District of Maryland

                                                                          

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – On April 25, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted two alleged MS-13 members, Jairo Arnaldo Jacome, a/k/a “Abuelo,” age 36, and Gerdandino Delgado-Escobar, a/k/a “Pumba,” age 23, both of Hyattsville, Maryland, with conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by extortion.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division John P. Cronan; Assistant Director in Charge Andrew W. Vale of the FBI Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela D. Alsobrooks; Chief Douglas Holland of the Hyattsville Police Department; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.

According to the indictment, MS-13 is an international criminal enterprise that is active throughout the United States.  In the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including in Prince George’s County, Maryland, MS-13 generates income from various sources, including the extortion of sums of money from persons who engage in business activities such as controlled substance sales, illegal brothels, and unlicensed “stores” where items such as food, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes are sold, as well as legitimate businesses including food and beverage sales or distributors.  Members of the gang often refer to these extortion payments as “rent.”

Beginning at least in or around March 2013 and continuing through April 2018, Jacome is alleged to have threatened business owners from whom he demanded “rent” payments.  According to the indictment, in or around 2015, Jacome allegedly threatened one extortion victim with a gun, grabbed the victim by the neck and hit the victim, telling the victim that Jacome was a member of the “Mara” and that the victim was required to pay “rent” to Jacome for his business or else Jacome would send people to kill the victim’s family.  The indictment further alleges that Delgado-Escobar allegedly took extortion payments on behalf of Jacome and the Langley Park Salvatuchros (“LPS”) clique of MS-13.

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. Both defendants are in custody.  Jacome was ordered detained pending trial following a detention hearing today.  

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI Washington Field Office, HSI Baltimore, the Prince George’s County Police Department, the Hyattsville Police Department, and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  United States Attorney Robert K. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys William D. Moomau and Daniel C. Gardner of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and Trial Attorney Catherine K. Dick of the Organized Crime and Gang Section, who are prosecuting this case.

 

                                                                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – On April 25, 2018, Antonio Reed, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore Field Division.

According to his plea agreement, between May 26, 2017 and June 8, 2017, Reed and his co-conspirators planned to commit an armed robbery of a drug stash house for the purpose of stealing multiple kilograms of cocaine from a drug cartel. Reed and his co-conspirators planned this robbery with a person who was actually an undercover special agent with the ATF.

On June 8, 2017, Reed, along with his three co-conspirators, met with the undercover special agent to carry out the robbery.  Reed believed that the group would commit the robbery of the drug stash house that day and that drugs would be stolen.  Had Reed and his co-conspirators committed the robbery, interstate commerce would have been affected.

In furtherance of the conspiracy, Reed possessed a Smith & Wesson pistol and brought a mask and fabric gloves to use during the robbery.  Reed also knew that his co-conspirators carried two other firearms that they would use in the planned robbery.

Reed faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. United States District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for August 9, 2018, at 11:30 a.m.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the ATF for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DellaBetta, who is prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                             

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – On April 23, 2018, United States District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Thomas Dalton, age 31, of Waldorf, Maryland to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of oxycodone.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon, Office of Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services; Chief Gary Gardner of the Howard County Police Department; Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry; St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron; Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department; Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; Chief Peter Newsham of the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department; Commissioner Darryl De Sousa of the Baltimore Police Department; Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department; and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police.        

According to his plea agreement, between November 2013 and May 2015, Dalton and his co-conspirator, Alex Mori, age 31, of Nanjemoy, Maryland, owned and operated First Priority Heath Care, LLC in Elkridge, Maryland, a purported pain management clinic, which facilitated the distribution of oxycodone to customers who had no legitimate medical need for the substance.  Dalton and Mori hired and supervised employees, directed financial transactions for the business, and divided the profits.  Dalton ran the day-to-day operations of First Priority.

Dalton and Mori worked to recruit individuals to visit First Priority so that they would profit from the cash fees charged for an office visit.  Some of these individuals entered First Priority with fictitious complaints of pain in order to obtain prescriptions for oxycodone.  Often, such individuals would fill their prescriptions and give some or all of the oxycodone tablets they received to a distributor, typically receiving either cash or oxycodone tablets for their services.  The distributors then sold the pills for a profit.  Dalton and Mori also bought and sold oxycodone pills for profit, including from people who obtained prescriptions from First Priority.  Dalton also created false medical records for persons who sought to obtain pills at First Priority.

According to the plea agreement, wiretap conversations showed Dalton discussing the operation of First Priority and the distribution of oxycodone with co-conspirators, including Mori.  These intercepts showed that Dalton conspired to distribute oxycodone with full knowledge that it was being abused by addicts and others without a legitimate medical need for the drug.

Dalton was intercepted on numerous calls interacting with co-conspirators, including communications where he arranged for distributors and their “runners” to visit First Priority to obtain oxycodone prescriptions; agreed to make false medical records for runners; agreed to “front” the cost of runners’ office visits to First Priority; and agreed to buy and sell oxycodone pills.

According to the plea agreement, it was reasonably foreseeable to Dalton that the conspiracy would distribute at least 488,010 milligrams of oxycodone.

Co-defendant Mori pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of oxycodone and has been sentenced to four years in prison.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the DEA; OIG HHS; the Howard County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore City, Washington DC Metropolitan, and Virginia State Police Departments; and the Baltimore County, St. Mary’s County, and Calvert County Sheriff’s Departments for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Clark, who prosecuted the case.

                                                                        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Norman Handy, a/k/a “Norm,” a/k/a “Lil Norm,” age 23, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 142 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family’s Greenmount Avenue Regime.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr., of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B.  Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

According to his plea agreement, Handy was a member of the BGF Greenmount Avenue Regime, formerly known as the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF.  Between 2005 and September 2017, Handy agreed with other BGF members to engage in crimes to further the interest of the gang, including drug distribution and armed robbery.

Specifically, Handy admitted that on March 23, 2013, he and another individual robbed Moses Malone of a cellular telephone and money.  During the robbery, Handy used a .38 caliber handgun to shoot Malone in the foot.  Malone was scheduled to testify in state court against Handy for the robbery; however, Malone was shot and killed by BGF gang member Wesley Brown to prevent him from testifying.

On October 31, 2013, Handy and another BGF member assaulted and robbed two other victims.

Handy further admitted that he conspired with members of the BGF to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana in furtherance of the gang.

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

 

April 20, 2018                                                                                    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                      at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – Chief Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Al Samuel Lawson, age 32, of Baltimore, Maryland to 14 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for sex trafficking of a minor related to the trafficking of a 15-year-old female and a 16-year-old female for prostitution in Maryland.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Baltimore Field Office; Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department; State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger of the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to Lawson’s plea agreement, on February 10, 2016, members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force were conducting a proactive operation in search of juveniles engaging in prostitution.  After making contact with two identified adult prostitutes, the females stated that they knew of a minor female who was currently engaging in prostitution.  The women showed the Task Force members an advertisement on the website Backpage.com of another adult female that was known to be working as a prostitute with the minor female. Task Force members reviewed this advertisement and identified the adult female, Female 1, as a known prostitute with whom they had numerous previous contacts.

Task Force members approached the younger female and identified her as a fifteen-year-old juvenile, Minor 1.  Internet advertisements for prostitution on the website Backpage.com identified Minor 1 under the name “Asia.”  Minor 1 admitted to law enforcement that she had been prostituting for approximately one month at the direction of Lawson.  Investigators identified several other females, including another minor female, Minor 2, who also engaged in prostitution at the direction of Lawson, starting when she was fifteen years old.

Female 1 was contacted and informed that her “date” was outside in a pickup truck and Female 1 came outside to meet them.  A Baltimore County Police detective acting in an undercover capacity, spoke with Female 1 in his vehicle and she agreed to give him oral sex for $100.  Female 1 directed the detective to drive to the hotel next door so they could “do it”.  At that time, the detective identified himself as law enforcement and Female 1 was arrested for solicitation of prostitution. 

Minor 1 admitted to law enforcement that she had been prostituting for approximately one month at the direction of Lawson.  Investigators identified several other females, including another minor female, Minor 2, who also engaged in prostitution at the direction of Lawson.  Minor 2 started doing prostitution dates when she was fifteen years old.

Some of these prostitution encounters engaged in by Minor 1, Minor 2, and other females at the direction of Lawson occurred at the residence of Lawson’s co-defendant, Nichole Carey, in Essex, Maryland.

Minor 1 reported that she, and the other women, gave 50% of the money from the prostitution encounters to Lawson and that Lawson knew the two victims were minors.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended FBI Baltimore, the Baltimore County Police Department, the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Ayn Ducao, Rachel Yasser and Michael Cunningham, who prosecuted the case.

 

                                                                       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted Jonathan Henry, age 26, of Bethesda, Maryland, and Dominique Davis, age 27, of Germantown, Maryland, today on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.  The indictment was returned on April 11, 2018, and unsealed today upon the arrest of Henry. Davis is currently detained in Montgomery County on unrelated charges.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Brian Ebert of the U.S. Secret Service - Washington Division; Postal Inspector in Charge Robert B. Wemyss of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department.

According to the 12-count indictment, between October 2015 and April 2018, Henry and Davis allegedly stole the personal identifiable information of at least eleven victims and created fake driver’s licenses with the stolen information. Using the fake driver’s licenses, Henry and Davis allegedly applied for credit card accounts at retail stores and cellular telephone accounts at telecommunication stores in the names of the victims without the victims’ authorization.

Using these fraudulent credit cards and accounts, the defendants purchased items on credit, including electronics and other merchandise.

During the course of the scheme, Henry and Davis made $45,206.13 worth of fraudulent charges in North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia.

Henry is also charged with 11 counts of aggravated identity theft.

Henry and Davis face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for wire fraud.

Henry faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years per count of aggravated identity theft.

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. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly O’Connell Hayes and Michael Packard, who are prosecuting the case.

                                                                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                    at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted Allen Johnson, age 35, of Baltimore City, Maryland, on charges relating to his possession of a firearm that discharged while Baltimore City Police Officers were placing him into custody.  Johnson was prohibited from possessing a firearm at the time because he had sustained at least one previous felony conviction.  The indictment charges Johnson with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Darryl D. De Sousa of the Baltimore City Police Department.

On November 29, 2017, officers of the Baltimore City Police Department received information that Johnson was in the 800 block of Bridgeview Avenue in Baltimore City and was armed with a firearm hidden in his waistband.  Police officers responded to the 800 block of Bridgeview Avenue and observed Johnson.  Officers approached Johnson and asked him if he was in possession of a firearm.  Johnson then turned away from the officers and reached for his waistband.  One of the officers grabbed Johnson from behind as Johnson continued to reach for his waistband.  The police officer wrestled Johnson to the ground and, during the struggle, the firearm that was in Johnson’s possession discharged, striking the police officer in his right hand.  Other officers were able to utilize Taser devices to subdue Johnson and place him under arrest.  Subsequent to his arrest, Johnson was searched and police officers retrieved numerous vials of narcotics.  The injured police officer was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. 

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 ATF and Baltimore City Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant United States Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr. and Patricia C. McLane, who are prosecuting this case.

                                                                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – On April 17, 2018, United States District Judge Marvin J. Garbis sentenced Sean Shorb, age 38, of Frederick, Maryland to 100 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for Hobbs Act robbery.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Baltimore Field Division; and Chief Edward G. Hargis of the Frederick City Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, in March of 2017, Shorb committed two robberies of businesses in Frederick, Maryland.  On March 19, 2017, Shorb walked into a fast food restaurant on Thomas Johnson Drive, pointed a handgun at an employee, and stated that he would shoot the employee unless the employee handed over money.  The employee complied and handed over the money from the store’s cash register.

Later that same week, on March 23, 2017, Shorb walked into a convenience store on Amber Drive, pointed a pistol at an employee, and stated in substance: “Give me the money, give me the money, and don’t say anything.”  The employee complied and handed over money from the store’s cash register.

Frederick City Police Department (“FPD”) investigators obtained red light camera footage that showed Shorb’s vehicle fleeing from one of the robberies.  When an FPD police officer later attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Shorb for speeding, Shorb fled from police.  Shorb was apprehended and later admitted to committing the robberies and said that he used a handgun that he tossed into a sewer in Baltimore.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF and the Frederick City Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DellaBetta, who prosecuted the case.

 

A federal grand jury sitting in Greenbelt, Maryland, returned an indictment, which was unseal today, charging a married couple with conspiracy to defraud the United States and four counts of filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur for the District of Maryland.

 

According to the indictment, Robert M. Underwood and Deborah J. Underwood, operated a used automobile parts and scrap metal business in Clinton, Maryland from 2009 through 2012 under the names “B Underwood’s Used Auto Parts” and “B Underwood Used Auto Parts, LLC.”  The business allegedly purchased used and salvage cars, stripped them for parts to resell, and sold the remains to a Baltimore-based scrap yard.

 

The indictment charges that the Underwoods conspired to conceal the receipt of cash from the sale of scrap metal from their accountants and from IRS auditors.  The indictment further alleges that the Underwoods filed false tax returns that did not include all the gross receipts of their business.

 

If convicted, the Underwoods face a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and three years in prison for each false tax return count.  They also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.  An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed.  A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Hur thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David I. Salem and Tax Division Trial Attorney Michael Vasiliadis, who are prosecuting the case.

 

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                                                 at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Robert M. Underwood, age 71, and his wife Deborah J. Underwood, age 62, both of Clinton, Maryland on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and four counts of filing false tax returns.

The indictment 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 the indictment, the Underwoods operated a used automobile parts and scrap metal business in Clinton, Maryland from 2009 through 2012 under the names “B Underwood’s Used Auto Parts” and “B Underwood Used Auto Parts, LLC.”  The business allegedly purchased used and salvage cars, stripped them for parts to resell, and sold the remains to a Baltimore-based scrap yard.

The indictment charges that the Underwoods conspired to conceal the receipt of cash from the sale of scrap metal from their accountants and from IRS auditors.  The indictment further alleges that the Underwoods filed false tax returns that did not include all the gross receipts of their business.

If convicted, the Underwoods face a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and three years in prison for each false tax return count.  They also face a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. 

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 and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman thanked Special Agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney David I. Salem and Tax Division Trial Attorney Michael Vasiliadis, who are prosecuting the case.

                                                                               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                                 at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted Tynisha Martin Kadiri, age 39, of Baltimore, Maryland, on charges of assisting in the filing of false income tax returns and failure to file corporate tax returns.

The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Kimberly Lappin of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office.

Evidence presented at the six-day trial showed that Kadiri, who owned three tax preparation businesses in west Baltimore, filed false and fraudulent tax returns for her client-taxpayers. These false returns included business receipts that the taxpayers did not receive, business losses that the taxpayers did not incur and false or fictitious businesses. These false statements resulted in the clients receiving larger refunds than they were entitled to. In addition, evidence presented at trial proved that Kadiri had not filed federal corporate income tax returns for her businesses for tax years 2014 and 2015.

Kadiri faces a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison per count and a fine of $250,000 for aiding or assisting in the filing of false income tax returns and one year in prison for willful failure to file a return.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the IRS for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Selden and Matthew Maddox, who prosecuted the case.

 

                                                                            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Erron Deon Robinson, age 32, of District Heights, Maryland today to ten years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl 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 Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Baltimore Field Division; Chief Henry P. Stawinksi III of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department, Washington D.C.

According to his plea agreement, in August 2017, law enforcement officers attempted to execute an arrest warrant for Robinson, which had been issued by the Superior Court for the District of Columbia. After apprehending Robinson, officers searched his residence and found a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun, a loaded Glock 10mm handgun, a box of ammunition, approximately 175 grams of a substance containing a detectable amount of several substances, including furanyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and heroin, digital scales, a large bag of Mannitol powder, and $6,825.00 United States currency. 

Prior to August 23, 2017, Robinson had been convicted of a felony, which prohibited him from legally possessing firearms or ammunition.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the ATF, the Prince George Police Department, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Packard, who prosecuted the case.

 

                                                                     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CONTACT ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                          (410) 209-4885

                                                                         

Baltimore, Maryland – New Jersey-based Allergan Inc. has agreed to pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that Allergan caused health care providers to submit false claims to Medicare and other federal healthcare programs relating to the LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding System, a device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for weight reduction for adult patients with obesity who have failed more conservative weight-reduction alternatives.

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

“Patients have every right to expect that medical devices used during surgery are free of defects.  Patients also have the right to expect that procedures involving medical devices have been subject to the rigorous review and approval process of the Food and Drug Administration. When marketing and selling medical devices that may have defects or may be used in unapproved procedures, patients can be put at risk,” said Robert K. Hur, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.

Allergan distributed, marketed, and sold the LAP-BAND, an inflatable silicone band that is placed around a patient’s stomach during a surgical procedure. Adding or removing saline fluid through a subcutaneous access port adjusts the LAP-BAND, which in turn constricts or expands the size of the stomach pouch.   

The United States alleged that between January 2008 and November 2010, Allergan knowingly sold LAP-BANDs with defective or flawed access ports. To conceal the defect or flaw and to induce health care professionals to continue using the LAP-BAND, Allergan misrepresented facts concerning the cause of access port leaks to the public, health care professionals, and the FDA; failed to collect or maintain required data and complaint files; and offered and provided remuneration to health care professionals who reported access port leaks.   Additionally, the United States alleged that between 2008 and 2012, Allergan knowingly advertised, marketed, and distributed the LAP-BAND for use in two procedures that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  Some of these procedures were not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury.  To market and to induce health care professionals to use the LAP-BAND for these uses, Allergan provided remuneration to health care professionals in connection with proctoring, workshops, advisory boards, and training events in which these two uses were discussed and/or demonstrated.

The civil settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and obtain a portion of the government's recovery.  The civil lawsuit was filed in the District of Maryland and is captioned United States ex rel. Schwartz and Tinsley v. Allergan, CCB-10-2796.  As part of today’s resolution, Dr. Schwartz and Mr. Tinsley will receive approximately $594,064 from the settlement.

The Federal share of the civil settlement is $3,300,360 and the state Medicaid share of the civil settlement is $199,640.  The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the HHS Office of Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management OIG, and the Department of Defense’s Criminal Investigative Services for their work in the investigation.  Assistance also was provided by the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units and offices of various state Attorneys General.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Roann Nichols and Assistant Director Edward Crooke of the Department of Justice Civil Fraud Section.

                                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – Jonathan Oldale, age 54, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, was arrested on April 13, 2018, based on a criminal complaint charging him with production of child pornography.

The arrest was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Police Chief Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

According to the complaint, the investigation of Oldale began when officers from the Montgomery County Police Department responded to Silver Stars Gymnastics and Fitness in Silver Spring, Maryland based on the report of a suspicious situation.  An employee at the business had found a camera hidden inside a backpack in a restroom.  The backpack had been placed under a wet floor sign directly in front of the bathroom’s only toilet.  The camera itself was hidden inside a non-functioning automobile key fob.  When the employee recovered the camera, it was hot to the touch and had a very small, illuminated light indicating the device was in the “on” position.  Further investigation revealed that the backpack belonged to Oldale, and that the backpack had also been left in the bathroom three weeks prior.

In May 2017, the Montgomery County Police Department executed a search warrant at Oldale’s home in Chevy Chase, Maryland.  A detective with the Montgomery County Police Department’s Electronic Crimes Unit completed a digital forensic examination of electronic evidence seized from the home.  A program used to securely delete (i.e., “clean”) files from computers was discovered.  The detective also identified installations of a browser that enables anonymous communication and access to the “dark web.”  The distribution and sharing of child exploitation images and videos is one illegal activity known to take place on the “dark web.”

In addition, the forensic analysis uncovered various computer artifacts indicating that the user had accessed files with names indicative of child exploitation material.  Forensic analysis also revealed references to a known, but then-defunct website from the “dark web” that had provided users access to child pornography.  The website had been shut down by law enforcement in December 2016.

Based on this evidence, the Montgomery County Police Department executed a second search warrant at Oldale’s residence in July 2017.  Cameras containing SD memory cards were seized from Oldale’s office.  Subsequent forensic examination of the SD cards revealed hundreds of videos filmed in the bathroom of the residence.  The videos show that multiple cameras were used simultaneously to record activities in the bathroom.  The videos depict children taking off their clothes or bathing suits, taking showers, and getting dressed.  At least 30 children were filmed.  The videos also depict Oldale checking camera angles.

Further investigation by the Montgomery County Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that when children attended “splash parties” at Oldale’s residence, the children would become covered in grass.  According to a witness, Oldale made children take showers before they went home.

Oldale faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for production of child pornography. 

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

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the Montgomery County Police Department and the FBI for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Baldwin and Timothy Hagan, who are prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Kevin Heiting, age 30, of Silver Spring, Maryland today to 20 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for distribution of child pornography and other admitted conduct detailed in his plea agreement.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

This case began as a lead to HSI from the Swiss Cybercrime Coordination Unit of the Swiss Federal Police regarding an individual distributing child pornography using a Virtual Private Network based in Switzerland.

On May 19, 2016, based in part on the Swiss investigative lead, a federal search warrant was executed at Heiting’s residence in Silver Spring, Maryland, and law enforcement seized five hard drives, two laptop computers, a tower computer, and a cellular telephone. A forensic analysis of just one of the seized hard drives revealed more than 17,913 video files and 405,071 image files, many of which depicted children, including infants and toddlers, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  A file-sharing program found on Heiting’s computer revealed that Heiting shared over 100,000 files between June 8, 2014 and January 6, 2015.  The analysis revealed that thousands of users connected to one of Heiting’s laptop computers and downloaded files.  The analysis further showed that Heiting both received and distributed child pornography using the laptop computer.

The same afternoon that the search warrant was executed, Heiting purchased a new laptop computer.  On August 4, 2016, Heiting traveled from Maryland to Central America with the laptop, which Heiting was using to run a file sharing program and to conduct online chats with minors.  On Heiting’s return from Central America, the laptop was detained by officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and subsequently forensically examined.  The analysis revealed that in addition to sharing and downloading child pornography, Heiting was communicating with a 14-year-old boy over the “dark web” using an encrypted web chat application.  Enticed and persuaded by Heiting, the victim sent Heiting images of himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

On August 29, 2016, Heiting was indicted on federal child pornography charges and placed on pretrial release, with conditions which forbade Heiting from possessing Internet capable devices.  On February 1, 2017, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Heiting’s residence and recovered a laptop computer, two 5TB hard drives, and three USB thumb drives that had been hidden by Heiting in an air purifier cabinet.  An initial forensic review of the laptop revealed that it contained a file-sharing program and the encrypted “dark web” application that Heiting had previously used.  The laptop computer had last been accessed the very morning the search warrant was executed.

Heiting will be required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

A hearing will be held in July 2018 to determine the amount of restitution to be paid to child pornography victims.

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 Montgomery County Police Department, the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Atlanta for their work in the investigation, and the Swiss Federal Police for their assistance.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Baldwin and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Finocchiaro, who prosecuted the case.

 

                                                                         

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                        at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland - In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 8-14, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland held the 2nd Annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Award Ceremony. United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur presented Victim Assistance awards to employees and members of local and Federal law enforcement.

Assistant United States Attorneys Ayn B. Ducao, Bryan E. Foreman, and Jefferson M. Gray were awarded the AUSA Victim Assistance Award that recognizes AUSAs who exhibited extraordinary effort in advocating for the rights of victims and demonstrate exceptional commitment to the pursuit of justice.

Asset Forfeiture Paralegal Specialist Naquita C. Ervin received the Support Staff Victim Assistance Award that recognizes a support staff member who goes above and beyond normal duty to assist victims.

Cpl. Joshua P. Mouton of the Howard Country Police Department was awarded the State Law Enforcement Victim Assistance Award that recognizes a member of state or local law enforcement who exhibited professionalism and superior service and sensitivity to victims.

Special Agent Keith A. Custer of the FBI, as well as two other Baltimore based Special Agents of the FBI, were awarded the Federal Law Enforcement Victim Assistance Award that recognizes a Special Agent, TFO, or other federal law enforcement officer who consistently displays superior investigative skills and sensitivity to the rights and needs of victims.

In addition to the presentation of awards, the ceremony included keynote speeches by individuals who have been victims of crime. “The stories we heard today from those who have been victims of crime are a reminder that statistics represent real crimes affecting real people and real families,” said U.S. Attorney Hur. “The United States Attorney’s Office recognizes the courage of these brave individuals, and is here to listen, support and empower them. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is a time to celebrate progress, raise awareness of victims’ rights and services, and stand with those whose lives have been changed by the criminal acts they have endured.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office joins its federal, state, and local enforcement partners in taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of providing necessary services at the earliest possible stage of victimization and litigation. Early intervention helps prevent further victimization and encourages victim involvement in the criminal justice system, mitigating the cycle of violence and restoring hope for the future.

Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf.

"In law enforcement, we are sworn to serve and protect," Attorney General Sessions said. "We carry out this oath every day by protecting the rights of law abiding people from criminals and by achieving justice for crime victims. This week, we remember the millions of Americans who have been victimized by criminals and we thank those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to those victims. As we do so, we recommit ourselves to fulfilling our oath and to reducing crime in America."

The U.S. Department of Justice will host the Office for Victims of Crime’s annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2018, to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime.

The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/. You may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland Victim Witness Program at (410) 209-4800.

 

                                                                        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                        at (410) 209-4885        

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced James Emory Jones, Jr. a/k/a “Kirk,”  age 41, of Mount Rainier, Maryland to 126 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of phencyclidine (a/k/a "PCP”) and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The sentence was announced by the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI, Baltimore Field Office; and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI, Washington Field Office.

According to his plea agreement, pursuant to court-authorized wiretap interceptions from June through October 2016, Jones was heard discussing distribution of cocaine base (a/k/a “crack cocaine”), cocaine, and phencyclidine (a/k/a "PCP.”)

On April 5, 2017, investigators executed a search warrant at Jones's apartment in Mount Rainier, Maryland, where they recovered a loaded .38 caliber revolver, a loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a shoulder holster, and a shotgun. In addition, agents recovered more than one kilogram of PCP, ten empty glass vials, a plastic dropper (typically used to distribute PCP), a quantity of cocaine and crack cocaine, a digital scale, and $10,700 in U.S. currency.

Prior to April 5, 2017, Jones had sustained convictions for offenses punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, which made him ineligible to possess a firearm and ammunition.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI Cross Border Task Force-Safe Streets, Prince George’s County Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department-District of Columbia, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration HIDTA for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Sykes and Nicolas A. Mitchell who prosecuted the case.

 

                                                                              

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Zulquarnain Qureshi, age 71, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, to nine months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, should he return to the United States, for Procurement of Citizenship Unlawfully.  Qureshi plead guilty to the offense on February 5, 2018.  As part of the plea agreement, Qureshi was denaturalized and agreed to be removed from the United States.

The sentence was announced by the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Richard Ingram of the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Washington Field Office.

According to his plea agreement, Qureshi fraudulently obtained the passport of a citizen of the United Kingdom and used it to enter the United States in June 1999.  Qureshi then lived in the United States, and worked and traveled abroad under that false identity until his August 15, 2017 arrest in Baltimore, Maryland. During the intervening years, Qureshi married a succession of three United States citizens while maintaining his marriage to a woman in his native Pakistan.  Through his second marriage, Qureshi was able to obtain lawful permanent resident status as the spouse of a United States citizen. 

Qureshi, using the assumed identity, filed for United States citizenship, which was granted, and took the oath on August 10, 2016.  The day before a new United States passport was to be sent to Qureshi, Her Majesty’s Passport Office alerted American law enforcement to the fraud.  The passport was not delivered and an investigation was undertaken.  

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the DSS, the United Kingdom’s Border Force and Passport Office and HSI for their work in the investigation. Mr. Hur thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Fish who is prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – On April 9, 2018, United States District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Antonin DeHays, age 33, of College Park, Maryland, to 364 days in prison followed by three years of supervised release (the first eight months on home detention), as well as 100 hours of community service, for theft of government records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  Judge Chuang also ordered DeHays to pay $43,456.96 in restitution. 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Jason Metrick of the National Archives and Records Administration - Office of Inspector General.

According to the plea agreement, beginning in December 2012, and continuing through June 2017, DeHays stole and knowingly converted for his own use U.S. service members’ dog tags and other records from the public research room at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.  Specifically, DeHays stole at least 291 U.S. service members’ dog tags and at least 134 other records from the National Archives at College Park.  Some of these dog tags bore evidence of damage, such as dents and charring due to fire sustained during crashes of Allied aircraft that were shot down or crash-landed within German-controlled areas of Europe during World War II.

For example, on December 9, 2016, DeHays visited the National Archives at College Park and stole two dog tags, one silver and one brass, issued to a downed Tuskegee Airman, who died when his fighter plane crashed in Germany on September 22, 1944.  DeHays gave the brass dog tag to a military aviation museum in exchange for the opportunity to sit inside a Spitfire airplane.  On a different occasion, DeHays stole two dog tags that were linked together with a wire loop.  One of the dog tags was issued to a U.S. serviceman who served in World War II, and the other dog tag was issued to his father, who had served in World War I.

DeHays stole other records, in addition to dog tags, from the National Archives at College Park, including identification cards, personal letters, photographs, a bible, and pieces of downed U.S. aircraft.

Although DeHays kept some of the stolen U.S. dog tags and other stolen records for himself and gave others as gifts, he sold the majority of the stolen items on eBay and elsewhere.  Before selling the dog tags, DeHays sometimes removed from the dog tags markings made in pencil which could have been used to identify the dog tags as having been stolen from the National Archives.  On one occasion, DeHays sent a text message to a potential buyer stating that certain dog tags for sale were “burnt and show some stains of fuel, blood . . . very powerful items that witness the violence of the crash.”  On a different occasion, DeHays sent a text message to a potential buyer stating that a dog tag for sale was “salty” (bearing the signs of war-related damage) and that an officer ID and American Red Cross ID for sale were “partially burned.”

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended NARA – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of the Treasury – Office of Inspector General for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur also thanked Assistant United States Attorney Nicolas A. Mitchell, who prosecuted the case.

 

                                                                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                       at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Montel Harvey, a/k/a “Telly,” age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 21½ years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family’s Greenmount Avenue Regime.  As part of his plea agreement, Harvey admitted that on June 8, 2013, he committed a non-fatal shooting outside a nightclub in downtown Baltimore.  The Court found at sentencing that a total prison term of 25 years was appropriate, but adjusted the sentence downward to account for the fact that Harvey has served approximately three and a half years in prison in connection with a related state case.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl DeSousa; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

According to his plea agreement, Harvey was a member of the BGF Greenmount Regime, formerly known as the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF.  Between 2005 and 2016, Harvey agreed with other BGF members to engage in crimes to further the interest of the gang, including drug distribution, murder, robbery, witness tampering, and witness retaliation.  Harvey admitted that he personally engaged in drug trafficking and attempted murder in furtherance of the BGF. Specifically, Harvey admitted to drug trafficking on four separate occasions between June 29, 2012, and July 6, 2013.

According to his plea agreement, on June 8, 2013, in the 300 block of West Fayette Street, Harvey shot a victim using a 9mm handgun.  At the time of the shooting, the victim was engaged in a physical confrontation with BGF member Wesley Brown outside the Mirage nightclub, where Harvey and other BGF members had gathered to celebrate Brown’s birthday. 

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

 

                                                                            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States Chief District Judge James K. Bredar swore in Robert K. Hur today as the 48th United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Hur is the chief federal law enforcement officer in the District of Maryland.  Mr. Hur will oversee the investigation and litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States in the District of Maryland.  He will supervise an office of approximately 88 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 72 support personnel, who handle a high volume of important cases including domestic and international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, organized crime, gang violence, public corruption, cybercrime, financial and healthcare fraud, and civil rights violations.

Before taking office as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Hur served as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice in Washington, DC.  In that position, Mr. Hur was a member of the Department’s senior leadership team and the top aide to Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, assisting him with oversight of all components of the Department.

Mr. Hur served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland from 2007 to 2014, where he prosecuted gang violence, firearms offenses, and narcotics trafficking, as well as white-collar offenses including financial institutions fraud, public corruption, mortgage fraud, tax offenses, computer network intrusions, and intellectual property theft.  He received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award for superior performance and excellence as a lawyer.

Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Hur served as Special Assistant and later Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division, where he handled counterterrorism, corporate fraud, and appellate matters.

In addition to his service with the Department of Justice, Mr. Hur was a litigation partner with a major law firm in Washington, D.C., where he represented companies and individuals facing criminal and regulatory enforcement actions before the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal agencies, as well as related civil litigation.

Mr. Hur began his legal career as a law clerk for the late William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States, and Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Mr. Hur received his A.B. degree, magna cum laude with highest honors, from Harvard College.  He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served as Executive Editor of the Stanford Law Review.

 

                                                                                 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Sampson Sarpong, age 61, of Bowie, Maryland, today on charges related to a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs and aggravated identity theft.  The indictment was returned on April 4, 2018, and unsealed today upon the arrest of Sarpong.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Bret D. Mastronardi of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

According to the 20-count indictment, Sarpong was a licensed physician in Maryland and specialized in the field of allergy and immunology. Sarpong owned and operated the Center for Allergic Diseases, LLC, which had numerous locations, including in White Plains, Maryland, and Glenn Dale, Maryland. Sarpong allegedly billed health care benefit programs for a variety of procedures used to test for and identify a patient's allergic disorder, including skin prick tests (“SPT”) and patch tests (“PT”).

From September 2011 through March 2017, Sarpong allegedly devised a scheme and artifice to defraud health care benefit programs by knowingly performing SPTs and PTs on patients for whom such tests were not medically required. Sarpong tested excessive numbers of allergens that were not necessary based on the patient’s complaints, symptoms, history, and environment. In addition, Sarpong allegedly submitted false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs for services that were not rendered. Further, Sarpong is alleged to have used the identification of eight different patients in relation to the fraud. 

According to the indictment, Sarpong allegedly caused health care benefit programs to pay him more than $850,000 based on hundreds of false claims submitted.

Sarpong faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison each count of health care fraud and a mandatory consecutive two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. 

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. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI and OPM OIG for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly O’Connell Hayes and Gregory Bernstein, who are prosecuting the case.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                                 at (410) 209-4885

Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Anuj Sud, age 40, of Hyattsville, Maryland, to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $50,000 fine, for violating the Travel Act by committing bribery conduct.  Sud solicited and accepted bribes in the performance of his official duties on the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners (“Liquor Board”).

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

Sud was appointed by the Governor to be a Liquor Board Commissioner in 2015.  Sud also was a licensed attorney in Maryland since 2005, until his disbarment following the current criminal charge.  According to court documents, in July 2015, Sud traveled to Washington, D.C. to promote and establish a bribery relationship with another individual with business before the Liquor Board.  In September 2015, Sud solicited bribes from the individual in exchange for Sud’s assistance with Liquor Board matters. At other meetings in 2015 and 2016, Sud and the individual discussed Sud voting favorably in upcoming Liquor Board hearings concerning the individual’s clients, in exchange for money.  At each of the subsequent hearings, Sud took favorable action and made favorable votes on behalf of the individual’s clients.  In total, from 2015 to 2016, Sud accepted three $1,000 cash bribe payments in exchange for Sud’s official action as a Liquor Board Commissioner.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI, IRS-CI, and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas P. Windom who prosecuted the case.

                                                                       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                      at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Stanley Eugene Green, Jr., age 42, of Takoma Park, Maryland, to fourteen and a half years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for Distribution of Heroin and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. 

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr., of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Baltimore Field Division; and Police Chief Antonio DeVaul of the Takoma Park Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, between in or about February 2015, and continuing through April 27, 2017, Green distributed, conspired to distribute, and possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.  During the conspiracy, Green obtained distribution quantities of heroin (that contained fentanyl), and redistributed those drugs to users in Montgomery County, Maryland, and elsewhere.

In August 2016, law enforcement officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Takoma Park Police Department received information from a confidential informant about narcotics distribution in Takoma Park, Maryland. Between August 2016 and April 2017, ATF and local law enforcement identified and investigated someone named “Rico” who was selling heroin (later found to contain fentanyl).  Law enforcement identified “Rico” as Green.

In late January 2017, a victim who obtained heroin from Green suffered an overdose and required emergency medical attention.  The victim fell into a coma and thereafter required hospitalization and physical rehabilitation, and was hospitalized for approximately 2 and a half months.

As part of his plea agreement, Green will be required to forfeit the firearms, ammunition, and $37,592.00 seized during the search of his residence.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning praised the ATF Baltimore Field Division, Takoma Park Police Department, and Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation. He also recognized the assistance Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration provided to the lead investigating agencies. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan, who prosecuted the case.

                                                                               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                    at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Matthew Dale Bush, age 38, and Crystal French, a/k/a “Crystal Lynn Bush,” age 34, both of Graysonville, Maryland, on charges of Bank Robbery, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle and Conspiracy to Commit Offenses against the United States.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI;) and  Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to the nine-count indictment, beginning in September 2017 and continuing through October 23, 2017, Bush and French stole ATMs and used stolen vehicles to travel to and from the scenes of the crimes. The burglaries took place within the District of Maryland, the Northern District of Virginia, the District of Delaware, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Bush and French spent the proceeds of the crimes they committed on personal items including heroin and other illegal narcotics.

In September and October 2017, the couple allegedly stole or attempted to steal ATMs in the following locations; Stevensville, Maryland; Chester, Maryland; Kent County, Delaware; Sterling, Virginia; Broadlands, Virginia; Dover, Delaware; Stevensville, Maryland; and Cambridge, Maryland.

According to the indictment, in addition to the ATM burglaries, on October 23, 2017, Bush allegedly burglarized a High’s Store in Harford County, and robbed a bank in Perry Hall, Maryland.

Bush has also been indicted on charges of Bank Larceny, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, and four counts of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle. 

Bush and French face a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison for conspiracy, 10 years in prison for each count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle and 20 years in prison for bank robbery. 

Bush also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years for each additional count of Bank Larceny, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and ammunition.

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. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the HSI, Maryland State Police, Delaware State Police, Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Baltimore County Police Department, and Loudon County, Virginia Sheriff’s Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Budlow and Sandra Wilkinson, who are prosecuting the case.

 

A military employee who resided in Maryland before moving to Japan in November 2017 has been arrested and indicted for the production, transportation, and possession of child pornography.

Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning of the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.

Spencer E. Steckman, 34, who lived in Silver Spring, Maryland at the time the alleged conduct began, was charged in an indictment on March 26, with one count of production of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.  Steckman had his initial court appearance earlier today and was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  

According to the indictment, between Aug. 17, 2017, and Sept. 22, 2017, while in Maryland, Steckman enticed a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.  In mid-November 2017, Steckman moved to Japan to work with Commander Navy Region Japan.  In Japan, Steckman transported and possessed child pornography. 

Steckman was detained by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Japan on March 27, and transported back to Maryland by the U.S. Marshals Service on April 1, to appear before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The FBI’s Baltimore Field Division and the Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case, with substantial assistance from NCIS.  Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Baldwin of the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.  

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

                                                                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Spencer E. Steckman, 34, of Silver Spring, Maryland for the production, transportation, and possession of child pornography. The indictment was returned on March 26, 2018, and unsealed upon the arrest of the Steckman.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning of the District of Maryland; Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI - Baltimore Field Office.

Steckman was charged with one count of production of child pornography, one count of transportation of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.  Steckman had his initial court appearance earlier today and was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to the indictment, between August 17, 2017, and September 22, 2017, Steckman, while in Maryland, enticed a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.  In mid-November 2017, Steckman moved to Japan to work with Commander Navy Region Japan.  In Japan, Steckman transported and possessed child pornography.

Steckman was detained by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Japan on March 27, 2018, and transported back to Maryland by the United States Marshals Service on April 1, 2018, to appear before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

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. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI, NCIS and the Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Baldwin and Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), who are prosecuting the case.

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

 

                                                                                    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – On March 29, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted six MS-13 members on charges in connection with their MS-13 gang activities, including racketeering conspiracy; murder in aid of racketeering; violent crimes in aid of racketeering; use, carry and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. 

The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning for the District of Maryland; Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Baltimore Office;  Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Baltimore Field Division; Police Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel Police Department; and State Attorney Wes Adams of the Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office.

Charged in the nine-count indictment are Moises Alexis Reyes-Canales, a/k/a “Sicopata”, age 19; Marlon Cruz-Flores, a/k/a “Little S”, age 22; Fermin Gomez-Jimenez, age 20;  Manuel Martinez-Aguilar, a/k/a “El Lunatic” and “Zomb”, age 19; Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Picaro”, “El Pastor”, and “Gasper”, age 20; and David Diaz-Alvarado, age 20; all of Annapolis, Maryland.

MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador.  Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Frederick County, Maryland.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang.  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 indictment, prior to 2015, and continuing through 2017, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar participated in a racketeering conspiracy that included assaults, murder, attempted murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. 

According to the indictment, MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder a rival gang member.  On or about March 11, 2016, Sandoval-Rodriguez lured the victim to a park in Annapolis, Maryland with the intent to murder the victim.  On or about that same date, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, Sandoval-Rodriguez, and Diaz-Alvarado, and other members and associates of MS-13 murdered the victim in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.

According to the indictment, on October 23, 2016, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar conspired to and attempted to murder two victims in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.  Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar, and other members and associates of MS-13 attempted to kill one of the victims by stabbing the victim multiple times and attempted to kill a second victim by shooting and stabbing the victim multiple times.  

All of the defendants are currently detained on related federal or state criminal charges.  Initial appearances have not yet been scheduled.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended HSI, ATF, Anne Arundel Police Department, and Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Seema Mittal, Trial Attorney Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Mildenberg, who are prosecuting this case.

 

Mohamed Elshinawy, 32, of Edgewood, Maryland, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization; providing and attempting to provide material support to ISIS; terrorism financing; and making false statements in connection with a terrorism matter. 

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning of the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Office announced the sentence issued by U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander.

According to the plea agreement, Elshinawy conspired with others to knowingly provide material support and resources to ISIS, knowing that ISIS was a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.  From February 2015 through about Dec. 11, 2015, in Maryland and elsewhere, Elshinawy conspired with others to provide material support and resources, including personnel, services (including means and methods of communication), and financial services, to ISIS.  Elshinawy and his co-conspirators utilized various methods of secret communication in order to conceal their criminal association and activities from law enforcement. 

As a part of the conspiracy, Elshinawy expressed his support for an Islamic caliphate and his belief in the legitimacy of ISIS. In addition, he expressed his hope that ISIS would be victorious and its enemies defeated, and discussed his readiness to travel to live in the Islamic State.  In various other conversations, Elshinawy pledged his allegiance to ISIS, described himself as its soldier, committed to making violent jihad, and asked that others convey his message of loyalty to ISIS leadership.

Elshinawy also received payments from a foreign company totaling $8,700 to be used to fund a terrorist attack in the U.S.

In interviews with FBI agents in July 2015, in an effort to conceal and minimize his criminal involvement with ISIS, Elshinawy provided false information regarding the total amount of money he had received from ISIS operatives and claimed his intent was to defraud ISIS of funds.  Throughout his interviews, Elshinawy mischaracterized the true nature and extent of his association with ISIS operatives and the support he had provided to ISIS.

Assistant Attorney General Demers and Acting U.S. Attorney Schenning commended the FBI for its work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Manuelian and Kenneth Clark, who prosecuted the case, and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section for its assistance with the prosecution.

                                                                       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Mohamed Elshinawy, age 33, of Edgewood, Maryland, to 20 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization; providing and attempting to provide material support to ISIS; terrorism financing; and making false statements in connection with a terrorism matter. 

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney of the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the FBI’s Baltimore Office.

According to the plea agreement, Elshinawy conspired with others to knowingly provide material support and resources to ISIS, knowing that ISIS was a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.  From February 2015 through about December 11, 2015, in Maryland and elsewhere, Elshinawy conspired with others to provide material support and resources, including personnel, services (including means and methods of communication), and financial services, to ISIS.  Elshinawy and his co-conspirators utilized various methods of secret communication in order to conceal their criminal association and activities from law enforcement. 

As a part of the conspiracy, Elshinawy expressed his support for an Islamic caliphate and his belief in the legitimacy of ISIS. In addition, he expressed his hope that ISIS would be victorious and its enemies defeated, and discussed his readiness to travel to live in the Islamic State.  In various other conversations, Elshinawy pledged his allegiance to ISIS, described himself as its soldier, committed to making violent jihad, and asked that others convey his message of loyalty to ISIS leadership.

Elshinawy also received payments from a foreign company based in the United Kingdom.  The payments, which totaled approximately $8,700, were to be used by Elshinawy to fund a terrorist attack in the United States. 

In interviews with FBI agents in July 2015, in an effort to conceal and minimize his criminal involvement with ISIS, Elshinawy provided false information regarding the total amount of money he had received from ISIS operatives and claimed his intent was to defraud ISIS of funds.  Throughout his interviews, Elshinawy mischaracterized the true nature and extent of his association with ISIS operatives and the support he had provided to ISIS.

Acting United States Attorney Schenning and Assistant Attorney General Demers commended the FBI for its work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Manuelian and Kenneth Clark, who prosecuted the case, and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section for its assistance with the prosecution.

 

A federal grand jury has indicted today six MS-13 members, five of whom were unlawfully in the United States, on charges in connection with their MS-13 gang activities, including racketeering conspiracy; murder in aid of racketeering; violent crimes in aid of racketeering; use, carry and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. 

The indictment was announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Baltimore Office;  Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Baltimore Field Division; Police Chief Timothy J. Altomare of the Anne Arundel Police Department and State Attorney Wes Adams of the Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office.

Charged in the nine-count indictment are alleged MS-13 members and associates Moises Alexis Reyes-Canales aka Sicopata, 19; Marlon Cruz-Flores, aka Little S, 22; Fermin Gomez-Jimenez, 20; Manuel Martinez-Aguilar, aka El Lunatic and Zomb, 19; Juan Carlos Sandoval-Rodriguez, aka Picaro, El Pastor, and Gasper, 20; and David Diaz-Alvarado, 20. All the defendants except Cruz Flores, of Annapolis, Maryland, were illegally residing in Annapolis. 

MS-13 is a national and transnational gang composed primarily of immigrants or descendants from El Salvador.  Branches or “cliques” of MS-13, one of the largest street gangs in the United States, operate throughout Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Frederick County, Maryland.  MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang.  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 indictment, at least prior to in or about 2015, and continuing through at least in or about 2017, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar, participated in a racketeering conspiracy that included assaults, murder, attempted murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. 

According to the indictment, MS-13 members and associates conspired to murder a rival gang member.  On or about March 11, 2016, Sandoval-Rodriguez lured the victim to a park in Annapolis, Maryland with the intent to murder the victim.  On or about that same date, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, Sandoval-Rodriguez, and Diaz-Alvarado, and other members and associates of MS-13 murdered the victim in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.

According to the indictment, on Oct. 23, 2016, Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar conspired to and attempted to murder two victims in Annapolis, for the purpose of gaining entrance to, maintaining, and increasing position in MS-13.  Reyes-Canales, Cruz-Flores, Gomez-Jimenez, and Martinez-Aguilar, and other members and associates of MS-13 attempted to kill one of the victims by stabbing the victim multiple times and attempted to kill a second victim by shooting and stabbing the victim multiple times.  

All of the defendants are currently detained on related federal or state criminal charges.  Initial appearances have not yet been scheduled.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

The investigation was conducted by HSI Baltimore, ATF Baltimore, Anne Arundel Police Department and Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Office.  Trial Attorney Matthew Hoff of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seema Mittal, as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Mildenberg of the District of Maryland are prosecuting this case.

                                                                             

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland –Maryland State Senator Nathaniel Thomas Oaks, age 71, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud.

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to the plea agreement, Oaks was a Maryland State Delegate representing District 41 (Baltimore City) from 1994 until being appointed to the Maryland Senate in February 2017, representing the same District.

According to the statement of facts in support of the plea agreement, on September 21, 2015, a cooperating individual introduced Oaks to an FBI confidential human source, “Mike Henley,” who portrayed himself as an out-of-town businessperson interested in obtaining contracts in the City of Baltimore. The meeting took place at a restaurant in Pikesville, Maryland, and was consensually recorded by Henley.  During the meeting, Oaks offered to assist Henley with business development in Maryland.

During the months following the September 21, 2015 meeting between Henley and Oaks, Henley consensually recorded numerous telephone and in-person conversations with Oaks during which they discussed possible development and business-related opportunities that may be available to Henley in Maryland.  One such opportunity was a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) project (the Project) that Henley told Oaks that he was interested in developing in the City.  Oaks told Henley that he wanted to help with the HUD project. 

According to the plea agreement, between the months of April 2016 and July 2016, Oaks issued two letters on his official House of Delegates letterhead which contained materially false and fraudulent representations to a person whom he believed to be a HUD official in order to assist Henley in obtaining federal grant funds from HUD.  Henley paid Oaks $10,300 for his assistance.

According to the statement of facts in support of the plea agreement, on September 22, 2016, Henley paid Oaks $5,000 in exchange for Oaks’ agreement to file a bond bill request with the Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) seeking $250,000 in state funds for the Project.  Oaks filed the bill request with DLS later that day. On November 21, 2016, Oaks forwarded an email to Henley that had been sent to him by DLS.  The email attached the draft of the bill to establish a $250,000 bond to be used for the Project.

All the money paid to Oaks by Henley was supplied by the FBI and the meetings were recorded using audio/video recording equipment.

On or about January 9, 2017, Oaks confessed to two FBI agents that he has accepted the first two payments from Henley in exchange for issuing two letters to HUD on his official House of Delegates letterhead and that he knew the letters contained materially false statements in an effort to assist Henley with his housing project. Oaks further confessed to the agents that he had accepted the third payment from Henley in exchange for filing a request for DLS to draft the Bond Bill Legislation.

Oaks agreed to cooperate with the FBI in an investigation of Person #1 for possible violations of federal criminal laws. As part of that cooperation, and at the direction of the FBI, Oaks covertly recorded his telephone conversations and in-person meetings with Person #1 beginning on January 9, 2017 and continuing until March 30, 2017.

According to the plea agreement, on or about March 17, 2017, without recording or disclosing the existence of the conversation to the FBI, Oaks approached Person #1 at a bar in Annapolis and told him “what we talked about, just say no.” On March 30, 2017, Oaks again approached Person #1 in the hallway of a State government building in Annapolis and said “I’m going to ask you for something, just say no.” These statements were intended to dissuade Person #1 from engaging in the activity that was the subject of the criminal investigation and which activity Oaks and Person #1 had discussed in a recorded conversation earlier that day.

As a result of Oaks’ deliberate and intentional conduct in tipping off Person #1, the covert investigation of Person #1 and possibly other politicians was no longer viable.

Oaks faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud count and 20 years in prison for the honest services wire fraud count. Oaks is scheduled to be sentenced July 17, 2018 at 11 a.m. in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and Leo J. Wise, who are prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Katrin Verclas, age 50, a native and citizen of Germany residing in Washington, D.C., on a charge related to a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of State of $1.231 million. The indictment was returned on March 26, 2018, and was unsealed upon the arrest of Verclas.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Steve A. Linick, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of State.

According to the indictment, Verclas, as director of MobileActive Corp, obtained a grant from the U.S. Department of State intended to support and promote U.S. global internet freedom efforts. Verclas represented to the U.S. Department of State that MobileActive was a non-profit organization pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) with the legal authority to apply for a grant, and that MobileActive had the financial capability to ensure proper planning, management, and completion of the grant project.

MobileActive was not a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and thus, did not have the legal authority to apply for the grant. Verclas spent much of the money from the U.S. Department of State on personal expenses and expenses unrelated to the grant. Verclas caused the U.S. Department of State to transfer $1.222 million into her control.

Verclas faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in 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. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the U.S. Department of State, Office of Inspector General, for its work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominique Juliet Park and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan E. Foreman, who are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine A. Wagner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, provided substantial assistance.

 

                                                                        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland –A federal grand jury indicted Martir Jandres a/k/a “Tono”, age 42, of Frederick, Maryland, on a charge of conspiracy to commit human smuggling related to a years long operation to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States through Texas and then transport them throughout the country. The indictment was returned on March 16, 2018, and unsealed today upon the arrest of Jandres and the execution of a search warrant at his residence.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning, Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Sheriff Charles A. Jenkins of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the one-count indictment, between October 2016 and February 2017, Jandres allegedly conspired with numerous people in Central America, Mexico and the United States to facilitate illegal aliens entry to the United States without inspection by bypassing United States Border Patrol checkpoints.  Once in the country, the aliens were placed in stash houses until transportation could be arranged with local “load drivers” to enable the aliens to leave the border area and travel to their interior destinations.  On two occasions, undercover HSI agents posed as “load drivers” to transport aliens smuggled by Jandres.  

Jandres faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the conspiracy.

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. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended HSI for their work in the investigation along with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service.  Mr. Schenning thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Fish and Assistant U.S. Attorney Judson T. Mihok, who are prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE www.justice.gov/usao/md                                       at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Tyrone Kevin Gregg, age 49, of Baltimore, Maryland, to eleven years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for bank robbery while on supervised release for a prior federal conviction. Gregg previously pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and specifically admitted to robbing or attempting to rob eight other banks in Maryland and Virginia from December 2016 through June 2017.  Gregg will be required to pay restitution to the victim banks.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department; Chief Tim Altomare of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of Montgomery County Police Department; and Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. of the Fairfax County Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, on February 2, 2017 at approximately 10:50 am, Gregg entered a bank in Olney, Maryland where he approached the teller and said, “Give me all the money or I’ll blow your head off.”  The teller complied, handing over cash from the till, and Gregg fled.     

Gregg was indicted for committing nine bank robberies in Maryland and Virginia. In pleading guilty to the February 2017 robbery, Gregg acknowledged he committed the other eight bank robberies listed in the indictment—several of which also involved threats of violence as well as Gregg’s statements that he had a gun.

At the time of the robberies, Gregg was under conditions of supervised release following a 54-month prison sentence imposed by the Honorable Catherine C. Blake in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland as a result of convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.  The 11-year sentence imposed by the Court also reflects Gregg’s punishment for violating the condition of supervised release requiring him not to commit and federal, state, and local crimes.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police, Montgomery County Police and Fairfax County Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Riley and Tamera Fine who are prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                              

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Carlos DeAngelo Bell, 30, of Waldorf, Maryland was sentenced to 105 years in prison, followed by a lifetime period of supervised release for 10 counts of Sexual Exploitation of Minors for the Purpose of Producing Child Pornography.  Judge Grimm ordered that, should he complete the term of his imprisonment, Bell must register as a sex offender in the place 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 Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Baltimore; Charles County State’s Attorney Anthony B. Covington, Sr.; Sheriff Troy D. Berry of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to the plea agreement, from the period of January 1, 2014 to December 22, 2016, Bell used and coerced minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography.  Bell was charged with committing this offense against ten minors.  During the relevant period, Bell was employed as an Instructional Assistant in Charles County Public Schools, and a track and field coach at a Charles County Public High School.

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 Attorneys' 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.        

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning thanked HSI, the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland State Police. Mr. Schenning also commended Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy F. Hagan and Joseph R. Baldwin of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, who prosecuted this case.

 

                                                                              

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Wesley Jamal Brown, a/k/a “Wes,” age 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 31 and a half years in prison, followed by five years of supervised released for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as the Black Guerilla Family’s Greenmount Avenue Regime.  Brown had admitted that on May 2, 2013, he murdered a witness to prevent him from testifying against a fellow BGF member in a pending state case.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr., of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Gordon Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl DeSousa; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

According to his plea agreement, Brown was a member of the BGF Greenmount Regime, formerly known as the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF.  Between 2005 and September 2017, Brown agreed with other BGF members to engage in crimes to further the interest of the gang, including drug distribution, murder, robbery, witness tampering, and witness retaliation.  Brown admitted that he personally engaged in drug trafficking and murder in furtherance of BGF.

Specifically, Brown admitted that on or about April 26, 2013, he possessed with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin.  Brown further admitted that on or about June 20, 2013, he possessed 51 grams of heroin and a quantity of cocaine that he planned to sell. 

Brown further admitted that on or about May 2, 2013, in the 600 block of Cokesbury Avenue, he shot and killed Moses Malone with a .22 caliber handgun.  In the weeks before his death, Malone had been the victim of a robbery and shooting committed by Norman Handy, Brown’s half-brother and fellow member of the BGF Greenmount Regime.  On April 19, 2013, Malone identified Handy as the person who robbed and shot him during an interview with Baltimore Police officers.  Brown admitted that he shot and killed Malone to prevent him from testifying against Handy in the pending state case. 

According to his plea agreement, Brown was a member of the BGF Greenmount Regime, formerly known as the Young Guerilla Family, or YGF.  Between 2005 and September 2017, Brown agreed with other BGF members to engage in crimes to further the interests of the gang, including drug distribution, murder, robbery, witness tampering, and witness retaliation.  Brown admitted that he personally engaged in drug trafficking and murder in furtherance of BGF.

Brown admitted that on or about May 12, 2013, he exchanged text messages with a BGF associate, in which he agreed to sell the .22 caliber handgun that he had used to kill Malone for $250. 

Acting United States Attorney Schenning commended ATF Baltimore, FBI Baltimore, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Christina A. Hoffman, who prosecuted the case. 

 

                                                                            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Luis Lopez, age 40, of North East, Maryland today to five years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for Conspiracy To Distribute And Possess With Intent to Distribute Cocaine.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Robert B. Wemyss of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement began an investigation in 2015 into a drug conspiracy involving the importation and distribution of cocaine into the northeast Maryland and southern Delaware areas from Puerto Rico.  Lopez and his co-defendants conspired with others known and unknown to possess and distribute cocaine.

According to the plea agreement, the investigation revealed a number of suspicious parcels were being sent through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to fictitious addressees in Maryland and Delaware.  For example, on February 20, 2015, investigators observed a U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail Express parcel was sent from Puerto Rico to an address in North East, Maryland, and that neither occupant at either address was associated to the sending or receiving addressee.  Postal Inspectors obtained a search warrant for the parcel and found that it contained approximately 250 grams of cocaine. 

Similarly, on May 2, 2015, investigators became aware of a U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail Express parcel that was accepted by a male, who was later identified as Leroy Fuentes, Jr.  A traffic stop was conducted on Mr. Fuentes shortly after he left the post office with the parcel.  After a K-9 unit gave a positive alert to his vehicle, the vehicle and its contents were searched.  A search of the parcel revealed that the parcel contained approximately 135 grams of cocaine.  In each instance, these parcels were packaged in a similar fashion.

On September 3, 2016, law enforcement conducted a lawful traffic stop of Luis Lopez.  Lopez was searched and found to have a quantity of cocaine with him.  Law enforcement subsequently seized and obtained a search warrant for Lopez’s phone.  The search warrant revealed photographs sent to him via text message of a parcel similar to those that had been seized.  The phone also contained tracking information for a parcel sent to a P.O. Box in Bear, Delaware.  In addition to these photos, Lopez’s phone contained text messages between Lopez and his co-conspirators discussing the price of cocaine.

Finally, on September 22, 2016, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence of Lopez and found numerous loose pills in plastic baggies and $11,806 in U.S. Currency. 

Lopez’s co-conspirators have all pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and been sentenced as follows:

Troy Baker, age 28, of North East, Maryland was sentenced to 38 months;

Leroy Fuentes, age 30, of North East, Maryland was sentenced to 30 months;

Roy Fuentes, Jr., age 26, of Newark, Delaware was sentenced to 24 months

Dahan Lopez, age 37, of Elkton, Maryland was sentenced to 60 months;

Angel Padilla, age 29, of Elkton, Maryland was sentenced to 42 months;   

Eileen Perez, age 39, of New Castle, Delaware was sentenced to 18 months;

Fernando Lopez, age 40, of New Castle, Delaware was sentenced to 60 months; and

Nadja Velez, age 31, of Elkton, Maryland was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning praised the FBI, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason D. Medinger who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.

 

Massachusetts-based medical device manufacturer Alere Inc. and its subsidiary Alere San Diego (Alere) have agreed to pay the United States $33.2 million to resolve allegations that Alere caused hospitals to submit false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs by knowingly selling materially unreliable point-of-care diagnostic testing devices, the Justice Department announced today.

       

“The United States is fortunate that innovative healthcare companies regularly develop medical devices that improve patients’ lives, often in remarkable ways,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler for the Justice Department’s Civil Division.  “But the Department will hold medical device manufacturers accountable if they knowingly sell defective products that waste taxpayer dollars and adversely impact patient care.”   

 

The United States alleged that between January 2006 and March 2012, Alere knowingly sold materially unreliable rapid point-of-care testing devices marketed under the trade name Triage®.  The Triage® devices aided in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, drug overdose, and other serious conditions, and the devices were frequently used in emergency departments where timely decisions are critical to ensuring proper patient care.  According to the government’s allegations, Alere received customer complaints that put it on notice that certain devices it sold produced erroneous results that had the potential to create false positives and false negatives that adversely affected clinical decision-making.  Nonetheless, the company failed to take appropriate corrective actions until FDA inspections prompted a nationwide product recall in 2012.  Of the $33.2 million to be paid by Alere, $28,378,893 will be returned to the federal government and a total of $4,860,779 will be returned to individual states, which jointly funded claims for Triage devices submitted to state Medicaid programs.        

 

“Physicians who work to treat patients with suspected myocardial infarctions rely upon devices such as Alere’s Triage Cardiac products for quick and accurate readings," said Stephen M. Schenning, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.  "When manufacturers such as Alere make changes to the specifications that affect the product’s reliability without informing physicians or the FDA, patient care is put at substantial risk.”

 

“Congress passed the False Claims Act on March 2, 1863 to protect taxpayer dollars from fraud and abuse and to allow private citizens to join the effort,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General in Philadelphia.   “We will continue to work with concerned citizens, the Department of Justice and our investigative partners to ensure the federal government only pays for honest, high quality, health care products and services.”

 

The settlement with Alere resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery.  The civil lawsuit was filed by Amanda Wu, who formerly worked for Alere as a senior quality control analyst.  As part of today’s resolution, Ms. Wu will receive approximately $5.6 million.

 

The settlement with Alere was the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, with assistance from the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, and HHS’ Office of Counsel to the Inspector General. The investigation was conducted by HHS-OIG, FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Services.

 

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.  The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Amanda Wu v. Alere San Diego, et al., No. GLR-11-CV-1808. 

                                                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  CONTACT ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                             (410) 209-4885

                                                                         

Baltimore, Maryland – Massachusetts-based medical device manufacturer Alere Inc. and its subsidiary Alere San Diego (Alere) have agreed to pay the United States $33.2 million to resolve allegations that Alere caused hospitals to submit false claims to Medicare and other federal healthcare programs relating to the use of materially unreliable point-of-care diagnostic testing devices.

The settlement agreement was announced today by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning, Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert Craig, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Criminal Investigative Services, Mid-Atlantic Division and Mark McCormack, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Criminal Investigations, Food and Drug Administration, Washington Field Division.

“Physicians who work to treat patients with suspected myocardial infarctions rely upon devices such as Alere’s Triage Cardiac products for quick and accurate readings," said Stephen M. Schenning, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland.  "When manufacturers such as Alere make changes to the specifications that affect the product’s reliability without informing physicians or the FDA, patient care is put at substantial risk.”

The United States alleged that between January 2006 and March 2012, Alere knowingly sold materially unreliable rapid point-of-care testing devices marketed under the trade name Triage®.  The Triage® devices aid in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, drug overdose, and other serious conditions, and the devices are frequently used in emergency departments where timely decisions are critical to ensuring proper patient care.  According to the government’s allegations, Alere knew that certain devices it sold produced unreliable results that had the potential to create false positives and false negatives that adversely affected clinical decision-making.  The United States alleged that Alere personnel were aware of customer complaints regarding erroneous test results and that the decreased precision of its testing devices put the company at considerable regulatory and financial risk, yet the company failed to take appropriate corrective actions until FDA inspections prompted a nationwide product recall in 2012.     

The civil settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and obtain a portion of the government's recovery.  The civil lawsuit was filed in the District of Maryland and is captioned United States ex rel. Wu v. Alere, Inc., et al., GLR 11-1808.  As part of today’s resolution, Ms. Wu will receive approximately $5,675,778 from the settlement.

The federal share of the civil settlement is $28,378,893, and the state Medicaid share of the civil settlement is $4,860,779.  The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the HHS Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Department of Defense’s Criminal Investigative Services for their work in the investigation.  Assistance also was provided by the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units and offices of various state Attorneys General.  The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Corcoran and Assistant Director Colin Huntley of the Department of Justice Civil Fraud Section.

 

                                                                             

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 
Baltimore, Maryland – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that it reached an agreement with four skilled nursing facilities and two consulting companies with which they contracted to resolve allegations of fraudulent billing of Medicare for the provision of skilled therapy to Medicare and Tricare beneficiaries. The four skilled nursing facilities and the two consulting companies have agreed to pay a total of $6 million in order to resolve the allegations. Caring Heart Rehabilitation and Nursing Center agreed to pay the United States $1,272,891.00. GNH, LLC agreed to pay $811,153.36. OPOP, LLC agreed to pay $608,365.02. Riverview SNF, LLC agreed to pay $1,206,590.62. Global Healthcare Services Group, LLC agreed to pay $190,000. GHC Clinical Consultants, LLC agreed to pay $1,810,000.00

The settlement agreement was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The civil settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and obtain a portion of the government's recovery. The civil lawsuit was filed in the District of Maryland and is captioned United States ex rel. Tober v. Global Empire, LLC, et al., Civil No. RDB-12-2567. As part of the resolution, Mr. Tober will receive $990,000.

The United States alleged that during the period January 1, 2010 through January 31, 2014 the defendants billed Medicare for skilled therapy services that were either not delivered or that were medically unnecessary. Medicare provides a skilled nursing benefit that pays for rehabilitative skilled nursing services for a period of 100 days following a qualifying hospitalization. Medicare pays skilled nursing facilities (SNF) a set rate that depends on a number of factors such as the acuity of the patient and the level and amount of skilled therapy provided. The amount of skilled therapy is counted in minutes of therapy provided, and the United States alleged that the four SNFs and the two consulting companies falsely reported the number of minutes of skilled therapy that was delivered or that was medically necessary.  Increasing the number of minutes in many instances brought the patient into a category that resulted in higher compensation for the SNF. The United States alleged that the consulting companies and the SNFs put systems in place to maximize Medicare and Tricare reimbursement and that caused the submission of claims for therapy services that were either not provided or that were unnecessary.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Caring Heart Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, GNH, LLC, OPOP, LLC, Riverview SNF, LLC, Global Healthcare Services Group, LLC and GHC Clinical Consultants, LLC have denied the allegations. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorney Allen Loucks and Investigator Steven Capobianco, who handled this case.

                                                                      

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                   at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Coron Demon Johnson a/k/a “Savage,” age 23, of Baltimore, Maryland, on Distribution of a Controlled Substance with Death Resulting. The indictment was returned on February 21, 2018 and unsealed upon the arrest of Johnson.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration – Washington Field Office; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to the indictment, on August 11, 2017, Johnson distributed heroin to an individual, which resulted in an overdose death in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Johnson faces mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years with a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty. Johnson had his initial appearance in front of United States Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on March 19, 2018.

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. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the DEA, Prince George’s County Police and the City of Bowie for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Pulice and Kelly Hayes, who are prosecuting the case.

                                                                              

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Darius Junior, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm after a felony conviction and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the FBI- Baltimore Field Office;  State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby of the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and Commissioner Darryl DeSousa of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to the plea agreement, on February 12, 2016, Baltimore City police made a vehicle stop of a Toyota in the 3300 block of McCulloh Street, just south of Gwynn Falls Parkway.  Upon approach, the police could readily detect the odor of marijuana emanating from the Toyota.  Junior was in the front passenger seat of the car.  During the investigation that ensued, the police observed and seized a .32 caliber revolver tucked in Junior’s waistband area.  A search of Junior’s person yielded distributable amounts of cocaine, cash and a .32 caliber bullet.    At the time of his arrest, Junior had sustained three felony convictions punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, including a separate handgun violation and two armed robbery convictions in Baltimore City.   

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorney Sandra Wilkinson, who prosecuted the case.

 

 

                                                                            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – United States District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Jose Hernandez a/k/a “Plumhead,” a/k/a “David Hernandez,” a/k/a “Fathead,” age 27, of Adelphi, Maryland today to 71 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of 28 grams or more of crack and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Division; and Chief Henry P. Stawinski III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, between December 23, 2015 and January 12, 2017, at the direction of law enforcement, a confidential informant contacted Hernandez to arrange six controlled purchases of crack and heroin.

On December 16, 2016, ATF agents executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence and recovered a 12-gauge pump action shotgun, and a single round ammunition.  Prior to December 16, 2016, Hernandez had been convicted of crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, which made him ineligible to possess a firearm and ammunition. His civil rights had not been restored.

At the time of the Defendant's arrest on January 12, 2017, ATF agents recovered approximately $5,572 from Hernandez's wallet, five cellular telephones, and two knotted baggies in the center console of the vehicle which contained approximately one gram of crack and approximately one gram of heroin.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning praised the ATF and Prince George’s County Police for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Sykes and Michael Packard who prosecuted the case.

 

                                                                            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – Anthony Renard Wynn, age 47, of Randallstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl.  

The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Andre Watson of the ICE Homeland Security Investigations; Colonel Woodrow Jones of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police; and Chief Terrence B. Sheridan of the Baltimore County Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, in connection with an investigation into drug trafficking and the laundering of drug proceeds through Maryland-based casinos, HSI investigators discovered that Wynn had placed into and cashed out in excess of one million dollars at those casinos from 2016 to 2017, although he only earned $30,000 in 2016. 

HSI investigators were able to identify the places where Wynn received, transported, and stored drugs and other contraband.  Specifically, Wynn received packages containing drugs from an animal hospital in Pikesville, Maryland and transported the drugs to the Southeast region of Washington, D.C. Wynn stored the drugs in a storage unit in Windsor Mill, his home in Randallstown, and in a Pikesville barbershop. Wynn also shipped several packages to a co-conspirator in California, one of which contained $244,040 in drug proceeds.    

On June 9, 2017, an HSI investigator observed Wynn talking on a cell phone while driving and informed a Baltimore County patrol officer who conducted a traffic stop of Wynn’s vehicle. During that traffic stop, a Maryland Transportation Authority Police officer conducted a canine scan of Wynn’s vehicle and recovered a one-kilogram heroin brick and $11,620 in cash that was separated by rubber-banded bundles. The search of Wynn’s person incident to arrest revealed a digital scale and two $500 casino chips.    

HSI investigators obtained search warrants for Wynn’s residence and storage unit and recovered approximately 1 kilogram of fentanyl, 3 kilograms of heroin, and an electronic money counter.  Numerous gift cards totaling $5,575, $16,602 in cash that was bundled in small denominations, and an “owe sheet” were among the items that the HSI investigators recovered from Wynn’s residence.

Wynn faces a maximum sentence of life, in prison, with a minimum mandatory term of 10 years.  U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for July 16, 2018 at 11 a.m.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended HSI, MTA police, Baltimore County Police Department. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samika N. Boyd and Christopher J. Romano who are prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact ELIZABETH MORSE www.justice.gov/usao/md                                         at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland –United States District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Idialyon Helm, age 21, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for forcible assault on a United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier, and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.  Helm also admitted to one additional armed robbery, as well as an attempted armed robbery.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Postal Inspector in Charge Robert B. Wemyss of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division; and Commissioner Darryl De Sousa of the Baltimore Police Department.

“While protecting postal employees is of paramount importance to Postal Inspectors, we are pleased that the results of this investigation have improved the safety of the entire community,” stated Inspector in Charge Wemyss.

According to his plea agreement, on December 29, 2016, at between 10:00 and 10:15 AM, Helm robbed a USPS letter carrier at gunpoint while the letter carrier was on his route in the 3100 block of Chesterfield Avenue in Baltimore City, taking the victim’s wallet and smart watch, among other things. 

Helm was indicted for forcible assault on a federal employee and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.  In pleading guilty to those charges, Helm also acknowledged that he committed two other robberies/attempted robberies just days before the robbery of the letter carrier.  According to his plea agreement, on December 25, 2016, at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon, Helm approached a male victim outside of a convenience store on Caton Avenue in Baltimore, pointed a silver handgun at him, and stole his shoes—a pair of Ugg Boots. Later that afternoon, Helm also attempted to rob a female victim at an M&T Bank ATM on Belair Road in Baltimore.  He approached her, pointed a silver handgun at her, and said “Give me what you got.”  In response, she fled and observed Helm get into a silver Infiniti SUV and drive away. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Baltimore City Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Riley and Judson Mihok who prosecuted the case.

                                                                               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                                 at (410) 209-4885

Baltimore, Maryland – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that it has in recent weeks reached settlements with four health care providers to settle claims that they submitted false claims to the United States for services not rendered. 

St. Agnes Healthcare, Inc., which owns and operates St Agnes hospital in Baltimore, has agreed to pay $69,906.90.  Horizon Vascular Specialists, a medical practice with offices in Frederick, Germantown, Olney and Rockville, has agreed to pay $518,479.50. Riverside Medical Associates, a medical practice located in Riverdale, Maryland, has agreed to pay $176,511.17. Maryland Specialty Group, a medical practice in Glenn Dale, Maryland, has agreed to pay $87,393.89. Itsuro Uchino, M.D., a physician in Hagerstown, has agreed to pay $91,476.02. 

The settlement agreements were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.

In their practices, each of these providers had occasion to administer tests to patients to assess the venous sufficiency in the lower extremities. As part of this process, they performed a venous Doppler duplex examination. The purpose of this examination was to determine if there were blood flow issues including deep vein thromboses in the patient’s legs. They billed Medicare under CPT 93970 for this work.

Billing records showed that each billed for an additional test using CPT 93965. CPT 93965 references an older, different technology, one that has generally been replaced by the CPT 93970 technology. Upon inquiry by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the HHS Office of Inspector General, each agreed that the billing of CPT 93965 was incorrect.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. Maryland Specialty Group, St Agnes Healthcare, Riverside Medical Associates, Dr. Uchino, and Horizon Vascular Specialists have denied the allegations. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorney Allen Loucks and Investigator Steven Capobianco who handled these cases.

                                                                            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                    at (410) 209-4885

 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Adrian Brown, age 33, of Laurel, Maryland, today on mail fraud charges related to a scheme to defraud an automobile insurance company. The indictment was returned on March 14, 2018, and unsealed today upon the arrest of Brown.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Henry P. Stawinksi III of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

According to the two-count indictment, between September 2014 and January 2015, Brown allegedly made false statements to the insurance company claiming he owned a Chevrolet Caprice and that it had been stolen from an apartment complex in Maryland. However, Brown never owned the vehicle. Brown then filed an incident report with the Prince George’s County Police documenting the purported theft. During the course of the insurance investigation, Brown made several false statements about the purchasing and theft of the vehicle.

Brown faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy.

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. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI and Prince George’s Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Menaka S. Kalaskar and Ray D. McKenzie, who are prosecuting the case.

 

March 16, 2018                                                                                 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                                 at (410) 209-4885

 

Baltimore, Maryland – Daryl Christopher Wade, age 50, of Rosedale, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to Extortion Under Color of Official Right related to an extortion scheme.

The charges were announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Inspector General Isabel M. Cumming of the Baltimore City Office of Inspector General.

Wade was a City of Baltimore employee between 1988 through 2017, most recently with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (“DOT”) as a Construction Project Supervisor II within the DOT’s Street Cut Unit.  The DOT Street Cut Unit helps to monitor and administer fines associated with street cuts and street cut permits. According to the criminal information and the plea agreement, Wade used his official position at City of Baltimore’s Department of Transportation to claim that he could void street cut fines in return for payments.

According to the plea agreement, Wade accepted multiple cash payments, in exchange for claiming that he could erase Baltimore DOT street cut fines.  Baltimore City street cut permits are required for companies who need to impede into a public street, alley, sidewalk, or other right-of-way for purposes of construction.  The street cut permits are valid for 120 days before they expire, and DOT will assess a fine of $50 per day for each street cut not repaired past the expiration date.

Also according to the plea agreement, Wade and co-defendant Jerome Walter Stephens, the owner of a Baltimore construction and utilities company, either attempted to or actually extorted other business owners throughout Baltimore.  In one such instance, Person A was the Vice President of a Virginia based company that provided all phases of underground utility construction and sewer rehabilitation throughout the east coast and had approximately $55 million in contracts with the City of Baltimore to restore and/or replace water and sewer lines throughout the City.  Person A’s efforts to restore and/or replace water and sewer lines throughout Baltimore was in accordance with the City of Baltimore’s consent decree agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (Civil Action No. JFM-02-1524).  The purpose of the consent decree was to take all measures possible to enable Baltimore to comply with the Clean Water Act including addressing the City’s sewer lines discharging untreated sewage into the Back River, Patapsco River and the Chesapeake Bay. In order to complete those contracts, Person A's company conducted street cuts to reach water and sewer lines to restore and/or replace these water and sewer lines. 

In January 2016, Person A met with Stephens at one of Person A’s offices, located in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  Stephens told Person A that Person A’s company would be receiving $1.3 million in street cut fines from the street cuts unit in the near future.  This was the first that Person A had learned of the $1.3 million in perspective fines.  Stephens then said he had a connection in the street cuts unit that could reduce the $1.3 million in fines by 80% to $260,000, if Person A paid 20%, a $52,000 bribe, to Stephens’s connection. Stephens also stated something to the effect of: if you want to play, you got to pay.  Person A made clear that he was not interested in paying the $52,000 bribe and would sue the City of Baltimore over the fines if necessary. 

Also according to the plea agreement in February 2016, Person B, a local Baltimore business owner, began renovations on a restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland.  Person B hired Stephens to overhaul the water lines into Person B’s business.  In July 2016, Stephens informed Person B that he (Stephens) would have to cut into the road. Stephens informed Person B that the complete repaving, from curb to curb, had an estimated additional cost to Person B of between approximately $10,000 to approximately $12,000 but said he had a connection "downtown" in the City of Baltimore who could save Person B on the costs associated with completely repaving if Person B was willing to pay a bribe. Due to Person B's limited budget, and the fact that the street had already been cut, Person B agreed to pay Wade a $2,200 to repave the smaller sections of the road.  Stephens and Wade next discussed how much Wade would accept and Wade agreed to a $2,200 bribe Person B gave Stephens $2,200 in cash which Stephens then gave Wade. 

Finally, according to the plea agreement, Person C, who ran a plumbing and drain construction business in Baltimore, Maryland, was previously fined approximately $17,000 for street cuts in Baltimore City.  In March 2016, Person C attended a Baltimore City street cut appeal hearing regarding the fine.  Wade stopped the hearing and requested to speak with Person C outside the hearing.  Once outside the hearing, Wade explained to Person C that if Person C helped Wade that he would help Person C.

In early September 2016, Wade met in-person with Person C and agreed to accept $5,000 to remove the offer.  On September 22, 2016, Person C paid Wade the first $3,000 in cash. Wade arrived at the meeting driving a Baltimore City issued government vehicle.  At the direction of Wade, Person C threw the $3,000 into Wade’s Baltimore City government vehicle.  After the money was in his Baltimore City government vehicle, Wade stated “you good for life with me. . . .” and later laughed and further stated to Person C, “we in cahoots now. . . .”

Wade faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for August 10, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the FBI and Baltimore City Office of Inspector General for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Selden and Leo Wise, who are prosecuting the case.

 

                                                                              

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                     at (410) 209-4885      

 

Baltimore, Maryland – United States District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Jerome Pittman, age 23, of Baltimore, Maryland today to 14 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit carjacking, carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board, Jr., of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; and Commissioner Darryl DeSousa of the Baltimore Police Department.

According to his plea agreement, on May 15, 2016, Pittman and a second male caught an unlicensed taxi in Baltimore, Maryland.  The unidentified male entered the front passenger seat of the car and Pittman entered the rear passenger seat.  The males then asked the driver to take them to a nearby treatment facility.

Upon arriving at the treatment facility, Pittman got out of the car, purportedly to retrieve some papers.  The unidentified male then asked the driver to take him to the far, darker side of the lot so that the unidentified male could urinate.

A few moments later, the unidentified male opened the driver-side door, pointed a firearm at the driver, and ordered him out of the car.  The driver got out of the car and ran around to the passenger side where he unexpectedly met Pittman, who shot him at close range in the thigh.   The two men then drove off in the stolen vehicle leaving the injured driver in the parking lot.

Three days later, on May 19, 2016, Pittman and two co-conspirators were in a 2012 Mercedes Benz, which had been reported stolen.  The men crashed the Mercedes Benz into another car and then fled the scene of the accident.  They then walked to a nearby gas station, again in Baltimore, Maryland, where they brandished a firearm at a driver stopped at a traffic light, pressed the firearm into the driver’s stomach, and carjacked the vehicle.

The following day, the three men were together in the stolen vehicle and took a “selfie” with the victim’s cell phone.

Pittman’s co-defendants, Ti’Quan Dinkins and Rashad Harris, previously pleaded guilty to the carjacking on May 19, 2016, and related charges.  Dinkins was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  Harris has not yet been sentenced.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning praised the ATF and Baltimore Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dana Brusca and Patty McLane who prosecuted the case.