District of Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging the following individuals with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and kidnapping, for allegedly forcing a woman to engage in commercial sex acts for the financial benefit of the defendants.  Charged in the indictment are:  

      Lakeya N. Aldridge, a/k/a Keys and Keya, age 39, of Federalsburg, Maryland;       Joshua I. Lankford, a/k/a 20-20, 20, Light Bright, and Yellow, age 30, of Manchester,         Maryland; and
      Kevonne L. Murphy, a/k/a Humble and Shackles, age 27, of Federalsburg.

The indictment was returned on August 1, 2019.  All three defendants have had an initial appearance.  Lankford and Aldridge have detention hearings scheduled for August 5 and August 6, 2019, respectively, each at 2:30 p.m.  Murphy consented to be detained pending trial.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Chief Michael McDermott of the Federalsburg Police Department; Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr. of the Delaware State Police; and Attorney General Kathy Jennings of the Delaware Department of Justice.

According to the four-count indictment, from approximately October 1 to October 30, 2018, the defendants conspired to, and engaged in the business of recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, advertising, and maintaining the victim, K.A., an adult female, to engage in commercial sex acts for their financial benefit.  Specifically, the indictment alleges that Aldridge, Lankford, and Murphy rented hotel rooms for the victim to engage in commercial sex acts, as well as transporting the victim to “out calls” to hotel rooms and other locations to engage in commercial sex acts, including transporting her across state lines.  Aldridge allegedly provided narcotics, including heroin, to the victim to recruit, entice, and maintain the victim throughout the course of her engaging in commercial sex acts. 

The indictment further alleges that Aldridge, Lankford, and Murphy caused the victim to communicate with and solicit potential sex customers via the Internet, including social media, on their cellular phones.  On October 29, 2018, after the victim performed commercial sex acts in Maryland at the direction of the defendants, Aldridge, Lankford, and Murphy used force, threats of force, and physically assaulted the victim in order to transport her, against her will, from Federalsburg, Maryland, to a motel in Laurel, Delaware, to continue the sex trafficking conspiracy.

Each of the defendants faces a maximum of life in prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking; a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; and a maximum of life in prison for kidnapping conspiracy and for kidnapping.  

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 was investigated by 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.

Report suspected instances of human trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form.  Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, the Maryland State Police, the Federalsburg Police Department, the Delaware State Police, and the Delaware Department of Justice for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary W. Setzer and Matthew DellaBetta, who are prosecuting the case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – Josue Balbino Ruiz-Reyes, age 25, of Adelphi, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamines and to using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking offense. 

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

According to his guilty plea, from about 2016 through November 21, 2018, Ruiz-Reyes conspired with others, including Individual 1, to distribute methamphetamine.  During that time, Ruiz-Reyes distributed crystal methamphetamine to individuals in and around Maryland in exchange for cash, services, or items of value, such as hotel stays.  In October or November 2018, Ruiz-Reyes paid Individual 1 approximately $500 in cash for a future delivery of methamphetamine.  Despite repeated requests from Ruiz-Reyes, Individual 1 failed to deliver the methamphetamine or repay the money.

As detailed in his plea agreement, late on November 15 or early November 16, 2018, Ruiz-Reyes drove a silver-colored vehicle to a house on Twig Road in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he knew Individual 1 often stayed with Individual 2.  Ruiz-Reyes repeatedly fired a 9mm semi-automatic pistol at the Twig Road House in retaliation for Individual 1’s failure to pay the drug debt, and to induce Individuals 1 and 2 to repay the drug debt.  In the evening of November 16, 2018, Ruiz-Reyes returned to the house in his silver vehicle and again discharged his weapon at the house over the drug debt owed to him by Individual 1.  Ruiz-Reyes also sent threatening messages over social media to Individual 2 regarding the drug debt.

On November 21, 2018, Ruiz-Reyes was arrested in Hanover, Maryland, as he returned to his car in the parking lot of a casino/hotel.  Officers executed a search warrant on the vehicle and recovered: the 9mm semi-automatic pistol used in the shooting, as well as spent shell casings from the exterior windshield and floorboard of the car; 20 small bags of crystal methamphetamine, weighing a total of 19.02 grams; a digital scale; empty clear plastic bags; two glass pipes; a knife; and a ski mask.

Ruiz-Reyes faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison for the drug conspiracy; and a mandatory minimum of 10 years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison for discharging a weapon in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.   U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel has scheduled sentencing for October 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).  NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.  NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.  For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

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 Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catherine K. Dick and Leah B. Grossi, who are prosecuting the case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging John Irogho, age 38, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and charging Irogho and Odinaka Ekeocha, age 33, of Laurel, Maryland, for conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal benefits.  The indictment was returned on July 31, 2019, and unsealed today upon the arrests of the defendants.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Mark I. Tasky of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Matthew S. Miller of the U.S. Secret Service – Washington Field Office; and J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

“While many come forward in the wake of disasters to help selflessly, some use disasters to enrich themselves through theft and fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue criminals who steal funds intended to help actual disaster victims.”

“This indictment should serve as notice that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration is committed to investigating illicit manipulations of IRS online systems, and bringing those involved to face justice,” said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Michael McGill, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division said, “I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts to bring these individuals to justice. We will continue to protect the integrity of the Social Security system, and pursue those who violate the public trust by committing fraud against Social Security and those who depend on it across the country.”

During the time period covered by this indictment, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was responsible for providing emergency benefits and compensation for damage to victims who were affected by declared national emergency disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires.  Among other benefits, an individual in an area affected by a national disaster was immediately eligible for “Critical Needs Assistance” (CNA) to purchase life-saving or life sustaining materials.  The assistance was paid to the victim in a manner of his/her choosing, including being deposited onto pre-paid debit cards.

According to the two-count indictment, from 2016 through 2018 Irogho and several co-conspirators purchased hundreds of Green Dot debit cards, which co-conspirators then registered with Green Dot using the stolen personal information of identity theft victims from around the country.  In 2017, amidst Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the California wildfires, co-conspirators allegedly applied online with FEMA for CNA using the stolen personal information of additional victims of identity theft.  According to the indictment, FEMA paid at least $8 million in amounts of $500 per claim to the Green Dot debit cards purchased by Irogho and his co-conspirators.

In addition to filing false disaster-assistance claims with FEMA, the indictment alleges that co-conspirators also filed false claims online for Social Security benefits, for IRS tax refunds, and for Department of Labor unemployment and disability benefits using the stolen identities of multiple additional individuals, including name, address, Social Security Number (“SSN”), and other personal identifiers. 

The indictment alleges that FEMA, and the other federal agencies to whom fraudulent applications for benefits were submitted, deposited the falsely claimed benefits directly onto the Green Dot debit cards.  Funds were deposited onto the Green Dot debit cards in the names of multiple stolen identities, and in stolen identities that were different from the identities that had been used to register the cards. After the funds were placed onto the Green Dot debit cards, certain co-conspirators then informed other conspirators, including Irogho, that funds were available on the cards, and provided information to facilitate “cashing out” the funds from the cards.  The indictment also alleges that Irogho enlisted Ekeocha and other conspirators to cash out stolen funds from the Green Dot and other pre-paid debit cards, which Irogho, Ekeocha, and other co-conspirators did in exchange for a commission.  Irogho, Ekeocha, and their co-conspirators cashed out the cards soon after funds were added by depositing the money into bank accounts, and/or through ATM withdrawals or purchases of money orders. 

According to the indictment, Irogho and other co-conspirators took steps to conceal their identities and the conspiracy and scheme to defraud, by enlisting other individuals (including Ekeocha) to make the purchases and withdrawals, utilizing multiple store and bank locations and methods of withdrawal, using multiple bank accounts (including in the names of corporate entities), converting funds into cash rather than placing them into bank accounts, and making money orders payable to other individuals and/or corporate entities which they or their co-conspirators controlled.

The conspirators allegedly used an encrypted messaging application, e-mail and other means to communicate, and used the stolen federal funds to pay rental and housing expenses, to purchase used vehicles, and for other purposes.

If convicted, Irogho faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Irogho and Ekeocha each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.  At their detention hearings today in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas M. DiGirolamo ordered that Irogho be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.  Judge DiGirolamo ordered that Ekeocha be released under the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.

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. 

In a related case, Tare Stanley Okirika, age 30, of Laurel, Maryland, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy on July 19, 2019, admitting that as part of the conspiracy to fraudulently obtain government benefits, he worked with other co-conspirators to cash out Green Dot and other prepaid debit cards.  Okirika admitted that he used the stolen federal funds from the scheme to pay his rent and for other purposes.  U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel has scheduled sentencing for Okirika on October 22, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.

Members of the public who suspect fraud involving disaster relief efforts, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at (866) 720-5721.  The telephone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707, or email it to disaster@leo.gov.  Learn more about the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud at http://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DHS OIG, the SSA OIG, the USSS, and TIGTA for their work in this investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth G. Wright, and Kelly O. Hayes, who are prosecuting these cases.

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Greenbelt, Maryland –Michael Nana Baako, age 50, a native of Ghana residing in Fulton, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal charge of passport fraud.  Baako was a physician who practiced in hospitals in Maryland and maintained his own clinic, Biazo Healthcare.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Edwin Guard of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Washington Field Office.

According to the plea agreement, since at least 2001, Baako and R.A.A. have lived together in Howard County, Maryland and are the parents of two minor children.  Baako and R.A.A. married in Ghana in 1995. Months later, Baako entered the United States legally after obtaining a visitor’s visa.  In 1996, Baako applied for certification of his Ghanian medical education in the United States.  In 1998, Baako married a U.S. citizen in Virginia, who filed a petition for Baako to become a naturalized United States citizen three weeks later.  The petition was denied in 2000 after immigration officials concluded that Baako’s marriage was a “sham” marriage entered into for the sole purpose of obtaining immigration benefits.  In 2001, Baako was licensed to practice in Maryland as a physician.

On November 29, 2005, Baako registered to vote in Maryland, swearing that he was a United States citizen, and subsequently voted in 10 federal elections between November 7, 2006 and November 6, 2018.  

On December 15, 2006, Baako obtained a new Ghanaian passport in Accra, Ghana, as a Ghanaian national.  On April 17, 2007, and September 16, 2009, respectively, Baako and R.A.A. submitted passport applications on behalf of their minor children, in which Baako falsely claimed that he was a citizen of the United States, born in Hillsborough, North Carolina.  On April 22, 2008, Baako submitted an application for a United States passport for himself in which he falsely claimed that he was born in North Carolina, as were both of his parents.  As part of his passport application, Baako provided an affidavit purporting to be from a family friend, falsely stating that this person was one of the first people to see Baako after his birth and was present at a subsequent naming and baptism ceremony for Baako at a Hillsborough, North Carolina church.  Baako was issued a U.S. passport on April 29, 2008, which he used for international travel on several occasions. That passport included the false information that Baako was a citizen of the United States born in North Carolina.  On July 31, 2012, Baako and R.A.A. submitted a passport renewal application on behalf of their first child, in which Baako falsely stated that he was a citizen of the United States.  On February 20, 2018, Baako filed a passport renewal application for his own passport, again falsely stating that he was a U.S. citizen born in North Carolina.  Baako was interviewed by Department of State officials on April 22, 2010, and on June 12, 2018.  In both interviews Baako falsely stated that he was born in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

On May 8, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Baako’s home and located his Ghanaian passport and plans for  the three-bedroom home Baako purchased in Accra, Ghana in August 2012. Investigators also obtained a number of documents related to Baako’s ongoing efforts to fraudulently obtain documentation establishing that he was a U.S. citizen born in North Carolina, including: a false affidavit purporting to be sworn by the Defendant’s mother—claiming that he was born in North Carolina; a page from family Bible falsely stating it had been presented to the Defendant at his birth in North Carolina; a falsified baptism certificate purporting to be from a North Carolina church—certifying that the defendant was born in North Carolina; and several draft petitions to the Circuit Court for Howard County seeking to fraudulently establish the fact of his birth in North Carolina.

Baako has been ordered detained in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest on May 8, 2019.  U.S. District Judge Debroah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for September 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the State Department’s DSS for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Daniel A. Loveland, who are prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur, along with federal, state, and local partners, announced that as a result of strategies applied to focus on the most violent neighborhoods and target those responsible for that violence, 90 defendants have been charged with federal crimes in investigations brought down in the last month, in separate drug conspiracies operating in the Northwest, Western, Eastern, and Southwestern Districts of Baltimore.  During those investigations, law enforcement has seized more than 51 guns, as well as kilogram quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana, and nearly $1 million in cash.  The agencies involved in these investigations included the ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City.

As of July 31, we have indicted 215 defendants in 2019 in Baltimore under Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), our violent-crime reduction strategy. All of those defendants are members of violent drug trafficking organizations that have been operating in those Baltimore neighborhoods hardest hit by gun violence.  By comparison, in 2018, we indicted a total of 246 Baltimore PSN defendants.  At the current pace, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland anticipates charging 50% more violent crime defendants under our strategy this year than in 2018.

“Reducing violent crime in Baltimore is job one.  It’s what we in law enforcement think about morning, noon, and night,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We will continue to do everything we can to prosecute the violent criminals who wreak havoc in and terrorize Baltimore’s neighborhoods.”

      RECENT PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS

Monument Street Drug Trafficking Organization (“DTO”) - In this case, 25 defendants were arrested and charged in a 30-count superseding indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on June 26, 2019, and unsealed on July 19, 2019.  The superseding indictment charges the defendants with conspiring to distribute narcotics in and around the 400 block of North Montford Avenue and Jefferson Street, and around the 2400 block of East Monument Street at Port Street.  Beginning in July 2018, members of the conspiracy allegedly distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine to individual drug users, and in bulk quantities to other drug traffickers, who redistributed the drugs in and around Baltimore.  Ten of the conspirators also face firearms charges—including eight defendants charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.  During the investigation, law enforcement seized nine firearms, more than 14 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 4.5 kilograms of heroin, and 479 grams of fentanyl—enough to kill over 200,000 people.  In addition, law enforcement seized more than $472,000 in cash and jewelry and vehicles worth more than $466,000. (Adams Superseding Indictment)

Frederick and Collins – The superseding indictment returned on July 10, 2019, charges six defendants for a drug distribution conspiracy allegedly operating since January 2019 in the area of Frederick and Collins Streets in West Baltimore.  In addition to the drug conspiracy, Jebriel Ali, a/k/a Bril, is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.  During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized five firearms, including a Glock pistol that was modified to fire as a fully-automatic gun.  Ali is also charged with the possession with intent to distribute 400 grams of a substance containing fentanyl.  If convicted, defendant Ali faces a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and up to life in prison.  His co-defendants face maximum prison terms of 20 to 40 years. (Ali Superseding Indictment)

Normandy, Franklin, and Loudon (NFL) – This investigation resulted in two indictments charging a total of 38 defendants for allegedly participating in two drug trafficking organizations to distribute heroin, fentanyl, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine to drug users and redistributors in and around the Edmondson Village neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore.  According to the superseding indictments, members of the drug trafficking organizations used residences in and around Baltimore to process, cut, package, and prepare the drugs for distribution.  The defendants allegedly changed cell phones frequently to prevent the interception of their communications by law enforcement, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.  Specifically, the Butler DTO distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  The Butler DTO allegedly cut the heroin and crack cocaine that they sold with other substances, including fentanyl, and at least five overdose deaths are attributed to the distribution of drugs by members of the conspiracy, including the father of one of the conspirators.  As detailed in the superseding indictment, members and associates of the Adam Martin and Calvin Claxton DTO allegedly used violence to retaliate against those seeking to rob or cheat the DTO.  That superseding indictment details several of these acts of violence, including a shooting murder on May 5, 2018, a gunfight on October 16, 2018 in which an unarmed bystander was struck in the crossfire, and the planned robbery of an unlicensed taxi driver.  During the course of the investigation law enforcement seized at least 17 firearms, ammunition, drugs, and more than $270,000 in drug proceeds. (Bailey and Antoine Superseding Indictments)

Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard – Twenty-one Baltimore men were indicted on federal charges for allegedly operating a drug distribution operation in Northwest Baltimore, distributing heroin, crack and powder cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana in the area of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard.   The superseding indictment alleges that several of the defendants illegally possessed firearms in relation to drug trafficking.  Law enforcement seized 20 guns, more than $200,000 in cash, and more than a kilogram of fentanyl and 50 grams of crack cocaine from these defendants during the investigation.  Although not alleged in the indictment, the affidavit filed in support of the search warrants alleges that the defendants are part of an organization called LNG.  According to the affidavit, LNG is comprised of two allied groups who work together:  the Yellow Bus Gang (“YBG”) Crips and the Black Guerilla Family (“BGF”).  The affidavit alleges that LNG members participate in violent acts, including a gunfight on January 19, 2019, that occurred at approximately 11 a.m. (Anderson Superseding Indictment)

      OTHER FEDERAL INITIATIVES

Federal law enforcement is using all of the resources we have available to assist our state and local partners in the fight against violent crime. 

Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”). As of July 31, 2019, we have brought federal charges against 215 defendants in Baltimore City as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”).  In July alone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 31 defendants in Baltimore PSN cases.  PSN focuses on gun, drugs, violence, and gang-related crimes.  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.

Reactive Gun Cases (“Exile”) In July alone, 10 defendants who are previously convicted felons were charged federally with illegal possession of a firearm as part of the Exile program. Maryland EXILE is part of PSN, specifically targeting gun crime by combining local, state, and federal law enforcement efforts; community action and revitalization; and public awareness.

The National Public Safety Partnership (“PSP”) program with the Baltimore Police Department. This Justice Department program is a three-year engagement that seeks to leverage department assets in support of a local jurisdiction’s commitment to drive down violent crime.  On June 3, 2019, Attorney General William Barr announced the selection of the Baltimore Police Department as one of ten FY 2019 PSP sites where the Justice Department will work collaboratively to provide training and technical assistance in areas such as crime analytics, emerging technology, and community engagement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (“NIBIN”).  NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.  NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.

FBI Baltimore’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force.  The Safe Streets Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments, is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore.  The program uses federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.

The Baltimore Response Model.  The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has implemented the Baltimore Response Model (“BRM”) which focuses on training first-responder law enforcement to gather and share essential information that can be used as a starting point for a deeper investigation when they respond to an overdose, whether it be fatal or non-fatal.  The BRM encourages local agencies to reach out to DEA with the information they receive at an overdose site and DEA will assist in exploiting investigative databases as well as accessing the broadest de-confliction networks which could lead to teaming up with other local jurisdictions.  Additionally, the information received from the overdose sites can lead to whom provided the deadly narcotic to the person who overdosed, which may lead to a violent Drug Trafficking Organization.

HSI Baltimore has specifically targeted the influx of opioids through two specially developed initiatives that bring together multiple law enforcement agencies in specialized and dedicated partnership. HSI agents alongside task force officers Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments collaborate through both the Illicit Online Marketplace Initiative and the Baltimore Seaport Initiative to quell the influx of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and illegal substances. The Illicit Online Marketplace Initiative focuses on contraband being smuggled into Maryland through darkweb and other illicit Internet transactions. The Baltimore Seaport Initiative focuses on all contraband being smuggled in to the area via Baltimore Washington International Airport and the Port of Baltimore. 

We are also working closely with the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City to coordinate our prosecution efforts on violent crime and drugs.  At the end of last year we announced the Synthetic Opioid Surge (“SOS”), a new initiative to target fentanyl dealers.  Under this new initiative, 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 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.  To date we have indicted 13 defendants federally, including a new defendant charged just this week, and two defendants who are charged in larger drug conspiracy cases.

      COMMUNITY OUTREACH

In addition to enforcement actions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office recognizes the need for services to help deter individuals from committing crimes. We hold “call-ins” for individuals returning from prison who have been identified by Parole and Probation as someone likely to re-offend.  At the call-in, those individuals are advised of the consequences of federal prosecution, should they commit another crime.  In addition, service providers are there to assist individuals to find housing, job training, obtain identification cards and assist with other needs.   In partnership with local community stakeholders we host community resource fairs, like the one held today at Union Baptist Church.  In addition, we sponsor re-entry fairs for returning citizens, produce public service announcements to discourage individuals from using a gun, and put up billboards to increase community awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse and the difference between federal and state prison sentences.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced William Lamont Holder, age 54, of Hanover, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing between $550,000 and $1.5 million worth of wine from his clients, primarily private collectors and commercial establishments.  Judge Blake also ordered that Holder pay restitution of $1.5 million.

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 Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare.

According to his plea agreement, William Lamont Holder was the sole owner and operator of Safe Harbour Wine Storage, LLC (“Safe Harbour”).  Through Safe Harbour, Holder stored and transported upscale wines for private collectors and commercial establishments.  In return for a monthly fee, Holder would arrange for the transportation of a customer’s wine to Safe Harbour’s storage facility in Glen Burnie, Maryland, where it would be inventoried and stored.  Holder did not possess a license to sell wine in the State of Maryland.  

From January 2013 through December 2017, Holder developed a scheme to obtain payments and wine from the customers of Safe Harbour for his own personal financial gain. Unbeknownst to his customers, he offered their wine for sale to wine retailers and brokers around the country, including in Napa, California, all the while continuing to collect the customers’ monthly storage fees and accept additional wine for storage.

Holder represented to potential third-party buyers that he was the lawful owner of the wine that he was offering to sell.  By e-mail and facsimile, he sent them lists of bottles of wine stored in his warehouse with detailed descriptions of the winery, vintage, and asking price.  After the buyers selected the bottles they wanted to purchase, Holder boxed and shipped the wine, and sent his bank account information.  After inspecting the shipment of wine, the buyers would either wire the money directly into Holder’s bank account or send a check.  Holder kept the proceeds from the sales and spent it on personal expenses.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Anne Arundel County Police Department for their work in this investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin Clarke, who prosecuted the federal case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis today sentenced Dawn J. Bennett, age 56, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for 17 federal charges including conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and making false statements on a loan application.  Judge Xinis ordered that Bennett must pay restitution of $14,504,290 and forfeiture of $14,306,842. After deliberating for fewer than five hours, a federal jury convicted Bennett of those charges on October 17, 2018.

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.

“Dawn Bennett knowingly defrauded retirees of their life’s savings – most of which she used for her own personal benefit,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “She’s been held accountable for her lies and theft and will now spend years in federal prison.”

According to the information presented at her nine-day trial, Bennett is the owner and operator of DJB Holdings, LLC, d/b/a DJBennett.com, an Internet retail website for luxury sportswear. 

According to the evidence presented at trial, between December 2014 and April 2017, Bennett solicited individuals to invest money in her Internet clothing business, offering an annual interest rate of 15% via convertible or promissory notes.  In order to entice individuals to invest, Bennett made false and misleading statements, including: the risks of investing in DJB Holdings; how investors’ funds would be used; and that the loans were liquid and guaranteed by DJB Holdings’ inventory and assets, and by Bennett herself.  Witnesses testified that Bennett concealed the true financial condition of her companies from investors.  Bennett convinced several investors to withdraw a significant portion of their retirement accounts to invest in, and loan money to, her companies.  The evidence showed that Bennett misappropriated investor funds, using them to fund a lavish lifestyle, pay her personal legal expenses, and repay previous investors with funds she received from new investors.  This is consistent with a Ponzi scheme--a fraudulent investment scheme where the operator of the scheme solicits investors by promising high rates of return with little risk.  The scheme operator then funds payments to the earlier investors through funds obtained through new investors. Typically, the operator of the scheme will use investment funds for purposes other than what was conveyed to the investors.

According to testimony at trial, over the course of the scheme, Bennett obtained more than $20 million from 46 investors, many of them retirees who knew of Bennett from a radio show she hosted.  Some of those funds were used to pay earlier investors and the rest was used for her personal benefit, including: a luxury suite at a football stadium; to pay a website operator to arrange for priests in India to perform religious ceremonies to ward off federal investigators; to purchase astrological gems; and for cosmetic medical procedures.

Evidence at trial showed that in May 2015, DJB Holdings, LLC also obtained a $750,000 line of credit, with Bennett as guarantor.  According to witness testimony, in support of this line of credit, Bennett made false statements to the bank, including that she had a brokerage account with a net portfolio value of over $4 million.  In reality, Bennett’s net portfolio value for that same account was only $35.  The loan proceeds were to be used solely for business operations, but Bennett used the funds to pay off investors and to pay her personal expenses.  In February 2016, the lender declared the loan in default.  Bennett told the lender that she was unaware of the default because she had been in China for the preceding eight months.  According to trial evidence, there was not any international travel for Bennett during the time in which she claimed to be in China, and her personal American Express card showed numerous transactions during that time in the Chevy Chase, Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.

On August 25, 2017, the SEC filed a related action against Dawn J. Bennett and DJB Holdings, LLC d/b/a/ DJBennett and DJBennett.com alleging violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

Bennett’s co-defendant, Bradley Mascho, age 52, of Frederick, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and to making a false statement.  Mascho faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.  As part of his plea agreement, Mascho is required to pay restitution in the full amount of the victim’s losses, which is at least $5,720,457, minus amounts repaid with money not derived from his criminal conduct, but in no event less than $3,650,238.  Mascho is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work on this investigation and thanked the SEC.  Mr. Hur praised Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin B. Pulice, Thomas P. Windom, and Gregory D. Bernstein, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Ryan Shevin Smith, age 39, of Princess Anne, Maryland, to 141 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to commit the robbery of an armored vehicle in Salisbury, Maryland on January 22, 2018, for participating in the robbery and for brandishing a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Smith pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit the robbery and to participating in the robbery, and a federal jury convicted him of brandishing the 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 Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan.

According to the evidence presented at his two-day trial and court documents, at approximately 7:15 a.m. on January 22, 2018, Smith and his co-defendants, Michael Watts and Orneth South, approached the driver of the armored vehicle as he was removing cash cassettes from an ATM machine at a credit union on Mt. Hermon Road in Salisbury, Maryland.  Co-defendant Michael Watts placed a .40-caliber handgun to the driver’s head and disarmed him of his service weapon.  Watts testified that he got the .40-caliber handgun from Smith, which was named “Big Nasty,” and that Smith took the gun back after the robbery.  Watts then grabbed the driver by the hair and order him to open the door of the armored vehicle.  After the driver opened the door, Smith and South removed several bags of money from the vehicle, as well as ATM cassettes filled with cash.  Watts then forced the driver into the vehicle, where he used zip ties to secure the driver’s hands.  The robbers then fled with the money, stealing a total of $1,324,288.  The robbers went to Smith’s residence in nearby Princess Anne and divided the stolen money.  South and Watts then left and headed south, toward North Carolina.

On April 20, 2018, Orneth South, age 49, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was arrested on a warrant issued as a result of the robbery, and pleaded guilty to his role in the armored car robbery in Maryland, as well as a robbery in North Carolina.  On January 31, 2019, co-defendant Michael Watts, a/k/a “Turtle,” age 42, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to his role in the robbery.  Watts was arrested on May 18, 2018, in Queens, New York, and at the time of his arrest, was wearing approximately $70,000 in jewelry, including a custom turtle pendant, which was purchased with the proceeds of the armored vehicle robbery.  Watts also admitted using his portion of the stolen money to purchase a Mercedes S430 automobile, clothes, two tombstones, and to pay off bills and rent.

Judge Bennett ordered all three defendants to pay restitution in the full amount of the victim’s loss, $1,324,288.

Judge Bennett previously sentenced Watts to nine years in federal prison, and sentenced South to 20 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 Salisbury Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys P. Michael Cunningham and Paul A. Riley, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced John Patrick Dillon, age 62, formerly of Harwood, Maryland, to 18 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for transportation and possession of child pornography, as well as for illegal possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.  Judge Chasanow ordered that Dillon must pay restitution of $1,000 to one of the child victims.  Upon his release from prison, Dillon must continue to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).  Dillon has been detained since his arrest on May 21, 2018.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess.

According to the agreed-upon statement of facts, in 1998, Dillon was convicted in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County for sexual abuse of a minor and was sentenced to serve seven years in prison.  Dillon has been a registered sex offender since his release from state  prison.

Beginning in 2015, Dillon began searching the Internet for child pornography and created a number of videos of the searches he ran and the child pornography he found and viewed.  He saved the material to DVDs.  Dillon also uploaded images of child pornography to search for other images of child pornography online, which led to a cybertip being sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  NCMEC then sent the cybertip to the Maryland State Police.  

As a result of the investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Dillon’s residence on April 26, 2018.  Law enforcement seized digital storage media, a desktop computer, and cellular phone.  In addition, law enforcement located and seized a .303-caliber rifle, two 12-gauge shotguns, a pistol, and 63 rounds of ammunition.  By virtue of his previous conviction, Dillon was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

A subsequent forensic examination of the electronic items seized led to the discovery of more than 1,700 images and 320 videos of child pornography, including images documenting the sexual abuse of prepubescent minors, and sadistic, masochistic, and other depictions of violence.

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 HSI-Baltimore, the Maryland State Police, and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who is prosecuting the federal case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 25 2019, charging Feliciano de Jesus Diaz-Martinez, a/k/a Alex, age 41, of Owings Mills, Maryland, for sex trafficking of a child, enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and distribution of a controlled substance.  Diaz-Martinez is in custody and is scheduled to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on July 29, 2019.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

According to the seven-count indictment, beginning no later than 2016 and continuing through May 22, 2019, Diaz-Martinez, a Guatemalan national in the United States illegally, caused more than 25 individuals, including minors, to engage in commercial sex acts for his own financial benefit by means of force, fraud, and coercion.  Diaz-Martinez knew that Victim 1 was 16 years old when he first caused her to engage in commercial sex acts.  Victim 1 continued to work for Diaz-Martinez until she was approximately 18 years old.  The indictment alleges that nearly all of the victims that Diaz-Martinez caused to engage in commercial sex acts suffered from serious substance abuse disorders, including addictions to heroin, crack cocaine, and Xanax.  Diaz-Martinez allegedly took half or all of the money earned by the victims working for him, and sold some of the victims narcotics, often at prices significantly higher than he paid to purchase the drugs.

As alleged in the indictment, Diaz-Martinez maintained a network of friends and associates who paid to engage in commercial sex acts with the victims Diaz-Martinez advertised and made available to them.  Diaz-Martinez sent his customers pictures of the victims available for commercial sex and set the prices that customers would pay to engage in sex acts with the victims he controlled.  Diaz-Martinez allegedly transported, or caused to be transported, victims to his customers’ homes, or to hotel rooms he rented, to engage in commercial sex acts and/or invited customers to engage in commercial sex acts with victims in his apartment and in a storage unit that he rented.

Diaz-Martinez allegedly maintained several different accounts, using alias names, on a social media platform which he used to recruit and communicate with the victims in order to entice them to work for him and engage in commercial sex acts, including many users he had never met.  According to the indictment, Diaz-Martinez sometimes offered the users he communicated with heroin and crack cocaine, referred to as “boy” and “girl,” in exchange for engaging in commercial sex with his customers.  Diaz-Martinez also directed the victims working for him to recruit their friends, many of whom were also addicted to narcotics, to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit.

According to the indictment, Diaz-Martinez frequently demanded that the victims engage in sex acts with him, free of charge, and retaliated against victims if he was not personally satisfied with the sexual encounter.  The indictment further alleges that Diaz-Martinez retaliated against the victims who violated his rules, failed to earn sufficient money from commercial sex, or otherwise displeased him in a number of ways, including abandoning them at customers’ homes and on roadsides without their belongings or transportation, and withholding drugs from the victims whom he knew to be addicted.

Diaz-Martinez faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and for enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution; a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison for each of four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and a maximum of 20 years in prison for distribution of controlled substances.   

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 was investigated by 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.

Report suspected instances of human trafficking to HSI's tip line at 866-DHS-2ICE (1-866-347-2423) or by completing its online tip form.  Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI Baltimore, 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. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Mary W. Setzer, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – Three men pleaded guilty to federal charges for their roles in a drug distribution conspiracy that operated in Cecil County, Maryland.  The following defendants pleaded guilty:

            Oscar O. Pilarte-Rivera, age 36, of Baltimore;             Elvin Solano-Pena, a/k/a Joseph Allen Fields and Jose, age 37;             Herme Soriano, a/k/a Miguel Urraca-Gonzalez, age 21.

The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (MSP).

According to their plea agreements, beginning in at least June 2017 and continuing through September 26, 2018, Solano-Pena, and Soriano conspired with others to distribute heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine to drug users living primarily in Cecil County.  Witnesses advised law enforcement that they purchased narcotics from the conspirators by calling a designated phone number (the dispatch phone).  Solano-Pena was the primary user and possessor of the dispatch phone.  Drug users would call the number and place an order for drugs.  Solano-Pena or another conspirator would then arrange a meeting place.  Solano-Pena, Soriano, or a co-conspirator would arrive at the meeting location and provide the drugs in exchange for cash.

On September 5, 2018, Soriano and a co-conspirator were arrested.  Soriano lied to police as to his identity, claiming to be a U.S. Citizen born in Puerto Rico and providing a fraudulently obtained driver’s license using his alias (Miguel Urraca).  The car that they were driving, a black Honda Civic, had previously been used during drug transactions that were observed by law enforcement.  The vehicle was towed to Cecil County.  The car was registered in the name of Pilarte-Rivera, who admitted that he provided assistance to the drug dealers, among other things, by allowing them to use a car registered in his name, knowing the men were involved in drug trafficking.  Pilarte-Rivera claimed possession of the black Honda from police custody.

Federal investigators obtained a search warrant for a co-conspirator’s residence in Aberdeen that was executed on September 26, 2018, and recovered over 160 grams of heroin, a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, and crack cocaine packaged for sale.  Shortly before the execution of the warrant, investigators observed Pilarte-Rivera driving the black Honda Civic in front of the leasing office.   Investigators proceeded to the leasing office in an attempt to identify all occupants utilizing the vehicle and encountered Pilarte-Rivera and Solano-Pena.  When questioned by investigators, Solano-Pena falsely identified himself as Joseph Allen Fields.  Pilarte-Rivera is a naturalized U.S. citizen, also born in the Dominican Republic. According to his plea agreement, during the events charged in his case, Pilarte-Rivera had an application pending to be a Baltimore City police officer.

Investigators asked the men about the vehicle and the reason for attempting to obtain entry to the co-conspirator’s apartment.  Both Pilarte-Rivera and Solano-Pena claimed to have arrived at the apartment to pick up some items for a friend whom they identified by an alias.  Pilarte-Rivera provided a Maryland driver’s license and told officers he had obtained a power of attorney from the co-conspirator in order to enter the apartment and gather some birth certificates for him that he needed.   The power of attorney was fraudulently notarized.  According to the plea agreements, both men knew there were drugs inside the apartment.

As detailed in his plea agreement, Solano-Pena began to actively resist officers, made an unsuccessful attempt to run, and was quickly subdued by officers.  Solano-Pena was fingerprinted and the information yielded prior removals from the United States, his true name (Elvin Solano-Pena) and previous criminal history.  

Pilarte-Rivera gave MSP consent to search the black Honda Civic after a canine alerted on the vehicle for the presence of drugs.  MSP officers recovered the dispatch phone described above on the driver’s seat.

Solano-Pena pled guilty to a narcotics charge carrying a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.   Soriano pled guilty to distribution of heroin and cocaine and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Both defendants also pled guilty to immigration crimes related to their illegal status in the United States.  Pilarte-Rivera pled guilty to using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for Solano-Pena and Soriano for October 25, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., respectively.  Judge Bennett scheduled Pilarte River’s sentencing for October 18, 2018 at 2:30 p.m.

The fourth charged defendant, Ivanovich Mercedes-Soriano, is scheduled for trial on August 26, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the HSI Baltimore and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation and thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations for its assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Paul Riley, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – Patricia McDaniel, Correctional Dietary Officer, age 26, of Baltimore; Tyirisha Johnson, age 23, of Baltimore, each pleaded guilty today to a federal racketeering charge related to the Maryland Correctional Institute Jessup (MCIJ), and India Parker, age 33, of Parkville, Maryland, pleaded guilty to a drug distribution conspiracy, for participating in a scheme to smuggle contraband, including narcotics, unauthorized flash drives, tobacco, and cell phones into the prison. 

The guilty pleas were 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 Secretary Robert L. Green, of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

“Federal, state, and local officials will continue to work together to root out corrupt employees and others who undermine the administration of justice at our prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.

According to court documents, MCIJ was a medium-security prison in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, that housed approximately 1,100 male inmates, with 262 custody staff or Correctional Officers (COs) and 52 non-custody staff, including case management, medical, and administrative staff.

According to their plea agreements, McDaniel, Johnson and Parker conspired with inmates and others to smuggle contraband into MCIJ, including narcotics, cell phones, unauthorized flash drives, and tobacco.  McDaniel admitted that she abused her position of trust as a sworn officer of DPSCS by soliciting and receiving bribes in exchange for bringing contraband into MCIJ.  Johnson and Parker admitted that as outside facilitators they managed the proceeds of illegal contraband sales for specific inmates, obtained contraband including, but not limited to, Suboxone strips, Percocet, MDMA, K2, and tobacco from additional co-conspirators, and provided the contraband and bribe payments to MCIJ employees and contractors to smuggle into the prison.  Payments for contraband were sent by inmates through PayPal, Green Dot, and Western Union to Johnson and Parker.  Inmates and facilitators, such as Johnson and Parker, paid COs, employees, and contractors for smuggled contraband in cash, money orders, Green Dot cards, and using PayPal and other electronic forms of payment. 

As detailed in her plea agreement, in order to smuggle contraband into the facility, McDaniel often entered on weekends and secreted the packages on her person in order to avoid detection.  Once inside the facility, McDaniel would deliver the packages to an inmate with whom she had a personal relationship, or to other MCIJ inmates.  McDaniel was compensated in cash and by PayPal MyCash. 

McDaniel, Johnson, and Parker were all overheard by law enforcement on a series of recorded calls arranging for contraband to be smuggled into MCIJ and arranging payment for the contraband and for bribes.

McDaniel, Johnson, and Parker each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for Johnson on September 20, 2019, and for Parker and McDaniel on October 2, 2019.

This case arose from the efforts of the Maryland Prison Task Force, coordinated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and comprised of local, state, and federal stakeholders that meet regularly to share information and generate recommendations to reform prison procedures and attack the gang problem that has plagued Maryland in recent years.  The work of the Task Force previously resulted in the federal convictions of more than 80 defendants, including 16 correctional officers, at the Eastern Correctional Institution, and 40 defendants, including 24 correctional officers, at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their work in the investigation. The U.S. Attorney expressed appreciation to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, whose staff initiated the MCIJ investigation and have been full partners in this investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren E. Perry and Sean R. Delaney, who are prosecuting this case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Jeffrey R. Cummings, Jr., a/k/a Olivia Harris, age 34, of Baltimore, Maryland, for federal charges related to the alleged sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor during a period of time when Cummings was required to register as a sex offender.  The indictment was returned on July 18, 2019, and unsealed at Cummings’ initial appearance in U.S. District Court on July 19, 2019.  At that hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite ordered that Cummings be detained pending a detention hearing on July 23, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. 

The indictment 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; and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to the seven-count indictment, Cummings was convicted of a sex offense in Anne Arundel County, Maryland in 2008, and was required to register as a sex offender in Maryland. The indictment alleges that beginning on May 13, 2017, Cummings operated multiple social media accounts using a variety of aliases, including Olivia Harris, to communicate with minor boys, many of whom lived in the Spokane, Washington area.  During his communications with the minor boys, Cummings allegedly falsely represented that Olivia Harris was a teenage girl.  Using his accounts, the indictment alleges that Cummings coerced and enticed minor boys to send Cummings pictures and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  According to the indictment, Cummings also sent the boys money and gifts in exchange for them sending him their previously worn socks by mail.

Further, the indictment alleges that on December 16 and 29, 2018, as well as January 20, 2019, Cummings, posing as Olivia Harris, communicated with Boy 1, who was approximately 15 years old and resided in Stevens County, Washington.  During each of those conversations Cummings, posing as Olivia Harris, allegedly requested Boy 1 to send “her” a sexually explicit photograph or video, which Boy 1 provided.  On December 16, 2018, Olivia Harris also sent Boy 1 a picture of a teenage girl purported to be a picture of “herself,” as well as nude images of a pubescent female’s genital area, claiming to be pictures of herself.

If convicted, Cummings faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum of 50 years in prison for each of three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography; a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for each of three counts of enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity; and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for committing these crimes while being required to register as a sex offender. 

Anyone who may have information about possible victims or details related to the investigation of Jeffrey R. Cummings, Jr is asked to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 202-636-2220.

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 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 U.S. Postal Inspection Service and FBI for their work in the investigation, and thanked the Baltimore Police Department for its assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, who is prosecuting the federal case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Timothy Floyd, a/k/a Tim Rod, age 28, of Baltimore, to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a drug distribution conspiracy and a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG).  The racketeering conspiracy included eight murders, as well as drug trafficking and witness intimidation.  Floyd and his co-defendants were also convicted of a drug distribution conspiracy involving heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.  The sentence was imposed on July 19, 2018.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.

“Timothy Floyd will now spend 30 years in federal prison for the violence and misery he and his fellow gang members brought to West Baltimore, in the form of murders, shootings, armed robbery, witness intimidation, and drug dealing.  Anyone who participates in the criminal enterprise can be held accountable for all crimes committed by fellow gang members,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Hopefully criminals who are not deterred from terrorizing our neighborhoods by the threat of prison can be deterred by the reality of years spent in a federal prison far from home—where there is no parole. Ever.”

According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, Floyd and his co-defendants are all members of TTG, a criminal organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery, and witness intimidation.  As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG. 

The evidence at trial showed that members and associates of TTG sold heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory.  Floyd served as one of TTG’s primary distributors of heroin and marijuana, routinely selling “packs” of heroin and gram quantities of marijuana from multiple locations in Sandtown.  Typically, a “pack” contained between 25 and 50 gel capsules of heroin.  In addition, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and January 9, 2017, Floyd, his co-defendants, and other members of TTG committed acts of violence, including murders, shootings, armed robbery, and witness intimidation.  Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as in murder-for-hire schemes.  Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.

The leader of the gang, Montana Barronette, a/k/a Tana, and Tanner, age 23, and his brother, Terrell Sivells, a/k/a Rell, age 27, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to life in prison on February 15 and April 26, 2019, respectively.  Co-defendants Brandon Wilson, a/k/a Ali, age 24, and Taurus Tillman, a/k/a Tash, age 30, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to 25 years in prison on March 1 and May 21, 2019, respectively.  Two other co-defendants, John Harrison, a/k/a Binkie, age 28, and Linton Broughton, a/k/a Marty, age 25, both from Baltimore, were sentenced to life in prison and to 30 years in prison, respectively, on March 15, 2019.  Three other TTG members previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison.

Dennis Pulley, a/k/a Denmo, age 31, of Baltimore, is the final defendant convicted at the trial who is awaiting sentencing.  He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. 

Another defendant, Roger Taylor, a/k/a Milk, age 28, of Baltimore, a fugitive since July 2017, was arrested on June 30, 2019, and is now awaiting trial.  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. 

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments.  FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore.  The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities.      

This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).  NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.  NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.  For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.               

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski commended the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano, Daniel C. Gardner, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley formerly of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

 

U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Timothy Floyd, aka Tim Rod, 28, of Baltimore, to serve 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to participate in a drug distribution conspiracy and a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG).  The racketeering conspiracy included eight murders, as well as drug trafficking and witness intimidation.  Floyd and his co-defendants were also convicted of a drug distribution conspiracy involving heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.  The sentence was imposed on July 19. 

The sentence was announced by Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the FBI Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Baltimore District Office; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.

According to the evidence presented at their 24-day trial, Floyd and his co-defendants are all members of TTG, a criminal organization that operated in the Sandtown neighborhood of West Baltimore, whose members engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence including murder, armed robbery, and witness intimidation.  As part of the conspiracy, each defendant agreed that a conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity for TTG. 

The evidence at trial showed that members and associates of TTG sold heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and worked to defend their exclusive right to control who sold narcotics in TTG territory.  Floyd served as one of TTG’s primary distributors of heroin and marijuana, routinely selling “packs” of heroin and gram quantities of marijuana from multiple locations in Sandtown.  Typically, a “pack” contained between 25 and 50 gel capsules of heroin.  In addition, the evidence proved that between May 20, 2010 and Jan. 9, 2017, Floyd, his co-defendants, and other members of TTG committed acts of violence, including murders, shootings, armed robbery, and witness intimidation.  Murders were committed in retaliation for individuals robbing TTG members of drugs and drug proceeds, or while TTG members robbed others of their drugs and drug proceeds, as well as in murder-for-hire schemes.  Further, the defendants engaged in witness intimidation through violence or threats of violence, to prevent individuals from cooperating with law enforcement.

The leader of the gang, Montana Barronette, aka Tana, and Tanner, 23, and his brother, Terrell Sivells, aka Rell, 27, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to life in prison on Feb. 15 and April 26, 2019, respectively.  Co-defendants Brandon Wilson, aka Ali, 24, and Taurus Tillman, aka Tash, 30, both of Baltimore, were each sentenced to serve 25 years in prison on March 1 and May 21, 2019, respectively.  Two other co-defendants, John Harrison, aka Binkie, 28, and Linton Broughton, aka Marty, 25, both from Baltimore, were sentenced to serve life in prison and to 30 years in prison, respectively, on March 15, 2019.  Three other TTG members previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to between five and 25 years in prison.

Dennis Pulley, aka Denmo, 31, of Baltimore, is the final defendant convicted at the trial who is awaiting sentencing.  He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison on the racketeering and drug conspiracies. 

Another defendant, Roger Taylor, aka Milk, 28, of Baltimore, a fugitive since July 2017, was arrested on June 30, 2019, and is now awaiting trial.  An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, which includes FBI special agents and task force officers from the Baltimore, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County Police Departments.  FBI Baltimore Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force is responsible for identifying and targeting the most violent gangs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, to address gang violence and the associated homicides in Baltimore.  The vision of the program is to use federal racketeering statutes to disrupt and dismantle significant violent criminal threats and criminal enterprises affecting the safety and well-being of our citizens and our communities. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of its renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.             

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the ATF, the DEA, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Romano, Daniel C. Gardner, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Hanley, formerly of the Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Criminal Division prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Harold Thomas Martin, III, age 54, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for willful retention of national defense information.

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

“For nearly 20 years, Harold Martin betrayed the trust placed in him by stealing and retaining a vast quantity of highly classified national defense information entrusted to him,” stated U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “This sentence, which is one of the longest ever imposed in this type of case, should serve as a warning that we will find and prosecute government employees and contractors who flagrantly violate their duty to protect classified materials.”

“Harold Martin was entrusted with some of the nation’s most sensitive information,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “Instead of respecting the trust given to him by the American people, Martin violated that trust and put our nation’s security at risk.  This sentence will hold Mr. Martin accountable for his dangerous and unlawful actions.”

“Harold Martin took an oath to preserve and protect the nation's secrets, and violated that oath repeatedly over many years, causing damage with his unlawful mishandling of classified information,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone, FBI Baltimore Field Office.  “Martin’s actions harmed Intelligence Community sources and methods. The vitality and integrity of the Intelligence Community requires the strictest adherence to the law for handling classified information.  The FBI will be tireless in investigating cases like the Martin case.”

According to his plea agreement, from December 1993 through August 27, 2016, Martin was employed by at least seven different private companies and assigned as a contractor to work at a number of government agencies.  Martin was required to receive and maintain a security clearance in order to work at each of the government agencies to which he was assigned.  Martin held security clearances up to Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) at various times.  A Top Secret classification means that unauthorized disclosure reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States.  An SCI designation compartmentalizes extremely sensitive information.  Because of his work responsibilities and security clearance, Martin was able to access government computer systems, programs, and information in secure locations, including classified national defense information.  Over his many years of holding a security clearance, Martin received training regarding classified information and his duty to protect classified materials from unauthorized disclosure.

Martin admitted that beginning in the late 1990s and continuing through August 31, 2016, he stole and retained U.S. government property from secure locations and computer systems, including documents in both hard copy and digital form relating to the national defense, that bore markings indicating that they were the property of the United States and contained highly classified information of the United States, including Top Secret/SCI information.  

As detailed in his plea agreement, Martin retained the stolen documents and other classified information at his residence and in his vehicle.  Martin knew that the hard copy and digital documents stolen from his workplace contained classified information that related to the national defense and that he was never authorized to retain these documents at his residence or in his vehicle.  Martin admitted that he also knew that the unauthorized removal of these materials risked their disclosure, which would be damaging to the national security of the United States and highly useful to its adversaries.

In court documents and at today’s sentencing hearing, the government noted that crimes such as Martin’s not only create a risk of unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, highly classified information, but often require the government to treat the stolen material as compromised, resulting in the government having to take remedial actions including changing or abandoning national security programs.  In addition, Martin’s criminal conduct caused the government to expend substantial investigative and analytical resources.  The diversion of those resources resulted in significant costs.  

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the National Security Agency for its assistance.  Mr. Hur and Mr. Demers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Harvey E. Eisenberg, and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Harold Thomas Martin, III, age 54, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for willful retention of national defense information.

The sentence was announced by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur, Assistant Director John Brown of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office.

“Harold Martin was entrusted with some of the nation’s most sensitive information,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “Instead of respecting the trust given to him by the American people, Martin violated that trust and put our nation’s security at risk.  This sentence will hold Mr. Martin accountable for his dangerous and unlawful actions.”

“For nearly 20 years, Harold Martin betrayed the trust placed in him by stealing and retaining a vast quantity of highly classified national defense information entrusted to him,” stated U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “This sentence, which is one of the longest ever imposed in this type of case, should serve as a warning that we will find and prosecute government employees and contractors who flagrantly violate their duty to protect classified materials.”

“Whether an individual is a federal contractor or government employee, when given the privilege of holding a security clearance, the American people expect classified information to be protected,” said Assistant Director Brown.  “That is essential to protecting our national security.  In this case, Harold Martin was a serial offender in retaining national defense information for more than two decades.  Today’s sentencing should signal that the FBI takes these violations extremely seriously and will vigorously investigate cases when people improperly handle classified information.”

“Harold Martin took an oath to preserve and protect the nation's secrets, and violated that oath repeatedly over many years, causing damage with his unlawful mishandling of classified information,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone, FBI Baltimore Field Office.  “Martin’s actions harmed Intelligence Community sources and methods.  The vitality and integrity of the Intelligence Community requires the strictest adherence to the law for handling classified information.  The FBI will be tireless in investigating cases like the Martin case.”

According to his plea agreement, from December 1993 through Aug. 27, 2016, Martin was employed by at least seven different private companies and assigned as a contractor to work at a number of government agencies.  Martin was required to receive and maintain a security clearance in order to work at each of the government agencies to which he was assigned.  Martin held security clearances up to Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) at various times.  A Top Secret classification means that unauthorized disclosure reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States.  An SCI designation compartmentalizes extremely sensitive information.  Because of his work responsibilities and security clearance, Martin was able to access government computer systems, programs, and information in secure locations, including classified national defense information.  Over his many years of holding a security clearance, Martin received training regarding classified information and his duty to protect classified materials from unauthorized disclosure.

Martin admitted that beginning in the late 1990s and continuing through Aug. 31, 2016, he stole and retained U.S. government property from secure locations and computer systems, including documents in both hard copy and digital form relating to the national defense, that bore markings indicating that they were the property of the United States and contained highly classified information of the United States, including Top Secret/SCI information. 

As detailed in his plea agreement, Martin retained the stolen documents and other classified information at his residence and in his vehicle.  Martin knew that the hard copy and digital documents stolen from his workplace contained classified information that related to the national defense and that he was never authorized to retain these documents at his residence or in his vehicle.  Martin admitted that he also knew that the unauthorized removal of these materials risked their disclosure, which would be damaging to the national security of the United States and highly useful to its adversaries.

In court documents and at today’s sentencing hearing, the government noted that crimes such as Martin’s not only create a risk of unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, highly classified information, but often require the government to treat the stolen material as compromised, resulting in the government having to take remedial actions including changing or abandoning national security programs.  In addition, Martin’s criminal conduct caused the government to expend substantial investigative and analytical resources.  The diversion of those resources resulted in significant costs.  

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the National Security Agency for its assistance.  Mr. Hur and Mr. Demers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers and Harvey E. Eisenberg, and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, who prosecuted the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Ryan Russell Parks, a/k/a Dinero, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, for two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of using the Internet to promote a business enterprise involving prostitution.  The verdict was returned late on July 18, 2019, after a four-day trial.

The conviction 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 Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

“Ryan Parks preyed on vulnerable girls in order to profit by selling them for sex.  When an adult profits from sex with a child, that is human trafficking, period,” said Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Through the Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force and the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are working with non-profit organizations to help human trafficking victims and prosecute the traffickers.  Working to end human trafficking is a priority for the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

According to the evidence presented at his trial, Parks trafficked two vulnerable minor victims—a 16-year-old girl (Girl 1) and a 15-year-old girl (Girl 2)—for commercial sex.  According to trial testimony, Parks met Girl 1 online.  During their communications Parks learned that she was hungry and had no real place to live, and he offered Girl 1 a place to stay.  Parks sent a car to pick up Girl 1, and within a day, he caused advertisements to be posted on a website that marketed commercial sex workers.  These advertisements contained photographs and descriptions of Girl 1 and offered Girl 1 for commercial sex acts.  Parks stayed with Girl 1 in the motel room, along with another woman he was advertising on the Internet for commercial sex.  Parks would leave the room for short periods of time, when men would come to the room to have sex with Girl 1, and he would return to the room shortly after the men left the room.  Parks paid for additional advertisements on the website offering Girl 1 for commercial sex on August 1, and August 2, 2017.  Girl 1 did not get to keep the money that she was paid by the men who came to the room to have sex with her.  One of Girl 1’s customers returned to the room the next day to rescue her, and he took her to live in a different city with his sister.

The evidence also proved that in November 2017, Parks met Girl 2 online, and he learned that she had run away from her foster home.  On November 16, 2017, Parks paid a driver through an application on his cell phone to pick up Girl 2 and bring her to his home.  Girl 2, who was 15 years old, told Parks that she was 17 years old, in foster care, and was in an unhappy situation.  Parks provided Girl 2 with marijuana and had sex with her.  He talked to her about making money through prostitution, and he took her to the same motel in Baltimore where Parks had harbored Girl 1.  Because she had run away from her foster home without a coat, a purse, or change of clothing, Parks purchased a bra, panties, and condoms for Girl 2.  Parks took photographs of Girl 2 and paid for an online advertisement offering Girl 2 for commercial sex using his cell phone.  Several of the photos that Parks uploaded to the website were rejected, because they contained nudity and were too explicit.  Less revealing photos of Girl 2, wearing the bra and panties purchased by Parks, were accepted and uploaded to the online advertisement.  As he had with Girl 1, Parks then set the prices and time limits for the sex acts to be performed on Girl 2, and he instructed her on the process of checking a man for a wire when he came into the motel room.  Parks stayed in the motel room with Girl 2 when other men were not present, but he left the room and stood outside in a stairwell when men arrived to have sex with Girl 2.  Parks offered Girl 2 for commercial sex from November 16 through November 20, 2017.  During this time, over 300 individuals contacted the phone number placed by Parks on the advertisement, to inquire about commercial sex with Girl 2.  On November 21, 2017, Girl 2 contacted her foster care social worker, who dispatched police to the motel.  According to trial testimony, Parks reviewed Girl 2’s phone while she was in the shower and saw that she had contacted her social worker.  Parks became angry, told her to delete information from her phone and to remove the chip from her phone, and then he left the motel.  Girl 2 went to the lobby and turned herself in to police.

While law enforcement was investigating the trafficking of the two minor victims, they discovered evidence regarding the extent of Parks’ prostitution business.  Evidence at trial proved that from February 25, 2017, through the date that he was arrested on January 10, 2018, Parks paid over $1,000 for approximately 295 commercial sex advertisements placed on the Internet.  Parks advertised approximately 27 different women and girls for commercial sex.  Parks also paid over $6,000 for hotel rooms in Baltimore County and Baltimore City, during the course of his prostitution enterprise.

As a result of his conviction, Parks will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Parks faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison for each of the two counts of sex trafficking a minor; and a maximum of five years in prison for using the Internet to promote a business enterprise involving prostitution.   U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston has not yet scheduled a date for sentencing.  Parks remains detained.

The case was investigated by the FBI-led Maryland Child Exploitation Task Force (MCETF), created in 2010 to combat child prostitution, with members from 10 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 FBI and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Duey and Matthew Maddox, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Darryl Albert Varnum, age 42, of Westminster, Maryland, on the federal charge of threatening a federal official.  The indictment was returned on July 17, 2019, and Varnum will have his arraignment and detention hearing on August 5, 2019 in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Chief Steven A. Sund of the U.S. Capitol Police.

United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur stated, “We take these types of violent threats extremely seriously.  The investigation began immediately upon learning of the threats.  Mr. Varnum was charged federally by criminal complaint and arrested on July 8th.”

According to the one-count indictment, on June 26, 2019, Varnum allegedly threatened to murder a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, with intent to impede, intimidate, and retaliate against that person on account of the performance of that person’s duties as a member of U.S. House of Representatives.

Varnum was arrested on July 8, 2019, on a federal criminal complaint.  On July 10, 2019, U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner ordered that Varnum complete a 28-day inpatient program at the Shoemaker Center in Sykesville, Maryland, and return to the court at the conclusion of the program.

If convicted, Varnum faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. 

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. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Capitol Police for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake today sentenced Frank Ray Leary, Jr., age 24, of Elkton, Maryland, to 30 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for production of child pornography.  Judge Blake also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Leary must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

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.

“Frank Ray Leary, Jr. preyed on vulnerable young victims, including a five-year-old boy,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Law enforcement agencies will continue to work to identify and prosecute those who harm our children.”

According to his plea agreement, in 2012 Leary distributed images of child pornography using a file-sharing network.  In 2014 and 2015, Leary sent e-mails containing images and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including prepubescent minors.  In September 2015, Leary used a messaging application to participate in group chats during which the members of the group discussed the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, shared files of child pornography, and commented on the files.

As detailed in his plea agreement, on August 1, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Leary’s person and his residence, seizing his mobile phone, among other things.  A forensic examination of the phone, as well as the execution of various provider search warrants revealed that Leary used a messaging application on his phone to induce at least six minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct and send Leary images of that conduct.  For example, on July 7, 2018, Leary engaged in chat with a victim who was between 14 and 16 years old, and enticed that victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct with his sleeping nine-year-old brother and take photographs of the sexual acts.  Leary admitted that he engaged in sexually explicit chats with five other victims from around the world, including Germany, Bulgaria, California, and Kentucky.  Leary requested and received images of the victims engaged in sexually explicit conduct, often directed by Leary.  In addition, Leary shared images of child pornography with the victims and other minors, sending them links to accounts he maintained.

Finally, according to the plea agreement, a five-year-old victim disclosed that he had been abused by Leary between 2017 and 2018.

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 for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the federal case.

 

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Jamila Kibibi Hargrove, a/k/a Ms. Bossy, age 42; and Lonnell Staton, a/k/a Papi Chulo, age 38, both of Washington, D.C., to five years and eleven years in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in a cocaine distribution conspiracy.  Hargrove and Staton each pleaded guilty in September 2018 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. 

The sentences, which were imposed yesterday, were 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 Jesse Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington Field Office; Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and St. Mary’s County Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron.

According to their plea agreements, Staton and Hargrove conspired with James Ronnell Davis and others to distribute at least three kilograms of cocaine.  Specifically, Staton and Hargrove purchased cocaine from Davis, who used his business, Shades, Suds and Sounds LLC (SS&S), as a front to distribute cocaine. 

Staton, Hargrove, and Davis used disposable, prepaid cellular telephones, commonly referred to as “burner phones,” and frequently switched phones in an effort to thwart law enforcement.  Hargrove purchased and provided the burner phones to Staton and Davis in furtherance of the drug conspiracy.

During several phone calls that were intercepted by law enforcement, Davis, Staton, and Hargrove made arrangements to meet in order for Staton and Hargrove to purchase drugs.  Those purchases were made at SS&S as well as at other locations including in Temple Hills, Maryland.

Search warrants executed at Hargrove’s residence, an apartment used by the couple, and vehicles driven by Staton and Hargrove resulted in the seizure of numerous cellular telephones, over $8,200 in cash, and three identically packaged bricks found in a backpack, with each brick containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine, as well as packaging material which had Staton’s fingerprints on it, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia.

On November 7, 2018, a federal jury convicted James Ronnell Davis, a/k/a Twin, Slim and Slick, age 41, of Springfield, Virginia, for a cocaine distribution conspiracy, two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Judge Hazel has not set a date for Davis’ sentencing.

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, the DEA, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Dick, who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted 19 Baltimore men on federal charges related to an alleged drug distribution conspiracy operating in Northwest Baltimore near the intersection of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard.  The indictment was returned on June 27, 2019, and was unsealed today upon the execution of search warrants and the arrests of the defendants.  The following defendants, all from Baltimore, are charged in the indictment:

            Brandon Crawford, a/k/a Goat, age 38;             Robert Anderson, a/k/a Rock, age 46;             Daryl Burke, age 23;             Linwood Davis, age 23;             Marcus Hall, a/k/a Pill, age 18;             Lewis Hayward, a/k/a Junebug, age 59;             Antonio Johnson, a/k/a Sosa and Tony, age 26;             Christopher Jones, age 24;             Robert Jones, age 37;             Moses Lewis, a/k/a Moe, age 35;             Ronald McCormick, a/k/a Sleezy, age 36;             Donald McNeill, age 35;             Michael Mercer, age 32;             James Murray, a/k/a Crazy James, age 21;             Jermaine Porter, a/k/a Pistol, age 27;             Ivan Potts, a/k/a Spottie, age 33;             Sean Weston, age 52;             Donte White, age 30; and
            Michael Williams, a/k/a Mega, age 28.

Another defendant, also named Michael Williams, age 28, of Baltimore was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint.                                             

The federal charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Armed drug traffickers are on notice that federal, state and local law enforcement are working together to target leaders and key members of violent gangs operating in Baltimore City,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We will not tolerate those who peddle death through drugs and gun violence in our neighborhoods. Gun crime can lead to federal time, where there is no parole—ever.  Please put down the gun.  You’ll save a life, maybe even your own.”

According to the indictment and court documents, beginning no later than 2018 and continuing through the filing of the indictment, the defendants allegedly operated a drug distribution operation in Northwest Baltimore, distributing heroin, crack and powder cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana in the area of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard.   The indictment further alleges that several of the defendants illegally possessed firearms in relation to drug trafficking.  Before the indictment was returned, more than a dozen guns were seized from these defendants during the investigation.

Although not alleged in the indictment, the affidavit filed in support of the search warrants executed today alleges that the defendants are part of an organization called LNG.  According to the affidavit, LNG is comprised of two allied groups who work together:  the Yellow Bus Gang (YBG) Crips and the Black Guerilla Family (BGF).  The affidavit alleges that LNG members participate in violent acts, including a gunfight on January 19, 2019, that occurred at approximately 11 a.m.

Fifteen of the 20 defendants have been arrested and law enforcement executed search warrants at 14 locations today, seizing electronic devices, guns, drugs, drug paraphernalia, drug packaging materials, and cash.  Law enforcement is still searching for Antonio Johnson, Ivan Potts, Daryl Burke, Robert Anderson, and Christopher Jones.

If convicted, all of the defendants except C. Jones face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for the drug conspiracy.  C. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for the drug conspiracy.  McNeill and Mercer each face a maximum of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, respectively, and R. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  For illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person Porter, White, Davis, C. Jones, and Mercer each face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; McNeill and Lewis face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison; and R. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.  Lewis and McNeill each face a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison for possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, while Mercer and R. Jones face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for the same charge.  Finally, Sean Weston faces a maximum of three years in prison for selling drug paraphernalia

The defendants began having initial appearances today in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.  Hall, Davis, McNeill, and Porter have been detained pending detention hearings which are scheduled to begin tomorrow.

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

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DEA and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation, and recognized the U.S. Marshals Service, the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Baltimore County Police Department, the IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations for their assistance with today’s arrests and search warrants.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and James T. Wallner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – Today, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur, officials from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Baltimore Police Department, the Office of the State’s Attorney’s for Baltimore City, and other federal law enforcement officials convened in Baltimore to initiate the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program with the Baltimore Police Department. This Justice Department program is a three-year engagement that seeks to leverage department assets in support of a local jurisdictions' commitment to drive down violent crime.  

On June 3, 2019, Attorney General William Barr announced the selection of the Baltimore Police Department as one of ten FY 2019 PSP sites where the Justice Department will work collaboratively to provide training and technical assistance in areas such as crime analytics, emerging technology and community engagement.   

Since 2017, the Justice Department has directed nearly $14.9 million in customized training and technical assistance to help build crime fighting capacity in PSP sites, including $6.6 million to support the FY 2019 sites through FY 2022. PSP seeks to bring law enforcement stakeholders together to work collaboratively in reducing violent crime attributed to felonious firearm use, drug trafficking and human trafficking.  

“Reducing violent crime in Baltimore is job one.  It’s what we in law enforcement think about morning, noon, and night,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We will continue to do everything we can to prosecute the violent criminals who wreak havoc in and terrorize Baltimore’s neighborhoods.”

“Today our team is on-site in Baltimore to collaborate with local law enforcement officials in their mission to improve public safety and drive down violent crime,” said Jon Adler, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance.  "Through the Public Safety Partnership, we are committed to fulfilling the Attorney General's priority of supporting local law enforcement combat violent gangs, felonious firearms use and drug trafficking," added Adler.

“Reducing violent crime in Baltimore will require the hard work and dedication of people on the local, state and federal levels. This partnership is exactly the kind of collaboration that is needed to help make Baltimore a safer city,” added Superintendent Harrison.

Since 2017, the Justice Department has worked with more than 30 local jurisdictions under the nationwide PSP program. Many participating cities have already seen dramatic reductions in violent crime. New Orleans ended 2018 with 146 murders, the lowest number of murders since the early 1970s. In Milwaukee, homicides declined in 2018 for a third straight year after hitting a deadly peak in 2015.   

Agencies in attendance at this meeting will include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland; the Office of Justice Programs; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Department of Homeland Security; the Baltimore Police Department; the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office; and Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young‘s Office.

For more information about PSP, visit https://www.nationalpublicsafetypartnership.org.

###

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today sentenced James Morris, Jr., age 70, of Cordova, Maryland, to 60 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor.  Morris pleaded guilty to that charge today.  Judge Russell also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Morris must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).  As detailed in his plea agreement, Morris admitted that his sexual abuse of minor victims spanned several decades, including during the time when he was Chief of the Cordova Volunteer Fire Department.  The victims reported that they met Morris in a variety of ways, including through his role as a bus driver for the Talbot County Public Schools and as a Little League umpire.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Talbot County State’s Attorney Scott G. Patterson; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

“James Morris admitted that since the 1980s he has used his position in the community to meet victims that he then sexually abused,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Hur.  “We are grateful for the collaboration of our law enforcement partners to remove this sexual predator from the community so he can no longer victimize our children.”

“For decades, Morris preyed upon children using lies, deceit, and even more perversely, his community status,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of HSI Baltimore. “This exploitation of a position of trust is an atrocity for which no sentence can bring sufficient justice and peace. However, we can be assured by this sentence that Morris will never again be free to victimize another innocent child.”

According to his plea agreement, on September 29, 2017, the Maryland State Police (MSP) received a Cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alleging sexual abuse of multiple minor victims by a member of the Cordova Volunteer Fire Department, who was later identified as Morris.  MSP’s investigation led to a search warrant being executed at Morris’ residence on November 30, 2017.

During the search, law enforcement seized several electronic devices.  A review of these electronic devices showed that Morris used a specific Yahoo e-mail address and law enforcement obtained a search warrant for this Yahoo email address.  The results from that warrant showed that Morris used the e-mail address to respond to an advertisement placed on Craigslist titled “Underage boy looking for daddy – m4m.”  The advertisement was placed by a seventeen-year-old minor male victim who lives in Virginia.

The results of the e-mail search showed that Morris and the victim engaged in a sexually explicit conversation online on November 3, 2017.  During the conversation, Morris asked to visit the victim at his residence in Virginia and requested a sexually explicit photo of the victim, which the victim provided to Morris. 

On March 29, 2019, Morris pleaded guilty in Talbot County Circuit Court to six sex offenses, including the sexual abuse of five separate victims beginning in the 1980s, as well as one count of possession of child pornography in 2017, and one count of solicitation of child pornography related to this case.  Sentencing in that case is scheduled for August 2, 2019.

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 HSI Baltimore, the Maryland State Police, and the Talbot County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Ayn B. Ducao, who prosecuted the federal case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – William Soyke, age 66, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and dispense oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, and alprazolam outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

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 Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Opioid overdoses are killing thousands of Marylanders each year, and opioid addiction is fueled by health care providers who prescribe drugs for people without a legitimate medical need,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Doctors and other medical professionals who irresponsibly write opioid prescriptions are acting like street-corner drug pushers. State and federal authorities are continuing to look at ways to shut down ‘pain clinics’ that are really just fronts for criminals who divert pharmaceutical drugs and hook a new generation of addicts.  We are determined to reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths here in Maryland.”

 According to his plea agreement, from 2011 until the business closed in February 2018, Soyke served as a physician assistant (PA) at Rosen Hoffberg Rehabilitation and Pain Management, P.A.  During his tenure, Soyke was able to observe and treat patients of both Dr. Norman Rosen and Dr. Howard Hoffberg, who had hired him and who usually worked at the Towson and Owings Mills offices, respectively.

According to the plea agreement, each new Rosen Hoffberg patient was initially seen by Dr. Rosen or Dr. Hoffberg, who determined the patient’s treatment plan and medication levels.  Soyke would then see the patients for follow-up visits.  As a PA, Soyke had privileges to prescribe controlled substance medications but was required to operate under a delegation agreement between himself and the Rosen Hoffberg owners.  

Soyke admitted that he believed that Drs. Rosen and Hoffberg prescribed excessive levels of opioids.  According to the plea agreement, both doctors overruled any attempts by Soyke to lower patients’ dosages.  Further, if another health care provider within the practice declined to treat a patient due to the patient’s aberrant behavior (such as failing a drug screening test for illicit drugs or selling their prescriptions), Drs. Rosen and Hoffberg would take over that patient’s care.

Soyke admitted that he knew that many of the patients presenting to Rosen Hoffberg did not have a legitimate medical need for the oxycodone, fentanyl, alprazolam, and methadone they were being prescribed.  Nevertheless, Soyke issued prescriptions for these drugs to patients without a legitimate medical need and outside the bounds of acceptable medical practice. Soyke also admitted that in several instances he engaged in sexual, physical contact with female patients who were attempting to get prescriptions.  Although the female patients complained to Dr. Rosen and Dr. Hoffberg about Soyke’s behavior, the doctors did not fire Soyke because Soyke saw the largest number of patients at the practice and generated significant revenue for Rosen Hoffberg.

Soyke faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for October 16, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI, the DEA, and HHS-OIG for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason D. Medinger and Derek E. Hines, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III this week sentenced Kevin Horsey, a/k/a What What, age 26; Terrell Luster, a/k/a Relly, age 30; Caesar Rice, age 27; and Michael Evans, a/k/a Pee Wee, age 25, all of Baltimore, to 20 years, 23 years, 22 years, and 14 years in federal prison, respectively, each followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise related to their activities as members of the Hillside gang that operated in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore.  Horsey’s sentence was imposed on July 11, 2019.  Evans, Luster, and Rice were sentenced today.  A fifth Cherry Hill gang member, Christopher Dukes, age 27, of Baltimore, was sentenced on June 26, 2019, to 23 years in federal prison for his gang activities.  The defendants admitted to participating in murders, attempted murders, robberies, and the distribution of narcotics. 

The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.

“These armed gang members showed little regard for life, using violence to hurt, to rob, and to kill while selling deadly drugs in our city.  Defendant Dukes even tried to murder a police officer by hitting him with his car.  We are relentless in pursuing and stopping this type of violence.” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “These dangerous defendants now face lengthy terms in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”          

According to their plea agreements, the defendants were members and associates of the Hillside Enterprise, which they knew distributed powder and crack cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and marijuana, primarily in the Cherry Hill Shopping Center, in other locations throughout Cherry Hill, and in west and southwest Baltimore City.  The members of the Hillside Enterprise used the proceeds of their narcotics sales to purchase firearms, to enrich themselves, and to further the activities of the organization, including narcotics trafficking. Hillside members used residences in and around Cherry Hill to cut and package drugs for distribution, primarily heroin, powder cocaine, and crack. These locations included a house at 453 Roundview Road and an apartment at 2300 Terra Firma Road in Cherry Hill.  Only trusted members of the Hillside Enterprise were admitted to these locations while the drugs were being prepared for sale.  In an effort to distinguish their narcotics, Hillside members used colored topped vials or colored the drugs with food coloring.  All five defendants admitted that they distributed drugs as a member of Hillside, and on behalf of the gang. 

Members of the Hillside Enterprise routinely carried firearms and committed acts of violence in furtherance of the organization’s activities, including robberies, shootings, beatings, murders, and other violence in order to intimidate others who would interfere with their narcotics trafficking.  Acts of violence were also committed to discipline members within the Hillside Enterprise for transgressions, real or perceived, against the conspiracy.  

Hillside members and associates have been in a long-running dispute with persons not part of the gang, including Up Da Hill (“UDH”), the Lakebrook Circle Boys, and others.  Members and associates of Hillside have routinely engaged in acts of violence, including murder, directed at members of these rival organizations, or persons who happen to be located on territory controlled by these rival organizations.  The defendants all knew that these acts of violence, including the homicides, were committed by Hillside members and associates.  For example, Horsey, Luster, Rice, and Evans all admitted that they participated in, or were present at shootings, generally of individuals whom they and their fellow Hillside members believed to be rival gang members.  Dukes admitted participating in a murder, the attempted murder of a police officer (after he attempted to hit the officer with his car), and two shootings. 

According to the ATF, a reward of $10,000 is available for information leading to the arrest of the final defendant in this case, fugitive Deaven Raeshawn Cherry, a/k/a Gotti, age 22, of Baltimore, who is charged federally with drug and racketeering conspiracies, including murders.  He is actively being sought by ATF Baltimore Special Agents and the U.S. Marshals Service and should be considered armed and dangerous.  Law enforcement believes he is likely still in Baltimore City or the counties surrounding it. Anyone with information should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS, ATFtips@atf.gov, text “ATFBAL” to 63975, or contact ATF via the mobile reportit® app.  Co-defendant Travis Eugene Alewine, a/k/a Sticks, age 27, of Baltimore, who had been a fugitive for two years, was arrested on May 23, 2019, after law enforcement received a tip as to his whereabouts.

This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).  NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.  NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.  For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

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, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia C. McLane and Michael C. Hanlon, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland –Stephen Bayne Fields, Jr., age 47, of Towson, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to distribution of child pornography by using multiple social media accounts to send and receive video and still images of children engaging, and being used to engage in, sexually explicit conduct via the Internet.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

According to his plea agreement, between July and September 2018, Fields used four social media accounts under alias names that were variations of a name beginning with the letter “T” and each included images of an adult female by that name as profile photos.  “T” was 20 years old at the time and was known personally to Fields, who obtained the profile photos for his alias accounts from a genuine social media account used by “T” in her own name.

Fields admitted that during this time, using the four social media accounts created using “T’s” name and photos, he sent and received child pornography on numerous occasions.  For example, as detailed in the plea agreement, while posing as “T” in July 2018, Fields sent messages to other social media users stating that he (or she) lived in Maryland and requesting “young girl pictures.”  Between July 24 and September 2018, Fields received at least five videos depicting prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct from other social media users.  Fields also sent at least three videos and one still image depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct to other users.

On August 30 and 31, 2018, Fields corresponded through the social media accounts with another user discussing that person’s sexual abuse of a seven-year-old minor female.  Fields received two videos from the user depicting an adult male engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a prepubescent female.  Fields also sent the other user a sexually explicit video.  During their conversations, Fields asked the user to send him photos or videos of the user sexually abusing the girl. 

Law enforcement became aware of Fields’ alias accounts through a series of Cybertipline reports made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  Internet Protocol addresses used in August 2018 to access three of these accounts were subscribed by Fields at his residence in Towson.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residences and seized a laptop computer and other electronic devices.

As part of his plea agreement, Fields will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Fields faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison for distribution of child pornography.  U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow has scheduled sentencing for October 10, 2019, at 1:00 p.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-Baltimore, 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 Matthew J. Maddox, who is prosecuting the federal case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis today sentenced Toni Ann Bobet, age 30, of New York, New York, to 50 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and for aggravated identity theft, in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain and charge the costs of upgraded Apple iPhones against true AT&T customers.  Judge Xinis also ordered Bobet to pay restitution of $95,001.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Matthew S. Miller of the United States Secret Service - Washington Field Office; and Acting Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.  

According to the plea agreements of Bobet, and co-defendants Alonia Anderson Perkins, age 42, of Tampa, Florida and Celeste Nyleen Carmona, age 23, of New York, New York, they conspired to obtain, charge, and finance the costs of upgraded Apple iPhones against true AT&T customers’ accounts.  The defendants admitted that they used stolen account information, telephone upgrade eligibility, and personal identifying information of actual AT&T Mobility customers to obtain the iPhones, which Bobet then provided to her co-conspirators in New York City.

Specifically, in July 2015 and April 2016, respectively, Bobet recruited Carmona and Perkins into the scheme.  In May 2016, Bobet drove Perkins and Carmona from New York City to Apple Stores located in Maryland and elsewhere to obtain Apple iPhones for resale.  For example, on May 16, 2016, Bobet provided Perkins and Carmona with fraudulent identification cards that contained the stolen personal information of victim AT&T customers, but bore the photographs of Perkins and Carmona, as well as counterfeit credit and debit cards in the victim customers’ names.  Bobet obtained the stolen identity information from her co-conspirators in New York City.  Bobet drove Perkins and Carmona to the Apple Store located at The Mall in Columbia, Maryland.  Perkins and Carmona entered the Apple store while Bobet remained in the car.  Perkins and Carmona each posing as a victim customer, purchased an Apple iPhone on the victim customers’ accounts.  Bobet then drove Perkins and Carmona to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.  Carmona, posing as a victim customer purchased two more iPhones on the account of that customer.  Perkins attempted to purchase an iPhone on the account of a fourth victim customer, but that customer’s account reflected a past due balance of $100, and Perkins was unable to upgrade any lines on that victim’s account until the balance was paid.  Perkins abandoned the transaction and left the store, while Carmona completed her transaction. 

Police responded to the Westfield Mall and located Bobet’s vehicle in the parking lot.   Bobet attempted to leave, but law enforcement stopped the vehicle.  Bobet, Perkins, and Carmona were taken into custody and transported to police headquarters.  A search of Bobet recovered two cellular phones which contained AT&T account information and personal identifying information of at least 20 individuals.  Bobet’s vehicle was seized and a search warrant for the vehicle was obtained.  Law enforcement recovered a laptop, a tablet, counterfeit identification cards, credit and debit cards, and a black duffle bag containing the four fraudulently obtained Apple iPhones. 

AT&T records also showed that during the timeframe of the conspiracy, the name of Alonia Perkins was fraudulently added to four AT&T accounts in Florida and that three of these victims’ accounts had their billing addresses changed to Perkins’ address in Florida.  The records also showed that Perkins later financed at least six Apple iPhones against the four victim customers’ accounts.  AT&T records further showed that the name Nyleen C. Carmona, or derivatives of that name, were added to 24 victims’ accounts, and Carmona later financed at least 46 Apple iPhones against the victims’ accounts.

Perkins and Carmona previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their roles in the scheme.                  

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the U.S. Secret Service and the Montgomery County Police Department’s Economic Crimes Task Force and Electronic Crimes Unit for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Sykes, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Matthew Joseph Lusby, age 46, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of fentanyl.  As a result of Lusby’s drug distribution, a victim died.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jesse R. Fong of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; and St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron.  

“Federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together to arrest and prosecute those who peddle deadly fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Fentanyl is killing thousands of people each year in Maryland.  We must do everything we can to reduce overdose deaths from this drug and from all opioids.”

According to Lusby’s plea agreement, on May 18, 2018, Lusby distributed fentanyl to Victim 1.  Victim 1 was found unresponsive in his home on May 19, 2018, next to hypodermic needles and a small bag of powder that tested positive for fentanyl.  Shortly thereafter, the Victim 1 was pronounced dead.  The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was fentanyl and morphine intoxication.  Phone records showed that Victim 1 had a 10-minute phone conversation with Lusby the day before he died.  Law enforcement then began investigating Lusby for distributing heroin and fentanyl in Southern Maryland. 

As detailed in his plea agreement, on August 16, 2018, a confidential informant working at the direction of law enforcement, purchased heroin from Lusby in Lusby’s home.  On September 6, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Lusby’s residence and law enforcement recovered 14 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, 30.9 grams of pure fentanyl, drug packaging materials, four digital scales, several needles, and a credit card in Lusby’s name with heroin and fentanyl residue.              

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the DEA and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein and Jessica Collins, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Reynaldo Alexis Granados-Vasquez, a/k/a “Fuego,” age 23, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, today to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a kidnapping conspiracy. 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Baltimore Office; Acting Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

“With today’s sentence, three MS-13 members and associates will now be prevented from inflicting any further harm on our community for years to come,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “This case and our ongoing work with our law enforcement partners to bring other gang members to justice, demonstrates our unflagging commitment to eliminate MS-13 and its campaign of violence.”

According to Granada-Vasquez’s plea agreement, he conspired with Jose Israel Melendez-Rivera, a/k/a “Liar,” and Neris Moreno-Martinez to trick a victim, Jordy Mejia, to travel from New Jersey to Maryland, under the false promise that Mejia would meet a woman.  As detailed in court documents, Granados-Vasquez, Melendez-Rivera, and Moreno-Martinez were all members and associates of MS-13.

MS-13 is a gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States.  In Maryland and elsewhere MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city of region.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.

According to the plea agreement, Moreno-Martinez traveled to Maryland on October 15, 2016.  Later that day, Mejia also traveled to Maryland.  Granados-Vasquez admitted that he traveled with Melendez-Rivera and Moreno-Martinez to a wooded area in Maryland.  As a result of Mejia being tricked into coming from New Jersey to Maryland, Mejia was murdered in that same wooded area. 

Melendez-Rivera, age 21, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was sentenced on June 17, 2019 to 20 years in federal prison.  Moreno-Martinez, age 22, of New Jersey, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on June 25, 2019.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney Office for their work in the investigation and thanked the Gaithersburg Police Department and the Guttenburg, New Jersey Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Windom and Timothy F. Hagan, Jr., who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging 16 individuals in a violent drug distribution conspiracy operating in the Edmondson Village neighborhood in southwest Baltimore.  The indictment was returned on June 20, 2019 and unsealed on July 3, 2019.  Fourteen defendants have been arrested and of those, 12 have been ordered to be detained pending trial, including Justin Antoine, who had his detention hearing yesterday.  The following defendants, all from Baltimore, are charged in the indictment:

Justin Antoine, a/k/a Justo, age 23; Rodney Bass, a/k/a Boo, age 57; Corey Bell, a/k/a Bell, age 38; Davon Boykin, age 33; Calvin Claxton, a/k/a Cal, age 39; Cortney Crawley, a/k/a C Murda, age 25; Eryica Davis, a/k/a Miss Cookie, age 45; Cedric Hite, a/k/a Hector, age 68; William Jackson, age 56; Raekwon Jones, a/k/a Kwon, age 20; Ronald Jones, age 51; Shelton Lewis, age 54; Adam Martin, a/k/a Fats, age 36; Rodney Matthews, a/k/a Rod, age 20; Neal Pinkney, age 52; and
Robert Williams, a/k/a Uncle Rob, age 62.

The indictment 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 Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together to target members of violent drug gangs operating in Baltimore City,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “This indictment alleges that this drug trafficking organization brought danger to our community through the deadly combination of guns and drugs.  Now they will face years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”    

The six-count superseding indictment alleges that from at least 2018 to June 20, 2019, the defendants were members and associates of the Adam Martin and Calvin Claxton drug trafficking organization, and conspired to distribute heroin, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine to drug users and redistributors in and around the Edmondson Village neighborhood of southwest Baltimore.  According to the superseding indictment, members of the drug trafficking organization used residences in and around Baltimore to process, cut, package, and prepare the drugs for distribution.  The defendants allegedly changed cell phones frequently to prevent the interception of their communications by law enforcement, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. 

According to the superseding indictment, the members of the conspiracy used violence to retaliate against those seeking to rob or cheat the drug trafficking organization.  The superseding indictment details several of these acts, including a shooting murder on May 5, 2018, a gunfight on October 16, 2018 in which an unarmed bystander was struck in the crossfire, and the planned robbery of an unlicensed taxi driver.

As detailed in the superseding indictment, during the course of the investigation law enforcement seized at least ten firearms, ammunition, drugs, and more than $20,000 in drug proceeds.

If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life in prison for the conspiracy.  Justin Antoine, Eryica Davis, and Shelton Lewis also face a maximum of life in prison for possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Antoine also faces a maximum of 40 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine; Lewis faces a maximum of life in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm; and Robert Williams faces a maximum of three years in prison for selling and offering to sell drug paraphernalia.  Law enforcement are still seeking Davon Boykin and Cedric Hite.

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 the FBI, the ATF, and the Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Anne Arundel County Police Department for its assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew DellaBetta and Michael Goldsticker, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte today sentenced Jerail Melik Netcliff age 28, of Rockville, Maryland, to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed bank robbery, and for violating his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.  In that case, on March 10, 2017, Netcliff was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

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 Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.

According to his guilty plea on the morning of January 24, 2019, Netcliff robbed a bank in Derwood, Maryland.  Netcliff approached the victim teller, pointed a black handgun at the teller and other customers, and demanded $10,000 with no bait money.  Fearing for her safety, the teller gave Netcliff $10,000 in cash and Netcliff fled the bank on foot.

As detailed in his plea agreement, law enforcement officers responding to the scene tracked footprints behind the bank which led to the discovery of surveillance video from a residence.  The video showed the armed robber enter a white U-Haul van, with artwork on the rear driver’s side of the van.  U-Haul confirmed to law enforcement that the artwork on the van was specific to only one van in their inventory, which was rented to Netcliff on January 24, 2019 in Rockville.  Video surveillance of the U-Haul transaction revealed that Netcliff was wearing the same clothing he wore to rob the bank later that day.

Netcliff was charged and arrested at his place of employment in Bethesda, Maryland on January 25, 2019.  Search warrants were executed at Netcliff’s residence and on a backpack seized at his place of employment when he was arrested.  Law enforcement located a U-Haul rental agreement and a replica black handgun at Netcliff’s home and recovered $2,770 in cash, Netcliff’s Maryland driver’s license, and gloves consistent with those worn by the robber in the bank surveillance video.

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’s Cross Border Task Force and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Sykes and Thomas M. Sullivan, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel today sentenced Nely Rider, age 74, of Bowie, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by nine months of home detention as part of three years of supervised release, for wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud at least five individuals in Maryland, Virginia, and elsewhere, of a total of more than $1.285 million.  Judge Hazel also entered an order requiring Rider to forfeit and to pay restitution in the amount of $1,285,545.01.

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.

“This defendant took advantage of her victims’ generosity and lied to steal over a million dollars,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “The victims she preyed upon included the elderly, for whom the loss of retirement savings is particularly tragic.  The Justice Department is committed to bringing fraudsters like these to justice.” 

According to Rider’s plea agreement, from December 2009 through May 2014, Rider defrauded five victims by falsely stating that an individual in Mexico, named Patricia, was in danger and needed assistance to travel to the United States.  Rider falsely stated that once “Patricia” was safely in the United States, she would have access to money to repay the victims.

Based on Rider’s false statements, the victims provided her with approximately $1,285,545.01, which she used at casinos and elsewhere for her personal benefit.  As a result of the fraud, some elderly victims lost their retirement savings.

Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.  The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.                   

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leah B. Grossi and David I. Salem, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Kenneth Brian Fischer, age 41, of Westminster, Maryland, to 22 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for production of child pornography.  Judge Bennett also ordered Fischer to pay restitution of $3,000 to each of the 11 identified victims, for a total of $33,000.   Upon his release from prison, Fischer will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, is an employee, and is a student, pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), and the laws of the state of his residence.

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; Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Sheriff James T. DeWees of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office; Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr. of the Fairfax County, Virginia Police; Carroll County State’s Attorney Brian DeLeonardo; and Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh.

“Kenneth Fischer was a teacher who exploited children by enticing them to engage in sexually explicit conduct for his own gratification,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Now he faces years in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.  Law enforcement will continue to work to identify and prosecute those who prey on our children.”

According to his plea agreement, Fischer was a resident of Carroll County, Maryland and at the time of the conduct was employed as a teacher by the Carroll County School System.  In August 2017, Fischer was identified by law enforcement after he communicated with an undercover agent posing as a minor male on a social networking application geared toward gay and bisexual men.  In his chats with the undercover detective, Fischer attempted to arrange a meeting with the detective posing as a minor male, in order to engage in sexually explicit conduct.  Fischer also sent the detective a sexually explicit photo of an adult male, wearing a green shirt with white lettering.  The face of the individual was not visible in the photo.

On September 13, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Fischer’s residence, and seized numerous electronic devices and a green t-shirt with white lettering that matches the t-shirt worn by the individual in the sexually explicit photo Fischer sent to the detective.  A search of Fischer’s electronic devices revealed that Fischer had been communicating with five real minors beginning in November 2014 and continuing through his arrest in September 2017.

Fischer admitted that he enticed minor males to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him and took images and videos documenting that conduct.   Fischer also attempted to entice two other minor males to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him.  In addition, Fischer engaged in online chats with at least an additional nine minor males in which he either attempted to or did obtain sexually explicit photos of the minor males at his request.  One minor male was 13 years old at the time the nude photos were exchanged.

Fischer was previously arrested in Westminster, Maryland on related charges and has been in custody since September 13, 2017.

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, the Maryland State Police, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Fairfax County Police, and the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Ayn B. Ducao, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Jason Walker, age 31, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 121 months 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 Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department.

“Jason Walker has learned a hard lesson—that gun crime leads to federal time, which has no parole, ever,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove those who would commit violence from our community. Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”

As detailed in guilty plea, on February 21, 2018, Walker and a co-conspirator robbed a restaurant in the 2200 block of Wilkins Avenue in Baltimore.  Walker admitted that during the robbery he pointed a handgun at one of the victims, while his co-conspirator took all the money from the cash register.  In addition, Walker and his co-conspirator took the victims’ personal cell phones before fleeing the restaurant.

After the 911 call, an officer with the Baltimore Police Department, who was canvassing the area, saw two men in an alley who matched the description provided by the victims.  The men were standing by a wall counting cash.  Officers detained the men and brought one of the victims to the location.  That person identified Walker as one of the men that had committed the robbery.  Walker was arrested and searched.  Officers recovered $272 in cash, a plastic bag full of change, blue bandanas, two cellular telephones that belonged to two of the victims of the robbery, and a receipt from the restaurant.  Officers also recovered a fully loaded revolver from the area where Walker was counting money.  Walker admitted that it was the gun he brandished during the robbery of the restaurant.

Federal charges in connection with the robbery against co-defendant Joseph Coates, age 28, of Baltimore, remain pending.  Trial is scheduled to begin on December 2, 2019.  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 the ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Goldsticker who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

 

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow today sentenced Yusef Payne, age 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a stolen firearm.  Payne admitted that he had at least two previous felony convictions and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

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

“Yusef Payne knew that as a result of his previous convictions he was prohibited from possessing guns or ammunition.  Now he faces nine years in federal prison,” said United States Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “Armed criminals must know that gun crime will lead to federal time, which has no parole—ever.  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”

According to his guilty plea on October 30, 2017, Baltimore Police officers were patrolling and saw Payne, who had an open warrant from an October 15, 2017 handgun charge involving a 9mm handgun with a magazine containing ten 9mm cartridges.

When the officers pulled over to arrest Payne, he ran, discarding a handgun.  One of the officers chasing Payne retrieved the weapon, which was a different 9mm handgun with a magazine containing seven cartridges.  Payne admitted that he knew, or had cause to believe, that the gun was stolen.

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 Police Department for their work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for its assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joan C. Mathias, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – Stephanie Twyman, age 47, of Clinton, Maryland, pleaded guilty on July 3, 2019, to theft of government money and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a tax fraud scheme.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

According to court documents, between 2011 and 2013, Stephanie Twyman was part of a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain tax refund checks by filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using the names and Social Security numbers of unemployed individuals. Once the refund checks in these individuals’ names were obtained, Twyman sent runners to cash the checks at a check cashing business in Clinton, Maryland, where co-conspirators worked as tellers. The runners brought the proceeds back to Twyman, who then paid the tellers for cashing the fraudulently obtained checks. The total tax loss resulting from Twyman’s fraudulent conduct is approximately $566,261.

Twyman faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison on the theft count and a mandatory two years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, for the aggravated identity theft count.  U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm has scheduled sentencing for October 4, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Hur and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman thanked agents of the Department of Treasury, Office of Inspector General, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Bernstein and Trial Attorney William Guappone, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Ronnell Francis Lewis, a/k/a Punkin, age 45, and William David Hill, a/k/a Old Man and Tank, age 62, both of Washington, D.C., for conspiring to commit a commercial robbery; for using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a weapon during and in relation to a crime of violence; for being felons in possession of firearms; and for interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, in connection with two armed robberies committed by the defendants in November 2016.  Lewis was also convicted of witness tampering.

The convictions 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.

According to the evidence presented at the seven-day trial, Lewis, Hill and a co-conspirator robbed an auto repair business in Clinton, Maryland, on November 22, 2016.  Specifically, the evidence proved that the robbers entered the business brandishing firearms and ordered two employees to get on the ground.  The defendants took money from the victims’ pockets and then ordered them into the front office.  One victim was then bound with zip ties and gagged with duct tape.  The second victim fought, was shot by the robbers, and ultimately paralyzed.  The robbers then fled in a vehicle they had stolen earlier that day.

As detailed at trial, on November 26, 2016, the defendants robbed a barbershop in Seat Pleasant, Maryland.  According to the trial testimony, the two defendants entered the business, ordered everyone to the ground and then robbed them.  During the robbery, the defendants threatened the victims with violence.  According to the evidence, the robbers put the cash in a dark single strap duffle bag and fled in a stolen minivan.  Police saw the minivan at a traffic light and attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused to stop, fleeing into Washington, DC.  Three individuals exited the vehicle and attempted to run away.  The driver and Lewis were captured.  The third person, later identified as Hill, escaped but was apprehended later.

Police searched Lewis after his arrest and recovered his cell phone.  From the floor of the minivan, Metropolitan Police officers recovered two loaded 9 millimeter handguns, one with an obliterated serial number.

Further, the evidence proved that after the robberies, and while he was detained, Lewis called several people from jail and asked them to visit the victims of the barbershop robbery to persuade them not to cooperate in the investigation, including not testifying before the federal grand jury. 

Lewis and Hill each face a maximum sentence of life in prison.   U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel has scheduled sentencing for October 21, 2019 at 10 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.  They remain detained pending sentencing.

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 for its work in the investigation and thanked the Prince Georges County Police Department, the Seat Pleasant Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department for their assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin B. Pulice and Dwight J. Draughon, who are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Deandre Laquan Jones, a/k/a “Cuz,” age 26, of Towson, Maryland, and Tyrell Daront Curry, a/k/a “Mike,” age 28, of Baltimore, on the federal charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute drugs near a school, maintaining a drug-involved premises, as well as related firearms charges.  The indictment was returned on June 25, 2019, and was unsealed at their initial appearances. 

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Chief Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Guns and drugs take far too many lives in our communities.  All too often, guns and drugs go hand in hand—and both are killers.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations, especially those who use guns and sell drugs near our schools.  Federal, state, and local law enforcement are united in our commitment to get guns, drugs, and violent criminals off our streets and to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods.”

According to the indictment, from December 2018 to February 2019, Jones and Curry distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.  On February 22, 2019, Jones allegedly possessed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine which he intended to distribute within 1,000 feet of a public elementary school.  The indictment alleges that during the time of the conspiracy Jones used an apartment in Parkville, Maryland, to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine.  Finally, as alleged in the indictment, Jones illegally possessed firearms and ammunition in furtherance of drug trafficking.

If convicted, Jones faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison for the conspiracy and for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine; a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 80 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute drugs within 1,000 feet of a school; a maximum of 20 years in prison for maintaining a drug-involved premises and for distribution of drugs; a maximum of 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; and a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum sentence of life in prison for possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

If convicted, Curry faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for the conspiracy, and a maximum of 20 years in prison for both possession with intent to distribute heroin, and for distribution of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.  

At their initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore yesterday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher ordered that Jones and Curry be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m, and July 8, 2019 at 2:30 p.m., respectively.

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. 

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.

# # #

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang today sentenced Emmanuel Kusi Appiah, a/k/a Manny, age 47, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to 75 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, four counts of bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, in connection with a years-long bank fraud scheme that resulted in losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars.  A federal jury convicted Appiah on March 12, 2019, after a five-day trial.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Chief Robert D. MacLean of the U.S. Park Police; and Postal Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

According to the evidence presented at his trial, from June 2013 through March 2018, Appiah committed a bank fraud scheme that defrauded individuals and financial institution victims of several hundred thousand dollars.

Specifically, the trial evidence proved that Appiah conspired with others to open bank accounts at 10 different financial institutions using the stolen identities of at least five individual victims, and under the business names of five shell corporations, including Global Tax Services Incorporated, Merchandise Services Incorporated, Imperial Pipe Incorporated, SJ Metal Incorporated, and Morgan Incorporated.  Appiah and his conspirators then used those fraudulent accounts to deposit stolen and altered business checks, convenience checks, and tax refunds.  Witnesses testified that Appiah then withdrew the fraudulent proceeds in cash, transferred the proceeds to other fraudulent accounts, or laundered the proceeds through the purchase of money orders, which Appiah and others used for their personal benefit.  

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Park Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Bernstein and Burden H. Walker, who prosecuted the case.

# # #

A Maryland woman pleaded guilty to theft of government money and aggravated identity theft, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur.

According to court documents, between 2011 and 2013, Stephanie Twyman was part of a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain tax refund checks by filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using the names and Social Security numbers of unemployed individuals. Once the refund checks in these individuals’ names were obtained, Twyman sent runners to cash the checks at a check cashing business in Clinton, Maryland, where co-conspirators worked as tellers. The runners brought the proceeds back to Twyman, who then paid the tellers for cashing the fraudulently obtained checks. The total tax loss resulting from Twyman’s fraudulent conduct is approximately $566,261.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2019. Twyman faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the theft count and a mandatory two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft count, a term of supervised release, restitution, and a fine.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Hur thanked agents of the Department of Treasury, Office of Inspector General, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney William Guappone and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Bernstein, who are prosecuting the case.

Baltimore, Maryland – Kyle Duran Smego, age 40, of Raleigh, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on July 2, 2019, to submitting false claims to the United States, specifically for inflating the number of hours he claimed to have worked on two government contracts. 

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Robert P. Storch, Inspector General of the National Security Agency.

The National Security Agency (NSA) is a component of the United States Department of Defense.  During the period from February 2016 to present, the NSA had two ongoing contracts with an outside company (Contractor A).  Each of these contracts required Contractor A to supply information technology (IT) services to the NSA.  Contractor A subcontracted with Subcontractors 1 and 2, respectively, to provide software engineers and developers needed to carry out its obligations under each contract.  

According to his plea agreement, from February 2016 through May 2018, Kyle Duran Smego was successively employed on a full-time basis by Subcontractors 1 and 2 to work as a software engineer/front end developer on the two separate contracts held by Contractor A.  Because the subject matter of these contracts involved classified information, all of the work had to be performed at secure, access-controlled locations.  Smego was therefore required to be physically present at his assigned duty locations to do his work. 

Between February 2016 and November 2017, Smego reported to Subcontractor 1 that he had worked 3,289 hours on their contract.  Between November 2017 and May 2018, Smego reported to Subcontractor 2 that he had worked 797.5 hours on their contract.  A subsequent review by the NSA of key card and timecard information demonstrated that Smego was not actually present at his assigned duty stations for at least 1,326 of the 3,289 hours he had reported to Subcontractor 1 (40.3%) and 375 of the 797.5 hours he had reported to Subcontractor 2 (47%).  In addition to overstating the number of hours he had worked, the timesheets that Smego submitted to Subcontractors 1 and 2 included entries for 119 separate days in which Smego represented that he had worked an average of 8 hours when, in fact, he had not worked at all on those days. 

All of the hours that were falsely reported by Smego were subsequently billed by the subcontractors to Contractor A, and were in turn billed by Contractor A to, and paid by, NSA.  Based upon the false billing records submitted by Smego, the NSA overpaid a total of $220,379.42 to Contractor A.  Contractor A, in turn, paid most of those funds over to Subcontractors 1 and 2, who ultimately paid Smego $115,110 for work he had not performed.

As part of his plea agreement, Smego will be required to pay restitution and to forfeit any assets derived from or traceable to the offense.

Smego faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for October 3, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended NSA Senior Investigator Lori Hazenstab and the NSA OIG for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jefferson M. Gray, who is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Mouhamed Camara, age 29, of Reisterstown, Maryland to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for Carjacking, and Using, Carrying, and 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 Melissa R. Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to Camara’s plea agreement, on January 9, 2018, the victim had started her 2010 Toyota Corolla to warm the engine outside of her home in Reisterstown, Maryland.  She was scraping ice off of the windows when she spotted Camara on the other side of the street.  When she turned around, Camara pointed a gun in her face, but did not say a word.  The victim ran for safety.  Camara entered the victim’s car, which contained her purse and cellphone, and drove away.

Baltimore County Police Officers later located the vehicle in the area of an apartment complex in Reisterstown, Maryland.  Detectives placed a GPS tracker on the carjacked vehicle to track its movements.  A short time later, the vehicle was observed traveling towards Hanover Pike and onto I-795 South.  Detectives followed the vehicle onto I-695 where they stopped the vehicle.  Camara was the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Camara’s cellphone.  A search of the cellphone revealed a photo of a black semi-automatic handgun that was consistent with the description of the firearm provided by the victim.  There was also a photo of the defendant’s girlfriend stamped with a geolocation near a residence in Reisterstown, Maryland, taken on January 8, 2018, the day prior to the carjacking.

On January 10, 2018, detectives went to the residence and found Camara’s girlfriend and another male exiting the residence.  Detectives approached and spoke with them.  Camara’s girlfriend indicated that she and Camara had been living at the residence and had a black backpack inside the residence.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and recovered a loaded handgun, along with a black backpack, and some clothing belonging to Camara.  The firearm seized matched the firearm seen in the photo on Camara’s phone.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI's Baltimore Field Office and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sippel, who is prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Anne Arundel Medical Center (“AAMC”), located in Annapolis, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $3,154,000 to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it submitted false claims to Medicare for services that were not medically necessary. 

The settlement agreement was announced today by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, Maureen Dixon; Norbert E. Vint, Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management; and Robert E. Craig, Jr., Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Criminal Investigative Services, Mid-Atlantic Division.

“Companies that submit false bills to the government must be held accountable. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to taking the steps necessary to protect Medicare and other federal healthcare programs from fraud and abuse and recover taxpayers’ money,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  

In or about June 2007, AAMC opened its Anticoagulation Clinic (“the Clinic”) to monitor outpatient’s anticoagulation therapy.  Patients who take Coumadin or the generic equivalent have their blood routinely tested to monitor their clotting times.  These tests are known as prothrombin time international normalized ration (PT-INR) tests.  These tests measure how much time it takes for a patient's blood to clot and can be billed by a clinic using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 85610.  If test results indicate the need to adjust a patient’s Coumadin dose, or the patient presented with a change in medical condition, the provider may perform, and submit a claim for, an Evaluation and Management (E/M) service.  According to the settlement agreement, between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013, AAMC submitted false claims to Medicare, TRICARE, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program for E/M services that were not medically reasonable and necessary at the same time it submitted and was paid for claims for the blood tests.

Effective January 1, 2014, CMS updated the hospital outpatient prospective payment system by bundling PT-INR tests with E/M services, when E/M services were provided during the same visit.  The new CPT code that the clinic would use is G0463.    According to the settlement agreement, between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017, AAMC submitted false claims to Medicare for both the bundled code G0463 and CPT 85610, notwithstanding that the PT-INR tests were included in G0463 claims.

The United States alleged that for the time period before January 1, 2014, a substantial percentage of the claims for CPT 99211 submitted by AAMC were not medically reasonable and necessary when submitted with CPT 85610.  Further, the United States alleged that after January 1, 2014, all claims submitted by AAMC for CPT 85610 represented false claims when submitted with G0463.       

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

Contemporaneous with the civil settlement, AAMC entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the HHS-OIG which requires, among other things, the implementation of a risk assessment and internal review process designed to identify and address evolving compliance risks on an ongoing basis.  The CIA requires training, auditing, and monitoring designed to address the conduct at issue in the case.          

The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by Barbara McHenry, a former AAMC employee, under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, captioned United States, et al. ex rel. McHenry v. Anne Arundel Medical Center, Case No. ELH-15-1256.  As part of the settlement, the whistleblower will receive $473,100.

The Maryland United States Attorney’s Office’s action in this matter illustrates its commitment to combat health care fraud using the False Claims Act.  Tips from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General; OPM-Office of Inspector General; and the Defense Criminal Investigative Services, Mid-Atlantic Division for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Roann Nichols, who handled the case.

 

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Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Neris Moreno-Martinez, age 22, of West New York, New Jersey, to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to kidnap.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Baltimore Office; Acting Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

According to court documents, Moreno-Martinez was a paro in the L.A. clique of MS-13.  His co-defendants also were in the gang; Jose Israel Melendez-Rivera, a/k/a “Liar,” was an observation, and Reynaldo Granados-Vasquez, a/k/a “Fuego,” was a paro.  In the summer of 2016, Moreno-Martinez told Melendez-Rivera about the victim, Jordy Mejia, whom Moreno-Martinez alleged was a member of the rival 18th Street gang, although there is no evidence to suggest that was true.  Prior to October 1, 2016, Moreno-Martinez created a social media account in the name “Shaila Smith.”  Between October 2 and October 15, 2016, Moreno-Martinez posed as Shaila Smith and through social media expressed to Mejia that Shaila Smith was romantically interested in Mejia.  Melendez-Rivera admitted that he and Granados-Vasquez were aware of the ruse and that the goal was to trick Mejia into coming to Maryland where the three intended to murder Mejia.

According to court documents, Moreno-Martinez traveled to Maryland to meet Melendez-Rivera on October 15, 2016.  Later that day, at the direction of Moreno-Martinez posing as Shaila Smith, Mejia also traveled to Melendez-Rivera’s address in Gaithersburg, where he was told someone would pick him up. While Mejia waited to be picked-up, Melendez-Rivera drove his co-defendants to a residence near a wooded area where the two were to lay in wait for Mejia, then drove back to his apartment, picked up Mejia, and drove back to the wooded area where his co-defendants were waiting. 

After Moreno-Martinez lured Mejia into the wooded area, the co-defendants murdered Mejia.

Melendez-Rivera, age 21, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Granados-Vasquez, age 23, of Gaithersburg, have also pleaded guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy. Melendez-Rivera has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison; Granados-Vasquez is to be sentenced on July 9, 2019.

Background on MS-13

MS-13 is a gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland, including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Frederick County, and throughout the United States.  In Maryland and elsewhere MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region.  Cliques of MS-13 often work together cooperatively with the purpose of increasing the gang’s levels of organization, violence, extortion, and other criminal activity, and to assist one another in avoiding detection by law enforcement.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, both to maintain membership and discipline within the gang and against rival gangs.  MS-13’s creed is based on one of its mottos, “Mata, roba, viola, controla,” which translates to, “kill, steal, rape, control.”  One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible.

Prospective members who sought to join MS-13 were required to complete an initiation process.  Individuals who associated with and were friends of the gang were called “paisas.”  Individuals who did favors and other acts for the gang were called “paros.”  Persons being observed by the gang for potential membership were called “observations,” and individuals who had advanced to the final level before being “jumped in” were called “chequeos,” or “cheqs.”  To become a full member of MS-13 or a “homeboy,” prospective members were required to complete an initiation process, often referred to as being “jumped in,” during which other MS-13 members would beat the new member, usually until a gang member finished counting aloud to the number 13.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI, the Montgomery County Police Department, and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney Office for their work in the investigation and thanked the Gaithersburg Police Department and the Guttenburg, New Jersey Police Department for their assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas P. Windom and Timothy F. Hagan, Jr., who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Leandro Acevedo Lozada, age 34, of Gaithersburg, Maryland to 150 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine and 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 Jesse R. Fong of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Field Division; and Acting Chief Marcus Jones of the Montgomery County Police Department.

“State and federal law enforcement and prosecutors in Maryland are working together to arrest and prosecute those who sell deadly fentanyl on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur.  “We’re also targeting drug dealers who use guns and increase the risk of gun violence in Maryland.  Working together with law enforcement partners, we are determined to reduce the number of opioid related deaths in Maryland.”

According to his plea agreement, from at least January 2017 through February 2017, Lozada, a/k/a “Dro,” conspired with Bradley Wade Seabolt and others to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine through street-level drug dealers.

Although Lozada was not certain of the exact chemical compounds contained in opioids he sold to Seabolt and others, he knew that the substance was bright white in color and very strong.  Because of those two features, Lozada suspected that it was fentanyl.  Because the opioids he sold were so strong, Lozada used powdered sugar to dilute them, in an effort to both expand its volume, and thus his profit, as well as to make it safer for his customers.

On January 11, 2017, emergency medical personnel responded to Victim A’s residence in Montgomery County, Maryland, where they found Victim A unresponsive.  Victim A had ingested a quantity of a substance containing both acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl distributed by Seabolt, who acquired it from Lozada.  Victim A was taken by ambulance to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, where he/she was later pronounced deceased. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland determined that Victim A’s death resulted from fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and cocaine intoxication.  The fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl ingested by Victim A was a but-for cause of Victim A’s death.

On February 17, 2017, law enforcement executed search warrants at two locations, a residence in Damascus, Maryland and a residence in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where Lozada spent time during the course of this conspiracy and kept various property.

Collectively, officers seized approximately 147 grams of a substance that contained detectable amounts of both fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl; approximately 23 grams of cocaine; a bag of powdered sugar that Lozada used as a cutting agent for his opioids; $4,452.00 in U.S. currency; a digital scale that Lozada used to weigh and process his narcotics for sale; and a loaded handgun which belonged to Lozada.  Lozada knowingly and intentionally possessed the handgun and all of the aforementioned narcotics, which he intended to distribute.

The handgun was manufactured outside of Maryland, and therefore traveled in and affected interstate and foreign commerce prior to Lozada possessing this firearm on February 17, 2017.  Prior to February 17, 2017, Lozada had been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, which prohibited him from legally possessing the handgun and/or any ammunition.

Co-defendant Bradley Wade Seabolt, age 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

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 DEA-Washington Field Division and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Bernstein, who is prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III sentenced Narada Walls, age 38, of Salisbury, Maryland, today to 12 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess and to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogues.  Fentanyl analogues are chemical compounds designed to have effects similar to fentanyl and can be just as deadly.  Judge Russell also ordered that Walls must forfeit anything of value seized during the investigation, including $29,650 in cash.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur stated, “Drug traffickers are on notice that dealing in fentanyl increases their odds of federal prosecution. We’re also targeting drug dealers who buy fentanyl on the dark web and re-sell this poison to our citizens.  Working together with our local, state, and federal partners, we are determined to reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths in Maryland.”

“Individuals like Narada Walls are producing and profiting from deadly addictions, and the snares of these addictions entrap more people every day,” said HSI Baltimore Acting Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant. “This significant sentence takes one more access point off the street and means fewer network may be permitted to rampantly poison our community.”

According to his plea agreement, in fall 2017, law enforcement began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and in Baltimore, which was responsible for importing and distributing fentanyl and fentanyl analogue substances.  This investigation revealed that Narada Walls was part of the conspiracy and used assumed names and a fake e-mail address to purchase methoxyacetyl fentanyl directly from suppliers in China.  Walls had this product shipped to addresses of his acquaintances along the Eastern Shore of Maryland to distance himself from the packages.  Walls imported more than 1.5 kilograms of methoxyacetyl fentanyl in this manner. 

In September and November, 2017, a confidential source purchased fentanyl analogue substances from Walls, at the direction of law enforcement.  On each occasion, Walls brought the drugs to Baltimore, where he met with the source.  During their interactions Walls discussed with the source the potency of this product and how it needed to be diluted with cutting agents or offered only to experienced drug users, or else overdoses could occur. 

In December 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Walls’ residence in Salisbury.  Inside a safe found at the home was approximately 419 grams of methoxyacetyl fentanyl and approximately $18,650 in drug proceeds.  Law enforcement recovered other drug-related paraphernalia from Walls’ bedroom, including a blender, a digital scale, and packaging materials.   

Walls agreed that, in June 2017, he was in a relationship with a recovering heroin user.  According to a witness, on June 14, 2017, Walls asked this woman to clean up the kitchen, which was the area where Walls mixed his drug product.  In the process of cleaning up the blender in the kitchen, the victim ingested some of this fentanyl analogue product.  The victim was subsequently found unresponsive on the kitchen floor, next to her minor child.  Paramedics were called, and she was later pronounced dead.  An autopsy determined that the woman’s death was caused by her exposure to this fentanyl analogue product.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI and Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit East for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason D. Medinger and Burden Walker, who prosecuted the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Marquise McCants, a/k/a Digga, age 26, of Baltimore, to life in prison for conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family (BGF).  In January 2018, McCants was convicted by a federal jury of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  At the sentencing hearing, the government also presented evidence that McCants committed an additional murder that was unsolved at the time of McCants’ trial.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

“Marquise McCants and his fellow gang members brought terror and death to Baltimore’s Greenmount Avenue neighborhood with guns, drugs, and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “As a result of a coordinated effort by our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, nine members of the BGF Greenmount Regime have been removed from our community and Marquise McCants faces the rest of his life in federal prison, where there is no parole—ever.  I urge anyone who’s thinking of following these gang members’ example:  Please, put down the guns and save a life—maybe even your own.”  

According to the evidence presented at the two-month trial, McCants was a member of an organization known today as the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime, a violent set of BGF.  Between 2005 and 2017, the gang and its members were responsible for seven murders; three non-fatal shootings; more than 10 armed robberies; and over 12 years of street-level drug dealing.  McCants was a member of the gang during that time and dealt drugs, and committed stabbings, robberies, and attempted murders in furtherance of BGF. 

Beginning in approximately 2005 and continuing until early 2007, co-defendant and BGF Greenmount Regime leader Gerald Johnson supplied distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (ecstasy) to YGF members, including McCants, who was then a juvenile.  According to witness testimony, McCants primarily sold crack cocaine in the vicinity of Barclay and 24th Streets.  McCants also participated in violence on behalf of the gang.  For example, on May 9, 2008, in the 2400 block of Greenmount Avenue, McCants, who was not even sixteen years old at the time, led a group of individuals who attacked and stabbed a twelve-year-old member of a rival Bloods gang.  A witness who identified McCants as the person who led the attack testified that afterward, members of BGF walked back and forth in front of the witness’s residence in an apparent effort to silence the witness.  The witness’ family moved out of the neighborhood shortly thereafter, in fear for their lives.

Witnesses testified at trial that on August 26, 2010, McCants and an unknown accomplice committed an armed home invasion and robbery of a family in Elkton, Maryland.  Further, the evidence proved that in August 2011, McCants assaulted and stabbed a member of a rival Bloods gang in a prison in Hagerstown, Maryland.

On February 4, 2017, while a fugitive in the case, McCants attempted to murder an individual in the vicinity of Greenmount and North Avenues, shooting him seven times in the legs and back.  McCants then fled to a residence in the 5600 block of Pioneer Drive, where he was arrested after a multi-hour standoff with a U.S. Marshals Task Force.  Before surrendering, McCants disassembled the .40 caliber firearm used to shoot the victim and hid it behind a wall in a bathroom of the residence.  In recorded jail calls after his arrest, McCants attempted to direct confederates to dispose of the weapon.  Law enforcement officers monitoring his jail calls were able to recover the gun, which was then examined and linked to the February 4 shooting.

On September 26, 2017, a hidden audio-video recording device in a common area at the Chesapeake Detention Facility captured McCants telling co-conspirator Norman Handy about a brutal murder he committed with a fellow BGF member in retaliation for the victim shooting up the BGF member’s residence on Druid Hill.  According to McCants, he and his co-conspirator convinced the victim to come for a ride with them.  Upon reaching their destination, the victim started to get out of the car, when McCants grabbed the victim’s shirt and fired 11 rounds at him, killing him.  McCants bragged that he took the victim’s phone while “he was still twitching.” 

Based on evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, the Court also found that McCants shot and killed George Cookson on January 19, 2017, in connection with an effort to collect a drug debt owed to an associate.  The gun used to murder Cookson was recovered during the execution of a search warrant on a vehicle parked in the driveway of the associate’s home in northeast Baltimore, where McCants was arrested.  The gun was found in a hidden compartment in the vehicle, along with another firearm.

Eight co-defendants, also members of the BGF gang, were convicted of conspiring to violate federal racketeering and drug trafficking laws and have been sentenced, including Gerald Thomas Johnson, a/k/a “Geezy,” age 35; and Kenneth Jones, a/k/a “K-Slay” and “Slay,” age 30, both of Baltimore, who were convicted after trial and sentenced to life in prison.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF, the FBI, the Baltimore Police Department, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina Hoffman, who prosecuted the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Ashley Grossman, age 30, of Baltimore to 135 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in the German Park area in Baltimore’s Central District.  The sentence was imposed on June 19, 2019.

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; Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Tim Altomare; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.

“State and federal law enforcement and prosecutors in Baltimore City 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’re also targeting drug dealers who use guns and increase the risk of gun violence in Maryland.  More and more people are dying from fentanyl overdoses in Baltimore City and throughout the state.  Working together with law enforcement partners, we are determined to reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths in Maryland.”

According to her plea agreement, from at least January 2017 through July 2018, Ashley Grossman conspired with others to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine through a street-level drug shop called the Young Finesse Kings (“YFK”).  Ashley Grossman was one of the leaders of the shop, which operated primarily in the German Park area of Baltimore City.

Law enforcement conducted surveillance of the YFK drug shop and observed many drug transactions, and Baltimore Police officers arrested members of the conspiracy on several occasions.  In addition, law enforcement obtained wiretaps for Ashley Grossman’s cellular phone and intercepted numerous communications with co-conspirators discussing the operation of the drug shop.  For example, in one conversation, Grossman was overheard discussing the payment made to another co-conspirator, Anthony Whitaker, for coordinating the drug sales at the shop.  In addition, law enforcement intercepted a number of communications between Grossman and her supplier, Barry Martin, including several on March 14, 2018, coordinating a meeting that day.  Investigators tried to observe the meeting but arrived just as Grossman’s truck was leaving the location.  Investigators saw Grossman exit the truck carrying a small black bag, which was believed to contain narcotics obtained from Barry Martin, and go into a home in the 1700 block of Hollins Street.  A short time later, another conspirator was seen leaving the home, placing an item in the rear passenger seat of the truck and driving away.   

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Hollins Street residence on April 12, 2018 and recovered scales and other drug paraphernalia consistent with the YFK street operations.  On July 11, 2018, law enforcement executed a search at Barry Martin’s residence and recovered two firearms, approximately 529 grams of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 254 grams of suspected cocaine, and $157,658 in cash.

Co-defendants Brandon Reese, a/k/a “Gangsta.” age 36; Ratrez Colson, age 20; Anthony Whitaker III, a/k/a “TY,” age 24; and Barry Martin, age 44, all of Baltimore, have all pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy.  Martin was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and each of the other defendants faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison.  Judge Blake has scheduled sentencing for Colson on July 12, 2019 at 9:15 a.m.; for Whitaker on August 1, 2019 at 9:15 a.m.; and for Reese on September 20, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.  Four other co-defendants are awaiting trial. 

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, the Baltimore Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Goo and Brandon K. Moore, who are prosecuting the case.

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Baltimore, Maryland – After a multiple-year investigation and the government’s intervention in a whistleblower lawsuit, Hart to Heart Ambulance Services, d/b/a/ Hart to Heart Transportation Services has agreed to pay the United States $1,250,000 to settle allegations under the False Claims Act that it submitted false claims to Medicare for ambulance transport that was not medically necessary. 

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

“Companies that submit false bills to the government must be held accountable. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to taking the steps necessary to protect Medicare and other federal healthcare programs from fraud and abuse and recover taxpayers’ money,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. 

“When health care providers participate in fraudulent billing schemes in order to increase profits, they steal from the pockets of the taxpayer and jeopardize federal healthcare programs,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  “We will continue to be relentless in our efforts to hold such providers accountable.” 

On November 30, 2018, the United States filed a complaint in U.S. District Court alleging that Hart to Heart, its billing affiliate, EMS Billing Solutions, Inc. (“EMS”), and the owners and operators of those organizations violated the False Claims Act by submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for ambulance transport that was not medically necessary, and for which the defendants received millions of taxpayer dollars.  Medically necessary ambulance transportation requires that a patient’s medical condition is such that other methods of transportation are contraindicated, but Hart to Heart submitted a high rate of ambulance claims for patients who could have been transported by wheelchair van or other means.  The complaint cites accounts from numerous former Hart to Heart employees about management’s pressure and directions to falsify documentation to make Medicare reimbursement more likely.   

In reaching this settlement, the parties have resolved allegations that, from January 2, 2010 to December 31, 2017, Hart to Heart knowingly submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for non-emergency Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance transports hospital discharges that were not medically necessary.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations.  The settlement is not an admission of liability by Hart to Heart Transportation Services or its affiliates, nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded. 

The government’s action in this matter illustrates its commitment to combat health care fraud using the False Claims Act.  Tips from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).             

Bryan Arvey, a former Hart to Heart employee, originally filed this lawsuit under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which permits private individuals with knowledge of fraud to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery.  Mr. Arvey will receive approximately $251,000 from the settlement with Hart to Heart.  The case is captioned United States, et al. ex rel. Arvey v. Hart to Heart Transportation Services, Inc. et al., Case No. RDB-13-1554. 

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Roann Nichols and Molissa Farber, who handled the case.

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