Eastern District of Michigan

DETROIT - On April 25th, the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, with assistance from the Virtual Currency Response Team (VCRT), the Cyber Police Department and Main Investigation Departments of the National Police of Ukraine, and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine conducted coordinated, court authorized activity involving nine virtual currency exchange services.  

Domain names offered by organizations which were engaged in cryptocurrency conversions and provided assistance to cyber-criminals were seized, and related servers were shut down. U.S. based servers used in the scheme were taken offline by U.S. authorities. These nine seized domains, 24xbtc.com, 100btc.pro, pridechange.com, 101crypta.com, uxbtc.com, trust-exchange.org, bitcoin24.exchange, paybtc.pro, and owl.gold offered anonymous cryptocurrency exchange services to website visitors. 

Noncompliant virtual currency exchanges, which have a lax anti-money laundering program or collect minimal Know Your Customer information or none at all, serve as important hubs in the cybercrime ecosystem and are operating in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Sections 1960 and 1956.  Many of these services are advertised on online forums dedicated to discussing criminal activity. By providing these services, the virtual currency exchanges knowingly support the criminal activities of their clients and become co-conspirators in criminal schemes.

Much of the criminal activity occurring at the affected exchanges involved cyber actors responsible for ransomware, but also other scammers, and cybercriminals.  The service’s website offered support in both Russian and English.

The investigation is ongoing. Visitors to the sites will now find a seizure banner that notifies them that the domain name has been seized by federal authorities and operating an unlicensed money service business and facilitating money laundering is a federal crime.

DETROIT, MI – In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 23-29, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan will be recognizing crime victims and those who have dedicated their lives to serve and assist victims of crime.

“My office affirms our unwavering commitment to serving victims of crime,” stated United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.  “Our staff of professionals are dedicated to ensuring that victims’ rights are protected, and that their voices are heard in every case.”

“The rights of crime victims are critically important. They have been victimized, traumatized, injured, and some are surviving family members of a loved one that has been killed,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “Hopefully, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will not only bring awareness of crime survivors and will make others think about their plight beyond this week.”

Each year in April, the federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by raising awareness of victims' rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.”  Partner organizations are committed to engaging with victims of crime; learning from their lived experiences; amplifying their voices; and fostering an environment where they are heard, believed, and supported.

This year Crime Stoppers of Michigan, in partnership with the Detroit Crime Victims Action Team (DCVAT), which is comprised of special agents and victim advocates from federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Detroit area, will honor the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit-Interim House Domestic Violence Shelter for their work with domestic violence victims and their children. For years, the YWCA has provided safe housing and counseling for women and children who are seeking shelter from an abusive situation. 

This year’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week event will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, Michigan.   Katrina Carmichael, Founder/CEO of Sister2Sister Connection, LLC, a mentoring program for young women and Founder/Executive Director of SADA’s House, a non-profit organization providing assistance for victims of domestic violence, will be the guest speaker and share her emotional story of how she lost her sister as a result of an act of domestic violence.  There will also be a butterfly release following the presentation to honor those who have been victimized by crime.

Following the event, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office will be hosting a Wellness Event featuring vendors, food trucks, resources, and more.  For more information about the wellness event, contact Mechelle Donahoo at 313-224-5626 or Pat Little at 313-559-6624.

All are welcome to attend this event. 

According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2021, there were more than 4.6 million violent victimizations and 11.7 million property crimes, the latest year for which such information is available. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.

For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.ojp.gov.

DETROIT – Transitioning formerly-incarcerated individuals back into their communities requires a team effort, which is why the United States Attorney’s Office, along with Wayne State University, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and other community partners organized a symposium that brought together returning citizens and support networks to share ideas and best practices for improving the success for citizens returning to the community.  The symposium was part of Second Chance Month where we raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction and help individuals who have completed their sentences make the best of their second chance. 

 “Our justice system must be vigilant in holding individuals accountable when they commit crimes, but we must be equally vigilant in helping those who want to take advantage of their second chance by becoming contributing members of society,” stated U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “Helping returning citizens effectively reintegrate into society is a matter of public safety.  This work helps us carry out our obligation to make our community safer. I salute the individuals who are here today making the best of their second chance and helping others to successfully reenter our communities.” 

“This is a full circle moment for me to be a part of helping to empower the lives of our brothers and sisters returning back to our community,” said Darryl Woods, Founder and CEO of Fighting the Good Fight.

“While preventing recidivism and crime remains a key priority for the MDOC, under the direction of Director Heidi Washington, the department has been focused on supporting the success of those impacted by this system with goals such as fostering employment and self-sufficiency,” said Kyle Kaminski, Offender Success Administrator.  “Access to high quality vocational and post-secondary programs is just one way that we are working to prepare people for success, and that work continues in the community with our reentry, education, and community partners.  The value of this type of event is the ability to bring all those groups together, along with men and women impacted by the criminal justice system, to have an open dialogue about how we can have a great impact.”

Raising awareness of and finding solutions for the barriers that exist for individuals who have either served time in prison or have otherwise been impacted because of criminal convictions was the focus of today’s symposium at Wayne State University. 

Detroit Pistons Assistant Coach Jerome Allen spoke about his own experience in the criminal justice system and how taking responsibility for his own mistakes helped him find peace and take advantage of his second chance. Coach Allen directly addressed the returning citizens in the audience and offered them an inspirational message that you do not have to be defined by your mistakes.

More than 115 returning citizens attended the symposium, along with parole and probation officers, law enforcement officials, service providers, and other community leaders.  Vendors from Project Clean Slate, City of Detroit Skills for Live, Blast Detroit, Recovery 4 Detroit, Goodwill Industries, Genesis House, Team Wellness, and Detroit Rescue Mission were in attendance to provide guidance, resources, and assistance to symposium participants.

The symposium addressed breaking through the obstacles to successful re-entry, such as housing barriers, employment, mental health and trauma, child support debt, and family obligations.  Speakers addressed how each of these issues impact successful reintegration into society.  

Additional speakers included U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison; Shirley Stancato, Vice Chair of the Wayne State University Board of Governors; Darryl Woods, Founder and CEO of Fighting the Good Fight; and,  Kyle Kaminski, Offender Success Administrator for Michigan Department of Corrections.

DETROIT - Bingham Farms physician David Jankowski was sentenced today to 20 years in prison based on his conviction following a jury trial of thirty charges related to the unlawful distribution of prescription drugs and for health care fraud, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.  He was also ordered to forfeit over $35 million which represents the proceeds of drug-trafficking, property that facilitated the commission of the offense, and proceeds of the health care fraud conspiracy.  In addition, Jankowski was also ordered to pay restitution to Medicare in the amount $5.2 million.

Joining Ison in the announcement were James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Mario Pinto, Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.

Jankowski, age 63, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Bernard Friedman.  The charges on which he was convicted stemmed from the operation of Summit Medical Group, a purported medical clinic formerly located in Dearborn Heights and Southfield, Michigan and owned by Jankowski.  Federal agents first executed search and arrest warrants against Jankowski and Summit in June 2017.  According to court records, Jankowski gave the Summit Medical Group the false appearance of a legitimate medical center, when in reality Summit was a pill mill supplying narcotics to drug-seeking customers.

In July 2022, a jury found Jankowski guilty of thirty criminal counts, including conspiracies to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and health care fraud, the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, and multiple counts of health care fraud.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Jankowski wrote medically unnecessary prescriptions for drugs like Oxycontin, Oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, and Xanax.  Jankowski persuaded one patient to receive unnecessary shoulder surgery in return for prescribing medically unnecessary controlled substances.  He also prescribed controlled substances after receiving cash from patient recruiters who brought their own patients to his practice.  Trial testimony demonstrated that Jankowski issued or authorized the issuance of more than 1 million opioid pills to individuals outside the course of professional medical practice and for no legitimate medical purpose in exchange for compensation. 

During the trial, the jury heard testimony that Jankowski sent out an unlicensed medical school graduate to perform home visits to Medicare beneficiaries and issue them prescriptions for controlled substances with had been pre-signed by Jankowski. Jankowski, who was not present during the visit, directed that the fraudulent claims to Medicare be submitted as if he himself had performed the service. 

Jankowski induced patients into his practice by providing medically unnecessary controlled substances that were subsequently diverted to the illicit street market. In return, Jankowski submitted false and fraudulent claims to Michigan auto insurance companies, private health care insurers, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.  Based upon this fraudulent scheme, Jankowski received more than $35 million from insurance companies and approximately $5 million from Medicare and Medicaid.

“Michigan communities have seen devastating losses relating to opioid overdoses in the last five years,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.  “Doctors who illegally dispense powerful prescription drugs bear some of the responsibility for this harm to our community. We hope prosecutions like this one will stop medical professionals from abusing their positions by dealing drugs and  stealing from insurance companies and taxpayers. .”

“By prescribing medically unnecessary prescription medications and defrauding health insurance programs, this defendant put vulnerable patients at risk and contributed to the high cost of medical care for all of us,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “Today’s sentence should serve as a warning to any medical professional willing to engage in this type of health care fraud that agents from the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General will work diligently and collaboratively to bring them to justice.” 

“Medical providers who prescribe powerful controlled substances without regard for medical necessity and submit fraudulent claims for unnecessary services, place their patients at risk and waste valuable taxpayer dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto. “We will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure that individuals who endanger patients through their prescribing practices and commit fraud against our federal health care programs are held accountable.”

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Regina R. McCullough, Wayne F. Pratt, Philip A. Ross, Jessica Nathan and Peter Schneider.

DETROIT – The former School Board President of the Madison District Public Schools pleaded guilty today to taking bribes from a local school contractor in a pay-to-play scheme and to tax evasion, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Michigan Division; Charles Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; and John Woolley, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General.

Albert Morrison, age 62, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Laurie Michelson to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery from 2014 through 2018 and tax evasion.  Morrison was the elected President of the Madison District Public Schools Board of Education from 2012 through 2018.  While Morrison was President, co-defendant John David was one of the owners of a building maintenance and reconstruction company, Emergency Restoration (a/k/a Emergency Reconstruction), that was awarded over $3.1 million in maintenance and construction projects in the Madison District Public Schools. 

David, who was a long-time friend of Morrison, wrote over $550,000 in checks from his company to Morrison’s company, Comfort Consulting, from 2014 through 2018.  Morrison deposited the checks from David into his own bank account. The investigation uncovered $561,667 in payments from David to Morrison. David admitted he had to “pay to play” in the school district, and David’s companies received approximately $3,167,275 from the Madison District during the bribery conspiracy. Morrison spent the money from David on personal luxuries such as vacations in Florida and a boat slip. David pleaded guilty to bribery conspiracy and bribery on April 13, 2023.

To keep the payments secret from the school board and the community in the Madison Schools, Morrison, when publicly confronted at a Madison District school board meeting, denied having any financial ties to David or Emergency Restoration.  Morrison and David also failed to disclose to State of Michigan auditors the payments Morrison received from David.

Morrison did not declare to the IRS David’s payments to Comfort Consulting as income in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, or 2018.  In a further effort to conceal the payments from David, Morrison did not file a federal income tax return in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. By not declaring to the IRS the payments from David as income, Morrison avoided paying approximately $118,200 in taxes. 

“This pay- to -play scheme damaged the Madison District Public Schools and undermined the community’s trust in the education system, ,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.  “This prosecution demonstrates we will not allow the greed of corrupt school officials to harm the interests of our children.” 

"Today, Mr. Morrison admitted to accepting bribes while he was president of the Madison District Public School Board. His actions intentionally betrayed the public's trust that he would act in the best interest of the school district and children. Further, his actions destroyed the public's trust that contracts would be awarded through a fair and transparent process."  said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “We thank the IRS and Department of Education Office of Inspector General for working alongside the FBI to investigate these allegations and expose Mr. Morrison’s corruption.”

“The citizens of our community deserve trustworthy public officials, instead of an elected individual who abuses their power to enhance their own lifestyle," said Charles Miller, IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office. "IRS-CI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to make sure everyone pays their fair share of taxes, especially those individuals in positions of trust like Morrison."

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Education. It is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Resnick Cohen, Karen Reynolds, and Gjon Juncaj.

On Friday, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland met with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan as well as federal and local law enforcement partners.

In Detroit, Attorney General Garland met with U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison, along with attorneys and the staff at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.   Attorney General Garland was briefed on a community partnership named “One Detroit” designed to reduce violent crime in the City through a multi-faceted program of crime prevention, services for the re-entry of returning citizens, and focused law enforcement.

One Detroit is the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s comprehensive violence reduction initiative that links evidenced-based strategies with a coalition of stakeholders in the community, government, and law enforcement. The core of the initiative is partnership. By bringing together leaders in government, the community, and law enforcement, and aligning their work, the One Detroit partnership will work to reduce violence through engagement, coordination, and action.

One Detroit includes aggressive investigation and prosecution of the relatively small number of individuals responsible for the most violence. But the One Detroit partners recognize that violence must be prevented and not just punished. And so, the One Detroit partners will also develop and foster meaningful community relationships, promote prevention and intervention programs, and emphasize prisoner reentry programs that involve the community.

Attorney General Garland praised the One Detroit community partnership as critical to addressing violent crime in Detroit.  He shared his support for the work that U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison and the Office’s attorneys and staff are doing to combat violent crime through prevention, intervention and fostering community relationships.

After the briefing, Attorney General Garland met with federal law enforcement officials in Detroit and spoke about the importance of tackling the problem of fentanyl in both the U.S. and Mexico.    Attorney General Garland also met with local law enforcement and commended the strong working relationship between local, state, and federal law enforcement. His visit to Detroit concluded with an address to the staff of the U.S. Attorney’s office.

DETROIT, MI - A Detroit man pleaded guilty today to a wire fraud scheme in which he stole $297,000 of pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits from the State of Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Joining in the announcement were Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Special Agent in Charge John Marengo of the United States Secret Service’s Detroit Field Office.

Terrell Heard, 33, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Matthew F. Leitman.

According to court records, Heard committed fraud by obtaining pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) to which he was not entitled. The plea documents indicate that in approximately April 2020, Heard began to submit electronic applications for PUA benefits to the State of Michigan in the names of various individuals without those individuals’ authorization. In some instances, the PUA benefits were sent to bank accounts Heard controlled. In other instances, the PUA benefits were loaded onto Bank of America debit cards which were then mailed to addresses to which Heard had access.

According to the plea papers, Heard continued submitting false claims to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency until approximately July 2020. He managed to obtain approximately $297,000 from the agency as a result of this fraud, and has agreed to a money judgment forfeiting that amount as part of his plea agreement. He also agreed that his criminal conduct involved more than ten identity theft victims.

Sentencing is set for August 21, 2023 before Judge Leitman. Heard faces a maximum of twenty years in prison.   

“Fraud involving COVID-19 relief programs is sadly widespread, both in our community and nationally,” U.S. Attorney Ison stated. My office alone has charged over 100 defendants with such crimes since the pandemic began. Today’s guilty plea marks another positive step in our ongoing effort to bring to justice those who defrauded pandemic assistance programs.”

“Terrell Heard engaged in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme targeted at the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. Heard conspired to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in the names of other individuals. Today’s guilty plea affirms the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the unemployment insurance program. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate these types of allegations,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

“Thank you to the Department of Labor and the US Attorney’s Office for their continued support in prosecuting COVID relief fraud. The U.S. Secret Service will continue to work cases that impact our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Marengo.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John K. Neal. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and the Secret Service, with assistance from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. 

WASHINGTON – A Michigan man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington to 10 months in federal prison and one-year supervised release for a series of hate crimes he committed in June and July of 2020.

According to court records, Kenneth D. Pilon, 62, previously pleaded guilty to willfully intimidating and attempting to intimidate citizens from engaging in lawful speech and protests in support of Black Lives Matter. Specifically, Pilon admitted to calling nine Starbucks stores in mid and southeast Michigan and telling the employees answering his calls to tell Starbucks employees wearing Black Lives Matter t-shirts that “the only good n***er is a dead n***er.” Pilon also admitted to telling one employee, “I’m gonna go out and lynch me a n***er.” Additionally, over the course of the next month, Pilon left four nooses in parking lots and a fifth noose inside of a 7-Eleven store. Pilon attached each noose to a handwritten note, reading: “An accessory to be worn with your ‘BLM’ t-shirt. Happy protesting!”

“The nooses, the threat letters, and the calls to Starbucks were all intended to terrorize the targeted victims solely because of their race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will always stand up to race-based threats of violence, which have no place in civilized society.”

“A noose is a symbol of hatred that evokes the darkest days of our country’s past.  Its placement is meant to terrorize a part of our community, but we will not tolerate these race-based threats. Our office stands ready to vigorously investigate and prosecute criminal violations of our civil rights laws,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan.

“Pilon’s hateful conduct, motivated by racial intolerance, was intended to intimidate the victims as well as create fear within the African-American community,” said Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will ensure that if a crime is motivated by bias, it will be investigated as a hate crime and the perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions.”

The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Turkelson for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Tara Allison of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case

FLINT– A Mount Morris Township man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for his role in the attempted kidnapping of a woman and his illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Joining in the announcement was James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Field Division and Chief Terence Green, Flint Police Department.

Lugene Maxie, II, age 44, was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, and felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to the indictment and other court records, Maxie and two other men in a car approached the female victim as she was walking.  The men made sexual remarks towards the victim and told her to come with them.  When the victim refused, one of the men got out of the vehicle and began following the woman on foot.  Maxie and the other man picked up the man on foot who was following the victim.  The three then drove past the woman, turned on a side street and stopped.  After the vehicle stopped, Maxie got out and began walking towards the victim.  As Maxie approached the victim, he grabbed her.  The victim pulled away from Maxie and began running from him.  As the woman ran away from Maxie, he pulled a firearm from his waistband and fired two to three gunshots.  Maxie continued to follow the victim as she ran away.

The incident came to the attention of the Michigan State Police who were conducting aerial observation in a Michigan State Police helicopter.  The helicopter radioed to Flint Police who responded to the scene.  When Flint Police arrived, Maxie took off running.  Police pursued Maxie and took him into custody a short distance away.  The Michigan State Police helicopter saw Maxie drop his gun as he was running from the police.  Police recovered the firearm after detaining Maxie. 

“I applaud the teamwork of the Michigan State and Flint Police,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.  “They prevented a brazen kidnapping and likely saved the victim from a sexual assault.” 

“The arrest of Maxie is another fine example of area law enforcement working in partnership to increase public safety in the Flint community. The Flint Police Department, along with our local federal and state agencies are making the message clear, if you commit crime in Flint, arrest and incarceration is in your future,” said Chief Green.

Based upon the charges in the indictment, Maxie faces up to life in prison if convicted.  An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Michigan State Police and the Flint Police Department, with assistance from special agents of the ATF. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony P. Vance.

DETROIT — Today, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison, along with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Kym Worthy, Kenyatta Stephens, CEO Black Family Development,  Detroit Police Chief James E. White, Alvin Stokes, Citywide President, Detroit Citywide Police Community Relations Council,  Heidi E. Washington, Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections and Bishop Edgar Vann, Second Ebenezer Church,  announced a community partnership named “One Detroit” designed to reduce violent crime in the City through a multi-faceted program of crime prevention, services for the re-entry of returning citizens, and focused law enforcement. 

Joining in the announcement were Kenyatta Stephens, the Chief Executive Officer of Black Family Development, Inc.; Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division; Special Agent in Charge James M. Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division; and Sheryl Jones, Director, Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative and Ceasefire Detroit.

One Detroit is the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s comprehensive violence reduction initiative that links evidenced-based strategies with a coalition of stakeholders in the community, government, and law enforcement. The core of the initiative is partnership. By bringing together leaders in government, the community, and law enforcement, and aligning their work, the One Detroit partnership will work to reduce violence through engagement, coordination, and action.

The One Detroit partnership is an effort to reinvigorate and augment the Detroit One initiative by incorporating the lessons we have learned since that effort was announced 10 years ago. One Detroit, like the earlier effort, includes aggressive investigation and prosecution of the relatively small number of individuals responsible for the most violence. But the One Detroit partners recognize that violence must be prevented and not just punished. And so, the One Detroit partners will also develop and foster meaningful community relationships, promote prevention and intervention programs, and emphasize prisoner reentry programs that involve the community.

One Detroit will focus on leveraging the resources, skills, and capacities of the program’s stakeholders to reduce crime and to make our residents and city safer. 

A key aspect of this strategy is to boost efforts at crime prevention. The One Detroit prevention effort, which is led by the City of Detroit, along with community leaders such as Bishop Vann and Black Family Development, will seek to reduce crime through blight elimination, community engagement, job training, and collaboration. The partnership includes community members, faith leaders, law enforcement, and representatives from intervention/outreach organizations. Through open dialogue with these partners, we will better understand the underlying causes of violent crime in the community and collaborate to develop comprehensive solutions to address them. The partners will deter violence through open communication about law enforcement strategies with the community and with those most at risk of becoming involved in violence. And the partners will work to provide alternatives to crime to those in neighborhoods most affected by violence.    

Importantly, One Detroit will also be focused on providing opportunities and assistance to those citizens who are returning to our community from incarceration. Led by the Michigan Department of Corrections, One Detroit will work to ensure that returning citizens have the employment, job training, and support they need to fully reintegrate into society. Helping those who have served their time return to their families and become contributing members of their communities is one of the most effective means to reduce crime in Detroit and across the Eastern District of Michigan.

The third aspect of One Detroit is an enforcement strategy aimed at the most dangerous offenders in those areas of the city suffering the most from violent crime or that face the prospect of increased crime. The One Detroit partnership will work collaboratively to focus its law enforcement efforts on the relatively few individuals and groups inflicting the most violence, rather than the entire community. It will involve close coordination between federal and local law enforcement to identify emerging violent offenders or trends within particular neighborhoods. The partnership will also draw on the expertise of local officers, who have deep experience in the communities they serve. And it will pair that personalized knowledge with technology like the National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (NIBIN), and evidence-based tools like Gunstat. By implementing this data-driven and intelligence-led approach, law enforcement will be able to focus on the small number of people perpetrating violence.   

This strategy is a part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative. PSN continues to be the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is an evidence-based program that focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs to pursue lasting reductions in crime.

“One Detroit seeks to disrupt violence in our neighborhoods by focusing law enforcement resources on the drivers of violent crime, supporting community-based solutions to prevent crime, and ensuring that individuals returning from prison have sufficient supports to take full advantage of their second chances, “stated U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison.  “We need a more mindful approach to violence reduction that acknowledges that law enforcement cannot be the only solution to keeping our communities safe. Through this partnership we will continue to aggressively prosecute those who refuse to stop the violence, but we also endeavor to empower communities and provide opportunity in order to make our community and residents safer,” continued Ison.

"The most sustainable way to reduce violent crime is to get the people committing it to change their own behavior," said Mayor Duggan. "For some, being provided a pathway to an opportunity after being incarcerated may lead to that change. For others it may be the certainty of being arrested and incarcerated if they reoffend.  Effective crime reduction has to be a communitywide effort and I'm grateful to U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison for her leadership in forming this partnership between law enforcement agencies and community organizations."

“As a One Detroit partner, Black Family Development, Inc. commits to provide basic needs (food, clothing, shelter), mental health and substance use treatment, mobile health services, a young men of color support network and social-emotional counseling as prevention and re-entry supports to Detroit residents and families impacted, or at-risk of being impacted, by gun violence,” said Kenyatta Stephens stated.

“I have always known and understood that we must work collaboratively with law enforcement, community stakeholders, and faith leaders, if we want to address crime and keep our citizen’s safe. The One Detroit Initiative is important because it is taking an approach which includes intervention programs, as well as prisoner reentry programs to effectively combat crime,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

“It still takes a village,” said Alvin Stokes.

“The Detroit Police Department looks forward to being a part of the One Detroit partnership and will continue to strategically target the dangerous offenders who victimize our community and work to ensure they are held accountable for their actions,” said Detroit Police Chief James E. White. “Combining the hard work of our officers, our data-driven technology-aided approach and this partnership will assist us in our mission to make Detroit a safer place.”

“We are proud to share our expertise and the time and talents of our agents as partners in this type of focused and targeted action on those perpetrating violence in Detroit,” said Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington. “We are also focused on our efforts to provide reentry resources, education and training so individuals have a way to support themselves and their families, rather than feel the need to resort back to a life of crime so we can create true long-term public safety in this great city.”

“One Detroit is a powerful collaboration of government, the US Attorney’s Office, branches of law enforcement agencies, community activists and stakeholders, and the latest cutting-edge technology. But let this initiative also send a strong message to "heads and hearts" throughout this city and region as this becomes a movement. Think before you act. Inhumanity has consequences. "Stop the violence. Increase the peace,” said Bishop Edgar Vann.

“ATF’s core priority is to protect our communities from violent criminal acts,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir, “We are proud to participate in One Detroit a collaborative crime-abatement initiative between our federal, state, and local partners.”

“Law enforcement and community partners are working together to combat crime in the most violent areas of Detroit,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The FBI contributes to that effort by not only targeting those who commit armed robberies of businesses, along with the leadership of gangs and criminal enterprises, but also by engaging with schools, youth groups, and community groups. By doing so, we are working collaboratively to ensure our neighborhoods are safer places for everyone to live and work.”

“The enforcement aspect of One Detroit is focused on the few bad actors who are causing the most harm, and often these individuals are drug traffickers who use violence and intimidation to broaden their markets. DEA will work with federal, state, and local partners to pursue the worst offenders and make metro-Detroit a safer community,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene.

DETROIT – A supporter of the “Boogaloo” movement pleaded guilty today to being a drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition, and for making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Timothy Allen Teagan, 23, of Plymouth, Michigan, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Sean F. Cox.

According to court records, Teagan is a supporter of the anti-government Boogaloo movement.  Members of the Boogaloo movement advocate for the violent overthrow of the government.  They believe that a civil war or uprising against the government is coming to the United States, and they refer to that conflict as the “Boogaloo.”  On July 17, 2022, Teagan completed a Firearms Transaction Record, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473, in connection with the acquisition of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Westland, Michigan. Teagan applied for the purchase of a Glock 34, 9 millimeter pistol.  On the ATF Form 4473, Teagan checked “no” to the question concerning drug use.  At the time Teagan prepared the ATF Form 4473 and submitted it, he was a frequent and habitual user of marijuana and was also addicted to the drug. Teagan lied on the ATF Form 4473 because he knew that he would be legally prohibited from purchasing and possessing a firearm if he answered truthfully and admitted that he was addicted to marijuana, or a habitual user of marijuana.  Teagan subsequently purchased the Glock 9 mm pistol on July 20, 2022.  

In addition, in October 2022, Teagan possessed a Diamondback Arms, Inc. DB-15 .556 caliber semi-automatic rifle and ammunition. Teagan stored the rifle and some of the ammunition in his bedroom at his father’s home located in Plymouth, Michigan.  Teagan purchased the rifle in December 2019 from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Canton, Michigan. At the time of the December 2019 purchase, Teagan knew that he was a frequent and habitual user of marijuana and therefore not permitted to possess the firearm.

On October 27, 2022, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Teagan’s father’s residence in Plymouth.  During the search, agents recovered the DB-15 rifle, Level IV body armor, gas masks, dozens of rounds of rifle and pistol ammunition, an ACOG rifle sight, firearm magazines, and Boogaloo movement flags and patches.  The Glock 9 mm pistol was recovered from a nearby vehicle.   

“Individuals who illegally possess firearms and who lie to purchase them present a danger to our community,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.  “We will aggressively prosecute those who would violate and seek to circumvent federal firearms laws.”  

“Working with our law enforcement counterparts and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue and prosecute individuals who lie about their habitual drug use in order to purchase a firearm helps keep our communities safe,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “Investigations such as this show the FBI in Michigan is working diligently and tirelessly to protect the American people and uphold the United States Constitution.”

Teagan faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on the firearms possession charge, and a maximum of ten years in prison on the false statement charge.  A sentencing hearing is set for August 16, 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.

DETROIT – A former police lieutenant in charge of the Detroit Police Department’s Integrity Unit  was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison for accepting bribes in a conspiracy with another Detroit police officer in connection with corruption in the towing industry in Detroit, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

John F. Kennedy, 57, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, at one point commanded the Detroit Police Department’s Integrity Unit—a division of the department’s Internal Affairs Division—and was responsible for investigating reports of law violations and professional misconduct by police officers and other city employees. Kennedy conspired with fellow Detroit police officer Daniel S. Vickers to commit bribery by accepting money and other items of value in exchange for Kennedy using and promising to use his influence as a supervisor to persuade other officers to make tow referrals to a towing company in violation of the city’s ordinance and Detroit Police Department policy. Under the city’s towing rotation, qualifying private towing companies are called by the police to tow cars that are seized by the police or reported stolen. Kennedy and Vickers were aware that by making towing referrals directly to a towing company which was not on the city’s towing rotation, they were violating the city’s rules and an ordinance which prohibit a towing company from receiving towing referrals if they are not on police department’s towing rotation. 

Kennedy and fellow Detroit police officer Vickers agreed to accept bribes in the form of thousands of dollars in cars, car parts, car repairs, and new carpeting for Vickers’ home. Besides making illegal tow referrals in exchange for the bribes, Vickers and Kennedy also agreed to provide the towing company that Kennedy was investigating with confidential information about the status of the Integrity Unit’s case.

In total, Kennedy accepted bribes amounting to $14,950 during the course of the conspiracy.  In addition, Vickers accepted over $3,400 in bribe payments from the towing company.

Vickers has pleaded guilty to the bribery conspiracy and was sentenced in February of this year to 27 months in prison.

Vickers and Kennedy were charged as part of the government’s investigation of corruption within the government and the Police Department of the City of Detroit relating to the towing industry and other matters.  Thus far, six defendants have been charged in the probe, and five of those six defendants have been convicted.

U.S. Attorney Ison said, “Today’s sentence underscores our commitment to ensuring local police agencies embody the utmost commitment to excellence, integrity, and professionalism. Thankfully, today’s result is not emblematic of the character of our law enforcement partners. Nevertheless, this type of immoral conduct will and must be punished. We thank Chief of Police James White for his assistance in this investigation.”   

“Police officers take an oath to protect and serve their community. Today, John Kennedy is being held accountable for violating that oath and using his official position to benefit himself personally,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “We appreciate the partnership and cooperation of Detroit Police Chief James White as the FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force continues to address public corruption in the City of Detroit.”

“This former officer’s actions are unacceptable for anyone who has the privilege to wear the Detroit Police badge,” said Detroit Police Chief James E. White. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Ison’s work to bring accountability to those who fail in their sworn duty to serve and protect the public and will continue to collaborate with her office in any investigation of alleged wrongdoing by our officers. Delivering transparent, accountable, policing excellence that Detroiters deserve is a top priority of my administration.”

The case was investigated by the Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Detroit Police Department, Michigan Attorney General's Office, Customs & Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown.

DETROIT – A former police lieutenant in charge of the Detroit Police Department’s Integrity Unit  was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison for accepting bribes in a conspiracy with another Detroit police officer in connection with corruption in the towing industry in Detroit, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

John F. Kennedy, 57, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, at one point commanded the Detroit Police Department’s Integrity Unit—a division of the department’s Internal Affairs Division—and was responsible for investigating reports of law violations and professional misconduct by police officers and other city employees. Kennedy conspired with fellow Detroit police officer Daniel S. Vickers to commit bribery by accepting money and other items of value in exchange for Kennedy using and promising to use his influence as a supervisor to persuade other officers to make tow referrals to a towing company in violation of the city’s ordinance and Detroit Police Department policy. Under the city’s towing rotation, qualifying private towing companies are called by the police to tow cars that are seized by the police or reported stolen. Kennedy and Vickers were aware that by making towing referrals directly to a towing company which was not on the city’s towing rotation, they were violating the city’s rules and an ordinance which prohibit a towing company from receiving towing referrals if they are not on police department’s towing rotation. 

Kennedy and fellow Detroit police officer Vickers agreed to accept bribes in the form of thousands of dollars in cars, car parts, car repairs, and new carpeting for Vickers’ home. Besides making illegal tow referrals in exchange for the bribes, Vickers and Kennedy also agreed to provide the towing company that Kennedy was investigating with confidential information about the status of the Integrity Unit’s case.

In total, Kennedy accepted bribes amounting to $14,950 during the course of the conspiracy.  In addition, Vickers accepted over $3,400 in bribe payments from the towing company.

Vickers has pleaded guilty to the bribery conspiracy and was sentenced in February of this year to 27 months in prison.

Vickers and Kennedy were charged as part of the government’s investigation of corruption within the government and the Police Department of the City of Detroit relating to the towing industry and other matters.  Thus far, six defendants have been charged in the probe, and five of those six defendants have been convicted.

U.S. Attorney Ison said, “Today’s sentence underscores our commitment to ensuring local police agencies embody the utmost commitment to excellence, integrity, and professionalism. Thankfully, today’s result is not emblematic of the character of our law enforcement partners. Nevertheless, this type of immoral conduct will and must be punished. We thank Chief of Police James White for his assistance in this investigation.”   

“Police officers take an oath to protect and serve their community. Today, John Kennedy is being held accountable for violating that oath and using his official position to benefit himself personally,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “We appreciate the partnership and cooperation of Detroit Police Chief James White as the FBI’s Public Corruption Task Force continues to address public corruption in the City of Detroit.”

“This former officer’s actions are unacceptable for anyone who has the privilege to wear the Detroit Police badge,” said Detroit Police Chief James E. White. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Ison’s work to bring accountability to those who fail in their sworn duty to serve and protect the public and will continue to collaborate with her office in any investigation of alleged wrongdoing by our officers. Delivering transparent, accountable, policing excellence that Detroiters deserve is a top priority of my administration.”

The case was investigated by the Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Detroit Police Department, Michigan Attorney General's Office, Customs & Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown.

DETROIT – A Detroit man was sentenced yesterday to 8 years in prison for charges relating to his possession of firearms involved in two shootings in 2021, including one where he indiscriminately fired over thirty rounds at the home occupied by his domestic partner, other adults, and two children, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF in Michigan. 

Jason Foley, 39, who pleaded guilty to two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Nancy Edmunds.

According to court documents, on October 24, 2021, officers from the Warren Police Department recovered two loaded firearms, a Diamondback .223 caliber rifle with a drum magazine and a Smith & Wesson 9-milimeter semiautomatic pistol, from Foley’s vehicle. A firearms examiner determined that the Diamondback rifle was used in a shooting on August 4, 2021, and the 9-milimeter handgun was used in a shooting on October 9, 2021.  On August 4, 2021, Foley was involved in a shooting into a home occupied by several adults and children where officers recovered thirty-one .223 caliber casings and observed at least twenty gunshots in the target home.  Officers also observed gunshots in a nearby house and two vehicles.  Foley was also involved in a shooting on October 9, 2021, where officers recovered ten 9-millimeter casings that had been fired by Foley at a residence.  In both shootings, the intended target was Foley’s girlfriend.  Foley has a history of domestic violence involving at least three different victims, including a 2016 domestic violence conviction.  Foley’s felony convictions include carrying concealed weapons, felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle.    

 “This defendant used firearms and a hail of bullets to terrorize a neighborhood and numerous citizens, including two small children,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “This case is an example of our focused approached to removing the drivers of violence from our community to make it safe.”

“Removing violent offenders from our communities is ATF’s highest priority,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir “We are proud of our long-standing partnerships in the law enforcement community expanding efforts to disrupt and dismantle these violent criminals.”

The investigation of the case was conducted by Special Agent Kevin Rambus of the ATF, and officers with the Detroit Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Danielle Asher prosecuted this case for the United States.

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

DETROIT, Mich. - A West Bloomfield physician pleaded guilty today to illegally distributing over 7,000 oxycodone pills, a Schedule II prescription drug-controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Field Division.

Scott Henry Cooper, 61, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Denise Page Hood. 

According to court records, Cooper practiced as a primary care physician at a medical clinic, Comprehensive Medical Associates, located in West Bloomfield, MI, from 2013 through 2018.  A portion of his practice involved patients who sought highly abused and valuable prescription drug-controlled substances such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, alprazolam (Xanax) and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall).  The defendant was required by his employer to see Medicaid (low income) patients. Cooper admitted that his controlled substance patients were problem patients, he did not want to see them, and in fact he often did not see them while continuing to prescribe controlled substances. 

One such patient served time in prison from January 9, 2015 until December 7, 2017.  For almost three years the defendant wrote monthly prescriptions for the patient without an examination or determination of medical necessity.  The prescriptions were picked up at the front desk by a relative while the patient was in prison.  The drugs prescribed by Cooper to the patient while the patient was in prison totaled over 7,000 dosage units.  The count of conviction relates to a prescription written on October 16, 2017,  without an examination or determination of medical necessity.  The prescription was for 120 dosage units of oxycodone 15mg.   

Under the terms of the guilty plea agreement, the judge must impose a sentence of at least 44 months in prison and may impose a sentence of up to 87 months of imprisonment.  The exact sentence imposed will be determined at sentencing, which will take place on August 24, 2023, at 2 PM. 

The defendant has not been able to prescribe any prescription drug-controlled substances since June of 2020, due to bond conditions imposed by the court. 

“A doctor who supplies a patient with addictive and dangerous controlled substances without assessing the patient’s need for the drugs endangers the patient and the community,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office is committed to keeping highly addictive opioids off the street, and we will aggressively investigate and prosecute doctors who illegally distribute controlled substances.”

Special Agent in Charge Orville stated, ““Dr. Cooper’s actions were reckless and criminal. This type of negligence by medical personnel is what fuels addiction. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who act illegally and put patients’ health and safety at risk.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wayne F. Pratt of the Health Care Fraud Unit.

DETROIT – A school contractor pleaded guilty today to bribing and conspiring with Albert Morrison, the former School Board President of Madison District Public Schools, in a half-million dollar pay to play scheme, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Michigan Division; Sarah Kull, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; and John Woolley, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General.

John David, age 65, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Laurie Michelson to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery from 2014 through 2018 and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.  Morrison was the elected President of the Madison District Public Schools Board of Education from 2012 through 2018.  While Morrison was President, David was one of the owners of a building maintenance and reconstruction company, Emergency Restoration (a/k/a Emergency Reconstruction), that was awarded over $3.1 million in maintenance and construction projects in the Madison District Public Schools. 

According to court records, David, who was a long-time friend of Morrison, wrote over $550,000 in checks from his company to Morrison’s company, Comfort Consulting, from 2014 through 2018.  Morrison deposited the checks from David into his own bank account. The investigation uncovered $561,667 in payments from David to Morrison. David admitted he had to “pay to play” in the school district, and David’s companies received approximately $3,167,275 from the Madison District during the bribery conspiracy. Morrison spent the money from David on personal luxuries such as vacations in Florida and a boat slip.

To keep the payments secret from the school board and the community in the Madison Schools, Morrison, when publicly confronted at a Madison District school board meeting, denied having any financial ties to David or Emergency Restoration.  Morrison and David also failed to disclose to State of Michigan auditors the payments Morrison received from David.

“Our community deserves school systems free of corruption,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.  “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to ensure that public officials in our educational systems put the interests of our children first.” 

“Mr. David guaranteed he would receive work funded by Madison District Public Schools not by participating in a fair and transparent process, but by bribing those in positions of power,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top investigative priorities because of the negative impact corruption has on the public’s faith in government agencies. The FBI, IRS, and Department of Education Office of Inspector General will continue to work cooperatively to hold those who engage in corrupt practices in our education system accountable for their crimes.”

Sentencing is set for August 14, 2023 at 1 PM.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, and the Department of Education. It is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Resnick Cohen, Karen Reynolds, and Gjon Juncaj.

DETROIT – A Detroit man was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for charges relating to three separate violent carjackings in June and July 2020, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced today.

Worthy and Ison were joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Detroit Police Chief James E. White.

Rayquan Sturgis, 23, had previously pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of carjacking, one count of carjacking causing serious bodily injury, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Sturgis was sentenced by United States District Judge Sean F. Cox.

Sturgis was initially charged with one of the carjackings by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. However, Wayne County dismissed the carjacking charge so that it could be included with federal gun and carjacking charges in the federal case. “This is an example of the excellent collaboration between Prosecutor Worthy’s office and my office,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “This collaboration was critical in obtaining this significant federal sentence that was handed down today and will be critical in our approach to violent crime going forward.”

According to the court documents, in three separate incidents, Sturgis carjacked three people after each of them had tried to help him in different ways.  On June 10, 2020, the first victim offered him a ride after he was in a crash.  After she drove him 15 minutes away, Sturgis pointed a gun at her and forced her out of her car and drove away.  On June 18, 2020, Sturgis approached the second victim and asked for help jumpstarting his car.  After driving Sturgis a few blocks, Sturgis got out of the car, walked around to the driver’s side and shot the victim multiple times without even giving him a chance to surrender.  The victim suffered permanent injuries from the gunshot wounds.  And on July 7, 2020, Sturgis was given a ride by the third victim from Inkster to Detroit.  When they arrived in Detroit, Sturgis pistol whipped the victim while he was driving, stole his sunglasses, and then pistol whipped him again and forced him out of the car and drove off.

Two of the carjackings, including where Sturgis shot the victim, went unsolved for nearly a year.  The U.S. Attorneys Office, FBI, and Detroit Police continued to investigate the case and were able to identify Sturgis as the perpetrator after interviewing additional witnesses and collecting evidence from Sturgis’s social media accounts and phone records linking him to the crimes.

“Individuals who assault and carjack the citizens of this district will not escape the dedicated and persistent employees of the Department of Justice, the Detroit Police Department, and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. This case is a prime example of how my office and our federal and local law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to prosecute those who use firearms to terrorize the citizens of our community,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.

“Sometimes it takes a village working together collaboratively to keep the community safe. These cases are a good example of this. A dangerous predator will no longer be free to prey on others,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

“Armed carjacking poses an unacceptable danger to public safety and creates a climate of fear for residents in our community,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “This case serves as an example of the collaboration between the FBI and the Detroit Police Department to bring justice to bear upon violent criminals like Rayquan Sturgis who use firearms to victimize innocent people.”

The investigation of the case was conducted by special agents and task force officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers with the Detroit Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Picek prosecuted this case for the United States.

DETROIT – A 38-year-old Detroit man was sentenced to life imprisonment today for murder, racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and other gang related crimes, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Evidence at trial showed that Duane Peterson acted as the leader of “It’s Just Us” (IJU), a violent street gang. At its peak, the gang boasted 40 members. IJU terrorized the Detroit community from 2014 through the beginning of 2019 by engaging in violent acts, obstruction of justice, and witness intimidation. In May 2017, IJU ambushed a 33-year-old Detroit man for allegedly disparaging an IJU associate. Peterson chased the man down and executed him, shooting him in the back of the head while he lay dying on the ground.

In March 2018, Peterson and another IJU member opened fire on a carful of innocent bystanders who happened to be stopped at a red light and saw Peterson beating a female in a liquor store parking lot.

Evidence at trial also showed that Peterson ran a heroin/fentanyl drug conspiracy, with at least fifteen IJU members and associates distributing the deadly drugs in Detroit, Jackson, Flint, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

Eight defendants were charged in the case. Seven previously pleaded guilty; only Peterson proceeded to trial.

United States District Judge Robert H. Cleland sentenced Peterson to life imprisonment.

“Thanks to a team effort from multiple federal, state, and local agencies, a violent gang leader has been permanently removed from the streets. Violent gang activity and dangerous narcotics trafficking will not be tolerated in our community,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.

“Duane Peterson was found guilty of committing multiple crimes, including murder, as the leader of the IJU street gang, and for those crimes he will spend the rest of his life in prison,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “Violent street gangs like IJU threaten the safety and security of everyone in our community. The FBI, alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the country, will continue to target and dismantle gangs that wreak havoc on our neighborhoods.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency, Detroit Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and many other state and local agencies in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maggie Smith and Eaton Brown.

DETROIT – Two Detroit men were sentenced to multiple years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to a series of three carjackings occurring in a three-day period, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Damario Howell, 21, was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison.  Seandre Braxton, 24, was sentenced in February of this year to 15 years in federal prison.  Both were sentenced before United States District Judge Judith Levy.

According to court records, Braxton and Howell committed the first carjacking on September 29, 2021, and the second and third carjackings on October 1, 2021, all in Detroit.  In the first carjacking, Braxton and Howell pointed handguns at the victim seated in his car and removed the victim from the vehicle before Howell drove off. In the second carjacking, Braxton and Howell, while armed with handguns, confronted a victim outside his car and demanded the keys before Braxton drove off in the victim’s car. In the third carjacking, Braxton and Howell seized a third car after confronting the victims at gunpoint, with Braxton driving off with their car.

Minutes after the third carjacking, Howell fled from police by smashing the car from the second carjacking into a police car, driving off in a highspeed chase, exiting the car, and entering the car from the third carjacking driven by Braxton. Braxton drove off in another highspeed chase that ended when Braxton crashed the car into two other vehicles. Following a short foot chase, both Braxton and Howell were arrested.

Braxton and Howell both pleaded guilty to three counts of carjacking, one count of carrying a firearm while committing a carjacking, and one count of brandishing a firearm while committing a carjacking. Braxton and Howell’s sentencing guidelines were increased for reckless endangerment during flight because of the highspeed chases. 

“Carjacking is one of the most brazen crimes. These defendant’s carjacking spree not only endangered their victims, but their reckless indifference also created a significant risk of harm across the community,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “We will seek significant federal penalties against those who prey on motorists in our communities.”

Armed carjacking poses an unacceptable danger to public safety and creates a climate of fear for residents in our community," said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Field Office. "The FBI remains committed to working alongside the Detroit Police Department and Michigan State Police to curb these violent offenses and bring the perpetrators to justice."

This case was investigated by the FBI Violent Crime Task Force, Detroit Police Department, and Michigan State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul Kuebler.

DETROIT – A repeat sex offender was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in her announcement by Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Detroit Field Office.

Charles Robert Taylor, Jr., 35, of Detroit, had been convicted of causing a 10 year old minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct with an adult female so that he could create a video on his cellular phone. Taylor then distributed the video to at least one other person.

Taylor committed this offense while on parole as a registered sex offender. This incident was the second time Taylor’s parole was revoked for this type of conduct, and Taylor was out of prison for less than one year when he committed this offense. Taylor was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Victoria A. Roberts. 

“This offender committed a horrific act, an offense made even more serious because he did so while on supervision for another sex offense. This sentence will protect the public and demonstrates our commitment to keep children safe,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.

“Taylor’s heinous actions and the fact that he committed them while on parole for other sex crimes is evidence of the danger he poses to our communities,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “We will continue to prioritize the innocence and well-being of children by diligently investigating sexual offenses involving minors.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rawsthorne. 

DETROIT – A Detroit man was sentenced today to two years in prison for purchasing a Draco pistol for his friend, Ehmani Davis, who would go on to use the firearm in the killing of Detroit Police Officer Loren Courts, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Craig Kailimai Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms.

Sheldon Thomas, age 27, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gershwin Drain. According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 7, 2022, Thomas bought a Century Arms Draco pistol in Eastpointe, Michigan. Thomas admitted to lying on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Record Form 4473, by falsely certifying that he was the buyer of the firearm when he knew he was purchasing it for Ehmani Davis.

Thomas gave Davis the firearm on the day of the purchase. Thomas admitted that Davis gave him the money to buy the firearm. Thomas further admitted that he made multiple attempts to purchase a handgun for Davis.

“The tragic death of Detroit Police Officer Loren Courts is another terrible example of what happens when guns are supplied to those who are prohibited from possessing them,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “Fighting violent crime is a top priority in our office, and we are committed to holding accountable those who engage in illicit firearm transactions.”

“The loss of Detroit Police Officer Courts was a tragedy that could have been prevented. There are serious consequences that can come from illegally purchasing firearms for prohibited individuals. A critical part of ATF’s mission is to stop violent criminals from possessing firearms before a loss of life occurs,” said, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai “We will continue to work side by side with our U.S. Attorney’s, federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Lanning.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

DETROIT – A Detroit man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft arising out of a scheme to defraud multiple states out of more than $1.6 million in pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and Special Agent in Charge John Marengo of the United States Secret Service’s Detroit Field Office.   

Darren Smith, 36, entered his guilty pleas before United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg. 

According to court records, beginning as early as May 2020 and continuing through at least July 2020, Smith, with the intent to defraud, filed approximately 250 fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims seeking pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefits to which he was not entitled.  Smith submitted the fraudulent claims in the names of multiple individuals, using their Social Security Numbers and other personal identifying information, without their authorization or consent.  The fraudulent UI benefits were paid out via debit cards, which Smith then used to repeatedly withdraw the funds via ATMs located in the Eastern District of Michigan.

United States Attorney Ison stated, “This case reflects our ongoing commitment to prosecute those who took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic by stealing funds intended for those in need.  We treat this kind of fraud especially seriously because corruption within these programs undermines trust and confidence in government programs generally.  My office will remain vigilant in the pursuit of those who cheat the government and their fellow citizens.” 

“Darren Smith engaged in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme that targeted multiple state workforce agencies. Smith submitted false unemployment insurance claims in the names of identity theft victims to obtain debit cards loaded with stolen unemployment benefits. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the unemployment insurance system from those who exploit these benefit programs,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

“The U.S. Secret Service continues to work with our law enforcement partners on UIA Fraud schemes.  We are thankful to the US Attorney’s Office and Department of Labor for partnering with us in the investigation and prosecution of this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Marengo.

Smith faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment on the charge of wire fraud and a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment on the charge of aggravated identity theft.  Per the terms of his plea agreement, Smith will also be required to pay restitution to the victim states in the total amount of $1,611,648.  Sentencing is set for August 17, 2023, at 2pm.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Youngblood and Special Assistant United States Attorney Corinne M. Lambert.

DETROIT – Former St. Clair Shores physician Bernard Shelton, 66, was convicted today by a federal jury in Detroit on twenty-one charges related to the unlawful distribution of prescription drugs. He was also convicted of a patient’s overdose death that resulted from his unlawful prescribing, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Field Division.

The trial began on February 28, 2023 and was conducted before United States District Judge Denise Page Hood.

The evidence demonstrated that Shelton prescribed over 5.5 million doses of controlled substances between April 2013 and December 2016.  Shelton prescribed over 2.7 million doses of Schedule II controlled substances such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, usually prescribing the types and strengths of drugs most valuable on the street market.  When an undercover patient made an initial visit to Dr. Shelton complaining of back stiffness, Dr. Shelton did not examine the patient’s back, but instead asked “What can I give you today” before prescribing the requested narcotics.  The jury found that Dr. Shelton issued twenty-one prescriptions to seven different patients outside the usual course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose so he could charge for office visits and tests. Shelton received over $1.4 million from Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan during the same time period.

Shelton began prescribing opioid pain relievers in 2010 to a patient whose pain was previously treated by prescription strength Motrin.  Shelton prescribed increasingly stronger controlled substances over the next six years, and the patient became addicted to the drugs.  On January 14, 2016, Shelton unlawfully prescribed an increased dosage of oxycodone to the 54-year-old patient.  The patient filled the prescription on January 18, 2016.  The patient suffered an overdose two days later, but received Narcan and survived.  A second oxycodone overdose four days later, on January 24, 2016, was fatal.  

Based on the jury’s verdict, Shelton will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life.  Shelton will be sentenced in July, 2023. 

Due to licensure actions, Shelton has been unable to prescribe controlled substances since January 2017.

“Doctors who dangerously prescribe opiates for their own profit endanger the community just like other drug dealers.  When a doctor causes an overdose death with an illegitimate prescription, we will not hesitate to hold the doctor accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “My office is committed to keeping highly addictive opioids off the street, and we will aggressively investigate and prosecute medical professionals  or anyone else who illegally distribute controlled substances.”

“The DEA, through regulation and enforcement, will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to investigate and eventually prosecute medical professionals who use their position to conceal the unlawful diversion and distribution of prescription drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Greene.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the St. Clair Shores police department and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  The trial was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Wayne F. Pratt and Lisandra Fernandez-Silber.

DETROIT – An Ypsilanti man pleaded guilty this week to making several false statements in his security clearance application for a job working with the United States Navy overseas, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to court records, Yifei Chu, age 57, a naturalized U.S. citizen and recent employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), applied for a three-year detailed assignment to the United States Embassy in Singapore working for the United States Navy. To obtain this position, Chu was required to apply for and obtain a security clearance. Chu made several false statements in his security clearance application during an interview with federal background investigators and in an affidavit he signed regarding his security clearance application.

Chu’s false statements were made to hide his extensive contacts with members of the Taiwanese Navy and a Taiwanese company. These contacts included the fact that Chu was hired by the Taiwanese company to provide consulting services on a “classified” Taiwanese Navy project, was paid money by the Taiwanese company, and that he traveled to Taiwan on multiple occasions to meet with members of the Taiwanese Navy on a military base in Taiwan in performance of his consulting services.

Chu pleaded guilty to both counts charged in the indictment: (1) making false statements and (2) falsifying records in a federal investigation. Chu faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on the false statements charge, and a maximum of twenty years in prison on the false record in a federal investigation charge. Sentencing is set for August 15, 2023 before United States District Judge Victoria A. Roberts.

“It is vital that those individuals who gain access to classified information related to our national defense are truthful and honest about their connections to foreign governments so that our nation’s military secrets do not end up in the wrong hands,” said United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

“This case is about more than just lying on a job application,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “In order to obtain a position with the U.S. Navy, Chu attempted to hide his extensive contacts with the Taiwanese government, potentially giving them access to our nation’s classified information and military technology. The FBI continues to work tirelessly to ensure only the most trusted people have access to the U.S. Government’s sensitive information.” 

The case was investigated by the FBI and handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald Waterstreet.

BAY CITY – A Tuscola County man, who went by the online moniker “thefundad,” was sentenced this week to 27 years in prison for sexually exploiting two 13-year-old girls, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Detroit Field Office.

Brian Siwka, age 39, of Reese, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Judge Thomas L. Ludington. Siwka sexually exploited two 13-year-old girls that he found through the “Kik” social media application. He engaged in sexual chats with both girls and made them take sexually explicit photographs of themselves and send them to him over the internet via Kik. Siwka further admitted that he had produced nearly two dozen recordings of other minors online, whom he had also made engage in sexually explicit conduct for him. At the time of his arrest in September 2020, Siwka was in possession of 178 images of child pornography and 21 videos of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct at the urging of Siwka on his laptop.   

“This defendant repeatedly sought out, groomed, and sexually exploited multiple children whom he met online,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “Our work rooting out these online sexual predators seems never-ending, but my office will not stop bringing online sexual predators and all who prey on our children to justice.”

“Our agents and partners will continue to identify and apprehend these predators within our communities and work to bring them to justice,” said Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Detroit Field Office. “It is my hope that this sentencing brings some measure of peace to these victims and deters others from targeting children online.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Nee.

FLINT – A Flint convenience store operator pleaded guilty this week to engaging in more than $1.1 million in fraudulent transactions involving food and nutrition benefit programs, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Shantel R. Robinson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Midwest Region.

Ranjit (“Nancy”) Ghotra, age 33, formerly of Swartz Creek, Michigan, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before United States District Judge F. Kay Behm. Ghotra assisted in the operation of Cheers Market, a convenience store in Flint, Michigan.

According to the information provided to the Court at the guilty plea hearing, Ghotra engaged in a fraud scheme involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. These programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provide benefits to raise the level of nutrition of low-income households and children.

As part of the scheme, Ghotra permitted beneficiaries of the SNAP and WIC programs to use their benefits to buy ineligible items, such as alcohol and tobacco, or allowed them to obtain cash instead of food products, in violation of program regulations. In each case, Ghotra charged program beneficiaries approximately double the amount in benefits as the price of the ineligible items purchased or the cash provided. Between 2017 and 2020, Ghotra carried out more than $1.1 million in fraudulent SNAP and WIC transactions.

While the federal prosecution was pending, Ghotra purchased an international plane ticket and attempted to leave the country in violation of her bond conditions. She was arrested at the gate at Chicago O’Hare International Airport with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Patrol agents, and returned to Michigan.

Ghotra faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for wire fraud. Judge Behm will ultimately determine the appropriate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“Ranjit Ghotra spent years defrauding benefits programs that were intended to assist low-income households, and especially children,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “This guilty plea reflects my office’s commitment to protecting the integrity of federal programs that help ensure that everyone can afford to provide their families with healthy, nutritious food.”

“This investigation and prosecution should serve as warning to all stores participating in the WIC and SNAP programs as vendors that fraud and trafficking—the purchase of WIC and SNAP benefits for cash—will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted by the USDA-OIG, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and its stakeholders. The USDA-OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney's Office, who prosecuted this case, Homeland Security Investigations, and Genesee County Sheriff’s office for their assistance with the investigation,” said Shantel R. Robinson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Midwest Region.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Genesee County Sheriff’s office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ann Nee and Adriana Dydell.

DETROIT – A federal inmate pleaded guilty today to murdering a fellow inmate at the Milan Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Jonathan Hemingway, Warden, Milan Federal Correctional Institution.

Alex Albert Castro, 42, a former resident of Fontana, California, pleaded guilty today to second degree murder before United States District Court Judge Jonathan J.C. Grey.

According to court records, on January 2, 2019, Castro, along with co-defendants Jason Kechego, 41, and Adam Taylor Wright, 42, killed fellow inmate Christian Maire. Castro repeatedly stabbed Maire while Kechego and Wright kicked and stomped him in the head. Castro, along with his two co-defendants, then threw Maire’s body down a flight of stairs. Maire died from multiple stab wounds (28 total) and blunt force trauma to the head from being thrown down the stairs.

Castro’s plea agreement calls for a possible sentence of up to life in prison, which could be imposed concurrently, partially concurrently, or consecutively to the 42-year sentence Castro is already serving for his underlying 2017 federal drug trafficking conviction.

In 2022, Wright pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to just over 24 years of imprisonment. Kechego was convicted at trial of second degree murder and sentenced to 28 years of imprisonment.  At that same trial, the jury was unable to agree on a verdict for Castro and a mistrial was declared.

“This savage crime deserves the most serious of consequences. My office is committed to preventing violence wherever it occurs.  These convictions show that we will not turn a blind eye to this type of conduct and will aggressively prosecute violence within our prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.

“The senseless murder committed by Mr. Wright and his codefendants jeopardized the safety of corrections officers, staff, and inmates,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work with the Bureau of Prisons to hold violent offenders accountable for the crimes they commit while behind bars.”

Sentencing has been set for July 28, 2023 at 10am.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frances Lee Carlson and Andrew R. Picek.

DETROIT –  A previously convicted drug trafficker was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for leading a drug organization with international ties that trafficked fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine across the country, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division, and Charles E. Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, Detroit Division.

Maurice Montain McCoy, Jr., 41, of Moreno Valley, California, led a drug and money laundering conspiracy that had distribution hubs in multiple cities across the United States, including Novi, Michigan. The DEA seized more than 30 kilograms of fentanyl and over half a million dollars in cash from the organization’s stash house in Novi. At the time, the DEA’s seizure was the largest fentanyl seizure in Michigan and one of the largest in the United States. The seizure was the result of creative investigative work by federal agents. They traced a UPC code off a Sony PlayStation box that was used to deliver heroin to a drug customer. That UPC code led to the Novi condominium where the PlayStation was active. Agents identified couriers who crisscrossed the United States delivering kilograms, transporting bulk currency, or laundering money, leading to multiple arrests and additional seizures in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Baltimore, Maryland, where the organization also operated. All identified couriers and large-scale drug customers who were indicted have pleaded guilty. McCoy directed the organization’s activity and lived lavishly off the proceeds, purchasing a Porsche Panamera, expensive jewelry, including diamond and gold pendants for some members of his drug organization, and a half million-dollar home in the greater Los Angeles area.

McCoy, who previously served ten years in federal prison for a drug conviction in California, faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. McCoy was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg.

“Fentanyl is now the leading cause of overdose deaths. The number of lives saved by this seizure is inestimable. Our office will hold drug traffickers accountable for exposing our community to dangerous drugs,” stated United States Attorney Dawn Ison.

“The sentencing of Mr. McCoy should serve as a reminder to those who choose to traffic poison in our communities, that they will be held accountable,” stated Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division. “Mr. McCoy, having served a prior term in federal prison, was well aware of the potential consequences of his actions. The DEA will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to target the sources of supply and their drug trafficking networks throughout the state of Michigan and elsewhere.”

“The role of IRS Criminal Investigation in narcotics investigations is to follow the money so we can financially disrupt and dismantle international drug trafficking organizations,” said Charles Miller, IRS Criminal Investigation, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office. “We are proud to work hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners to bring these criminals to justice.”

The case was investigated by agents of Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement (OCDETF) Southeast Regional Strike Force. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrea Hutting, Craig Wininger, and Gjon Juncaj prosecuted the case for the United States.

DETROIT – A regional hospital system and two physicians have paid over $69 million in three related civil settlements to resolve possible False Claims Act violations, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chicago Regional Office, Special Agent in Charge Scott Pierce, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Central Area Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office.  

Covenant Healthcare System, a regional hospital system based in the Saginaw, Michigan area, paid $69 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act of improper financial relationships with eight referring physicians and a physician-owned investment group, resulting in the submission of false claims to the Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and FECA programs.  Two of these physicians, neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Adams and electrophysiologist Dr. Asim Yunus will pay the United States $406,551.15 and $345,987.54, respectively, to resolve allegations related to their relationships with Covenant.

The Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”) prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally-funded programs.  The Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly known as the Stark Law, prohibits a hospital from billing Medicare for certain services referred by physicians with whom the hospital has an improper financial arrangement, including the payment of compensation that exceeds the fair market value of the services actually provided by the physician and the provision of free or below-market rent.  Both the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law are intended to ensure that physicians’ medical judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and instead are based on the best interests of their patients.

The settlement with Covenant resolves the following allegations:

• At various points between 2006 to 2016, Covenant had contracts with Asim Yunus, M.D., Kimiko Sugimoto, M.D., Sujal Patel, M.D., Sussan Bays, M.D., Guy Boike, M.D., and Thomas Damuth, M.D. to serve as medical directors, and none of these arrangements satisfied any exceptions to the Stark Law or the AKS, such that referrals these physicians made to Covenant violated the False Claims Act.
•  
• From June 1, 2006, to December 14, 2009, Covenant employed Mark Adams, M.D., and this financial relationship did not satisfy any exception to the Stark Law, such that referrals for designated healthcare services by Adams to Covenant were prohibited and violated the False Claims Act.

• From January 21, 2009, through July 31, 2013, Covenant rented office space to Ernie Balcueva, M.D.  Covenant forgave Balcueva’s rent payments, constituting remuneration that Covenant paid in exchange for referrals from Balcueva in violation of the AKS and the False Claims Act, and creating a financial relationship that did not meet any exception to the Stark Law, also violating the False Claims Act.

• Covenant permitted Covenant Physician Investment Group (“CPIG”), a group owned by Covenant-employed physicians for the purpose of purchasing large medical equipment that CPIG would lease to Covenant, to secure an equipment lease through non-arm’s-length negotiations, in order to induce referrals of patients from these physicians, in violation of the AKS and the False Claims Act.

As a result of this settlement, which was finalized in 2021, Covenant paid the United States $67,191,436.39 and the State of Michigan $1,808,563.61.  This settlement remained under seal while the United States continued its investigation into Adams and Yunus, which led to the settlements with Adams and Yunus.  Consistent with the terms of their respective settlement agreements with the United States, Adams paid the United States $406,551.15, and Yunus will pay the United States $345,987.54.

“Improper financial relationships and kickbacks undermine the integrity of federally-funded healthcare programs by influencing physician decision making,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.  “This outcome emphasizes our Office’s commitment to pursuing justice against parties on both sides of those relationships—the hospital seeking to influence the physician via certain compensation schemes and the physician accepting the compensation.”  U.S. Attorney Ison added, “I would like to commend the new leadership at Covenant for making things right once its past wrongdoing was brought to its attention by federal investigators.”

“Financial relationships that are based solely on monetary gain undermine the trust that we place in our nation’s medical providers and can result in costly reductions to our Federal health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.

“These settlements send a clear message to healthcare providers that the government is vigilantly protecting federal benefit programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Pierce of United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Central Area Field Office. “The USPS OIG appreciates our law enforcement partners for their commitment and efforts in this investigation. The USPS OIG will continue to vigorously investigate those who engage in activities that harm federal benefit programs and the U.S. Postal Service.”

"Protecting TRICARE, the healthcare system for military members and their dependents, is a top priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General," stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office.  "The settlements announced today demonstrate our ongoing commitment to work with the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of improper financial relationships that place unnecessary financial pressure on the TRICARE system."

The civil settlements resolve the claims brought by Stacy Goldsholl, M.D., under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under these provisions, a private party may file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.  The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Goldsholl v. Covenant Healthcare System, et al., No. 12-15422 (E.D. Mich.).  The whistleblower will receive a combined $12,384,927.36 from the three settlements.  The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only; there has been no determination or admission of liability.

The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonny Zajac of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, with assistance from HHS-OIG, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the United States Postal Service-OIG.

DETROIT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan resolved its investigation of Dearborn Obstetrics and Gynecology, P.C. The complainant, who is deaf and utilizes American Sign Language (ASL) as her primary means of communication, alleged that Dearborn Obstetrics failed to provide her with free ASL interpretation services and dismissed her as a patient due to her disability. The voluntary resolution agreement between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, and Dearborn Obstetrics requires the doctor’s office to fully comply with the non-discrimination requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The ADA protects the rights of all individuals, regardless of disability, to fully and equally enjoy the benefits and services offered by places of public accommodation, which includes medical practices. It requires such places of public accommodation to provide the necessary auxiliary aids and services to ensure that communication with their patients is effective. The agreement emphasizes the practice’s commitment to ADA compliance going forward. Consistent with the ADA, the agreement requires Dearborn Obstetrics to provide ASL interpreters and other auxiliary aids and services free of charge when necessary.

“Individuals who have disabilities should not face additional barriers when accessing medical care,” U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison said. “To prevent such barriers, the Americans with
Disabilities Act requires effective communication with patients who are deaf or hard of hearing, such as the ASL interpreter that this patient needed.”

Under the agreement, Dearborn Obstetrics will adopt new ADA policies and practices, train its staff on those polices, report any future complaints from individuals who have disabilities to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and provide monetary compensation to the complainant.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation was led by AUSA Michael El-Zein, a member of the Eastern District’s Civil Rights Unit. The full and fair enforcement of the ADA is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The Civil Rights Unit was established in 2010 with the mission of prioritizing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, including a copy of the agreement, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/programs/civil-rights.

Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or have experienced a civil rights violation can submit a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office by email at usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov or by phone at (313) 226-9151. Complaints can also be submitted to the Civil Rights Division through its complaint portal.

DETROIT – A Sterling Heights man, who qualifies as a repeat and dangerous sex offender, was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting multiple children, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in her announcement by Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Detroit Field Office.

Thomas Neil, 42, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, admitted that in July 2020 he pretended to be a teenage female on the Instagram Internet messaging platform. Neil then tricked a 13-year-old male minor into creating sexually explicit images of himself and sending them to Neil.

The subsequent investigation determined that Neil used the same method to victimize approximately sixteen boys beginning as early as 2010. Neil often had the minors engage in behavior that would be humiliating or painful. According to Court records, Neil qualifies under federal sentencing guidelines as a repeat and dangerous sex offender based on his conduct.

Neil was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg.

“This investigation and subsequent prosecution ended this defendant’s repeated sexual exploitation of children. This significant sentence demonstrates that those that seek to harm our children through online exploitation will be held responsible. We will continue to work to make the Internet a safer place for our children,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.

“Our communities are safer with predators like Neil off our streets, where he can no longer victimize innocent children,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “Our agents and partners will continue to do the work necessary to ensure predators are brought to justice and victims receive the care and assistance they need.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rawsthorne.

DETROIT – An Orion Township man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing images of child pornography over the internet for the purpose of trading such images with other child predators, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Arron Robert Muhlitner, 27, was sentenced by United States District Judge David M. Lawson. Muhlitner had pleaded guilty to sending images of minors engaged in sexual acts to another person in order to induce that person to send Muhlitner similar images. Muhlitner used the internet messaging application Kik to trade the child pornography.

Muhlitner’s offense was discovered when an individual he knew found a phone belonging to Muhlitner and reviewed it. That person discovered images of child pornography and a conversation in which Muhlitner bragged about sexually assaulting a child in a manner that was similar to a sexual assault that he had previously been accused of committing. Law enforcement later examined the phone, finding numerous images of child pornography and multiple instances in which Muhlitner bragged about sexually assaulting children or expressing a desire to engage in sex acts with children. In total, Muhlitner’s phone contained 212 images and 58 videos of child pornography.

“Child pornography victimizes the most vulnerable and innocent in our community and protecting children from predators remains a critical mission for our office,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “Our community is now safer with this defendant’s lengthy sentence.”

“The significance of this sentence underscores the importance of keeping innocent children safe from dangerous predators and serves as a warning to those individuals who prey upon the most vulnerable in our society,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “I would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their critical support in this investigation. The FBI continues to dedicate resources to the investigation and prosecution of sexual predators who commit crimes against children.”

“This person and his disgusting and abhorrent criminal behavior with children has rightfully been held accountable for his actions,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “I greatly appreciate the teamwork with our federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case to closure.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremiah Smith and Christopher Rawsthorne.

DETROIT – A Center Line woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison today based on her conviction for stealing over $300,000 as part of a wire fraud scheme targeting pandemic unemployment assistance benefits, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Joining Ison in the announcement were James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Region of the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General.

April Rienstra, 52, was sentenced by United States District Judge Bernard A. Friedman following her November 2022 guilty plea to one count of wire fraud arising from a scheme to defraud the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (MUIA).

According to Court documents, between April 2020 and May 2021, Rienstra defrauded the MUIA by submitting false applications for pandemic unemployment benefits on behalf of herself and others (who paid her a fee). Ultimately, her scheme involved dozens of fraudulent claims and resulted in over $300,000 in losses to the MUIA.

In addition to the 18 months of imprisonment, Rienstra was ordered to pay $318,760 in restitution.

United States Attorney Ison stated, “Enhanced assistance for unemployed workers was a key lifeline for many of our district’s citizens during the pandemic. Unfortunately, those enhanced benefits attracted criminals seeking to exploit the system and enrich themselves at the public’s expense. Our office will remain vigilant in our pursuit of those who cheat the government and their fellow citizens.”

“Ms. Rienstra defrauded a system designed to provide much needed support to individuals who were unemployed because of the pandemic. Her actions potentially prevented those who legitimately needed financial support during difficult times from receiving vital assistance,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI and our partners are committed to holding those who defraud the government accountable for their crimes.”

“April Rienstra defrauded the State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency of more than $300,000 by filing multiple fraudulent unemployment insurance claims that she was not entitled to. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and state workforce agencies to protect the integrity of unemployment insurance benefit programs," said Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alyse Wu. The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

DETROIT – A Clinton Township man was sentenced today to 171 months in federal prison based on his conviction for robbing a Hamtramck pharmacy and other related drug offenses, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Chief Ann Moise of the Hamtramck Police Department.

Marcus McBride, Jr., 29, who previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, robbery involving a controlled substance, and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith.

According to court documents, McBride robbed the Hoover Pharmacy, located at 2930 Holbrook Avenue, Hamtramck, Michigan, on June 10, 2020.  After entering the pharmacy, McBride waved a semiautomatic pistol at customers and yelled, “Get down!” He then approached the counter and pointed the firearm at the pharmacist and stated, “Give me 30’s and 40’s!” The pharmacist grabbed a box of medication which contained Oxycodone and Oxymorphone prescriptions and handed it to him. McBride snatched the box and fled the pharmacy.  McBride took approximately 3,937 pills, with a street value of over $100,000. The FBI executed federal search warrants at McBride’s home and another location as part of this investigation and seized a handgun, pills, and over $17,000 in cash.  On the date of the robbery, McBride was wearing a Michigan Department of Corrections GPS monitoring device as a condition of his parole for a prior offense.  The GPS coordinates confirmed he was at the pharmacy at the approximate time of the robbery.

In addition to the robbery and gun charges, McBride, along with co-defendant Patrick Johnson, pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a previous narcotics trafficking incident that occurred near the Greyhound bus station in Detroit.  McBride was in a vehicle driven by the Johnson and had unsuccessfully attempted to board a bus headed to Alabama with 330 oxycodone pills and a bag of fentanyl.

“This case illustrates my office’s commitment to partnering with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. The cooperation between the Hamtramck Police Department, Michigan Department of Corrections, the FBI, and our office resulted in violent offenders being taken off the streets,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.

“The impact of McBride’s crime on the community is much more consequential than the thousands of dollars of narcotics he stole,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “He terrorized customers and employees with a gun, making them feel unsafe in their own neighborhood. The FBI is committed to working with our partners from the Hamtramck Police Department to get violent criminals like this defendant off the streets.” 

The investigation of the case was conducted by special agents and task force officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, officers with the Hamtramck Police Department, and the Michigan Department of Corrections. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Picek and Robert Moran prosecuted this case for the United States

DETROIT – Former Macomb County Commissioner of Public Works Anthony Marrocco was sentenced to three months in prison and fourteen months of home confinement for attempted extortion by withholding county permits from businessmen who refused to contribute to Marrocco’s campaign accounts, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today. 

Ison was joined in the announcement by James Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Charles Miller, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office.

Marrocco, 73, of Ray Township, Michigan, was sentenced to prison by United States District Judge Robert H. Cleland at the Port Huron, Michigan Federal Courthouse.  Marrocco also placed on supervised release for a period of two years with the first fourteen months to be served under home confinement, without access to the internet, sports, movies, or other entertainment.  In addition, Marrocco was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine.

Marrocco served as the Commissioner of Public Works from 1993 through 2016.  In September 2022, Marrocco pleaded guilty to Count Three of the Indictment charging him with attempted extortion of a Macomb County developer in April 2016.  Marrocco admitted that he pressured the developer to spend thousands of dollars to purchase tickets to one of Marrocco’s fundraisers. Marrocco threatened to delay or withhold approval of county permits sought by the developer if he did not purchase additional tickets to Marrocco’s political fundraiser.          

The extortion conviction of Marrocco is the final and most significant development in federal law enforcement’s years-long effort to aggressively investigate and prosecute corruption in Macomb County.  Thus far in this effort, some twenty-two public officials and bribe-paying businessmen have been charged and convicted in connection with the Macomb County corruption probe, including three defendants convicted after jury trials, as well as the conviction and imprisonment of elected Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.

The Macomb County investigation centered on corruption in suburban Detroit communities and in the City of Detroit in garbage-hauling, towing, and engineering contracts involving tens of millions of dollars.  The investigation revealed that for years the owners of garbage-hauling, towing, and engineering companies were bribing elected public officials and police officers in order to secure lucrative contracts.  Targets convicted in the prosecution included Chuck Rizzo, the CEO and multi-millionaire owner of one of the largest garbage-hauling companies in Michigan, Gasper Fiore, the CEO and multi-millionaire owner of the largest towing company in Michigan, and a Fazal Khan, the millionaire owner of an engineering consulting services firm.  The investigation also uncovered significant wire fraud and embezzlement schemes whereby Rizzo and his father were stealing millions from company investors and the engineering partner was stealing a million dollars from his fellow partners.  The investigation resulted in the conviction of nine public officials, including Detroit’s Deputy Chief of Police, eight elected officials, and the former Chief Engineer of Macomb County, Michigan.  In total, the prosecution resulted in twenty-two criminal convictions of bribe payers and public officials.  Significant events in the course of the investigation included (1) the conviction at trial in June 2018 of Clinton Township Trustee Dean Reynolds, for four bribery conspiracies and ten counts of bribery, involving the corruption of over $30 million worth of township contracts; (2) the 2021 conviction of elected and long-time Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith for obstruction of justice in connection with his embezzlement from his own campaign fund; and (3) the 2022 conviction of Marrocco for extortion.   

United States Attorney Ison said, “Marrocco had exercised unchecked power over people just trying to do business in Macomb County.  Although we are disappointed in the length of the Court’s sentence, through Marrocco’s conviction for extortion, he will no longer be able to demand obedience and respect from the district’s citizens.” 

"Today, Mr. Marrocco has been held responsible for his part in a pervasive pattern of corruption and illegal practices by public officials in Macomb County," said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "Public corruption is the FBI's number one criminal investigative priority because a lack of faith in government undermines our institutions, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to address this issue until honest and responsible government is the order of the day in Macomb County and throughout the State of Michigan."

“Public officials, whether elected or appointed, hold positions of trust in the eyes of the public. Today’s sentence sends a clear message that when public officials commit crimes, they will be held accountable for that broken trust,” said Charles Miller, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office.  "IRS-CI will continue to provide financial investigative expertise, as we work with our law enforcement partners to enforce the law and ensure public trust.” 

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Cares and Robert Moran.

DETROIT - United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan has implemented the new United States Attorney’s Offices’ Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy.  The policy, which became effective in February, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), and provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate and timely and appropriately remediate.

The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations. The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General’s September 15, 2022 memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component that prosecutes corporate crime to review its policies on corporate voluntary self-disclosure and, if there was no formal written policy to incentivize self-disclosure, draft and publicly share such a policy.

Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation. A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by—in the absence of any aggravating factor—fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50% below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.

The policy identifies three aggravating factors that may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met: (1) if the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health, or the environment; (2) if the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or (3) if the misconduct involved current executive management of the company. The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required; instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution. If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy, including that the USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50% and up to a 75% reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range, and that the USAO will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.

In cases where a company is being jointly prosecuted by a USAO and another DOJ component, or where the misconduct reported by the company falls within the scope of conduct covered by VSD policies administered by other DOJ components, the USAO will coordinate with, or, if necessary, obtain approval from, the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution. Consistent with relevant provisions of the Justice Manual and as allowable under alternate VSD policies, the USAO may choose to apply any provision of an alternate VSD policy in addition to, or in place of, any provision of its policy.

The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, requested that the White Collar Fraud Subcommittee of the AGAC, under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, develop policies in response to the Deputy AG’s memo. The policy announced today was prepared by a Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policy Working Group comprised of U.S. Attorneys from geographically diverse districts, including U.S. Attorney Peace, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Clare Connors, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie Hinds, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Christopher Kavanaugh, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip Sellinger. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Riedel, White Collar Crimes Coordinator for the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, also participated in the development of the policy.

DETROIT – A Detroit man, who has five prior felony convictions, including for murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and two drug trafficking offenses, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison today as an Armed Career Criminal for his illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.   

Ison was joined in the announcement by Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division.

Eric T. Walker, 46, had previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Gershwin A. Drain.

According to court records, after receiving Crime Stoppers complaints that Walker was selling drugs from his home, and that one person nearly overdosed after buying his drugs, the Detroit Police Department executed a search warrant at his home. DPD recovered 136 grams of cocaine, 23.5 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl, 672 grams of marijuana, 93 oxycodone pills, 4.5 amphetamine pills, scales, drug packaging materials, and over $8,000 in cash.  Officers also recovered a 9mm semiautomatic pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition.  Walker was arrested at his home, and the case was adopted for federal prosecution.    

“Taking any and all violent offenders, including armed drug dealers, off our streets is a top priority of my office.  Today’s sentence reflects my commitment to aggressively prosecute violent offenders of all kinds to make our neighborhoods safer for law abiding citizens. The citizens responsible for working to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood by reporting Walker’s conduct to Crime Stoppers should be commended,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.

“Mr. Walker continued his criminal activities despite being a convicted felon. While his lengthy sentence has removed a dangerous person from the neighborhood, it should also send a strong message to anyone who chooses to terrorize our communities with violence and illicit drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Orville.                                                                                                

This case was investigated by the DEA.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Moran.

DETROIT– A former Detroit police officer was sentenced to 27 months in prison for accepting bribes in a conspiracy with a Detroit police lieutenant in connection with corruption in the towing industry in Detroit, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Daniel Vickers, 54, of Livonia, Michigan, spent his career as a police officer in Detroit. Vickers conspired with former Detroit police lieutenant John F. Kennedy. Kennedy at one point commanded the department’s Public Integrity Unit, a division of the Internal Affairs Division responsible for investigating reports of law violations and professional misconduct by police officers and other city employees. The two agreed to commit bribery by accepting money and other items of value in exchange for Kennedy using and promising to use his influence as a supervisor to persuade other officers to make tow referrals to a towing company in violation of the city’s ordinance and Detroit Police Department policy. Kennedy pleaded guilty to the bribery conspiracy in August 2022, and he will be sentenced on April 18, 2023.

In recorded conversations during the investigation, Vickers admitted to soliciting bribe payments from at least three towing companies in the Detroit area. In addition to the cash payments Vickers solicited, he and Kennedy also agreed to accept bribes in the form of thousands of dollars in cars, car parts, car repairs, and new carpeting for Vickers’ home. Besides making illegal tow referrals in exchange for the bribes, Vickers and Kennedy also agreed to provide the towing company that Kennedy was investigating with confidential information about the status of the Public Integrity Unit’s case.

In total, between February 2018, and June 2018, Vickers accepted over $3,400 in bribe payments from the towing company. In addition, Kennedy accepted bribes amounting to $14,950 during the course of the conspiracy. 

Vickers and Kennedy were charged as part of the government’s investigation known as “Operation Northern Hook.” Northern Hook is an investigation of corruption within the government and the Police Department of the City of Detroit relating to the towing industry and other matters.  Thus far, six defendants have been charged in the probe.

United States Attorney Ison said, “Any police officer who chooses the path of corruption should understand that we will not tolerate unethical conduct from our public officials at any level. We  commend Detroit Chief of Police James White  and the Detroit Police Department for their cooperation assistance in this investigation.”   

“Police officers take an oath to protect and serve their communities. Today, Daniel Vickers is being held responsible for violating that oath by using his official position to benefit himself personally. His actions were not in keeping with the integrity and professionalism exhibited by the Detroit Police Department every day,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The FBI appreciates the partnership and cooperation of Police Chief James White as we continue to address public corruption in the City of Detroit."

“This former officer’s actions are completely unacceptable for anyone who is sworn to protect and serve our city as a Detroit Police officer,” said Detroit Police Chief James E. White. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Ison’s work to hold those engaging in corruption accountable and will continue to collaborate with her office in any investigation of alleged wrongdoing by our officers. It is a top priority of my administration to guarantee that Detroiters can depend on our officers to act ethically.”

The case was investigated by the Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, which is led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Detroit Police Department, Michigan Attorney General's Office, Michigan State Police, Customs & Border Protection, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown.

DETROIT – A Michigan man was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint with illegally possessing firearms after having been committed to a mental institution and while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. The man came to the attention of the FBI after he made numerous threats over YouTube to kill FBI agents, members of the LGBTQ community, President Biden, and Governor Whitmer.    

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, Randall Robert Berka II, 30, of Sebewaing, Michigan, was illegally in possession of four firearms, three long guns and a pistol, after he had been committed to a mental institution and while he was a daily user of marijuana.  Berka also was in possession of ammunition and body armor.  The firearms were previously purchased for Berka by a relative who now feared that his mental health treatment was not working and was scared of Berka.  The relative cooperated with FBI agents in securing the complaint.    

The complaint further provides that Berka came to the attention of the FBI after Google reported to the agency that Berka was posting various threats on YouTube.  Among other statements, Berka posted the following: “im going to kill these democrats biden deserves to die,” “im gonna kill lgbt freaks,” “you could be like me and get guns and threaten to kill politicians. Im more than willing tot kill whitmer and I do live in Michigan,” “Ill assault her . . . with my bullets,” and “i buy guns though and plot to kill people.”

The FBI arrested Berka at his residence in Sebewaing on Thursday, March 9, 2023. He will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today in the Bay City, Michigan courthouse.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be asking the Court to hold Berka in pretrial detention because of his danger to the community and the risk that he will flee.         

“We will take immediate action when we learn of individuals illegally possessing firearms and threatening to harm or kill others,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.  “I applaud Google’s vigilance in this matter, and we hope members of the community will, likewise, pay attention and report such conduct to law enforcement.”

“This defendant’s actions were very alarming,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “When free speech crosses a line and becomes a threat of violence against another  –  aggravated by the illegal possession of firearms – the full investigative resources of the FBI will be brought to bear. As always, we encourage the public to be vigilant and report concerning behavior to the FBI and local law enforcement.”

Based on the charges in the complaint, Berka faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. 

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Vance.

DETROIT – A Tipton, Michigan resident was indicted by a grand jury today for using Twitter to threaten to kill Jewish government officials in Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. 

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the indictment, on February 17, 2023, Jack Eugene Carpenter, III, 41, of Tipton, Michigan, using Twitter while located in Texas, made threats against Jewish government officials in Michigan. Carpenter’s post read, in part: “I’m heading back to Michigan now threatening to carry out the punishment of death to anyone that is jewish in the Michigan govt if they don’t leave, or confess.”

The indictment also alleges that the Grand Jury found that Carpenter intentionally selected Jewish members of the Michigan government as the objects of his threat because of the actual and perceived religion of those individuals.

Carpenter is currently being held in detention pending trial in this case.       

“Hate and bias-related crimes poison our communities and make people afraid simply because of who they are or what they believe,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “We will not tolerate such actions, and we will prosecute those who engage in them to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Investigating crimes based on religious bias is one of the FBI’s highest priorities because of the devastating impact they have on individuals and communities,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The victims in this case were specifically targeted because of their religion. The FBI is committed to working with our partners to detect and prevent violent incidents motivated by bias or hate. We also urge the public to report any suspected hate crimes to the FBI and local law enforcement.”

Based on the charges in the indictment, Carpenter faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted.  Carpenter is subject to aa Hate Crime Motivation penalty enhancement under the United States Sentencing Guidelines.    

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hank Moon and Frances Carlson.

DETROIT – A former Detroit resident was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murdering a rival gang member and an innocent 13-year-old bystander as part of a racketeering conspiracy, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division. Carlo Wilson, aka “Los,” age 29, received the sentence from the United States District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith.

At his guilty plea, Wilson admitted to being a member of the “6 Mile Chedda Grove” gang, which is a street gang that operated on the eastside of Detroit. 6 Mile Chedda Grove was a violent organization responsible for murders, assaults, robberies, and narcotics trafficking in the Detroit metropolitan area and in other states. The gang used violence to retaliate against rivals and to advance members’ positions within the gang.

As a part of his plea, Wilson admitted to participating in the 2015 murder of a rival gang member and an innocent bystander. According to plea documents, Wilson was with another gang member, Edwin Mills, when they saw the rival in a car outside of a market on the eastside of Detroit. Wilson and Mills killed the rival gang member and an innocent bystander when they fired multiple shots at the vehicle. Wilson and Mills also seriously injured two children who had been sitting on the hood of the car driven by the rival gang member.  Mills also pled guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing in the case.  

“Today’s sentence is a stark reminder of how gun violence devastates our community and is robbing innocent children of their future.  It also serves as a warning to those who use guns to commit violence: I will use every resource of the federal government to seek justice for all of the people in this district,” U.S. Attorney Ison said.

“We are extremely proud of the outstanding work done by our Violent Gang Task Force, which is committed to countering violent crime, illegal drugs, and organized criminal activity in our communities by investigating gang members like Mr. Wilson, ”said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Detroit Field Office.  "The continued success and impact of this Task Force is persuasive evidence of how interagency collaboration results in tangible public safety benefits to the citizens who live in the Detroit metropolitan area."

The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Moran and Andrew R. Picek.

DETROIT – A Southfield, Michigan man was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison for his role in distributing over 90,000 doses of Oxycontin, Percocet, and other opioids out of an area medical clinic, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division, and Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chicago Regional Office.

Lavar Carter, 45, was sentenced by United States District Judge Bernard A. Friedman. Carter initially became involved in the scheme as a patient recruiter where he used family members and people he encountered at soup kitchens to obtain information that was used to fill medically unnecessary opioid prescriptions. Carter eventually became employed at New Vision Rehab Center where he provided physicians with lists of patient names and identification that he knew were used to issue and fill medically unnecessary prescriptions. Carter and others exchanged the prescriptions for cash. Carter participated in the conspiracy between May 2019 and June 2020.

According to court records, Carter’s conduct was made even worse because, while released on bond in this case, he was surveilled by law enforcement agents working at another pain clinic to assist in the illegal distribution of more opioids.     

U.S. Attorney Ison stated, “The devastation created by the opioid crisis harms our entire country. My office will zealously pursue medical providers, clinic staff, and others who inflict harm upon our community through illicit distribution of these powerful drugs.”

“The illegal distribution of opioids continues to have devastating effects on our community,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The sentencing of Lavar Carter highlights how a partnership between the FBI, DEA, and HHS leads to the successful prosecution of individuals who seek to profit off the addiction of others.”

“Profiting from the suffering of vulnerable populations will not be tolerated.  Mr. Carter’s scheme of illegally funneling prescription pills into communities and fueling overdose deaths in exchange for profits has come to an end. I want to thank our law enforcement partners who worked collectively on this investigation,” stated Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division.

“Facilitating the unlawful administration of prescription opioids, and other controlled substances, places beneficiaries of our federal health care programs at risk,” said Mario M. Pinto, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who defraud our federal health care programs and engage in other unlawful conduct that can bring harm on our nation’s beneficiaries.”

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Regina R. McCullough and Philip A. Ross as part of the district’s efforts to address the nation’s opioid crisis. The Eastern District of Michigan is one of twelve districts included in the Attorney General’s Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection initiative. The case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

DETROIT – A former unemployment examiner for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (MUIA) pleaded guilty today to conspiring to steal federal unemployment insurance benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Miller, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division in Detroit.

According to court documents, Semaje Reffigee, 26, of Detroit, began working as a contract unemployment insurance examiner with the MUIA in October 2020. In this position, she had electronic access to the MUIA claims database. Reffigee was able to use her credentials to access and approve specific fraudulent unemployment insurance claims submitted to the agency, including claims outside her assigned workflow.

Court documents indicate that shortly after she began her contract employment with MUIA, Reffigee entered into an agreement with various individuals to defraud the MUIA by obtaining unemployment benefits through the submission of false claims. Reffigee’s co-conspirators would electronically submit fraudulent claims to MUIA in the names of various individuals, some of whom would be victims of identity theft and some of whom were entirely fictitious people. These co-conspirators made false statements in the applications attesting to the eligibility of these purported claimants and would upload fictitious documentation to support those fraudulent claims. The co-conspirators would then communicate with Reffigee, either directly or through intermediaries, and identify the claims that they had submitted.  Reffigee would then use her insider access to the MUIA system to approve the claims and release benefits. Most of the time, benefits would be electronically loaded onto Bank of America debit cards and mailed to addresses controlled by Reffigee’s co-conspirators. Reffigee was often paid a “kickback” for her services, typically receiving a few hundred dollars per claim.  Reffigee herself also unlawfully received approximately $9,000 in unemployment insurance benefits during the course of her employment with MUIA.

U.S. Attorney Ison stated, “This case reflects our ongoing commitment to prosecute those who took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic by stealing funds intended for those in need.  We treat this kind of fraud especially seriously because corruption within these programs undermines trust and confidence in government programs generally.”

“Semaje Reffigee was a state contract employee who was trusted to handle sensitive employment information. She abused her position for personal gain by using her access to state data systems to approve fraudulent UI claims submitted by her co-conspirators. Many of the fraudulent claims used the personally identifiable information of identity theft victims. Protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains one of our highest priorities. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard unemployment benefits for those who need them and to bring to justice those who commit unemployment insurance fraud,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

“Semaje Reffigee was entrusted to work for the State of Michigan.  She, along with her co-conspirators, devised a scheme to steal money that was intended to provide financial assistance to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Charles Miller Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office.  “IRS-CI is proud to work with our law enforcement partners as we continue the pursuit of criminals who steal from the American taxpayer.”

Reffigee pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Leitman.  She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2023.  She faces a maximum of twenty years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Per the terms of her plea agreement, Reffigee will also be required to repay $313,497 in restitution to the State of Michigan.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan A. Particka and Sarah Youngblood.

This investigation is being conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

DETROIT –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan resolved its investigation of Bark Bark Wag, a local dog rescue organization based in Livonia, Michigan. The complainant alleged that her adoption application was denied based on stereotypes concerning her use of a wheelchair, leaving her feeling “dehumanized.” The settlement agreement between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Bark Bark Wag requires the dog rescue to fully comply with the non-discrimination requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The ADA protects the rights of all individuals, regardless of disability, to fully and equally enjoy the benefits and services offered by places of public accommodation, which includes dog rescues. The settlement agreement emphasizes the organization’s commitment to ADA compliance going forward and requires Bark Bark Wag to adopt ADA policies to ensure that the adoption process does not improperly screen out or scrutinize individuals who have disabilities. Under the terms of the settlement, Bark Bark Wag must train its volunteers on ADA policies and practices and report any future complaints from individuals who have disabilities to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Bark Bark Wag must also provide a copy of its non-discrimination policy to all current and future rescue organizations with which it is affiliated.

“All too often, discrimination comes in the form of implicit bias, stereotypes, or assumptions. Here, an individual was judged not by her actual ability to safely care for the pets she hoped to adopt, but by her perceived inability to do so,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “My office will continue to enforce the civil rights of our all of our citizens, including those who have disabilities.”

The investigation was led by AUSA Michael El-Zein of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, a member of the Civil Rights Unit. The full and fair enforcement of the ADA is a priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The Civil Rights Unit was established in 2010 with the mission of prioritizing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, including a copy of the agreement, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/programs/civil-rights.

Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or have experienced a civil rights violation can submit a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office by email at usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov or by phone at (313) 226-9151. Complaints can also be submitted to the Civil Rights Division through its complaint portal.

A New Hampshire woman pleaded guilty today to sending multiple threatening communications to a Michigan election official in the wake of the 2020 election.

According to court documents, Katelyn Jones, 25, of Epping, made multiple threats in November 2020 to the chair of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, which oversees elections in Wayne County, Michigan. First, on Nov. 18, 2020, Jones sent a series of text messages to the official’s personal cell phone containing threats to injure the official and the official’s minor child. Jones’s text messages to the official included graphic photographs of a bloody, deceased, nude, mutilated woman lying on the ground as well as a photograph of the official’s minor child. Second, also on Nov. 18, 2020, Jones made posts to an Instagram account associated with the official that also contained threats to injure the official and the official’s minor child. For example, Jones posted on the official’s Instagram account that the official’s minor child was “beautiful” and that it would “be a shame if something happened to her.”

Jones pleaded guilty to making interstate threats. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.

The FBI Detroit Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane N. Princ for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.

DETROIT – A Tipton, Michigan resident was charged in a criminal complaint with using Twitter to threaten to kill Jewish government officials in Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. 

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, on February 17, 2023, Jack Eugene Carpenter, III, 41, of Tipton, Michigan, using Twitter while located in Texas, made threats against Jewish government officials in Michigan. One post read, in part: “I’m heading back to Michigan now threatening to carry out the punishment of death to anyone that is jewish in the Michigan govt if they don’t leave, or confess.” Carpenter continued his threats of violence in a second post, which read, in part: “I’ll be coming back to Michigan, still driving with expired plates. You may want to let everyone know, and Wayne County sheriff as well, any attempt to subdue me will be met with deadly force in self-defense.” 

The complaint indicated that Carpenter had three 9 mm semi-automatic pistols registered to him, and that he was under investigation by the Michigan State Police for stealing a fourth pistol.  According to the complaint, it is also believed that Carpenter also owned a shotgun and two hunting rifles in addition to the pistols. 

Carpenter was originally arrested by federal agents in Texas where he appeared in federal court on February 21, 2023. After his hearing in Texas, Carpenter was transported in custody to Detroit, where he made his initial appearance yesterday in federal court. The United States has requested that Carpenter be detained pending trial. He is scheduled for a pretrial detention hearing on Friday, March 3, 2023.            

“No one should be threatened or targeted with violence because of their religious beliefs,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “Anyone who communicates a threat to kill or injure others can expect serious criminal consequences.”  “This investigation was greatly aided by concerned citizens who timely came forward to law enforcement and thereby helped us keep our communities safe,” continued U.S. Attorney Ison. “Our community members are the first line of defense in cases like this: so please, if you hear or see something that has you concerned that someone may commit a violent act, please reach out to your local, state, or federal law enforcement agency and help us keep Michigan safe.”

“Threats such as this are intended to create fear, and this case clearly shows targeting someone based on religious beliefs will not be tolerated,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Crimes motivated by bias will be investigated by the FBI in coordination with the Michigan State Police, and perpetrators held responsible for their actions.”

Based on the charges in the criminal complaint, Carpenter faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted. 

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hank Moon.

DETROIT – A Detroit man pleaded guilty today to committing two attempted carjackings and one completed carjacking— including one where he fired an assault rifle at a teenaged victim.

United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced the plea today and was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to court records, Gregory Horsley, 20, of Detroit, Michigan, committed the carjackings on May 14, 2021, in Beverly Hills, Michigan. During each offense, Horsley targeted strangers who were inside their vehicles near the intersection of Thirteen Mile Road and Evergreen. In the first carjacking, Horsley approached the 16-year-old victim as he was seated in his car. Horsley pulled out a loaded assault rifle and pointed it at the driver. As the teenager drove off, Horsley fired his weapon, striking the vehicle.

Horsley next approached a vehicle driven by a woman. Horsley brandished his firearm and ordered her out of the car. The victim fled the driver’s seat and Horsley entered her car. But he could not drive away because the victim had the key fob in her pocket.

Horsley exited that vehicle and approached a third driver. Horsley pointed his firearm at the male driver and ordered him out of the car. The driver complied. Horsley then took the keys and drove off in the car.  The carjacked vehicle was found a few days later. Horsley was identified by surveillance video and taken into custody at his home in Detroit.

Horsley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison on the charge of brandishing a firearm while committing a carjacking. For the carjacking charges, Horsley faces a maximum of fifteen years in prison.

“Carjacking is one of the most serious violations of public safety, making people feel vulnerable in their own cars and neighborhoods,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.  “We will seek significant federal penalties against those who prey on motorists in our communities.”,”

 "Armed carjacking poses an unacceptable danger to public safety and creates a climate of fear for residents in our community,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “This case was investigated by the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and serves as an example of the collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to bring violent criminals to justice. The FBI, along with the Beverly Hills Police, Southfield, and Detroit Police Departments, remains committed to rooting out those who victimize our neighborhoods with violence.”

Sentencing is set for July 13, 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force, the Beverly Hills Police Department, the Southfield Police Department, the Detroit Police Department, and handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeanine Brunson and Michael Taylor.

DETROIT – A federal jury today convicted the former resident of a Detroit residential reentry center of receiving child pornography, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Joining Ison in the announcement was James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The trial, which began on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, was conducted before United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg. 

According to the evidence presented at trial, in June 2009, United States District Judge Robert H. Cleland sentenced Matthew Mercer-Kinser, now 36, to serve 151 months in custody for transporting child pornography. In July 2019, the Bureau of Prisons designated Mercer-Kinser to serve the final months of this sentence in a Detroit residential reentry center (RRC). While at the RRC, Mercer-Kinser sent numerous sexually explicit text messages to a minor relative. A concerned adult learned of these communications and reported Mercer-Kinser to the FBI. Execution of a search warrant for Mercer-Kinser’s smartphone revealed several images of child pornography and numerous disturbing communications demonstrating Mercer-Kinser’s continued, prolific sexual interest in children. When Mercer-Kinser testified in his own defense during trial, he admitted his sexual fetish for children.

Mercer-Kinser faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. A sentencing date has been set for June 29, 2023, at 9 am.

“Protecting children from dangerous predators is a top priority for our office,” U.S. Attorney Ison said. “The actions of a concerned adult were crucial in bringing the crime in this case to the attention of law enforcement, and parents and other relatives need to be vigilant in watching out for signs of abuse or the exploitation of our kids.”    

“This defendant’s repeat sexual offenses make him an extreme danger to our youth. Today’s guilty verdict is a step closer to ensuring Mercer-Kinser no longer has access to children in any way,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “The combined efforts of the member agencies in the FBI’s Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Task Force continue to form a formidable barrier between predators and our children.”

The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Shaw and Maggie Smith.

DETROIT- A real estate investor pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing over $3 million in a wire and bankruptcy fraud scheme, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced.

Ison was joined in the announcement by James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

Sean Tissue, also known as “Sean Ryan,” age 37, of Social Circle, Georgia, and formerly of Rochester, Michigan, pleaded guilty to Wire Fraud and Bankruptcy Fraud before United States District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. Tissue was the owner of numerous companies, including The Centureon Companies LLC, Greystone Home Builders LLC, Sycamore Homes LLC, Lenovo Homes LLC, NROL Holdings LLC, Phillip Ryan LLC, Boardwalk Heights B2R LLC, NROL Property and Investment LLC.

 According to the information provided to the Court at the guilty plea hearing, Tissue engaged in a real estate investment fraud scheme from 2015 through 2021. During that period, Tissue made, or caused others to make, false and fraudulent representations to induce potential investors from Israel, India, South Africa, and other countries to invest in real estate in Michigan, Texas, and other locations. Tissue, either directly or through agents, provided false and fraudulent material information to investors to induce them to invest and send him money through interstate or international wire transactions. To further the scheme, Tissue caused various false documents to be provided to investors, including fake deeds, fake wiring instructions, fake bank statements, fake leases, and fake inspection reports. Tissue also provided a fake name to investors (“Sean Ryan”). Tissue operated the scheme in the Eastern District of Michigan, and fraudulently obtained over $3 million.

In November 2017 through May 9, 2019, Tissue also engaged in bankruptcy fraud scheme by fraudulently withholding recorded information pertaining to his assets and financial affairs from the Bankruptcy Trustee after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Tissue was initially arrested on a complaint charging him with wire fraud and has been in custody ever since.

Tissue faces statutory maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and 5 years in prison for bankruptcy fraud. Judge Goldsmith will ultimately determine the appropriate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“Sean Tissue orchestrated an elaborate scheme to defraud individual investors. He tried to avoid repaying those investors by declaring bankruptcy, and his lies and deceits continued in the bankruptcy proceeding,” said U.S. Attorney Ison.  “This guilty plea is an important step towards holding Mr. Tissue accountable for his actions and reflects my office’s commitment to prosecuting financial crime and protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.”

“This defendant defrauded his real estate clients and then attempted to escape the consequences by declaring bankruptcy. His actions not only harmed individual clients, but also impacted potential investments in the City of Detroit,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “The FBI will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Bankruptcy Trustee to ensure the public’s continued trust in the bankruptcy process and to hold accountable those who would use our bankruptcy courts as a means of committing fraud.” 

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Both the United States Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation wish to acknowledge and thank the United States Trustee’s Office for its assistance.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig A. Weier and Special Assistant United States Attorney Richard Roble.

DETROIT – A former Detroit resident was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison for a tax fraud scheme where she sought to cheat the Internal Revenue Service and the state treasuries of six states of over $27 million in fraudulent tax refunds, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Charles Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigations.

Sameerah Marrell, aka “Sameerah Anderson,” aka “Sameerah Pickett,” aka “Crème,” aka “Loren Boyd,” age 42, received the sentence from the Honorable Linda V. Parker, United States District Judge, in Detroit, Michigan. Judge Parker also ordered that the defendant serve three years on supervised release after her release from federal custody and pay the remaining restitution owed totaling $7,979,041.71. During the course of the scheme, Marrell had successfully stolen $8.5 million, and the amount owed in restitution has been reduced by money, cars, and jewelry seized by the federal government and the states from Marrell during the course of this investigation.

Marrell pleaded guilty on January 11, 2023 to Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Committing an Offense While On Bond. According to court records, the scheme began in 2014 and continued through April 2022. During that time, Marrell and other accomplices defrauded the Internal Revenue Service and the State Treasury Departments of Minnesota, Georgia, Maryland, Arizona, Connecticut, and Colorado, by filing 122 false and fictitious Income Tax Returns for Estates and Trusts and numerous state income tax returns, seeking over $13,690,341 from the IRS and $14,730,365 from the six states, by claiming bogus “refunds,” to which neither she nor her accomplices were entitled.

These federal and state income tax returns contained various false and material assertions of fact, most notably that the IRS and state taxing agencies had withheld large amounts of income tax from the trusts purportedly filing the returns, and that those trusts were therefore entitled to large refunds. In truth, however, the IRS and the state taxing agencies had withheld nothing from these trusts, and Marrell and her accomplices were entitled to no refund of any kind. Before discovering the fraud, the IRS paid out over $5,539,049 and the state agencies paid out a total of $2,972,588.93, all based on Marrell’s spurious claims. Altogether, Marrell and her accomplices successfully caused the issuance of approximately $8,511,637.93 in fraudulent tax refunds.

Marrell committed some of these offenses after she was arrested on a criminal complaint charging her with, among other things, making false claims to the IRS based on some of the conduct described above. Thus, even while Marrell was on bond, she continued to execute her scheme to defraud.

“Ms. Marrell committed an astonishing amount of fraud against federal and state agencies. She also proved herself incorrigible, continuing her scams even after her initial arrest. We hope that today’s sentence will deter both Ms. Marrell and anyone else who seeks to steal public funds for private gain.”

"Today's sentencing again emphasizes that the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who use fraudulent methods in an attempt to corrupt our nation's tax system," said Charles Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office. "Honest taxpayers have been reassured today that no one is above the law, especially when the integrity of tax administration is at stake.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by AUSAs Craig Weier and Adriana Dydell of the United States Attorney’s Office.