother. When his mother died, Demattia did not notify SSA or OPM of her death, and as a result, SSA and OPM continued to make monthly deposits into the joint bank account. Demattia admitted that he withdrew the CSRS and RIB funds each month, typically by checks he endorsed, payable to himself or to his now-defunct medical transport business, Patriot Medical Transport. 

On March 5, 2019, during an interview conducted by agents of the SSA Office of Inspector General and OPM Office of Inspector General, Demattia admitted that he spent his mother’s RIB and CSRS payments after her death.  He stated that he knew he was not entitled to the money, but spent the fund to cover expenses for his failing business such as payroll, fuel, receivables, and other operating expenses, as well as on personal expenses through debit card purchases after the closure of his business.

In total, Demattia stole $369,018 from OPM and $40,403 from SSA after his mother’s death.  As part of his plea agreement, Demattia will be required to forfeit and to pay a money judgment in the amount of $409,421.

Demattia faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for theft of government property.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. As part of his plea agreement, the government has agreed to recommend a sentence of no more than 18 months in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for September 24, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the SSA Office of Inspector General and OPM Office of Inspector General for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Davio, who is prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Branden Jones, age 21, of Baltimore, yesterday to 10 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to Jones’ plea agreement, between January 2017 and December 13, 2018, Jones conspired with others to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Baltimore and elsewhere.  Specifically, Jones admitted that he participated in a drug trafficking organization that operated a “drug shop” in the 1400 block of Kuper Street and in the area of West Pratt and South Calhoun Streets, all in South Baltimore.  Jones and other members of the organization conducted hand-to-hand sales of drugs to customers in those areas.  Jones was captured on video surveillance of the drug shop participating in the drug distribution activities.  Jones also discussed his participation in the drug shop’s activities on recorded telephone calls. 

During one of the recorded telephone calls, Jones discussed “doing 52 today,” which was a reference to selling 52 packs of heroin or fentanyl, and stated that he “made like $1200 today,” a reference to his drug trafficking proceeds.  A pack typically contains 50 doses of heroin or fentanyl.  Jones continued during the phone call by saying that he had possessed a Hi-Point firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Finally, Jones also collected drug proceeds from lower-level members of the organization and posted pictures of himself with large amounts of cash on his social media accounts.

Jones admitted that as a result of his participation in the organization, it was reasonably foreseeable to him that members of the conspiracy would distribute between one and three kilograms of heroin.  Eighteen other defendants were also convicted as members of the organization.  Seven, including Jones, have been sentenced to between 70 months and 11 years in federal prison and twelve others are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Stendig, Charles Austin, and Michael Hanlon, who prosecuted the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Victor Fossett, age 55, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty on June 11, 2020, to bank robbery and to violating the conditions of his federal supervised release, in connection with three bank robberies he committed in March 2019.  

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Baltimore; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department, and Chief Lisa Myers of the Howard County Police Department.

According to his guilty plea, between March 13 and March 18, 2019, Fossett robbed three banks—in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County—stealing a total of more than $8,000.  Fossett was on federal supervised release at the time of the robberies, having previously sustained three federal convictions for bank robbery—the last of which resulted in a sentence of 151 months in federal prison.  In each robbery, Fossett entered the bank and wrote a note on a deposit slip announcing the robbery and demanding cash.  Fossett then approached a teller and gave them the note.  After stealing cash from the teller, Fossett fled the bank in his blue Mini Cooper car. 

Specifically, on March 13, 2019, Fossett robbed the M&T Bank in the 300 block of Baltimore Street in Baltimore.  On March 14, 2019, Fossett robbed the PNC Bank located in the 6200 block of Washington Boulevard in Elkridge, and on March 18, 2019, Fossett robbed the PNC Bank located in the 700 block of Frederick Road in Catonsville.

On March 19, 2019, officers with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police located Fossett traveling southbound on I-895 towards Howard County in his blue Mini Cooper car.  Law enforcement had already obtained an arrest warrant for Fossett, so they conducted a traffic stop and ultimately arrested him.  Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant on Fossett’s vehicle and recovered clothing and other items worn during the bank robberies as well as $3,923 in cash in the car’s glovebox—which was bank robbery proceeds.

Fossett faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the bank robbery charge and a maximum of two years in prison for violating his supervised release.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for September 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County Police Departments for their work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department for its assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – Charles “Chuck” Nabit, age 64, of Baltimore, Maryland, has been charged by federal criminal complaint for using a phone and the Internet to promote a prostitution business.  Specifically, the criminal complaint alleges that Nabit arranged for commercial sex workers to be brought to his office in Baltimore to engage in commercial sex acts in exchange for payments made to the man who allegedly trafficked the women.  Nabit, who owns the Westport Group, LLC, located on Commerce Street in Baltimore, was arrested on June 10, 2020, and had his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner ordered that Nabit be released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services, after posting a property bond.

The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Lisa Myers of the Howard County Police Department.

“We will investigate and prosecute those who participate in the crime of sex trafficking, whether through trafficking commercial sex workers or by paying traffickers for commercial sex from vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, as part of a federal sex trafficking investigation which led to the indictment of alleged sex trafficker, Deangelo Johnson, commercial sex workers whom Johnson trafficked described their interactions with Nabit.  One victim stated that Nabit would use a GoPro camera to record the sex acts and described Nabit as having a “fetish for young females.”  The affidavit alleges that Nabit used a cash app to pay Johnson directly for commercial sex acts performed by the women who worked for Johnson.  The affidavit documents 52 transactions between Nabit’s cash app and Johnson beginning in March 2019.  Further, the affidavit alleges that Nabit engaged in commercial sex acts with at least four commercial sex workers, using his office in downtown Baltimore and his vehicle to facilitate the activity.  The affidavit alleges that there are numerous transactions on Nabit’s cash app beginning August 28, 2018 and continuing through May 12, 2020 involving various females, including four alleged sex trafficking victims.  The payments made by Nabit for commercial sex during that time frame total more than $90,000. 

If convicted, Nabit faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for use of an interstate facility to promote a prostitution business.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI and Howard County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary W. Setzer and Ayn B. Ducao, who are prosecuting the case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint was filed today charging Glenda Hodges, age 69, of Clinton, Maryland, with federal bank fraud and wire fraud charges in connection with the misuse of federal funds and other fraud related to non-profit and for-profit entities that Hodges operated in Clinton, Maryland.  

The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Kenneth R. Dieffenbach of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Fraud Detection Office; Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III; and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Hodges owned and was the Chief Executive Officer of Still I Rise Incorporated, a non-profit entity which purported to provide services and resources to minority survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; Still I Rise Comprehensive Support & Training Services LLC (“CSST”), a for-profit entity; and the Women’s Wellness Center (WWC), a for-profit medical weight loss clinic operated under the umbrella of CSST. Between 2010 and 2017, Hodges was awarded more than $2 million in grants from the United States Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) Office of Violence Against Women (“OVW”) and Prince George’s County to implement a violence against women program through Still I Rise. However, as WWC—a financially unviable enterprise—continued to lose money, the affidavit alleges that Hodges resorted to committing fraud to fund WWC.

According to the affidavit, between 2010 and 2017, DOJ OVW awarded Still I Rise approximately $896,999 in DOJ OVW grants. Between 2012 and 2017, Prince George’s County awarded Hodges an additional $1,179,000 in county grants. The three grants that DOJ OVW awarded Hodges and Still I Rise were authorized only for the stated purpose of implementing Still I Rise’s non-profit program to address violence against women, and the funds were only authorized to cover the costs detailed in the respective budgets that Hodges submitted with the grant applications.

In early 2016, Hodges contacted DOJ OVW to express interest in applying for DOJ OVW’s 2016 three-year grant and informed DOJ OVW that Still I Rise exhausted the 2014 grant (which also had a three-year duration) in only 16 months.  DOJ OVW then conducted an initial review of Still I Rise’s bank records and invoices, and discovered that Hodges was using much of the grant money for personal expenditures and to unlawfully support WWC, her for-profit entity.  These expenditures allegedly included paying WWC staff salaries and rent, paying the mortgage at Hodges’ personal property in North Carolina, and paying a personal cable account in North Carolina.

The affidavit alleges that on October 9, 2015, Hodges caused $134,800 to be stolen from Victim 1—a mutual fund in Pennsylvania—and wired into a bank account associated with Still I Rise, and then used the stolen funds for expenditures at WWC and for her personal benefit.  In addition, on April 8, 2016, Hodges deposited a $72,938 altered business check related to a federal cancer research grant that had allegedly been stolen from Victim 2, a prominent university in Texas, into a different bank account opened in the name of Still I Rise and over which Hodges was the sole authorized signer. 

Further, the affidavit alleges that between March 10 and August 26, 2016, Hodges fraudulently opened credit accounts at two financial institutions using the identifying information of Victim 3, an elderly volunteer at Still I Rise, accumulating at least $45,000 in debt.  According to the affidavit, to secure one of the lines of credit, Hodges had Victim 3 medically transported to a nearby bank. When Victim 3 was brought to the bank, Victim 3 was in pain and in a wheelchair, and had an antibiotic catheter line running to her heart.

Finally, the affidavit alleges that WWC had severe cash flow problems, was not satisfying its payroll obligations, was withholding employment taxes that Hodges did not remit to the Internal Revenue Service, and without the knowledge of her weight-loss patients at WWC, was directing medical staff to replace fat-dissolution injectable compounds with saline solution.

If convicted, Hodges faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud and wire fraud.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  Hodges is expected to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, but no date has been scheduled.

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor, and the FBI for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein and Kelly O’Connell Hayes, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Department of Justice has awarded more than $4.143 million to help public safety agencies in Maryland respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19, as part of the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program. 

“These resources will help support law enforcement agencies’ efforts to promote public safety as they face extraordinary challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has funded grants on a rolling basis as applications are received.  Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs, and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. Since June 2, 2020, ten cities, counties, and municipalities received a total of $4,143,689 in grant funds, including $2,770,154 awarded to the City of Baltimore.  The other entities receiving funds are:  the cities of Laurel, Salisbury, and Hagerstown; Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Charles, Frederick, and St. Mary’s Counties; and the town of Elkton.  Four candidates previously received grants—Baltimore and Allegany Counties, and the Cities of Cumberland and Cambridge.  In addition, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services received a grant of more than $11 million to assist Maryland State agencies and other law enforcement entities that did not directly receive FY 2019 Byrne Grants.  A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.

# # #

 

 

Baltimore, Maryland – William Garland, age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to his guilty plea, on January 4, 2019, Baltimore County’s Criminal Apprehension Support Team (CAST) executed an arrest warrant for Garland in connection with a theft that occurred on December 21, 2018.  At the time of his arrest, officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from Garland’s right front jacket pocket.  Garland had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.  The gun was determined to have been stolen from a Virginia federal firearms licensee in February 2015.

Garland and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Garland will be sentenced to six years in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2020. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey N. McCulley, who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander today sentenced Timothy Herndon, age 29, of Owings Mills, Maryland, to eight years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Timothy Herndon brought danger to our community through the deadly combination of guns and drugs.  Now he will serve eight years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”

According to Herndon’s plea agreement, on the morning of May 16, 2019, members of the ATF executed a search warrant at Herndon’s residence.  After being read his Miranda warnings, Herndon told investigators that he had placed a firearm in a shoebox in the second-floor bedroom.  Investigators recovered that firearm, then searched the rest of the residence.

In the living room, investigators recovered one clear bag containing multiple black plastic zip lock baggies of crack cocaine and approximately $2,000 in cash.  In the kitchen trashcan under the trash bag, they found drug paraphernalia and one round of 9-millimeter ammunition.  From underneath the dishwasher, investigators recovered three loaded firearms; two clear plastic sandwich bags containing cocaine; additional drug paraphernalia; and a paper bag containing a large amount of cash.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the Bureau of ATF for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Stendig and Lindsey McCulley, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III, today sentenced Ceasar Vaughan, age 27, of Baltimore, to 63 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to get guns out of the hands of drug dealers and off of our streets, in order to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods.  If you use a gun, you could face federal time, where there is no parole—ever.  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”

According to Vaughan’s plea agreement, from February to August 2019, Vaughan was one of the leaders of a conspiracy to distribute cocaine base through a drug shop that operated in the 400 block of Furrow Street in South Baltimore.  The members of the conspiracy affiliated themselves with the name, “Never Stop Grinding” or “NSG.”

Vaughan and his co-conspirators either sold narcotics directly to customers or assisted each other in the transactions.  Vaughan was a leader of the drug shop.  During the investigation, between April 24, 2019 and June 20, 2019, Vaughan participated in at least eight sales of crack cocaine during which Vaughan sold crack cocaine himself, corralled other drug shop members to complete sales, entered the stash house to get drugs to facilitate sales, or ordered others to complete sales. 

Members of the drug shop also possessed firearms.  In music videos posted online, co-conspirators are seen possessing what appear to be firearms, displaying them in their waistbands or pointing them directly at the camera.  Several people in the videos are seen wearing “Never Stop Grinding” or “NSG” clothing or jewelry.  In addition, on April 1, 2019, members of the Baltimore Police Department arrested a juvenile member of the drug shop with a loaded firearm on the 400 block of Furrow Street, where the drug shop operated.  A co-conspirator was with the juvenile at the time of the arrest.  During a search warrant executed at the residence of a co-conspirator on August 7, 2019, investigators found a loaded firearm and more than 70 rounds of ammunition.

Vaughan agrees that he conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine with his co-conspirators.  He further agrees that he was a leader of the conspiracy and that it was reasonably foreseeable that he and the other members of the conspiracy would distribute over 28 grams or more of cocaine base between February 2019 and August 2019.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Moore and Clinton Fuchs, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland - The Department of Justice today announced $6,322,750 in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to eight Maryland law enforcement agencies.  The Attorney General announced funding awards totaling nearly $400 million to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals.  The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.  

“The Department of Justice is committed to providing the police chiefs and sheriffs of our great nation with needed resources, tools, and support.  The funding announced today will bolster their ranks and contribute to expanding community policing efforts nationwide,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “A law enforcement agency’s most valuable assets are the men and women who put their lives on the line every day in the name of protecting and serving their communities.”

“These federal funds being provided to local law enforcement agencies will go a long way to enhancing their response to violent crime and other public safety issues being experienced by their communities,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.

The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers.  In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.  In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities.  Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.

The following Maryland agencies received awards:  Baltimore County received $1,250,000; the Baltimore Police Department received $2,830,272; the City of Brentwood received $125,000; the Cecil County Sheriff’s Department received $375,000; Charles County received $250,000; the Mt. Rainier Police Department received $125,000; the Seat Pleasant Police Department received $1,455,228; and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office received $500,000.

CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area.  43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention.  The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions. 

The complete list of awards can be found here. 

To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp.  For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

###

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm today sentenced Dante Tyler-El, age 54, of Landover, Maryland, to 150 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for carjacking and for using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  Tyler-El entered his guilty plea on February 25, 2020.  

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; and Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“Armed criminals, like Dante Tyler-El, jeopardize lives and they must be held accountable,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Police and prosecutors are working to identify armed criminals who deserve to be charged in federal court.  As a result of his conviction, Dante Tyler-El will now serve more than 12 years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.  Please put down the gun and save a life, maybe even your own.”

According to his guilty plea, on June 5, 2019, Tyler-El perpetrated three armed robberies, as well as the carjacking.  As detailed in his plea agreement, at 5:30 a.m. Tyler-El assaulted a victim who was pumping gas at a gas station in Prince Frederick, Maryland, putting a gun in the victim’s face, stealing the victim’s wallets and credit cards, and then placing the victim in handcuffs.

Tyler-El admitted that at 5:00 p.m., he approached a victim who was sitting in her vehicle in a parking lot in Gaithersburg, Maryland, waiting for her daughter to finish a dance class.  Tyler-El, dressed in a neon construction vest and hard hat, approached the victim holding a Walther PK380 pistol, which he put to the victim’s head and demanded money.  Tyler-El then handcuffed the victim and forced her into the back seat of the vehicle, where he restrained her while he rummaged through the vehicle.  When the victim screamed, Tyler-El struck her with the pistol, causing severe bruising on the victim’s face.  After finding the victim’s credit cards, Tyler-El got into the driver’s seat and drove away with the victim still in the back seat.  After driving for some distance, Tyler-El got out of the vehicle and fled.

According to his plea agreement, at 7:00 p.m. Tyler-El, brandishing the pistol and wearing the same neon construction vest and hard hat, robbed a victim outside his apartment building in Hyattsville, Maryland, stealing $150 in cash.  Approximately one hour later, Tyler-El robbed three pedestrians at gunpoint as they walked along Eastern Avenue in Washington, D.C., just across the Maryland border.  Tyler-El admitted that during the robbery he fired the pistol into the air as a show of force to compel the victims’ compliance.  Tyler-El stole credit cards and $6 in cash from the victims.

Tyler-El was stopped by law enforcement early the next morning after crossing the Bay Bridge into Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.  A search of the vehicle recovered some of the victims’ credit cards, as well as the loaded Walther PK 380 used during the robberies and carjacking.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.        

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Burden H. Walker, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Kenneth Donnell Hoffman, age 43, of District Heights, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including crack cocaine, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and for two counts of violating his federal supervised release related to convictions in 2004 and 2008.  As stated in his plea agreement, Hoffman is also required to forfeit a loaded 9mm handgun and over $1,600 cash seized during a search of his home. The sentence was imposed on May 11, 2020.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to Hoffman’s plea agreement, on January 22, 2018, officers encountered Hoffman in his vehicle and saw what they believed to be crack cocaine in plain view.  The officers ordered Hoffman out of the vehicle, but instead Hoffman drove away, crashing the car a short time later and continuing to flee on foot.  While he ran away, Hoffman dropped a 9mm handgun, loaded with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition, which was subsequently recovered by police.  A search of the vehicle recovered approximately 4.8 grams of crack cocaine packaged in small baggies for distribution.

On January 31, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hoffman’s residence and recovered powder and crack cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), drug paraphernalia, $1,617 cash, which were drug proceeds, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a .22-caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with 12 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition.  Due to his previous convictions, Hoffman was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.                   

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Cunningham and Leah Grossi, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Department of Justice has awarded more than $12.3 million to help public safety agencies in Maryland respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19, as part of the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program. 

“Law enforcement and public safety officials are facing extraordinary challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “These resources will help support their efforts to promote public safety during this difficult time.”

The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has funded grants on a rolling basis as applications are received.  Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs, and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to January 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. Of the 14 counties and nine municipalities in Maryland that were candidates for funding, four have already received grants—Baltimore County, Cumberland, Allegany County, and the City of Cambridge.  In addition, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services has received a grant of more than $11 million to assist Maryland State agencies and other law enforcement entities that did not directly receive FY 2019 Byrne Grants.  The Department is moving quickly to award the remaining $5.4 million in available grant funding in Maryland, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.  A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland — National Police Week recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. This year, the week will be observed Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16, 2020.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

“There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

“I am honored to work with the exceptional men and women of Maryland law enforcement.  The courage and faithfulness with which you serve is inspirational, and as U.S. Attorney, I am proud to be part of such a dedicated profession that risks all in service to others,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “During this week of national recognition, I want to reaffirm my strong support for law enforcement and to ensuring that they have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of officers while they are protecting the public.  Today, and every day, it is appropriate that we thank and honor the members of law enforcement for their dedication and professionalism.  We will never forget their service.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019, including Kyle David Olinger of the Montgomery County Police Department here in Maryland.

Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil.              Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT).  The online event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur is asking anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord, property manager, maintenance worker, or anyone with control over housing to report that conduct to the Department of Justice. The COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity. The Department of Justice has heard reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and the Department of Justice stands ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.

“It is reprehensible that some try to take advantage of this global pandemic at the expense of the most vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to working together to identify incidents of sexual harassment in housing and bring these criminals to justice.  I urge everyone to remain vigilant and if you see something that doesn’t seem right, please report it.”

The Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative is an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing led by the Civil Rights Division, in coordination with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. The goal of the Initiative is to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or other people who have control over housing.  Launched in 2017, the Initiative has filed lawsuits across the county alleging a pattern or practice of sexual harassment in housing and recovered millions of dollars in damages for harassment victims. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years.  Many individuals do not know that being sexually harassed by a housing provider can violate federal law or that the Department of Justice may be able to help.

Anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, is encouraged to contact the Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, at 410-209-4800; or by filing a complaint alleging harassment or discrimination in housing with the Department of Housing and Urban Development through HUD’s website or by calling (800) 669-9777.

U.S. Attorney Robert Hur, Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations – Baltimore, Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the IRS – Criminal Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, also want to remind the public that in addition to sexual harassment in housing, COVID-19 scams are also operating from websites that advertise fake vaccines and cures, operate fraudulent charity drives, deliver malware, or host various other types of scams.  To attract traffic, these websites often utilize domain names that contain words such as “covid19” or “coronavirus.”  In some cases, the fraudulent sites purport to be run by, or affiliated with, public health organizations or agencies.                  

Federal agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, and the IRS will NOT call you, text you, e-mail you, or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information—even related to the economic impact payments.  Recently, there has been an increase in phishing schemes utilizing e-mails, letters, texts and links. These contacts will often come in the form of unsolicited e-mail and/or websites that pose as legitimate sites in an effort to lure unsuspecting victims to provide personal and financial information.  When visiting a website or when you receive an e-mail containing a link, pay special attention to any web address you are directed to in order ensure it is from a legitimate source.  Watch out for e-mails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds. 

Federal law enforcement is united in its efforts to fight against COVID-19 fraud.  HSI has identified tips to recognize COVID-19 fraud.  If you think you are a victim of a fraud or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you may call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or e-mail at disaster@leo.gov or COVID19FRAUD@DHS.gov.  If it is a cyber scam, you may submit your complaint through the FBI’s website, https://www.ic3.gov.  Or you can report suspicious e-mails to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A coalition of federal, state, and local government officials today announced a new violence reduction program, I Care Baltimore.  I Care Baltimore is a multi-faceted program designed to reduce violent crime by empowering community members, by highlighting programs that are making a difference in the City of Baltimore by offering alternatives to violence, and by increasing awareness of the consequences of federal prosecution for violent repeat offenders.  The new initiative, funded by a $250,000 grant to the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, builds on the U.S. Attorney’s Office Project Exile which seeks to remove guns from the hands of criminals.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the I Care program now also offers resources available to assist Baltimoreans to stay safe and healthy.

The initiative was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Executive Director Glenn Fueston of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services; Director Tamika Gauvin of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Marilyn J. Mosby.

 “Gun violence remains a pervasive problem in too many Baltimore communities,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Law enforcement is an important part of the solution, but we must also foster community involvement and help make citizens aware of choices they can make for the good of their own lives and their neighborhoods.  The I Care Baltimore website highlights resources available to prevent young people from becoming involved in violence.  If you use a gun, you could face federal time, where there is no parole—ever.  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”

“We appreciate the comprehensive approach that the U.S. Attorney's Office is taking for Project Exile for the District of Maryland,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director of the Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. “The Hogan Administration has supported the U.S. Attorney's efforts targeting violent offenders, and we also realize community engagement - especially with our youth - is vital for crime reduction and making our neighborhoods safer.”     

To help deter gun crime, the I Care Baltimore initiative has placed 18 billboards at locations around Baltimore highlighting the importance of positive decision-making and awareness of the consequences of poor decisions.  Images and locations of the billboards can be found

here . 

The coalition has partnered with Urban One, Inc., which operates five stations in the Baltimore area, including WERQ 92-Q, to implement the program.  The I Care Baltimore website is live and will be updated regularly.  The website includes: monthly highlights of different community organizations helping make Baltimore a safer and healthier place to live; a highlighted organization each month; community resources, listed by area; a link to report crime tips anonymously; and a section where individuals can pledge their support to I Care Baltimore, either through specific actions or through monetary donations.  The program will also be advertised at events attended by Urban One disc jockeys and government officials, once the current stay-at-home order has been lifted.

Baltimore faces many challenges but there are many good things happening in Baltimore, too.  I Care is about uplifting the best of Baltimore City, understanding that the future is in our hands.  It’s about helping citizens to get involved with the organizations that make Baltimore the greatest city in America.  I Care is about providing communities with the tools and resources to make a positive change. Show Baltimore that you care by becoming part of the solution. 

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Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington Field Office are again warning taxpayers to be alert to phishing scams relating to COVID-19 economic impact payments that are already being seen.  The community must remain on guard against scammers who are striving to steal personal information and money. 

“It is reprehensible that fraudsters try to take advantage of this global pandemic to line their pockets at the expense of the most vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing these criminals to justice.  I urge citizens to remain vigilant.  Don’t provide personal information or click on websites or links contained in unsolicited e-mails.  Don’t become a victim.”

“The community is experiencing enough hardship right now without needing to worry about scammers trying to steal the money that they desperately need,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson.  “IRS-CI, along with our law enforcement counterparts are working hard to protect the public from these thieves.  These types of investigations are being prioritized to help protect taxpayers and the tax system” 

According to federal law enforcement, many of the scams operated from websites that advertised fake vaccines and cures, operated fraudulent charity drives, delivered malware, or hosted various other types of scams.  To attract traffic, these websites often utilized domain names that contained words such as “covid19” or “coronavirus.”  In some cases, the fraudulent sites purported to be run by, or affiliated with, public health organizations or agencies.                  

Neither the IRS nor any other federal agency will call you, text you, e-mail you, or contact you on social media asking for personal or bank account information—even related to the economic impact payments.  Recently, there has been an increase in phishing schemes utilizing e-mails, letters, texts and links. These contacts will often come in the form of unsolicited e-mail and/or websites that pose as legitimate sites in an effort to lure unsuspecting victims to provide personal and financial information.  Scammers will often use website names similar to valid ones—for example IRSGOV, IRS GOV, or using extra letters and/or spaces in lieu of IRS.GOV.  For example, one fraud involves phishing e-mails coming from “customer_service@FreeFillableForms.com” which directs you to a link that contains “economic impact payment” and uses a company name similar to the Free File Alliance partner you are transferred to while using the IRS tool for Non-Filers.  DO NOT click on the link—this is a scam.  Other phishing schemes are using keywords such as “Corona Virus,” “COVID-19,” and “Stimulus” in varying ways.

When visiting a website or when you receive an e-mail containing a link, pay special attention to any web address you are directed to in order ensure it is from a legitimate source.  Watch out for e-mails with attachments or links claiming to have special information about economic impact payments or refunds. 

Federal law enforcement is united in its efforts to fight against COVID-19 fraud.  If you think you are a victim of a fraud or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.  If it is a cyber scam, you may submit your complaint through the FBI’s website, https://www.ic3.gov.  Or you can report suspicious e-mails to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur joins the Department of Justice and communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services throughout the week.  This year’s observance takes place April 19-25 and features the theme, “Seek Justice| Ensure Victims' Rights | Inspire Hope.”

“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the shock and trauma of criminal victimization, affecting their well-being and sense of security and dignity,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “To these victims, we affirm our unwavering commitment to supporting them in their hour of need.  We also commend the thousands of victim advocates and public safety professionals who labor tirelessly to secure victims’ rights and support survivors.”

“We are committed to seeking justice for those victimized by criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “The service and support provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to victims never wavers and I commend all of those providing victim services for their caring and compassion.  Your work makes a difference.”

“While we have made tremendous progress driving down crime and violence across the country, far too many Americans continue to suffer the pain and loss of criminal victimization,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs.  “This week, we stand by these survivors and their families, and we pledge our ongoing support to the countless men and women who serve them with such extraordinary skill and compassion.”

President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims' rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda.  He also established the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.  President Donald Trump and his administration have implemented historic levels of support for victim assistance and victim compensation.

Some 3.3 million Americans age 12 and older were victims of violent crime in 2018, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey.  The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), part of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, supports more than 7,000 local victim assistance programs and victim compensation programs in every state and U.S. territory.  Funds for these programs come from the Crime Victims Fund,

In Fiscal Year 2019, OVC provided $41 million for victims’ services in Maryland through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services.  The funds were used to award 124 grants to police and prosecutors, non-governmental organizations, and non-profits to serve all manner of crime victims—domestic violence, homicide, child abuse, rape and sexual assault, and human trafficking.

In addition, in FY19, OVC awarded more than $1 million dollars to support Maryland’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, in addition to the money provided by the State of Maryland

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, local and tribal agencies traditionally host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services.  This year, many communities are organizing virtual gatherings and online public awareness campaigns.

This year’s commemoration began on Sunday, April 19th, 25 years to the day when a truck bomb exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, taking the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, as well as injuring hundreds of others.  The mass murder remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in our nation’s history and led to the establishment of the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which is administered by OVC, and has been used to provide direct services to hundreds of victims of mass violence and terrorism.

“Crime victims deserve to know that they have the encouragement and support of the American people,” said OVC Director Jessica E. Hart.  “I hope that citizens throughout the nation will take the opportunity this week to remember all victims of crime and their heroic stories of survival.  I encourage everyone to also find meaningful ways to express their appreciation to the many committed and compassionate service providers across the country who work tirelessly supporting these survivors.”

This year, the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony will be postponed until a time when we can honor this year’s award recipients in person.  During the ceremony, OVC will present awards recognizing individuals and organizations from across the nation for their outstanding service on behalf of crime victims.  The awardees will be selected from public nominations in 11 categories, including federal service, special courage, public policy, and victim services.  Visit www.ovc.gov/gallery to learn more about past recipients.

For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2020/overview.html.

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Baltimore, Maryland - Mubashar Choudry, M.D., and related medical practices Washington Cardiovascular Institute, Advanced Vascular Resources, and Washington Vascular Institute, have agreed to pay the United States $750,000 to resolve federal False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed Medicare and TRICARE for claims in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.  Choudry is a cardiologist who has treated patients in Maryland and Washington, D.C. for peripheral arterial disease. 

The settlement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division; and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

“Kickback schemes like the scheme alleged in this case not only call into question the integrity of individual medical decisions, but they also raise the cost of health care for all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Patients deserve care based on a doctor’s sound medical judgment, not the doctor’s personal financial interest.”

“Providing impermissible remuneration to induce patient referrals undermines government health care programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division.  “Patients are entitled to expect that the medical testing they receive and any resulting referral decision are free of financial inducements to the referring physician that may inappropriately impact the physician’s judgment.”

The settlement resolves allegations that, between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016, Choudry, Washington Cardiovascular Institute, Advanced Vascular Resources, and Washington Vascular Institute submitted, or caused, false claims in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS).  Specifically, the defendants allegedly induced patient referrals by providing ankle-brachial index testing on patients under agreements with the referring physicians but without collecting from the physicians the fair market value for the tests. Ankle-brachial index testing is used to detect peripheral arterial disease, which Choudry and the practices would treat.

The AKS prohibits the knowing and willful payment of any remuneration to induce the referral of services or items that are paid for by a federal healthcare program, such as Medicare and TRICARE.  Claims submitted to these programs in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute give rise to liability under the federal False Claims Act.

The agreement resolves allegations brought by Steven Pringle, a former sales and operations employee of the practices, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to receive a share of any recovery.  The qui tam case is captioned United States, et al., ex rel. Pringle v. Choudry, et al., Case No. GJH 16-cv-3779 (D. Md.).  As part of this settlement, Pringle will receive $121,500 as his share of the government’s recovery.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations.  The settlement is not an admission of liability by Dr. Choudry, nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.

This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General and Office of Investigations; and the Defense Health Agency Office of General Counsel. 

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt thanked Assistant United States Attorney Tarra DeShields and Trial Attorney Michael Hoffman of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, who handled this case.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal information has been filed today charging former Baltimore Police Officer Victor Rivera, age 48, of Nottingham, Maryland, with making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer in connection with a scheme to sell three kilograms of cocaine seized during a Baltimore Police Department investigation.  

Former Baltimore Police officer Ivo Louvado, age 46, of Harford County, Maryland was previously charged in federal court for his role in this matter.

The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

Victor Rivera and Ivo Louvado joined the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) on July 11, 1994 and November 21, 1999, respectively.  In February 2009, Rivera and Louvado were serving on a squad with W.J., C.J., P.G., and K.G., that was supervised by W.K. 

According the charging documents, prior to February 19, 2009, W.J. and C.J. told Rivera and Louvado that they had received information from a confidential informant about a large-scale narcotics trafficker operating out of a residence on the 1400 block of Ellamont Street, in Baltimore, Maryland.  On February 19, 2009, Rivera, Louvado, and other members of the squad were conducting surveillance at the residence of the alleged narcotics trafficker, an individual whose initials are T.M.  Rivera and another member of his squad, W.K., followed a car from that residence to a nearby school where Rivera saw the driver throw something into a trash container.  Once the driver left, Rivera and W.K. recovered the trash and found it to be empty kilogram drug wrappers.  During this time other officers claimed to have followed a second individual who left the residence who threw trash from the car window, which was found to contain cocaine residue.  Rivera, Louvado, and other officers remained at the house until W.J. and C.J. obtained a search warrant from a Baltimore City District Court judge. 

As detailed in their criminal informations, Rivera and Louvado ultimately participated in the search of the residence and Louvado took photographs of items that BPD seized, including a jacket hanging behind a door that contained a large amount of cash in it.  While no drugs were found in the house, officers found car keys, including a key that had the ability to activate an alarm in a vehicle remotely.  A BPD officer activated the alarm and officers heard the alarm sound in a pickup truck that was parked nearby.  Louvado and other officers went to the pickup.  The back of the pickup truck had an opaque cover over it that could be locked.  The cover was opened and in the back of the pickup truck, under construction debris, a significant quantity of cocaine was found.  Rivera subsequently learned that drugs were found in the truck.  Louvado and other officers waited with the cocaine until a SWAT team arrived to provide protection during the transportation of the cocaine to BPD headquarters because it was such a large quantity.  In order to transport the cocaine from the scene to BPD headquarters, it was loaded into a BPD surveillance van driven by K.G.  After the cocaine was loaded into the surveillance van, Louvado followed the SWAT team to BPD headquarters to maintain chain-of-custody over the cocaine.  Forty-one kilograms of cocaine were turned in to the BPD’s Evidence Control Unit on February 20, 2009.  Later that day, a criminal complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland charging T.M. with possessing with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine.

According to the charging documents, Rivera, Louvado, and K.G. subsequently discovered three additional kilograms of cocaine in the surveillance van that had been used to transport the cocaine to BPD.  These kilograms of cocaine had come from the seizure from T.M.’s pickup truck on February 19 and 20, 2009, but had not been turned in to the BPD on February 20, 2009.  Rather than turn this cocaine in to BPD, Rivera, Louvado, and K.G. agreed to sell the cocaine and split the proceeds from its sale. 

Rivera allegedly sold the cocaine to a confidential informant of his, who trafficked in cocaine.  The source sold the cocaine in Baltimore City.  Rivera received the proceeds of the sale from his source and then shared them with Louvado and K.G.  Ultimately, Rivera received $20,000 and Louvado received $10,000 in drug proceeds from the sale of the cocaine seized from T.M.’s pickup truck that had not been turned in to BPD. 

If convicted, Rivera and Louvado each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer.  No court appearance has been scheduled. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise and Derek E. Hines, who are prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Ebenezer Quainoo, M.D., an internist in Baltimore, Maryland, who operates a medical practice known as Baltimore Health Care, P.C., has agreed to pay the United States $436,000 to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to the United States for medically unnecessary autonomic nervous function tests and trigger point injections with the use of ultrasound guidance. 

The settlement agreement was announced today by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.

In his practice, Dr. Quainoo administered peripheral autonomic nervous function tests and he performed trigger point injections using ultrasound guidance.  Autonomic nervous function disorders are relatively uncommon disorders and tests conducted to determine such disorders should be done only after a clinician suspects an autonomic nervous function disorder.  Furthermore, such tests should be conducted only one time per beneficiary, with the necessary equipment, and only by clinicians with specialized training to administer and interpret these tests.    

Trigger point injections may be indicated to treat patients with localized muscle pain in places where there are palpable and painful knots or nodules, but only after non-invasive medical management, such as muscle relaxers, topical analgesics and physical therapy, prove unsuccessful. 

According to the settlement agreement, from July 24, 2014 to November 30, 2018, Dr. Quainoo submitted claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary autonomic nervous function tests and trigger point injections using ultrasound guidance.  The United States alleged that autonomic nervous function tests were not medically necessary because Dr. Quainoo lacked the necessary equipment to conduct the tests, the patients did not have an autonomic nervous function disorder before the test was conducted, Dr. Quainoo lacked the specific training to conduct such tests, and he only used the tests to monitor patient symptoms, not make any clinical decisions about future patient care. 

As to the trigger point injections, the United States alleged that these procedures were not medically necessary because Dr. Quainoo failed to document a muscular knot or nodule before the patient underwent the injections, Dr. Quianoo failed to exhaust conservative treatments or therapy before performing the injections, and ultrasound guidance was not needed to perform the injections because the site of the muscle knot should be palpable; otherwise, there is no indication to perform the treatment.   

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations.  The settlement is not an admission of liability by Dr. Quainoo, nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.

The civil settlement reached by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland arose from an initiative launched by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which involves the use of specialized resources and personnel to review Medicare billing data.  The review of that data has enabled the United States Attorney’s Office to identify areas of concern where it appears that billing irregularities may have taken place.  Partnering with the affected agencies, the United States Attorney’s Office has developed the ability to investigate these billing irregularities to determine whether the matter is appropriate for enforcement under the False Claims Act. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Corcoran and Neil White, who handled the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) today warned taxpayers to be alert about possible scams relating to COVID-19, especially in connection with economic impact payments.  The announcement is an effort to prevent taxpayers in need from being victimized by criminals using the recently approved payments as an opportunity to commit a crime.

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis.  We will also continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds.  I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to be skeptical of any telephone calls, e-mails, or websites that request personal information or banking information, while promising money or services that seem too good to be true.”

“During this time of crisis, scammers and thieves prey on those most vulnerable in our community in an attempt to personally benefit by stealing their money and personal identifying information,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Kelly Jackson.  “Please help us protect everyone in your community by telling family, friends and elderly neighbors to be on the lookout for these potential scams.”

In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 economic impact payments will be on their way. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account. For the unbanked individuals who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, they will receive their economic impact payment through the mail.

Scammers may try to get you to sign over your check to them or get you to “verify” your filing information in order to steal your money.  Your personal information could then be used to file false tax returns in an identity theft scheme. Because of this, everyone receiving a COVID-19 economic impact payment is at risk.

U.S. Attorney Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jackson offer the following information and tips to spot a scam and understand how the COVID-19 related economic impact payments will be issued.

• The IRS will deposit your payment into the direct deposit account you previously provided on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check).
   
• The IRS will NOT call and ask you to verify your payment details.  Do NOT give your bank account number, debit account number, or PayPal account information to anyone—even if someone claims it's necessary to get your check.  It's a scam.
   
• If you receive a call, do NOT engage with scammers, even if you want to tell them that you know it's a scam.  Just hang up.
   
• If you receive texts or e-mails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal identifying information or clicking on links, delete these texts and e-mails.  Do NOT click on any links in those texts or e-mails.
   
• Reports are swirling about bogus checks. If you receive a “check” in the mail now, it’s a scam.  It will take the Treasury Department a few more weeks to mail out the COVID-19 economic impact payments. If you receive a “check” for an odd amount (especially one with cents), or a check that requires you to verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a scam.

In these uncertain and trying times, we need to remain vigilant.  Please help law enforcement protect your community by telling family, friends, and elderly neighbors to be on the lookout for these potential scams.   You work hard for your money, do NOT become a victim of these scams.  If something sounds too good to be true, it is probably fraudulent. 

For more information, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/coronavirus or DOJ’s website at https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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BALTIMORE, Maryland – The Department of Justice today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local, and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The department is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

“Law enforcement and public safety officials are facing extraordinary challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “These resources will help support their efforts to promote public safety during this difficult time.”

“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals,” said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents.”

The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received. Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur is encouraging all Marylanders to be aware of individuals attempting to profit from the coronavirus pandemic.  Coronavirus scams are being perpetrated around the country, including in Maryland.  Recently, scammers sent e-mails to people in Maryland, purporting to be from a local hospital and offering coronavirus vaccines for a fee.  In fact, no vaccine is currently available for the coronavirus.   Other fraudsters are offering fake cures for the virus or posing as public health officials.  Still other scams use websites that appear to be legitimate, but are actually fake websites that infect the users’ computers with harmful malware or seek personal information that can be later used to commit fraud.  Many of these scams target the most vulnerable, especially the elderly. 

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis are reprehensible.  My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens to justice.  We will continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds.  I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to be skeptical of any telephone calls, e-mails, or websites that request personal information or banking information, while promising money or services that seem too good to be true.”

U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr sent a memo to all U.S. Attorneys making the investigation of these scams and the individuals perpetrating them a priority.  Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are open and ready to investigate these frauds.  While employees of the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office are responsibly practicing social distancing, the Office’s dedication to the safety of all Maryland citizens continues.   

Don’t be taken in by a scam.  There are resources available to learn the facts about the coronavirus and how to protect yourself from scammers.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has guidelines on how to keep from becoming ill, and other information about the disease, on its website.  The Federal Trade Commission has consumer information about coronavirus scams on its website, including a complaint form to report scammers.  Elderly victims may also call the newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), if they believe they are victims of a coronavirus scam—or any other type of fraud.            

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Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury yesterday convicted Keno Romario Brown, age 26, of Hyattsville, Maryland, on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud more than 100 elderly victims through an advance fee scheme, specifically, by falsely representing that the victims had won a lottery or sweepstakes and demanding taxes or other fees before the victims could receive the prize. 

The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Director in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Washington Field Office; and Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division.

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “The Department of Justice is committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon the elderly to justice.  We will continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds targeting elderly victims and encourage anyone who believes they may be a victim to contact the newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).”

According to the evidence presented at his seven-day trial, in April 2013, Brown and two co-conspirators began contacting victims, falsely telling them that they were representatives of Company 1 or Company 2, which sponsored a lottery or sweepstakes. Brown and his co-conspirators misrepresented to victims that they had won a prize sponsored by Company 1 or Company 2, but in order to collect the prize, the victims had to pay advance fees and taxes to Brown or his co-conspirators.  The conspirators directed the victims to send the advance fees and taxes electronically, or through an interstate mail carrier to “runners” who received the fraudulent proceeds and provided them to Brown and his co-conspirators.  Evidence was presented that Brown used physical abuse to control at least one of the runners.

The trial evidence proved that to launder the fraud proceeds, Brown and a co-conspirator obtained debit cards using the personal information of elderly individuals without their knowledge or consent, and deposited that fraud proceeds onto those debit cards. 

The evidence proved that during the course of the conspiracy, Brown and other members of the conspiracy successfully defrauded over 100 elderly victims.    

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein, Dana J. Brusca, and Lindsay Eyler Kaplan, who are prosecuting the case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury has convicted Kenneth Wayne Hart, a/k/a Redds, Wayne Hawkins, Hawk, Big Daddy, Billy Reds, and Bill Red Hart, age 58, of Beltsville, Maryland, on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics; a sex trafficking conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; and witness tampering.  The verdict was returned late on March 12, 2020.

The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to the evidence presented at his seven-day trial, beginning in December 2016 and continuing until April 2017, Hart conspired to distribute narcotics and with a co-conspirator ran a prostitution business using force, threats, fraud, and coercion to cause women to engage in commercial sex acts.  The evidence proved that Hart recruited women to engage in commercial sex acts in Maryland and Washington, D.C.  Hart transported, photographed, and advertised the victims for commercial sex on websites set up for that purpose.  According to trial testimony, Hart also supplied the victims with heroin and crack cocaine on a daily basis and threatened to withhold—and did withhold—the narcotics if the victims displayed any sign of disobedience or tried to leave the locations where the commercial sex acts occurred.  According to trial evidence, in order to maintain control over the women he recruited to prostitute, Hart demanded that the women surrender to him their personal belongings, including identification cards, credit cards, cash, clothing, and cellular phones, and confiscated their earnings from the commercial sex acts.  Hart also used physical force, threatened physical force, and verbally abused the victims to force them to engage in prostitution against their will.

The jury also found that the evidence proved that Hart used physical force and threatened physical force to prevent an individual from communicating to a law enforcement officer information related to the commission or possible commission of a federal offense.

Hart faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the drug distribution conspiracy; a maximum of life in federal prison for the sex trafficking conspiracy; a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of life in prison for each of two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; and up to 30 years in federal prison witness tampering.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

The sex trafficking charges were investigated by the FBI-led Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force (MCETF), created in 2010 to combat child prostitution, with members from10 state and federal law enforcement agencies.  The Task Force coordinates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit to identify missing children being advertised online for prostitution. 

MCETF partners with the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, formed in 2007 to discover and rescue victims of human trafficking while identifying and prosecuting offenders.  Members include federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as victim service providers and local community members.  For more information about the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/priorities_human.html.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, FBI, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Sykes and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced Takii Nikeya Smith, age 44, of Cambridge, Maryland, to 13 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, on the federal charges of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and the members of the Dorchester and Wicomico County Narcotics Task Forces, including: Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Acting Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Dorchester County Sheriff James W. Phillips, Jr.; Chief Mark Lewis of the Cambridge Police Department; Chief Bruce Jones of the Hurlock Police Department; Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis; Chief Barbara Duncan of the Salisbury Police Department; Chief Brian Swafford of Fruitland Police Department; Dorchester County State’s Attorney William Jones; and Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes.

According to Smith’s guilty plea, in early 2018, an investigation was conducted into the distribution of large quantities of cocaine on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, involving hundreds of hours of physical and electronic surveillance, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics. 

Information gathered through surveillance and the execution of search warrants—one of which turned up more than a kilogram of cocaine packaged for distribution—suggested that Smith was a large-scale cocaine supplier in the area.  After several weeks of surveillance, Smith was stopped by the Maryland State Police and members of the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force as he returned to Maryland from Delaware.  Smith fled the traffic stop after being advised that a police K-9 would be conducting an open-air scan of his vehicle, which led to a vehicle pursuit.  Law enforcement ultimately apprehended Smith when his vehicle got stuck in mud while driving over farmland.  Later, after receiving citizen complaints about packages found along roadways traversed during the pursuit, law enforcement recovered two kilogram packages of cocaine.  According to the guilty plea, Smith admitted that the drugs belonged to him and that he had discarded them during his flight from law enforcement.

Law enforcement subsequently executed search warrants at one of Smith’s properties in Mardela Springs, Maryland and at a trailer that Smith had stored at an auto body shop.  Law enforcement recovered more than 600 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, cutting agents, and other drug distribution paraphernalia, as well as several rounds of .40-caliber ammunition from in and near the house.  From the trailer, law enforcement recovered three firearms—a 9mm pistol, a .40-caliber pistol, and an AR-15 rifle—as well as $347,000 in cash in a vacuum-sealed bag.  Smith knew that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as the result of a previous felony conviction.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, and participating agencies in the Dorchester and Wicomico County Narcotics Task Forces, who are both part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative, for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher M. Rigali and Christopher J. Romano, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – Ambrose Doye, age 24, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges of armed robbery and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to Doye’s guilty plea, on November 26, 2018, Doye and his co-defendant, Akeem Bolton, drove to a barbershop in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and spoke with two employees outside of the shop, pretending to be potential customers.  The two left and went to a convenience store across the street, then returned to the barbershop.  Doye sat in the barbershop chair while an employee prepared to cut his hair.  Doye drew a handgun and pointed it at the employee, while Bolton struck a second employee in the back of the head with a handgun.

As detailed in the plea agreement, Doye and Bolton then forced the employees to the back of the store and pulled the blinds down over the windows of the barbershop.  Doye and Bolton forced the employees to strip naked and lie face down on the floor with their hands behind their heads, and ordered them to count to 1,000.  Doye and Bolton robbed the employees of their cellphones, money, and jewelry.  The robbers threatened to kill the employees if they moved while they counted to 1,000.  Doye and Bolton demanded to know where additional money was located in the store and threatened to kill the employees when they were unable to locate additional money.  Doye and Bolton again threatened to kill the employees if they reported the robbery then left the barbershop with the personal belongings of the employees. 

A search of Doye’s residence recovered a distinctive silver necklace stolen from one of the barbershop employees and a silver and black .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol that was used in the armed robbery. When Bolton was arrested, a black 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was used in the robbery, was recovered from his person.   

Doye and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Doye will be sentenced to between eight and 10 years in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has scheduled sentencing for June 22, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. 

Akeem Bolton, age 29, of Washington, D.C., previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced on March 6, 2020 to nine years in federal prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Dick and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jared Hernandez, who are prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Thomas Michael Mannion, Jr., age 46, of Parkville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in federal court to two counts of production of child pornography, and admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conduct with two minor victims. 

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

According to his guilty plea, Mannion rented the basement apartment of a townhome in Parkville, Maryland, where he lived alone.  On May 6, 2019, Baltimore County Police were called to a residence after a neighbor had seen Mannion in bed naked with Minor Victim 1, who was also unclothed.  When police arrived, they located the minor victim, who was 13 years old at the time, in the basement bedroom area.  Investigation revealed that Mannion had met the victim a few months before on a social networking application.  Mannion had initially met the Minor Victim 1 on March 9, 2019, and brought him to his apartment, where they engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Mannion took photos and videos of Minor Victim 1 during the sexual encounter.  Mannion admitted that on March 12, 2019 and March 17, 2019, as well as on additional occasions, he distributed the sexually explicit images of Minor Victim 1 to others.  Mannion took additional sexually explicit photographs of Minor Victim 1 on May 6, 2019.  A forensic analysis of Mannion’s cellphone revealed 21 images and two videos depicting the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit activity on March 9, 2019, and an additional eight images of Minor Victim 1 documenting the sexual activity on May 6, 2019.

As detailed in the plea agreement, Mannion also communicated with Minor Victim 2, a 14-year-old male, through the social networking application.  Mannion admitted that on April 17, 2019, Mannion went to the home of Minor Victim 2, where he engaged in sexual activity with the victim and took photographs and videos documenting the sexual contact.  Mannion distributed the child pornography images of Minor Victim 2 to multiple other users of the social networking application.  The forensic analysis of Mannion’s cellphone recovered 18 images and two videos documenting the sexual activity with Minor Victim 2.

According to the plea agreement, Mannion attempted to meet with several other minors with whom he communicated on the social networking application, even after the minors advised Mannion of their ages.  Mannion also discussed his sexual interest in other children that he knew or had contact with during sexually explicit chats with users of the application.  In addition, a review of Mannion’s laptop computer revealed multiple images of child pornography.

Mannion faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for each of the two counts of production of child pornography, followed by up to lifetime supervised release.   U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.       

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, HSI, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary W. Setzer, who is prosecuting the federal case.

# # #

Baltimore Maryland – United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur announced today that Lance Andre Lucas, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to federal honest services wire fraud and use of an interstate facility to carry on unlawful activity, also known as the Travel Act.  

“Lance Lucas paid $42,500 to former Maryland Delegate Cheryl Glenn in exchange for official actions, to give his businesses an advantage,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Legislative decisions should be made in the best interests of the public, not in exchange for bribes.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who betray the public trust for their own greed.”

“As evident in today's plea, public corruption is not merely focused on persons holding public office, but extends to anyone attempting to leverage access to those with influence for personal benefit,” said Alfred Watson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Division of the FBI.  “The FBI's pledge to the public is that we will seek to root out public corruption wherever it may be, no matter the person, position, or purpose.”

According to his plea agreement, Lance Lucas was an entrepreneur and businessman.  He was employed by Company 1, which developed the Cyber Warrior Diversity Program curriculum to sell to institutions offering education and training to persons interested in cybersecurity professions.  In addition, Lucas formed Non-Profit 1, to provide community Internet networks and computer instruction for children and adults.  Lucas partnered with other individuals who were involved in businesses engaged in distributing or growing medical marijuana, including Company 2 and Company 3.  Company 2 was awarded a Stage One license pre-approval for a medical marijuana dispensary license by the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, and sought final approval from the Cannabis Commission.  Company 3 applied for a medical marijuana growing license in May 2019.

Until her resignation on December 18, 2019, Cheryl Glenn was a Maryland State Delegate representing District 45, which covered portions of Baltimore. 

As detailed in the plea agreement, from May 22, 2018 through July 30, 2019, Lucas paid Glenn $42,500, defrauding the citizens of Maryland of the right to her honest services by providing bribes in exchange for Glenn’s official actions.  Specifically, Lucas paid bribes for Glenn to introduce legislation that included a provision requiring the award of contracts under the Cyber Warrior Diversity program to certain businesses that met specified criteria.  Company 1 met the criteria specified in the initial draft of the bill, although that provision was removed in the final bill.  Lucas also paid bribes to Glenn to help Company 2 to obtain final approval from the Cannabis Commission for a medical marijuana dispensary license.  Finally, Lucas paid bribes to Glenn to assist him with the Cannabis Commission to ensure that Company 3’s application for a medical marijuana growing license was selected during the “double-blind” review process.

Lucas admitted that he wrote checks made out to Glenn personally, not to her campaign committee, and that he provided her with cash payments.  Lucas made several statements that money was not an issue and that he would not leave anything to chance.  Lucas also assured Glenn that they would not be caught and stated “I’m from Baltimore for real, for real Baltimore . . . This is the least illegal thing I’ve ever done.  This is like patty-cake compared to the [expletive] in Baltimore City.”

Lucas faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for honest services wire fraud and five years in federal prison for the Travel Act charge.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek E. Hines and Leo J. Wise, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Akeem Bolton, age 29, of Washington, D.C., to nine years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed commercial robbery and for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to Bolton’s guilty plea, on November 26, 2018, Bolton and his co-defendant drove to a barbershop in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and spoke with two employees outside of the shop, pretending to be potential customers.  The two left and went to a convenience store across the street, then returned to the barbershop.  Bolton’s co-defendant sat in the barbershop chair while an employee prepared to cut his hair.  The co-defendant drew a handgun and pointed it at the employee, while Bolton struck a second employee in the back of the head with a handgun.

As detailed in the plea agreement, Bolton and his co-defendant then forced the employees to the back of the store and pulled the blinds down over the windows of the barbershop.  Bolton and the co-conspirator forced the employees to strip naked and lie face down on the floor with their hands behind their heads, and ordered them to count to 1,000.  Bolton and the co-conspirator robbed the employees of their cellphones, money, and jewelry.  The robbers threatened to kill the employees if they moved while they counted to 1,000.  Bolton and the co-conspirator demanded to know where additional money was located in the store and threatened to kill the employees when they were unable to locate additional money.  Bolton and the co-conspirator again threatened to kill the employees if they reported the robbery, then left the barbershop with the personal belongings of the employees. 

When Bolton was arrested, a black 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which was used in the robbery, was recovered from his person.  A search of the co-defendant’s residence recovered a distinctive silver necklace stolen from one of the barbershop employees and a silver and black .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Dick and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Hernandez, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore – A federal grand jury has returned a second superseding indictment charging eight defendants with federal charges related to a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl and/or heroin in Washington County, Maryland.  The second superseding indictment, which was returned on March 4, 2020, adds two additional defendants and six counts.  The following defendants are charged in the second superseding indictment:

            Christopher Scott Benton, a/k/a Brisco, age 30, of Hagerstown, Maryland;             Jarvis Antonio Coleman-Fuller, age 32, of Hagerstown;             Eric Tyrell Johnson, a/k/a E, age 36, of Owings Mills, Maryland;             Jeroam Edwin Nelson, Jr., a/k/a Boob, age 30, of Hagerstown;             Thamar J. Smith, a/k/a SK and Skoal, age 46, of Hagerstown;             Philander Alexander Spruill, a/k/a Buddha, age 28, of Hagerstown;             Edward Melvin Ware, a/k/a Eddie, age 32, of Edgewater, Maryland; and
            Tyler Lee Ware, a/k/a Bugsy, age 32, of Hagerstown.

The second superseding indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore; Chief Paul “Joey” Kifer of the Hagerstown Police Department; and Washington County Sheriff Charles P. Strong.

According to the 15-count indictment, beginning in about April 2019 and continuing to about November 2019, the defendants conspired to distribute heroin and/or fentanyl in the Washington County area.  During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized narcotics, including at least 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, four firearms and ammunition, and at least $16,223 in cash.  All of the defendants are charged with being members of the conspiracy.  Tyler Ware is also charged with distribution of heroin on July 4, 2019.  Smith, Johnson, Spruill, Nelson, and Coleman-Fuller are charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and/or heroin; Johnson, Spruill, Nelson, and Coleman-Fuller are charged with being felons in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition; Spruill and Coleman-Fuller are charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and Coleman-Fuller is charged with possession of body armor by a violent felon.

If convicted, Benton, Nelson, and Spruill face a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in federal prison and up to life in prison for the drug charges; Coleman-Fuller, Johnson, Smith, Edward Ware, and Tyler Ware all face a mandatory minimum sentence of at least five years in federal prison and up to 40 years in prison for the drug charges; Coleman-Fuller, Nelson, and Spruill each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being felons in possession of firearms and/or ammunition; Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 15 years in federal prison and up to life in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm; and Coleman-Fuller and Spruill face a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in federal prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Coleman-Fuller also faces a maximum of three years in federal prison for possession of body armor by a violent felon.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Nelson, Spruill, and Edward Ware have had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore and remain detained.  Benton, Coleman-Fuller, and Smith are expected to have initial appearances today.  Johnson and Tyler Ware are in state custody on related charges.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.        

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA, HSI, the Washington County Narcotics Task Force, and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation, and thanked the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office for its assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey J. Izant and Christina A. Hoffman, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Kyle Greene, age 32, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a stolen firearm.  

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Kyle Greene had multiple felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.  Despite that prohibition, law enforcement recovered a loaded gun that had been stolen, from under Greene’s mattress.  Now Greene will serve nine years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We are determined to work with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime by removing gun-toting criminals from our communities.  I urge anyone who is tempted to follow Kyle Greene’s example to put down the gun.  You’ll save a life, maybe even your own.”

According to Greene’s guilty plea, on February 27, 2019, members of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and FBI executed a search warrant at Greene’s residence.  During the search, Greene was located in his bedroom.  A loaded firearm was recovered from under the mattress in that room.  The gun was found to have been stolen.  Greene admitted that he knew the firearm was there and that it was stolen.  As a result of previous felony convictions, Greene was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Christine Goo, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced Tyrell Daronte Curry, a/k/a “Mike,” age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 51 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We absolutely will not tolerate drugs dealing near our schools.  We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to remove gun-toting drug dealers from our communities, in order to reduce violent crime.”

According to his guilty plea, from December 2018 to February 2019, Curry distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.  On January 3 and again on February 6, 2019, Curry sold an undercover Baltimore County Police officer a “pack” of heroin—each containing 25 gel capsules—for $200 per pack. 

On February 22, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an apartment in Parkville, Maryland, which was rented by Curry, and was within 1,000 feet of a Baltimore County elementary school.  Curry and his co-defendant, Deandre Laquan Jones, used the apartment to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.  From the apartment, law enforcement recovered two baggies containing a total of approximately 345 grams of fentanyl, cutting agents, digital scales, two kilogram presses, and bags of packaging materials.  In addition, officers found mail and other documents in the names of Curry and Jones, and two empty .40-caliber extended magazines, from which the BCPD Forensic Services Section recovered a latent print of Jones’ left thumb.  In the living room, officers located a coffee table that had been custom-manufactured to contain a hidden compartment secured by a wireless lock.  Investigators later learned that the table had been purchased by, and shipped to, Deandre Jones at the Parkville apartment.  When the hidden compartment in the table was opened, law enforcement recovered plastic bags containing 16 grams of fentanyl, 175 grams of heroin, 185 grams of crack cocaine, and 173 grams of powder cocaine, as well as a .410-caliber handgun and 19 rounds of .410-caliber ammunition.

That same day, BCPD officers executed a search warrant at Curry’s residence and recovered a total of $17,820 in cash, sandwich bags holding a total of 46 capsules of heroin, three cell phones, and a box containing .357-caliber ammunition, which was found in the mattress.  Curry admitted that the cash was furnished or intended to be furnished in exchange for controlled substance, or was proceeds from the sale of controlled substances.

A subsequent forensic examination of the cell phones recovered messages between Jones and Curry relating to drug trafficking, including discussions about the Parkville apartment, potential customers, sources of supply, possible police surveillance, and ammunition.

Deandre Laquan Jones, a/k/a “Cuz,” age 27, of Towson, Maryland previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute drugs near a school, and to being a felon in possession of firearms.  U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for Jones on April 30, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI Baltimore and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey J. Izant and Christopher J. Romano, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – Rondell Ronald Hackett, Jr., age 34, of Middle River, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  At the time of his arrest, Hackett was on supervised release for a previous federal drug conviction.  

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Acting Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to Hackett’s plea agreement, HSI and the Baltimore County Police Department were investigating a drug trafficking organization in Baltimore County.  Hackett was identified as a member of the organization, along with Tony Lee Bauer, Aaron Kenith Waller, Gary Gaines-Hidalgo, Adrian Gilberto Herrera-Diaz, and Carlos Alejandro Castro-Castro.  In December 2017, Gaines arranged to purchase kilograms of cocaine for $26,500/kilogram from a confidential source (CS), who was working with law enforcement.  Thereafter, Gaines arranged to resell the cocaine to Herrera for $28,000/kilogram.  Gaines and Castro arranged to have 10 kilograms of cocaine delivered to them in Baltimore.

As detailed in his plea, on January 26, 2018, Gaines and Castro entered the United States from Mexico, then traveled to Baltimore.  Gaines and Castro agreed to sell three kilograms of cocaine to Herrera, Bauer, and Waller, with additional sales of kilograms of cocaine to follow the initial purchase.  Gaines agreed to meet the CS in the parking lot of a Baltimore hotel, and told Herrera, Bauer, and Waller to also meet him there. 

Three cars arrived at the agreed-upon location, one driven by the CS.  Hackett drove one vehicle with Herrera in the front passenger seat and Gaines in the driver’s side rear passenger seat.  Waller drove the third vehicle, with Bauer in the front seat and Castro in the rear passenger seat.  Bauer, Herrera, and Gaines exited their vehicles and met with the CS.  The CS then opened the trunk of his car, which contained two kilogram-shaped packages, one of powder cocaine and one kilogram of “sham,” or fake narcotics.  Gaines placed his hand in the bag containing the packages and members of HSI and the MSP Tactical Team approached.  Hackett and Waller attempted to drive away, but were stopped.  In Hackett’s car, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the center console and a loaded .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the rear passenger-side floor of the vehicle.  On the rear seat was a vinyl bank bag containing bank-banded cash and a white bag containing cash.  A search of Bauer also recovered banded-up amounts of cash.  In all, law enforcement recovered $129,583 in cash from the defendants, their vehicles, and their residences.

As part of his plea agreement, Hackett will be required to forfeit the two loaded firearms and $129,583 in cash recovered after the arrests of Hackett and his co-defendants, and four vehicles, including a Range Rover, a Mercedes Benz, a Cadillac Escalade, and a Cadillac CTS.

Hackett and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Hackett will be sentenced to between 10 and 15 years in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

Gary Gaines-Hidalgo, age 28, and Carlos A. Castro-Castro, age 36, both of Baja California, Mexico, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and were each sentenced to 37 months in federal prison.  Tony Lee Bauer, age 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and Aaron Kenith Waller, age 52, of Crofton, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy.  Both are awaiting sentencing.

The final defendant, Adrian Herrera-Diaz, age 29, of Baltimore County, absconded in March 2018 while on home detention with electronic monitoring.  Herrera-Diaz was arrested in Georgia in August 2019 and returned to Maryland, where he is scheduled for trial on March 30, 2020. An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI Baltimore, the Baltimore County Police Department, and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Romano and Derek E. Hines, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – Brian Lockett, age 48, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charges of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of an analogue of fentanyl, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and 100 grams of more of heroin, and to possession of a stolen firearm.  Fentanyl analogues are chemical compounds designed to have effects similar to fentanyl and can be just as deadly.  Lockett was charged in federal court as part of a federal-state initiative announced in December 2018 to combat the fentanyl crisis in Maryland.

Under this new initiative, titled the “Synthetic Opioid Surge,” or “SOS” for short, every arrest involving distribution of fentanyl made by law enforcement in Baltimore is reviewed jointly by the State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine whether the case will be handled in the state or federal system.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute more cases involving fentanyl as a result of this new program.  The use of federal resources and statutes, which carry significant terms of imprisonment, is necessary to prosecute those individuals who pose the greatest threat to public safety in distributing lethal doses of fentanyl.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Marilyn Mosby.

“Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl-which is 50-100 times stronger than morphine-can kill you,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We are working with our law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute those who peddle deadly fentanyl in our neighborhoods.  We must do all we can to reduce the supply of fentanyl and related substances that are causing so many tragic overdoses.”

According to his guilty plea, on May 24, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Lockett’s residence in the 1500 block of East Preston Street.  Some of the agents knocked on the front door to announce their entry to execute the warrant.  As they did so, Lockett and another individual were caught going out the rear door of the home in an attempt to get away.

From Lockett’s basement bedroom, law enforcement recovered approximately 1,644 gelcaps, which laboratory analysis found contained acetylfentanyl, fentanyl, or heroin, as well as smaller quantities of small ziplocks containing suspected cocaine.  From under the mattress agents recovered a 9mm handgun and a magazine for that weapon, loaded with 15 9mm cartridges.  Also in the basement were bottles marked quinine and several bags of white and brown powdered substances, believed to be drugs and drug cutting agents.  One of the bags was found to contain approximately 182.52 grams of a mixture of acetylfentanyl, fentanyl, and heroin.  Agents also recovered cash, a cellular phone, and other supplies used in the packaging for drugs for street-level sale.  The gun recovered from Lockett’s bedroom was found to be stolen.

Lockett and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Lockett will be sentenced to 12 years in federal prison.  U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander has scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.        

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey M. Hann, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney, who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Sydni Frazier, a/k/a Sid, Junior Boss, and Perry, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland late yesterday on a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and possession of firearms by a felon.  Frazier went to trial last year with members and associates of the Murdaland Mafia Piru (MMP), a subset of the Bloods gang, but had a mistrial after his lawyer had a medical emergency.  

The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to get guns out of the hands of drug dealers and off of our streets, in order to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods.  If you use a gun, you could face federal time, where there is no parole—ever.  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”

According to the evidence presented at Frazier’s six-day trial, between at least 2014 and 2017, Frazier conspired with others, including members and associates of the MMP gang, to distribute narcotics.  For many years, MMP controlled the drug trade in large swaths of Northwest Baltimore City and neighboring Baltimore County, including Forest Park, Windsor Mill, Gwynn Oak, Howard Park, and Woodlawn.  The gang’s drug shop in the 5200 block of Windsor Mill Road was particularly lucrative due to its close proximity to Interstate 70, and it frequently attracted drug customers driving from Western Maryland and neighboring states. 

The evidence presented at trial established that on August 10, 2016, Frazier and his co-conspirators kidnapped, robbed, and murdered Ricardo Johnson in order to enrich themselves and their drug trafficking conspiracy.  The victim was abducted at approximately 2:30 am as he was returning home to his apartment in the 1100 block of West Lanvale Street in Baltimore.  Less than four hours later, the victim’s body was discovered in the back of a stolen minivan parked next to the light rail tracks in the 2200 block of Kloman Street.  Johnson had been bound by the wrists and ankles, blindfolded, and shot over twenty times.  There was partially burned flammable material sticking out of the gas tank of the van, indicating that the killers had attempted to set the van on fire before departing the scene. 

Less than twelve hours after Johnson’s body was found, members of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) attempted to stop Frazier for riding an illegal dirt bike in the 2100 block of Tucker Lane.  Frazier fled and was able to get away, but in the process of fleeing, he abandoned the dirt bike as well as a backpack and gloves he had been wearing.  The backpack contained two cell phones belonging to Frazier and two loaded 9mm caliber handguns.  Both guns were a ballistic match to the 9mm caliber casings recovered from the murder scene.  In addition, the BPD DNA and Serology laboratory determined that Frazier’s DNA profile matched DNA from the insides of the gloves, and the victim’s DNA profile matched DNA from the outsides of the gloves.  Frazier illegally possessed the two loaded 9mm firearms, as he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions.

Frazier faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking resulting in death; a maximum of 40 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for possession of firearms by a felon.  U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2020, at 9:30 a.m.

On February 20, 2020, co-defendant Corloyd Anderson, a/k/a Bo, age 37, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise related to his participation in the gang activities of the MMP gang.  Anderson was convicted on April 30, 2019, after a six-week trial.  The evidence showed that Anderson supplied large volumes of heroin to members of MMP for distribution in MMP’s territory in the area of Windsor Mill Road and Forest Park Avenue. There was also evidence presented that Anderson disposed of a murder weapon for MMP Boss Dontray Johnson, a/k/a “Bino,” and he illegally possessed a loaded handgun after having been convicted of at least three prior felonies.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF, the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Police Departments, and the Baltimore City and Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Offices for their work in the investigation and prosecution.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Christina Hoffman, Lauren E. Perry, and Christopher M. Rigali, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Alonzo Darnell Wood, age 39, of Washington, D.C., yesterday to 33 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.

According to court documents, Wood was attempting to enter a Maryland casino when a casino security officer observed a blue folded knife near his waist band.  The security officer advised Wood that the knife was not permitted in the casino and instructed Wood to put the knife in his car.  As Wood walked away, the security officer and a police officer noticed a strong odor emanating from Wood.

A short time later, Wood returned to the same security podium and the security officer asked Wood to present identification.  When Wood began to reach into his pockets, the security officer asked Wood to open his jacket, which was completely zipped up.  The police officer searched Wood to check for weapons and recovered a fully-loaded .40-caliber handgun from Wood’s waistband.  Wood was placed under arrest.  A subsequent search of Wood resulted in the discovery of 2.5 ounces of PCP in a glass bottle, two grams of marijuana, and the blue folded knife.  Wood was prohibited from possessing a firearm of ammunition due to previous felony drug convictions.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts,  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.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.  Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.  For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.        

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dwight Draughon and Catherine Dick, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander today sentenced Lisa Fore, age 48, of Hampstead, Maryland, to 45 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft related to a scheme to embezzle almost $1 million from her employers.  Judge Hollander also scheduled a hearing on April 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. concerning the requested restitution.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

“Less than a year after she was hired, Lisa Fore began embezzling from the family-owned company for which she worked and from the family themselves.  She continued the embezzlement scheme for at least 16 years, taking advantage of the relationships she cultivated for her own purposes,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Now Lisa Fore will have almost four years in federal prison to reflect on her betrayal of trust.  Let this sentence serve as a warning to others who might be tempted to abuse their position for personal gain.”   

According to Fore’s plea agreement, beginning in 2001, Fore was employed as a bookkeeper for victims J.C., C.C., the Cirelli Company, and related entities.  Beginning in at least 2002 and continuing until July 2018, Fore embezzled more than $996,193.02 from the Cirelli entities and victims J.C. and C.C.

As detailed in her plea agreement, Fore accomplished the scheme by various means, including forging the signature of J.C. on checks drawn from the personal accounts of J.C. and C.C., and from the accounts of the Cirelli entities; making electronic transfers of funds from the Cirelli accounts; and using credit cards for accounts associated with the Cirelli entities, all for her personal benefit.  Fore used the embezzled funds to pay her personal credit card bills, property taxes on her home in Carroll County, Maryland, utility bills associated with her home, and taxes owed to the U.S. Department of Treasury.  She also repeatedly used a company credit card to purchase items and services for her own benefit. including auto repairs for her and her family’s personal vehicles at a local auto repair shop.

Fore admitted that she concealed her scheme by creating fake bank statements and fake invoices from a legitimate vendor used by the Cirelli entities, and by inaccurately coding forged checks used to pay her personal expenses in the online accounting application used by the company, among other means.  For example, Fore would code a forged check as payable to a frequently used vendor, when the check was in fact payable to one of her creditors.

On July 30, 2018, J.C. confronted Fore about suspicious charges on a company credit card.  Fore acknowledged that she was responsible for the suspicious charges and her employment was terminated shortly thereafter.                   

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history.  This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep.  In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors.  In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.

In two separate cases in Maryland, three defendants were charged with mail fraud related to schemes targeting elderly victims.  In each case, the defendants allegedly obtained more than $1 million from the fraud.  Specifically, Osakwe Ismael Osagbue, age 32, of Los Angeles, California was sentenced in January 2020, to four years in federal prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to obtain and use fraudulent credit cards resulting in a loss of at least $1,365,746.24.  In the second case, two Florida men, David James Green, age 24, of Miami Gardens and McArnold Charlemagne, age 32, of Miramar, are charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud by allegedly defrauding more than 65 elderly victims of at least $1.5 million.  The indictment alleges that the defendants falsely told the victims that a relative, typically a grandchild, needed money for bail, legal fees, or other expenses.

“Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The Department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors.”

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “The Department of Justice is committed to bringing fraudsters who prey upon the elderly to justice.  We will continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of scams and frauds targeting elderly victims and encourage anyone who believes they may be a victim to contact the newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).”

This interactive map provides information on the elder fraud cases highlighted by today’s sweep announcement. 

Elder Fraud Hotline

Attorney General Barr also announced the launch of a National Elder Fraud Hotline, which will provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline will be staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers will assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a “money mule” to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal district participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.

Maryland Outreach

The District of Maryland became one of only ten districts throughout the country to form an Elder Justice Task Force in 2016.  The Elder Justice Task Force joins state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, the Maryland Department of Aging, the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and other private sector stakeholders and free legal service providers to collaborate on cases and outreach programs to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

In one recent outreach event, the U.S. Attorney’s Office partnered with Maryland AARP, the Social Security Administration, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to present tips on how seniors can protect themselves from government imposter scams.  Every day thousands of Marylanders receive calls from identity thieves pretending to represent the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and other government agencies, in an effort to steal personal information or coerce the victim to make cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest over an “irregularity with their account.”  Participants from every county in the State attended the call, from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. 

These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

# # #

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – Kareem Mack, a/k/a K Mack, age 29, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances related to his participation in a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Maryland and surrounding states.  Robert Williams, age 63, of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty today for providing cutting agents to the drug trafficking organization from his store in the Hollins Market area in Baltimore.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jarod A. Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Division Office; Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to Mack’s guilty plea and other court documents, from October 2018 through April 2019, the FBI intercepted phone communications of the Butler drug trafficking organization (DTO), which operated in and around the Baltimore metropolitan area.  Interceptions revealed that the DTO used phones to arrange heroin, cocaine base, and fentanyl sales to drug users and drug redistributors from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

As detailed in Mack’s plea agreement, the DTO operated on a nearly daily basis and sold thousands of dollars in narcotics on a daily basis.  Customers of the DTO believed they were purchasing heroin, but the DTO adulterated all heroin it sold with fentanyl.  Street-level distributors in the DTO worked in shifts, sharing phones they used to communicate with DTO leadership and customers.

The investigation identified Kareem Mack as a street-level distributor in the DTO from at least November 2018 through his arrest in April 2019.  During this period of time, Mack sold heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl on behalf of the DTO.  A search warrant executed at Mack’s residence on December 7, 2018, by members of the Baltimore City Police Department (“BPD”) recovered over 100 grams of heroin, approximately 26 grams of crack cocaine, and $12,537 in drug proceeds.  Officers also recovered a cellular telephone that street-level distributors used to communicate with DTO leadership.   Mack was arrested, then released pending trial in state court.

Mack continued to distribute narcotics on behalf of the DTO while on pre-trial release for his state drug trafficking charges.  Over the course of his participation in the DTO, Mack admitted that he distributed at least one kilogram of heroin.

In a related case, Robert Williams admitted that from at least September 2018 through June 2019, he supplied the DTO with narcotics cutting agents (i.e., drug paraphernalia). According to Williams’ plea agreement, wiretap interceptions of Williams’ phone revealed that he frequently sold cutting agents used for the processing of heroin and fentanyl in large quantities. Williams communicated by phone and text message about these transactions, but also attempted to disguise the nature of the illegal activity by using FaceTime, an encrypted video/audio application for Apple cellular devices.

In May 2019, the FBI searched Williams’ business in the Hollins Market area of Baltimore and recovered multiple boxes containing large quantities of cutting agents.  Interceptions of Williams’ phone had confirmed that he hid the cutting agents inside the store to avoid detection by law enforcement.  Williams admitted that he knowingly sold the drug paraphernalia to drug traffickers and knew that it was being used for the distribution of narcotics.

Mack faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum of life in federal prison for the drug conspiracy.  Williams faces a maximum of two years in federal prison.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for Mack on August 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.  Judge Grimm set Williams’ sentencing for August 31, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the DEA, the Montgomery County and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the City of Rockville Police Department; the Baltimore County, Howard County, and Montgomery County Police Departments; the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office; the Maryland State Police; the West Virginia State Police; the Virginia State Police; the Warren County (VA) Sheriff’s Department; the Winchester (VA) and Front Royal (VA) Police Departments; and the Frederick County and Howard County State’s Attorney’s Offices.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Michael Goldsticker, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – Linwood Davis, age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Davis was charged federally last year for his alleged participation in a drug distribution conspiracy operating in Northwest Baltimore near the intersection of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard, and for illegally possessing a firearm.   

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Gang members settling disputes with gunfire are plaguing our streets with violence and murder.  The cycle of retributive violence has to stop,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We in federal law enforcement are determined to make our streets safer, working with our local and state partners.  We’re committed to identifying and prosecuting armed criminals to remove them from our communities.  To those who would do as this defendant did, I say, please put down the gun.  You will save a life—maybe even your own.”

According to his guilty plea, in February 19, 2019, Davis was shot in Baltimore.  Shortly after his release from the hospital, Davis posted on social media that he would seek vengeance against those who shot him.  On March 21, 2019, Davis again posted on social media that he was looking for revenge for the death of his “brother.”  Later that day, DEA investigators conducing a court-authorized wiretap on Davis’ phone overheard Davis telling an associate to bring him the “whatchamacallit,” and DEA agents began surveilling Davis.  That night Davis left a residence on Mount Holly Street in Baltimore and got into a minivan.  Investigators followed the van to the 1600 block of West North Avenue in Baltimore, where the vehicle abruptly stopped and the passenger-side door opened.  Agents went up to the van, which was being driven by a livery driver.

In the back of the minivan were Davis and two co-conspirators.  Agents searched the co-conspirators and recovered two loaded firearms from each co-conspirator.  Davis admitted that he knew the co-conspirators had four guns and that he therefore jointly possessed the firearms with the co-conspirators.  Davis had a previous felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Davis faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Michael Goldsticker, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

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