District of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maple Grove man has pleaded guilty to an armed carjacking at a Blaine grocery store, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on September 24, 2022, Justin Michael Kittleson, 20, targeted two victims as they left the Cub Foods grocery store in Blaine and loaded groceries into their car. Kittleson approached one of the victims at the trunk of the car and pointed a gun at them. The second victim attempted to intervene, and a struggle ensued. The gun discharged, and the shot is believed to have grazed the second victim’s ear. Kittleson took control of the car and drove away. A 9MM shell casing was recovered at the scene by officers with the Blaine Police Department. After reviewing surveillance video footage and with the assistance from other members of the public, officers were able to identify and locate Kittleson. On September 29, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence associated with Kittleson and recovered two 9MM firearms (the same caliber as the casing found at the scene of the carjacking) and a hooded sweatshirt that matched the sweatshirt Kittleson was seen wearing in the surveillance footage.

Kittleson pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Kittleson is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Blaine Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – The United States Attorney’s Office recognized members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at its fourth annual “Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice” Awards ceremony. The ceremony, held on April 25, 2023, honored law enforcement professionals who have gone above and beyond their duties to safeguard Minnesota’s communities.

“It is a great honor to recognize the exceptional work and unwavering dedication put forth by the law enforcement officials and victim advocates with whom we are fortunate to work on a daily basis,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “In conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, I applaud our law enforcement partners for their outstanding service to our communities and their pursuit of justice for the victims as well as the offenders.”

The honorees are members of the following agencies:

• Bloomington Police Department
• U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General
• Burnsville Police Department
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
• Brooklyn Park Police Department
• Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
• Albert Lea Police Department
• Minnesota Department of Corrections

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maple Grove man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for illegal possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, in January of 2022, the brothers were both charged in Hennepin County District Court for possession of machineguns after they brought to the funeral of a known gang member firearms that had each been modified with auto sears. An auto sear, also known as a switch, is a device used to convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm and is considered a machinegun under federal law. In the spring of 2022, both Cortez and Quantez Ward pleaded guilty to their Hennepin County charges and were released on terms of probation.

On May 6, 2022, the brothers were pulled over by the Maple Grove police department. During that traffic stop, Cortez Ward was in possession of an unserialized Polymer 80 pistol with a large-capacity magazine loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition on his person. Quantez Ward had an AK-style gun in a backpack in the car. On July 19, 2022, law enforcement executed a federal arrest warrant at the Ward brothers’ residence. Inside, law enforcement found multiple firearms, including a 9mm Ruger rifle, a H&K MP5 rifle and a Polymer 80 pistol with a switch.

On November 21, 2022, Quantez Ward pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms as a felon related to several of the firearms recovered on July 19, 2022. He was sentenced yesterday before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. Cortez Ward will be sentenced at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Maple Grove Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sumalee Intarathong also known as Alice Spencer Warren has been sentenced for her role in a large-scale international Thai sex trafficking organization, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, the criminal organization conspired to make money by compelling hundreds of women from Bangkok, Thailand, to engage in commercial sex acts in various cities across the United States. Before her arrest in Belgium on August 5, 2016, Intarathong, 62, served as a visa broker for the sex trafficking organization. Each trafficked victim was “owned” by Intarathong and her co-conspirators, until the victim could repay an exorbitant “bondage debt” of between $40,000 and $60,000. Intarathong and other co-conspirators arranged for victims to travel from Thailand to the United States and placed the victims in a house of prostitution somewhere in the United States.

According to court documents, Intarathong and other co-conspirators in the organization engaged in widespread visa fraud to facilitate the international transportation of the victims. Members of the criminal organization assisted the victims in obtaining fraudulent visitor visas and travel documents. As a part of obtaining visa documents, members of the criminal conspiracy gathered personal information from the victims, including the location of the victims’ families in Thailand. This information was later used to threaten victims who became non-compliant or tried to flee the organization in the United States.

One of Intarathong’s victims wrote to the Court: “I am a victim of human trafficking and suffered psychologically because I was afraid that I would be arrested or the traffickers would come hurt or kill me. I was so scared even after the defendants in my case were arrested because I knew them directly. I did not dare go outside and was not able to sleep for a long time.”  That victim had to engaged in commercial sex acts with “about seven to eleven customers per day” until she paid off her bondage debt.

According to court documents, the organization dealt primarily in cash and engaged in rampant and sophisticated money laundering in order to promote and conceal illegal profits. Throughout the course of the conspiracy the criminal organization has moved tens of millions of dollars in illegal proceeds from the United States to Thailand and elsewhere.

Intarathong was arrested in Belgium in August 2016 and remained in custody there until she was extradited to the United States in February 2021. On November 29, 2022, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. Intarathong, the last of the 38 defendants sentenced in the trafficking scheme, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Donovan W. Frank to time served since her arrest in 2016 and $500,000 in restitution to the victims. In addition, Intarathong agreed to be removed from the United States to Belgium or Thailand and will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to carry out the Court’s order.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, Diplomatic Security Service, St. Paul Police Department, Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff’s Office, with the support of the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Belgium.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Laura M. Provinzino prosecuted the case with the assistance of the DOJ Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.

MINNEAPOLIS – A California man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with indecent exposure on an aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to a law enforcement affidavit, on April 17, 2023, Sidney Royel Selby III, 25, also known as “Desiigner,” was traveling on Delta Flight 120 from Tokyo, Japan, to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. While the flight was in the air, Selby, who was seated in the Delta One cabin, exposed his genitals multiple times. During one of the exposures, he masturbated. A flight attendant handed Selby an FAA violation card, which is a notice that states a passenger’s behavior “appears to be in violation of federal law.” At the request of flight attendants, Selby moved to the rear of the plane and was seated near two travel companions who agreed to monitor him. When Flight 120 arrived in Minneapolis, Selby was detained and interviewed by an FBI agent.

Selby is charged with one count of indecent exposure on an aircraft. The alleged offense is a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 90 days imprisonment and a $500 fine. Selby will make his initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew D. Forbes and Laura M. Provinzino are prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Rochester man has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for leading a methamphetamine trafficking ring, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, from September 2021 through February 2022, Jerry Lee Milliken, 40, led a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy based in Rochester and operated throughout southeastern Minnesota and elsewhere. Milliken organized the delivery of methamphetamine from a supplier in Kansas City, Missouri, to sub-distributors in the Rochester area. Milliken also collected and received drug proceeds and facilitated communications in support of the conspiracy. Between the fall of 2021 and the winter of 2022, law enforcement seized approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine from the conspiracy during various enforcement operations.

Milliken pleaded guilty on November 18, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson.

Aaron Raymond Dombovy, 30, one of Milliken’s coconspirators, pleaded guilty on November 16, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Rochester Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Enforcement Team, and the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter Jr. prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Devils Lake, North Dakota man has been sentenced to 136 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carjacking a man at gunpoint in Blaine, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, on July 30, 2022, at approximately 3:52 a.m., Joshua Lee Sinawa, 27, approached a bakery delivery box truck in the parking lot of a Cub Foods in Blaine, Minnesota. While the delivery driver was in the vehicle’s driver seat, Sinawa approached the vehicle on the driver’s side, pointed a firearm at the victim, and demanded that the victim get out of the vehicle. Sinawa then forced him to walk into the Cub Foods store at gunpoint. Sinawa left the Cub Foods store while the victim remained inside and fled the scene in the stolen bakery delivery box truck.

Sinawa was sentenced yesterday before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to 52 months for carjacking and a consecutive 84 months for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Blaine Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew S. Dunne and Craig R. Baune prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Bemidji woman has been sentenced to 240 months in prison for her role in a murder and an assault that took place in August 2019 on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, shortly before 1:00 a.m. on August 12, 2019, Alexia Gah Gi Gay Mary Cutbank, 21, Mia Faye Sumner, 21, of Duluth, and Daniel Charles Barrett, 31, of Redby, entered the garage of a Red Lake residence where Daniel Alan Johnson was known to reside. Cutbank, Sumner, and Barrett were masked and armed. Once inside, Cutbank fired multiple gunshots, fatally wounding Johnson and seriously injuring a second victim, T.B.S. The three defendants returned to the waiting vehicle and left the scene. To assist the defendants in avoiding arrest, Rose Celeste Siewert, 50, of Cass Lake, drove Cutbank, Barrett, and Sumner off the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

On September 20, 2022, Cutbank pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting murder in the second degree and one count of aiding and abetting assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Cutbank was sentenced yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson. Sumner was sentenced on March 9, 2023, to 120 months in prison and Siewert was sentenced on March 8, 2023, to 48 months in prison. Barrett will be sentenced at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, the FBI, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Duluth Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad prosecuted the case.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Red Lake man has been sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on June 22, 2022, after Matt Dion Sayers, 47, had escaped from Red Lake Police custody, agents began investigating Sayers for suspected ongoing drug distribution from a motel in Bemidji. Agents observed Sayers arrive and park his vehicle at the motel, and then enter and exit a silver van parked nearby. Law enforcement detained Sayers moments after he left the van for suspicion of controlled substance sales and driving without a valid driver's license. Sayers told agents that he was staying at a room inside the motel, for which agents had already obtained a search warrant. During a search, agents found approximately 46 grams of fentanyl powder in Sayers’ pants pocket. During a search of Sayers’ Chevy Impala, law enforcement located approximately $11,000 in cash, a small safe containing various packaged controlled substances (including but not limited to multiple additional fentanyl and methamphetamine in small baggies). Law enforcement also located a loaded UZI Pro Brand 9 x 19 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, which was found on the front driver's side floorboard.

Sayers pleaded guilty on December 13, 2022, to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on April 16, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albania Concepcion and Allen A. Slaughter prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Sauk Rapids man has been sentenced to the statutory maximum 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlicensed manufacturing and selling ghost guns, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Jay Olson was manufacturing and trafficking untraceable, unmarked firearms and accessories, including a fully automatic machinegun and a silencer. The proliferation of these ghost guns and machinegun conversion devices presents a serious threat to the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “To underscore the significance of his crimes, Mr. Olson has been handed the statutory maximum prison term.”

“A case like this demonstrates the immense value of collaborative law enforcement efforts in curbing gun violence in our communities,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt. “I’m proud of the efforts of our West Metro Drug Taskforce and our Violent Offender Taskforce, who partnered with ATF and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office on this investigation. I would like to thank the U.S Attorney’s Office for our continued partnership as we all work to reduce violent crime in our communities.” 

“Firearms trafficking puts dangerous weapons in the hands of violent criminals and will absolutely not be tolerated,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge William McCrary, of the St. Paul Field Division. “We are pleased with the outcome of this case and are grateful to work beside law enforcement partners like Sheriff Witt who make the reduction of gun violence a top priority.”

According to court documents, between the fall of 2021 through April 2022, Jay James Olson, 22, willfully engaged in the business of manufacturing firearms for profit, despite the fact that he is not and has never been a federally licensed manufacturer of firearms. In the spring of 2022, Olson offered to sell numerous unserialized firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” and various firearms-related accessories, including a silencer, a machinegun conversion device, carbine conversion kits, and multiple high-capacity magazines, to an individual for $20,000. Unbeknownst to Olson, the individual was working with law enforcement as a confidential source. During their conversations, Olson touted the illicit benefits of unserialized firearms and told the confidential source that the price for each firearm would be going up because of the federal government’s then-recent initiative targeting ghost guns.

On April 26, 2022, at a residence in Waite Park, Olson sold the confidential source 16 ghost guns, nine high-capacity magazines, one silencer, a machinegun conversion device, and other firearms accessories. Immediately after the transaction, law enforcement arrested Olson and executed a search warrant at the residence. During the search, investigators recovered various firearm assembly kits, unserialized lower receivers, and multiple miscellaneous firearms parts and accessories. On May 4, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Olson’s Sauk Rapids residence, and recovered from the basement manufacturing tools, various firearm assembly kits, and a Glock firearm assembly diagram.  The investigation revealed that Olson was trafficking these firearms and offering to sell them to others whom he knew or had reason to know were otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms or intended to use them for unlawful purposes.

Olson plead guilty on September 28, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud to one count of willfully engaging in the business of manufacturing firearms without a license. During Olson’s sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Eric C. Tostrud said Olson’s actions posed a “grave danger” to the public.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force, and the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two Minneapolis men have been indicted for violently carjacking, kidnapping, and holding a victim at gunpoint for several hours, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on the evening of February 14, 2023, a man called 911 to report that he had been kidnapped and robbed by three individuals, later identified as Jamal Timothy Funchess, 18, T’Shawn Teon Palton, 21, and a juvenile. The victim reported that he had made arrangements over Facebook Marketplace to buy a cell phone. The victim and the purported seller arranged to meet at a location in Columbia Heights. When the victim arrived at the location and was still in the car, Funchess and Palton approached, and one pointed a firearm at the victim. The men ordered the victim to the backseat of the car. The men then got into the victim’s car, drove a few blocks, and picked up the juvenile. The three individuals held the victim at gunpoint for the next several hours. Each of the three at some point held the firearm and pointed it at the victim. During this time, they demanded that the victim surrender his cell phone, wallet, credit cards, and banking information. They drove to several gas stations around the Twin Cities in an attempt to use the victim’s cards to withdraw money. At one point, one of the men struck the victim in the face with the firearm. Toward the end of the ordeal, the three men discussed what to do with the victim and openly talked about murdering him. Eventually, they dropped the victim on a road in St. Paul and drove away in the victim’s car. The victim ran to a nearby gas station and borrowed an employee’s cell phone to call 911.

Officers were able to use the location of the victim’s stolen cell phone to find Palton, Funchess, and the juvenile kidnapper, along with the victim’s stolen car and possessions.

The indictment charges Funchess and Palton with kidnapping, carjacking, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The defendants, who are currently in federal custody, previously made initial appearances on a related complaint in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Hudleston and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.

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

ST. PAUL, Minn. – An Eagan man has been sentenced to 90 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to his guilty plea, Tyler Michael Sauve, 29, admitted to possessing thousands of images and videos depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Sauve pleaded guilty on December 15, 2022, to one count of receipt of child pornography. Sauve was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Eagan Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich prosecuted the case.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Red Lake man has been sentenced to 200 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for sexually assaulting a woman in her home on the Red Lake Reservation, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

As proven at trial, on July 3, 2020, Descart Austin Begay, Jr., 38, knowingly raped and sexually assaulted a victim in her home until she was finally able to escape.

On September 6, 2022, Begay was found guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of sexual abuse. Begay was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been found guilty by a federal jury of orchestrating a sex trafficking conspiracy in which he trafficked multiple minor girls, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a 10-day trial before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, Anton Joseph Lazzaro, a/k/a “Tony Lazzaro,” 32, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and five counts of sex trafficking of minors. Lazzaro’s co-defendant, Gisela Castro Medina, 20, pleaded guilty on December 19, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and one count of obstruction. Sentencing hearings for Lazzaro and Castro Medina will be scheduled at a later date.

The prosecution team, led by Assistant United States Attorneys Melinda Williams, Laura Provinzino and Emily Polachek, emphasized that this case “represents the face of modern-day sex trafficking.” They went on to state that, “today’s guilty verdict recognizes the bravery of the five young victims who were trafficked by Lazzaro. We are humbled by their courage and inspired by their journeys to regain their power.”

“Today, justice was served. This judgment of guilt means that Mr. Lazzaro will never again be able to use his fortune to manipulate young, vulnerable girls for his benefit. Few crimes are as heinous as the sexual exploitation of minors. The FBI and its law enforcement partners are dedicated to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society and will continue to use all available resources to investigate anyone who engages in such predatory criminal activity.” said Alvin M. Winston, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Minneapolis Division.

“We hope the individuals Lazzaro victimized feel some sense of justice today, and that all sex trafficking survivors know we will continue to work to hold accountable the men and women who commit these terrible crimes. This verdict reinforces that no one is above the law. Lazzaro’s wealth and privilege helped him facilitate these crimes but did not shield him from justice,” said Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

As proven at trial, Lazzaro conspired with Castro Medina to recruit young girls – 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds – to have sex with him in exchange for cash and other items of value. Lazzaro met Castro Medina in May of 2020 through the Seeking Arrangements website, which is known as a “sugar daddy” website. Lazzaro directed Castro Medina to identify girls she knew and others on social media who would have sex with him for money. Lazzaro specified that he was looking for young girls of a certain skin color, petite body type, and those who were considered vulnerable, referring to them as “broken girls.” Castro Medina would show Lazzaro photographs of minor girls and if Lazzaro “approved” Castro Medina would provide the minor’s contact information to Lazzaro. Castro Medina told the minors that Lazzaro was an older guy with a lot of money, and that he wanted to be a sugar daddy to younger girls. For her role in recruiting multiple minor girls, Lazzaro paid Castro Medina more than $50,000.

As proven at trial, Lazzaro often sent cars, typically Ubers, to transport the minor girls to his luxury condo in the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis. At one point, Lazzaro sent a driver to pick up a group of 14 and 15-year-olds from a slumber party in St. Michael, Minnesota. When minor girls came to his condo, Lazzaro would give them alcohol, flash stacks of cash, and offer the girls precise sums of money to perform various sex acts. Lazzaro would send the minor girls home with cash, vapes, alcohol, Plan B, cell phones, and other items of value. Lazzaro carried out this trafficking scheme from May 2020 through December 2020.

Following the execution of federal search warrants at Lazzaro’s condo on December 15, 2020, Lazzaro and Castro Medina discussed which of the minor victims spoke to law enforcement. As part of her guilty plea, Castro Medina admitted that in March 2021, she and Lazzaro agreed to pay off a 15-year-old victim to prevent her from talking to law enforcement about engaging in commercial sex with Lazzaro.

This case is the result of a joint investigation by the FBI and the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force – led by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Minneapolis Police Department, the West Hennepin Public Safety Department, and the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams, Laura M. Provinzino, and Emily A. Polachek tried the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Coon Rapids man has been sentenced to one year and one day for making interstate threats against a U.S. Senator, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on June 11, 2022, Brendon Michael Daugherty, 35, left two voicemail messages on the field office telephone of a U.S. Senator located outside the state of Minnesota. Both messages contained threats of violence directed at the U.S. Senator. In his first message, Daugherty stated, “You and the Republican Party should be proud that you’re pushing me to become a domestic terrorist. Have a nice [expletive] day; can’t wait to kill ya.” In his second message, Daugherty stated, “I also just wanted to note, thank God the Republican Party is against gun control laws because it would keep guns out of the hands of a person that was disabled and volatile like I am, but you guys are totally against that. So, I may actually get to carry out my nefarious goals.” Field office staff retrieved and recorded the messages and reported them to U.S. Capitol Police.

Daugherty pleaded guilty on November 1, 2022, to one count of interstate transmission of a threat to injure the person of another. Daugherty was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. In handing down the sentence, Judge Tostrud emphasized that threats directed at elected officials pose a “pernicious threat to our democratic institutions.”

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Svendsen prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Brooklyn Park man was sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on September 19, 2021, Marlin Lavar White, 27, possessed a Springfield Armory, model XDM-9, 9mm caliber, semiautomatic pistol while in downtown Minneapolis. When White saw police officers he ran and placed the firearm into a planter near a hotel. The firearm was later recovered from the planter.

Because White has several prior felony convictions in Hennepin County, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearms or ammunition. White pleaded guilty on December 1, 2022, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced yesterday by Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David P. Steinkamp, Justin A. Wesley, and Craig R. Baune prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Scott County man has been indicted on four counts of wire fraud for defrauding multiple homeowners in a swimming pool contracting scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Charles Ray Workman, 37, was the owner of MN Crete Pools, LLC, a Minnesota company that marketed and sold concrete swimming pools to families and individuals in and throughout the Twin Cities area. Beginning in 2021 continuing through 2022, Workman knowingly devised a scheme to market and advertise concrete swimming pools and pool installation services to customers around Minnesota. In soliciting down payments for the swimming pools, Workman represented to his customers that in exchange for their down payments he could “secure” their spot in MN Crete Pool’s workload for the installation of a swimming pool the same year their down payment was provided.

According to court documents, between April 2021 and June 2021, Workman collected down payments from approximately one customer a month and subsequently failed to complete pool projects for any of those customers. Despite this, Workman increased the rate at which he signed up customers and collected down payments throughout the remaining summer months, despite knowing he had not fully utilized customer down payments for the completion of pool projects. Workman sometimes falsely represented to customers he only had one spot left available for a certain customer, before continuing to solicit and signup customers after making that representation.

According to court documents, Workman converted some or all of customers’ payments for his own personal use and benefit, including $3,000 in child support payments, $18,000 at a casino, and more than $6,000 on a horse and saddle. In total, Workman fraudulently solicited and received more than $750,000 in payments from customers for whom he did not construct and install a complete and operational concrete swimming pool.

Workman, who was arrested on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Alistair E. Newbern, in U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee. He will appear for his arraignment on April 10, 2023, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Esther Soria Mignanelli is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has been sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on March 20, 2021, Clifton Earl Jiles, 31, purchased a Glock Model 27, 40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol, stating on the ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer of the firearm, however he was not. Jiles admitted to making false statements to purchase at least nine firearms. Jiles also admitted he gave one of the firearms to an individual who was legally unable to possess it.

Jiles pleaded guilty on October 20, 2022, to one count of false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Jiles was sentenced yesterday before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violently carjacking a woman outside her place of work in northeast Minneapolis as well as his involvement in two additional armed carjackings, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, on June 9, 2022, Shamir Nathann Black, 19, and an unidentified accomplice approached a woman outside of her place of work and demanded her car keys. Black proceeded to push the victim to the ground and hit her on the head with a firearm. A bystander attempted to assist the victim but was also assaulted by Black. During the struggle, Black discharged the firearm in the bystander’s direction. Black and an accomplice then got into the victim’s vehicle, but surrounding witnesses pulled Black from the driver’s seat and put him on the ground. Black and his accomplice fled the scene on foot.

After arriving at the scene, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department located a Shadow Systems 9mm semiautomatic pistol wrapped in a gray sweatshirt. The firearm had been reported stolen in Prior Lake in April 2022. Investigators reviewed a social media video that showed Black waving around a handgun that matched the firearm recovered at the crime scene. Further investigation revealed that a Volkswagen Jetta had been taken in a Prior Lake home burglary on the same night the firearm was stolen. Law enforcement later recovered the stolen Jetta from Black’s Minneapolis residence. On June 24, 2022, Black was taken into custody.

Black pleaded guilty on September 20, 2022, to one count of carjacking and admitted to being involved in two additional armed carjackings in Golden Valley in the spring of 2022. Black was sentenced today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Golden Valley Police Department, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Cass County man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a short-barreled shotgun, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on July 8, 2021, John Jarrod Jones, 44, illegally possessed a 12-gauge short-barreled shotgun. Jones took the firearm into a restroom at the Cedar Lakes Casino and Hotel on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and hid it behind a garbage can along with a plastic bag containing shotgun shells and a knife. Jones left the restroom and was later arrested in the Casino on unrelated charges.

Because Jones has several prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Cass County, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearms or ammunition. Jones pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Eric C. Tostrud to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Leech Lake Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily A. Polachek and LeeAnn K. Bell are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Coon Rapids man has been sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by 12 years of supervised release for a sextortion scheme that targeted minors through social media and an online gaming forum, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to court documents, Glen Robert Anderson, 24, previously worked as a middle school paraprofessional in special education. Anderson used multiple internet applications and social media accounts for email, file sharing, and chatting with minors, including Snapchat and Grindr. Anderson also owned and administered an online gaming forum. To participate in the forum, users were required to submit an application, which included the age of the user. As Anderson knew, many of the users were minors. Between April 1, 2016, through August 20, 2021, Anderson used his position as the forum administrator to groom minors to produce child pornography and engage in sexual activity with him, including by providing minors with in-game perks, privileges, and other gifts. For example, Anderson coerced a 13-year-old victim to engage in sexually explicit acts for the purpose of producing images and videos. Anderson later threatened to release those sexually explicit images if the victim did not respond to Anderson’s demands.

Anderson pleaded guilty on June 28, 2022, to two counts of production of child pornography, one count of enticement of a minor, and one count of interstate communications with intent to extort. He was sentenced on March 15, 2023, before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, the Erie County (Ohio) Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Waterloo Regional Police Service in Ontario, Canada.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela M. Munoz and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda E. Dugi prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – An Anoka man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a machinegun and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, in April 2022, the FBI began investigating Darrian Mitchell Nguyen, 50, based on a tip from a Confidential Human Source (CHS) that Nguyen was in possession of explosive devices, firearms, and methamphetamine, and had expressed a desire to join the Three Percenter militia group, a loosely organized anti-government extremist movement. The CHS told law enforcement that Nguyen kept weapons, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, a grenade launcher, and pipe bombs in “secret” rooms built within the walls of his residence.

According to court documents, to correct a debt owed to the defendant, Nguyen asked the CHS to provide him with firearms, specifically a short-barreled rifle equipped with an auto sear. Through text messages, Nguyen arranged to meet with the CHS to receive four auto sears and a short-barreled rifle equipped with an auto sear. During conversations with the CHS about obtaining firearms, Nguyen discussed interest in a revolution or coup-d’état. At the arranged meeting on October 4, 2022, after Nguyen took possession of the machine gun and the auto sears, law enforcement arrested Nguyen and executed a search warrant at his residence. Law enforcement recovered several firearms from a hidden room and elsewhere inside the residence, including an additional short-barreled rifle and a short-barreled shotgun that Nguyen was not registered to possess.

Nguyen pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Donovan W. Frank to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Justin Sher are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury found an Onamia man guilty of illegally possessing a firearm following a domestic assault, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a four-day trial before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis, Justin Lyle Cutbank, 36, was convicted on one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, on November 19, 2020, Leech Lake Tribal Police were dispatched to a residence following a report that Cutbank had physically assaulted a woman, held her at gunpoint, threatened to kill her, and then fled the residence into the woods. Shortly after officers arrived at the residence and took the victim’s statement, a neighbor reported that Cutbank was in their garage and refused to leave. Officers from multiple agencies responded to the location and found Cutbank barricaded in the garage. Several hours of negotiations followed with Cutbank retreating into the attic of the garage and refusing to surrender. Ultimately, officers were able to apprehend Cutbank, who continued to actively resist arrest. The following day, officers searched the wooded area where Cutbank had fled and found a Marlin Model 100 .22 caliber rifle with no serial number, a knife, and the victim’s cell phone.

Because Cutbank has multiple prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.  

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Ruth S. Shnider are prosecuting the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Paul man was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as an Armed Career Criminal, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on March 17, 2022, Geraldo Jay Dilworth, 35, was in possession of a Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol while waiting to board a train at the Union Depot Station in St. Paul. Because he has multiple prior felony convictions in Ramsey and Washington Counties, including domestic assault and terroristic threats, Dilworth is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

Dilworth pleaded guilty on November 1, 2022, to one count of felon in possession of a firearm as an Armed Career Criminal. He was sentenced on March 14, 2023, by Senior Judge Susan Richard Nelson.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Louis Park man has pleaded guilty to two counts of cyberstalking involving two victims, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, between September 2020 through December 2021, Julyen Alonzo Martin, 30, cyberstalked and threatened to kill, injure, and harass the victims. In violation of orders of protection issued against him, Martin sent numerous threats and unwanted messages via text message and social media applications to a victim. As a part of his cyberstalking scheme, Martin created social media accounts posing as one of the victims online and posted harmful allegations about the victims. According to court documents, Martin also contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”), falsely alleging that one of the victims was using their work computer to view child pornography. Martin emailed and called the victim’s employer several times claiming the victim was a pedophile being investigated for child endangerment. Also, Martin posed as a federal agent in furtherance of his cyberstalking scheme and claimed to be an FBI Special Agent intending to search the victim’s place of work for evidence.

Martin pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Susan Richard Nelson to two counts of cyberstalking. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 8, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two individuals have been charged in a federal criminal complaint for carjacking involving a robbery and holding a victim at gunpoint, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on February 14, 2023, in Anoka County, Jamel Timothy Funchess, 18, and T’Shawn Teon Palton, 21, took a motor vehicle from the vehicle’s owner, by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm.

According to a law enforcement affidavit, the victim had made arrangements over Facebook Marketplace to buy a cell phone. The victim and the purported seller arranged to meet at a location in Columbia Heights. When the victim arrived at the location and was still in the car, two men approached and one pointed a firearm at the victim. The men ordered the victim to the backseat of the car. The men then got into the victim’s car, drove a few blocks, and picked up a third male. The three individuals held the victim at gunpoint for the next several hours. During this time, the men demanded that the victim surrender their cell phone, wallet, and credit cards, and provide banking information. They drove to several gas stations around the Twin Cities in an attempt to use the victim’s cards to withdraw money. Each of the three men held the firearm during this time and pointed it at the victim. At one point, one of the men struck the victim in the face with the firearm. Toward the end of the ordeal, the three men discussed what to do with the victim and openly talked about murdering the victim. Eventually, they dropped the victim on a road in St. Paul and drove away in the victim’s car. The victim ran to a nearby gas station and borrowed an employee’s cell phone to call 911.

Officers were able to use the victim’s cell phone location to find Palton, Funchess, and the third kidnapper, along with the victim’s stolen car and items.

Both defendants are charged with one count of carjacking. They made their initial appearances today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Sarah Hudleston are prosecuting the case.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm after engaging in a shootout in North Minneapolis, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 20, 2021, Dominique Marquise McCaskel, 25, was in possession of a loaded Sig Sauer, model P365, 9mm semiautomatic pistol. According to the defendant’s plea agreement, surveillance footage from a nearby business showed a vehicle drive slowly past McCaskel, stopping momentarily in an alleyway. Upon seeing the vehicle, McCaskel pulled his Sig Sauer firearm from his pocket, ran towards the vehicle, and exchanged gunfire with individuals in the vehicle. McCaskel was shot and fell to the sidewalk, and the vehicle fled the area. Officers with the Minneapolis Police Department responded to the scene and recovered two 9mm discharged cartridge casings near McCaskel on the ground, and later recovered McCaskel’s firearm. The Minneapolis Police Forensics Division determined that the two recovered discharged cartridge casings were shot from McCaskel’s Sig Sauer firearm. The Forensics Division also found McCaskel’s thumbprint on the loaded magazine that was inserted into the firearm.

Because McCaskel has several prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from lawfully possessing any firearms or ammunition. McCaskel pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal felon. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 19, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Hillary A. Taylor are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota today announced federal criminal charges against 10 additional defendants for their alleged roles in the fraud scheme that exploited a federally-funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 10 defendants are charged across four separate indictments and two criminal informations with charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery.

As outlined in the charging documents, the defendants participated in a massive scheme to defraud the Federal Child Nutrition Program by obtaining, misappropriating, and laundering millions of dollars in program funds that were intended as reimbursements for the cost of serving meals to children. The defendants exploited changes in the program intended to ensure underserved children received adequate nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than feed children, the defendants enriched themselves by fraudulently misappropriating millions of dollars in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.

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The following defendants are named in the four indictments:

• Kawsar Jama, 41, of Eagan, was the principal of Gedo Community Services and Ahlan Childcare Center, Inc., both of which Jama enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between September 2020 through February 2022, Jama falsely claimed to have served approximately 1.46 million meals to needy children at sites in Pelican Rapids, Burnsville, and Minneapolis. In total, Jama submitted $3.7 million in fraudulent claims for Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, some of which she spent on living expenses, real estate, and vehicles, including a Tesla Model X and an Infiniti QX56 SUV. Jama is charged with five counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Abdikadir Kadiye, 51, of Minneapolis, was the president of Hobyo Health Care Foundation, which he enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Sponsor A. As alleged, throughout 2021, Kadiye falsely claimed to have served at least 445,000 meals to needy children at his sites in Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Minneapolis. In total, Kadiye submitted more than $1.1 million in fraudulent claims for Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, some of which he spent on vehicles (including a $105,000 2022 BMW sport utility vehicle), airline tickets, real estate, and $20,000 towards the purchase of a laundromat. Kadiye is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of wire fraud. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Abdulkadir Awale, 50, of Bloomington, was the principal of Karmel Coffee, LLC and Sambusa King, Inc., and the CEO of Nawal Restaurant. All three of Awale’s businesses were enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between April 2020 through January 2022, Awale falsely claimed that through his businesses he provided food for more than 3.6 million meals to various sites in Minnesota, totaling approximately $11.8 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Awale also paid at least $83,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Awale used some of funds to make mortgage payments, cash withdrawals, and purchase vehicles, including a Freightliner Cascadia truck. Awale is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, five counts of money laundering, three counts of wire fraud, and four counts of federal programs bribery. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Khadra Abdi, 41, of Minneapolis, was the principal of Shafi’I Tutoring & Homework Help Center, which she enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. As alleged, between April 2020 through December 2021, Abdi falsely claimed to serve 1.1 million meals to needy children at her site in Hopkins. In total, Abdi submitted more than $3.4 million in fraudulent claims for Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Abdi also paid at least $17,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Abdi used some of funds to make credit card payments, cash withdrawals, and purchase clothing. Abdi is charged with two counts of wire fraud and three counts of federal programs bribery. 22-CR-226 (NEB/TNL)
• Ayan Farah Abukar, 41, of Savage, was the founder and executive director of Action for East African People, a non-profit which she enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between October 2020 through 2022, Abukar falsely claimed to be serving as many as 5,000 children a day at her various sites in Bloomington, Minneapolis, Savage, and St. Paul. In total, Abukar fraudulently received approximately $5.7 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Abukar also paid more than $330,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Abukar spent millions on real estate, including a 37-acre commercial property in Lakeville and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars towards the purchase of an aircraft to be delivered to Nairobi, Kenya. Abukar is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, three counts of federal programs bribery, and three counts of money laundering. 23-CR-80
• Sade Osman Hashi, 45, of Minneapolis, was the principal of Great Lakes Inc. and Safari Express, entities which he enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between September 2020 through 2022, Hashi falsely claimed to be serving as many as 2,500 meals each day to needy children at his site in the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. In total, Hashi fraudulently received approximately $5.7 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Hashi also paid more than $150,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Hashi used some of the funds to make cash withdrawals and converted approximately $133,000 to cryptocurrency. Hashi is charged with four counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, three counts of federal programs bribery, and one count of money laundering. 23-CR-81
• Sharon Denise Ross, 52, of Big Lake, was the executive director of House of Refuge Twin Cities, a non-profit which she enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Sponsor A. As alleged, between October 2021 and January 2022, Ross falsely claimed to be serving thousands of children each day at her House of Refuge sites. In total, Ross fraudulently received approximately $2.8 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds, some of which she spent on real estate, vehicles, and payments to family members. Ross is charged with ten counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. 23-CR-82

Criminal informations:

• Mohamed Ali Hussein, 53, and Lul Bashir Ali, 57, both of Faribault, enrolled their entities Somali American Faribault Education (SAFE) and Lido Restaurant in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. As alleged, Hussein falsely claimed that the SAFE site in Faribault was serving as many as 2,500 children a day, seven days a week. Lul Ali falsely claimed that the Lido Restaurant site in Faribault was serving as many as 1,600 children a day, seven days a week. In total, Hussein and Lul Ali received more than $5 million in fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. As part of the scheme, Hussein also paid more than $100,000 in kickbacks to a Feeding Our Future employee. Hussein and Lul Ali are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. 23-CR-91
• Mulata Yusuf Ali, 38, of Minneapolis, is charged with theft of government funds involving the Federal Child Nutrition Program from December 2020 through January 2022. 23-CR-92

United States Attorney Andrew Luger thanks the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their collaboration and skilled investigative work in bringing these indictments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Minnesota Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, Chelsea A. Walcker, and Joseph H. Thompson are prosecuting the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A Chicago man has been sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on June 21, 2022, a St. Paul police officer responded to an apartment after receiving a 911 call reporting a domestic incident. The officer encountered Allen Denzel Oliver-Hall, 28, who attempted to get the officer to turn his back to him so that he could hide a gun, a stolen American Tactical 92 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. The officer saw the gun and tried to remove it from Oliver-Hall’s possession. During the struggle, the firearm was pointed towards the officer. Eventually, the officer was able to disarm Oliver-Hall.

Because Oliver-Hall has multiple prior felony convictions in Cook County, Illinois, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

On October 25, 2022, Oliver-Hall pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.  Oliver-Hall was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Paul Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A California woman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and filing a false tax return after embezzling more than $1 million from her employer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the guilty plea and court documents, Mai Houa Xiong, 47, of Fresno, California, was employed as a financial manager for a Minneapolis-based property management company that provided financial services to homeowners’ associations (HOAs) throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Xiong’s duties included bookkeeping, and as a manager she had access to the victim associations’ financials, bank accounts, vendor and contractor payments, and bookkeeping systems. Between February 2015 and February 2022, Xiong devised and executed a fraud scheme to embezzle funds directly from the accounts to which she had access. These funds were HOA fees collected from residents intended to pay for maintenance, construction, and other costs incurred by the victim associations.

As part of the scheme, Xiong repeatedly accessed bank accounts and conducted electronic transfers of funds directly into her personal bank accounts. Xiong disguised these transfers by mislabeling them to make it appear as if they were legitimate homeowner association expenses. Xiong also used her authority as a signatory to make cash withdrawals directly from the HOAs’ accounts, including making withdrawals after she was fired from her position in July 2021. After her termination, Xiong began collecting Unemployment Insurance (UI) funds. However, even after Xiong found new employment, she continued to wrongfully obtain public UI benefits.

Xiong pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to one count of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of making and subscribing a false tax return. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the IRS – Criminal Investigations, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison K. Ethen is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Cottage Grove man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on November 14, 2022, law enforcement encountered Jason Steven Kearns, 38, in the driver’s seat of a truck outside of a restaurant in Woodbury. Kearns was known to law enforcement and had previously identified himself as a member of the Aryan Brotherhood gang. The officers called for backup and two Woodbury Police squad vehicles arrived and attempted to stop Kearns by activating their lights. One squad vehicle stopped in front of Kearns’s truck and the other approached from the side. Kearns accelerated his truck forward, ramming the police vehicle head-on. Kearns reversed his truck and drove into a curb and was pinned by the two police vehicles. Kearns exited his vehicle and ran from officers on foot to a parking lot across the street. Officers saw that Kearns had his right hand on what appeared to be a semiautomatic pistol. Officers drew their firearms and issued multiple commands to Kearns to drop his firearm. Kearns continued walking through the parking lot and then stopped and knelt down, still refusing to drop the firearm. Kearns stated to officers that he had a firearm in his hand. Eventually, Kearns dropped the firearm and surrendered and was taken into custody. The firearm, a Smith & Wesson 9mm semiautomatic pistol, was loaded with a round chambered and 11 rounds in the magazine. Kearns was also carrying a large knife on his person. Kearns later expressed regret that he had not fired at the arresting officers.

Because Kearns has previous felony convictions in Chisago, St. Croix, and Pierce Counties, including assault and armed robbery, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time.

Kearns pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Woodbury Police Department, and the Cottage Grove Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A Polachek is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Bemidji man has been indicted for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 23, 2022, Kenneth Darnell Triplett, 35, possessed a distribution amount of methamphetamine and two firearms, a Taurus model G3 9mm pistol and a H&R model 732 .32 caliber revolver. Because Triplett has multiple prior felony convictions in Michigan and Illinois, including armed robbery and controlled substance delivery, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The indictment charges Triplett with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. He made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby. He was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Bemidji Police Department, and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man and woman have been indicted for violent Hobbs Act robberies, one of which involved the kidnapping of an Uber driver on Christmas Day, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 25, 2022, Antwon Demondray Townsend-Davis, 23, and Kevena Takhyra Terry-Ford, 20, used force, violence, and fear of injury to carry out a Hobbs Act robbery by stealing a Nissan Rogue from an Uber driver who was using the vehicle for commercial business purposes. The two defendants also kidnapped the Uber driver for the purpose of accessing the victim’s ATM account.

On December 28, 2022, the defendants used force, violence, and fear of injury to carry out a Hobbs Act robbery at a Speedway gas station in Minneapolis.

Townsend-Davis and Terry-Ford are each charged with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of kidnapping. Both defendants made their initial appearances today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Anoka Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth S. Shnider is prosecuting the case.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – Two men have been indicted for carjacking and firearms violations, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on January 3, 2022, Jordan James Smith, 26, of Ramsey, used force, violence, and intimidation to steal a Nissan Juke. On February 3, 2022, Smith and his co-defendant Carson Thomas McCoy, 21, of Blaine, used force, violence, and intimidation to steal a Honda Accord. During the carjacking, Smith brandished a Glock 21, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a red and black camouflage slide.

In November 2022, McCoy was charged in a federal criminal complaint after stealing a BMW sedan, breaking into a residence in Ham Lake, Minnesota, and stealing various items—including a firearm. McCoy was subsequently involved in a road rage incident and apprehended after fleeing law enforcement. A search of the vehicle revealed the firearm McCoy stole from the residential burglary and numerous other items of contraband.

Because Smith and McCoy both have prior felony convictions, they are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The indictment charges Smith with two counts of carjacking, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. McCoy is charged with one count of carjacking and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Smith had his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster and was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings. McCoy has been detained since the November 2022 federal complaint.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Blaine Police Department, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF), and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been charged in a criminal complaint for an armed carjacking spree and illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Let this be a lesson that we will not tolerate violent felons that prey on our community, especially those who endanger the police officers who courageously place their lives on the line in the protection of others,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “I am thankful for the dozens of officers from multiple agencies who responded to swiftly bring this person to justice before he could cause any more harm in our community.”

United States Attorney Luger stated, “This is a snapshot of the violent acts we are seeing in the Twin Cities on a regular basis. The full force of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focused on reducing the levels of violent crime and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring swift and certain accountability to violent criminals.”

“Callously putting multiple lives at risk while brandishing firearms, including at a responding law enforcement officer, it is completely unacceptable,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge William McCrary, of the St. Paul Field Division. “I appreciate the swift and decisive action of the brave agents and law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to take this man into custody and prevent further danger to the public.”

According to court documents, on January 30, 2023, in Little Canada, a Ramsey County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Ford F150, which was later revealed to be stolen. The driver, Donovan Goodman, 33, fled the deputy, driving in the wrong lanes of traffic, above posted speed limits, and evading stop sticks. Law enforcement officers ultimately disabled the vehicle using a PIT maneuver. The driver of the vehicle—believed to be Goodman—fled the vehicle and jumped over a barrier separating the east and west lanes on Interstate 694. He approached an uninvolved vehicle, which had stopped in the westbound lanes of Interstate 694, pointed a firearm at the vehicle and yelled, “Get the [expletive] out of the car.” He then fled in the vehicle. The carjacked vehicle―which was subsequently recovered―had an installed dash camera that captured the entire incident.

On February 25, 2023, at approximately 4:23 a.m., officers with the Minneapolis Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle parked in a parking lot. Goodman and another male, who were standing near the vehicle, immediately fled on foot and officers pursued. One officer deployed a taser to subdue Goodman, who initially fell to the ground, rolled over and then pointed a handgun with a red laser sight in the direction of the officer. The officer immediately took cover and Goodman escaped on foot.

Shortly thereafter, a carjacking victim flagged down responding law enforcement officers and reported that he was an Uber driver and had just picked up two passengers in downtown Minneapolis when a man approached the vehicle and offered the occupants $100 to let him join the Uber ride. One of the occupants agreed and opened the door. Once inside the vehicle, the man (later identified as Goodman) pulled out a firearm with a red laser and pointed it at the back of the driver’s head and ordered everyone out of the vehicle. The driver and the two occupants complied, and Goodman fled in the vehicle.

Later that day, after obtaining a search warrant for Goodman’s cell phone, law enforcement tracked Goodman to a residence in St. Paul. The St. Paul Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant at the residence and, after law enforcement provided numerous loud commands for over an hour, Goodman exited the residence and was taken into custody.

Because Goodman has prior felony convictions, including burglary, assault, and drug sales, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The complaint charges Goodman with possession of a firearm as a felon and carjacking. Goodman made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. Goodman was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maplewood man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release for illegal possession of a pipe bomb, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the plea agreement and other court documents, on April 28, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Maplewood residence of Dylan Raymond Orr, 27, after discovering photos of two pipe bombs sent from Orr’s phone to a third-party. The images showed small BBs affixed to the exterior casing of the pipe bombs. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement discovered two six-inch pipes —one with BBs affixed, four end caps, and explosive powder, components which could be readily converted to a destructive device. Orr did not have a registration to possess these devices from the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.

Orr pleaded guilty on November 9, 2022, to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device. Orr was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Savage Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Robbinsdale man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison for illegal possession of a firearm, to be served consecutively to a prior sentence of 70 months for illegal possession of a firearm, followed by three years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on December 15, 2021, Travon Lavelle Blackman, 26, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, by U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright, for a felon in possession conviction. Blackman failed to surrender himself to begin his sentence, and a federal warrant for his arrest was issued by the Court.

According to court documents, on April 5, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at a Robbinsdale apartment associated with Blackman and arrested him on the federal arrest warrant. During the search of the apartment, investigators discovered a Glock, model 21 Gen 4, .45-caliber pistol, with an attached high-capacity magazine, loaded with 18 rounds, on the floor of the bedroom closet. The firearm had an attached auto-sear or “switch,” enabling the firearm to fire as a fully automatic weapon, and the slide lock appeared to be glued into place. The firearm had been reported stolen out of Eden Prairie in May 2019.  The defendant’s fingerprints were found on the firearm. Because Blackman has prior felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time.

On August 29, 2022, Blackman pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon.  Blackman was sentenced February 24, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Robbinsdale Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal civil jury has returned a verdict in favor of the United States for more than $43 million for violations of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute. During the six-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright, the United States proved that the Defendants the Cameron-Ehlen Group, Inc., which does business as Precision Lens, and its owner Paul Ehlen paid kickbacks to ophthalmic surgeons to induce their use of Defendants’ products in cataract surgeries reimbursed by Medicare. The jury found that Defendants’ kickbacks caused the submission of 64,575 false claims to the Medicare program between 2006-2015.

As proven at trial, Precision Lens and Ehlen provided kickbacks to physicians in various forms, including travel and entertainment. The United States identified multiple examples of trips, including high-end skiing, fishing, golfing, hunting, sporting, and entertainment vacations, often at exclusive destinations. For many of the trips, Precision Lens and Ehlen transported physicians to luxury vacation destinations on private jets. These included trips to New York City to see a Broadway musical, the College Football National Championship Game in Miami, Florida, and the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Precision Lens and Ehlen also sold frequent flyer miles to their physician customers at a significant discount, enabling the physicians to take personal and business trips at well below fair market value.

The United States also proved that Precision Lens maintained a fund, referred to internally at Precision Lens as a secret fund or slush fund, in furtherance of its kickback scheme. Precision Lens used money from the secret fund to finance multiple physician trips.

“The False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute provide assurance to the United States and Medicare beneficiaries that healthcare decisions are made based on the best interest of the patient and nothing else,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Blumenfield. “The jury’s verdict protects the integrity of the Medicare system for patients and those healthcare providers who operate fairly and legally. Companies may not use expensive trips and other items of value to persuade physicians to use their products, and physicians may not accept that remuneration. We thank the jury for its service throughout this lengthy trial.”

The United States previously announced a $12 million settlement of related allegations with Sightpath Medical, Inc. and TLC Vision Corporation (collectively “Sightpath”) and their former CEO, James Tiffany. Dr. Jitendra Swarup also resolved claims that he had accepted kickbacks in a settlement agreement of more than $2.9 million.

This civil lawsuit was originally brought by a Relator, or whistleblower, under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery. The government often relies on whistleblowers to bring fraud schemes to light that might otherwise go undetected. The whistleblower in this matter, Kipp Fesenmaier, will receive a percentage of the amounts awarded at trial.

The case was handled by the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, including AUSAs Chad Blumenfield, Bahram Samie, and Andy Tweeten and paralegals Darcie Boschee and Laura Kolars. The case was investigated with assistance from the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Bemidji man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on May 2, 2022, law enforcement observed Levi Adams Westbrook, 30, meet with a suspected drug trafficker in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. As Westbrook was traveling back toward northern Minnesota, officers stopped the vehicle in which Westbrook was a passenger. After Westbrook exited the vehicle, officers saw a plastic bag with approximately one pound of methamphetamine on the front passenger floorboard where Westbrook was sitting. Officers also seized a .22 caliber “pen” gun from the passenger compartment. The “pen” gun discharged as the police were securing the gun into evidence.

Westbrook pleaded guilty on February 24, 2023, in U.S. District Court before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team, and the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – Three individuals from northern Minnesota have been charged in a drug trafficking conspiracy that brought fentanyl and methamphetamine to the Red Lake Reservation and surrounding area, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Derek Jon Paddy, 27, of Bemidji, Erika Dawn Bellanger, 25, of Bemidji, and Raymond Allen Drouillard, 44, of Trail, knowingly and intentionally conspired with each other and others to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

All three defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Paddy and Bellanger are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, while Drouillard is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Paddy and Bellanger made their initial appearances late last week in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby. Drouillard made his initial appearance on January 5, 2023.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Bemidji Police Department, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Red Lake Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren O. Roso is prosecuting the case.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A South St. Paul felon has been charged in a federal indictment for illegal  possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on December 5, 2022, Nicholas Neil Nikiforakis, 33, was carrying a loaded, unserialized ghost gun while in possession of a distribution amount of fentanyl. Because Nikiforakis has multiple prior felony convictions in Dakota, Hennepin, and Anoka Counties, including domestic assault, first degree drug sales, and vehicle theft, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The indictment charges Nikiforakis with one count of felon in possession of ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on February 15, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright. He was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

DULUTH, Minn. – A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against two Duluth men for a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, from the spring of 2020, through July 2022, Tisco Rondell Cooks, 35, and Cole Alexander Heyn, 25, both from Duluth, conspired with each other to distribute quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Cooks is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Heyn is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Cooks and Heyn are currently in custody and will make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and the Duluth Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst is prosecuting the case.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on May 28, 2019, Travis Malik Galtney, 38, possessed two semiautomatic pistols and an extended magazine. He also possessed a semiautomatic pistol, with an attached high-capacity magazine, at the time of his arrest on January 8, 2020. Because Galtney has previous felony convictions in Ramsey and Olmsted Counties, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time.

Galtney pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Michael J. Davis to two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Paul Police Department and the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Chelsea A. Walcker are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (“FCI”) in Sandstone has been sentenced to an additional 24 months in prison for attempting to obtain contraband in prison, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. 

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents, on two separate dates in February and March 2022, Nickolas William Mihelic, 39, an inmate at FCI Sandstone, attempted to obtain methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. In order to bypass security protocols, Mihelic conspired with another individual to mail pieces of paper to him at FCI Sandstone that were saturated with liquid methamphetamine. When the methamphetamine-saturated papers arrived at FCI Sandstone, Bureau of Prisons officials seized the contraband.

Mihelic was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel. Mihelic pleaded guilty on September 26, 2022, to two counts of attempting to obtain contraband in prison.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor prosecuted the case.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been found guilty by a federal jury of possession of a machinegun and illegal possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a four-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank, Marques Dwell Armstrong Jr, 28, was convicted on one count of possession of a machinegun and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, on October 12, 2021, Armstrong was found in possession of a 9mm-caliber Glock pistol, with an attached loaded high-capacity magazine and equipped with a device commonly known as a “switch” or “auto sear,” enabling it to be fired as a fully automatic machinegun. Because Armstrong has previous federal and state felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time.   

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Albania Concepcion tried the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Duluth couple has been charged with conspiracy and tax fraud after failing to pay taxes on their nail salon business income, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, An Ngoc “Ritchie” Nguyen, 44, was the operator and sole proprietor of Q Nails salon located in Duluth. Tram Anh “Ann” Nguyen, 41, was the operator and sole proprietor of Crystal Nails salon located in Superior, Wisconsin. From at least 2016 through at least October 2020, the defendants unlawfully conspired with each other and others to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by reporting on their individual income tax returns only the credit card sales, or including a false, nominal amount of cash sales, from their Q Nails and Crystal Nails salons. The defendants also falsely claimed to reside at two different addresses and agreed to divide their three children—with whom they jointly resided—as dependents in order to fraudulently claim head of household status on both of their individual income tax returns.

Ritchie Nguyen is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and four counts of making and subscribing a false tax return. Ann Nguyen is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return. The defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court on March 7, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois in Duluth.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS – Criminal Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Svendsen is prosecuting the case.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A Red Lake man has pleaded guilty to one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on March 10, 2022, Devin Anthony Sumner, 20, and the victim had been involved in a relationship. In the early morning, and while in his car, Sumner became angry at the victim and began to physically assault the victim by slapping and punching. During the assault, Sumner grabbed a 12-gauge G-Force Arms shotgun and repeatedly hit the victim on the hands and body with the shotgun. As a result of being hit with the shotgun, the victim sustained serious bodily injuries including a broken and fractured hand, multiple lacerations, and bruises, all of which necessitated emergency hospital treatment and eventual surgery.

Sumner pleaded guilty on February 9, 2023, before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2023.                                                    

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan B. Gilead and Emily A. Polachek.

MINNEAPOLIS – Two men have been charged in separate indictments by a federal grand jury for their roles in online romance fraud schemes, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to separate indictments, Solomon Eghosa Wilfred, 42, of Coon Rapids, and Dodzi Kwame Kordorwu, 36, of Brooklyn Park, knowingly and intentionally participated in and facilitated online romance fraud schemes that targeted primarily elderly victims. As part of the schemes, the perpetrators contacted victims through e-mail and other online social media applications, using false personas to obtain victims’ trust. The scheme participants typically sought a romantic connection with the victims including suggestions of marriage. For example, according to the indictment, Wilfred mailed cards and rings on numerous occasions to victims located in other states. Once a relationship was established, the scheme participants would introduce the victims to others, such as a purported assistant, diplomat, government official, or even supposed law enforcement officers. The intermediaries furthered the scheme by helping with purported logistical issues and lulling the victims. It was further part of the scheme that the participants of the fraud scheme would request money from victims consistent with the supposed needs of the false personas. Scheme participants routinely increased the size of the requests over time and would direct victims to send money and other items of value to specific addresses.

According to court documents, Wilfred and Kordorwu used numerous addresses and/or bank accounts to receive and process packages and funds sent by victims under false and fraudulent pretenses. Between May 2018 and June 2022, Kordorwu received more than $2.3 million in fraud proceeds from electronic fund transfers and approximately 90 separate victim mailings. Kordorwu used some of the proceeds for his personal benefit and shared proceeds with other scheme participants. Between June 2020 and March 2021, Wilfred received over 400 victim packages containing more than $1.2 million in fraud proceeds and used some of the proceeds for his personal benefit and shared proceeds with other scheme participants.

Wilfred is charged with seven counts of mail fraud. In a separate indictment, Kordorwu is charged with eight counts of mail fraud. Both defendants made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and a Digital Forensic Investor with Hennepin County.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan L. Sing and Robert M. Lewis are prosecuting the case.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been charged in a federal indictment for illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on November 17, 2022, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department observed Muhnee Jaleel Bailey, 23, step out of his vehicle and enter an Auto Zone store in Minneapolis. Officers could see, in plain view, an extended magazine of a firearm sticking out from under the driver’s seat of Bailey’s vehicle. Officers approached Bailey when he came out of the Auto Zone store and Bailey began to flee on foot. Bailey eventually stopped running and officers apprehended him. Officers later searched Bailey’s vehicle and recovered a Glock, Model 30, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Because Bailey has prior felony convictions in Ramsey County, including drive-by shooting and possession of a machinegun, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The indictment charges Bailey with one count of possession of a firearm as felon.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Two men have been sentenced to prison for trafficking methamphetamine that was shipped through mail from Los Angeles to Bemidji, Minnesota, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on July 20, 2021, Molandas Johnson, 26, brought five pounds of methamphetamine to a Post Office in Los Angeles and shipped it to an address in Bemidji, Minnesota. After federal agents from Minnesota observed Johnson ship the package, the agents obtained a search warrant to seize the packaged methamphetamine. Days later, U.S. Postal Investigators and other officers conducted a controlled delivery of the package in Bemidji, and observed co-conspirator Luis Francisco Hernandez, 24, picking up the package.

Johnson pleaded guilty on July 6, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He was sentenced on January 25, 2023, in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy E. Brasel to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised released.

Hernandez also pleaded guilty on July 6, 2022, to distribution of controlled substances. He was sentenced on February 9, 2023, by Judge Nancy E. Brasel to nine years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott and Drew R. Winter prosecuted the case.