District of Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Woodbury woman was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,019,572.12 in restitution to the IRS for filing false federal income tax returns, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, during tax years 2017 through 2018, Shoua Isabelle Yang, 45, the owner and operator of Atwork Staffing Inc., a staffing agency that provided temporary workers for multiple business clients, caused the agency not to properly withhold, account for, and pay over accurate payroll taxes, including federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare taxes. Yang caused quarterly IRS Forms 941 to be completed and filed that were willfully and deliberately false, in that they did not report all employees employed by Atwork Staffing and did not report all payroll taxes owed by Atwork Staffing. Yang also caused Atwork Staffing to pay a portion of its employees’ salaries in cash and not report the true payroll on the Forms 941 filed on behalf of Atwork Staffing. Yang also filed IRS Forms 1120 corporate tax returns that were false in that they underreported her agency’s gross receipts as well as the true amount of payroll expenses for the wages paid to her employees. Yang’s tax fraud resulted in a total tax loss of $1,019,572.12.

On November 10, 2021, Yang pleaded guilty to two counts of filing a false federal income tax return. Yang was sentenced earlier today by U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud.

This case is the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation Division.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Andrew Charles Welsh has pleaded guilty to intentionally setting fire to the Press Bar and Parlor as part of a scheme to obtain insurance money, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Welsh, 42, owner and operator of the Press Bar and Parlor located in St. Cloud, maintained a business owner’s insurance policy on the business. On February 17, 2020, as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain insurance money, Welsh used gasoline to set a fire in his office located in the basement of the Press Bar. The fire eventually spread and resulted in the total destruction of the building as well as other losses. 

On February 24, 2020, Welsh retained a Public Insurance Adjuster to assist in the preparation, presentation, and adjustment of insurance claims related to the fire at Press Bar. On February 26, 2020, Welsh, through the Public Insurance Adjuster, claimed that he was entitled to payment from the insurance company in the amount $1,430,123.28 for property damage and other losses related to the February 17, 2020, fire. Welsh admitted that in submitting the insurance claim, he falsely stated that “said loss did not originate by any act, design, or procurement on the part of your insured,” when, as Welsh knew, his arson of the Press Bar caused the loss for which he sought compensation.

Welsh pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud to one count of arson. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the St. Cloud Police Department, the St. Cloud Fire Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshals, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Stearns County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan H. Nelson and Evan B. Gilead are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, today announced a new federal strategy to address violent crime in the Twin Cities metro area.

“Violent crime is at an all-time high in the Twin Cities. We have before us an urgent task. Every Minnesotan deserves the right to live safely and securely, without fear of shootings, car jackings, and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “This new strategy is designed to bring swift justice to our communities and to the victims of violent crimes. But it is also designed as a signal to violent offenders to stop. This violence cannot continue – it is causing far too much fear, too much pain and too much heartbreak for families and our community.”

The federal violent crime strategy announced today establishes expanded capacity within the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute violent crime cases. Every federal prosecutor in the office will now take on violent crime cases. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be hiring additional prosecutors to assist in these efforts. With this expanded capacity, the office will prioritize the intake of all adult federal carjacking cases; cases involving the illegal possession of firearms and/or ammunition; firearms trafficking cases; straw purchasing cases; as well as cases involving the illegal possession of auto sears and ghost guns. Finally, U.S. Attorney Luger has created a new gang prosecution team that will work directly with law enforcement in addressing the gang violence that is plaguing the metro.

ATF Special Agent in Charge William J. McCrary stated, “I can say without a doubt that our agents are ready and enthused about working alongside U.S. Attorney Luger and his team on this violent crime initiative. We have already identified numerous violent offenders throughout the Twin Cities and other key areas in Minnesota. We are hot on the trails of many individuals who have done violence and those who arm them- who deal in the illegal firearms trade.”

“I commend U.S. Attorney Luger for his renewed focus and priority on violent crime. The FBI is specifically leveraging its Violent Crimes Task Force and its Safe Streets Task Force in the fight against violent crimes and criminal gang activity,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. “To those who are committing these senseless act of violence, we will find you, we will take you off the street and you will be held accountable.”

“The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has implemented a targeted BCA team of special agents and analysts who are pursuing known suspects in homicides and gun-related crimes, carjackings, aggravated assaults, and felony warrants related to violent crimes. The BCA has also dedicated forensic laboratory resources to complete violent crime evidence testing faster. This brings the full weight of the BCA’s analytical and investigative toolset to data-driven investigations so that we can quickly find and apprehend suspects,” said BCA Deputy Superintendent of Investigations Scott Mueller. “We appreciate U.S. Attorney Luger’s leadership with this work and the partnership of many federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”

U.S. Attorney Luger announced several recently unsealed cases:

• Dovyion Daquay Glass, 31, of Minneapolis, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession of a firearm as a felon. According to court documents, on March 23, 2022, Glass was in possession of a Glock model 42 .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Because of his previous felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time. According to a law enforcement affidavit, Glass was involved in a March 5, 2022, shooting outside a bar in St. Paul. Glass fired multiple rounds at people standing outside the bar. One of the bullets struck a man in the chest. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF and the St. Paul Police Department. ( glass_complaint.pdf )

 

• Nicholas James Bell, 23, of Minneapolis, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession of a machine gun. According to court documents, on February 17, 2022, law enforcement agents intercepted a package sent from China that contained pieces of 21 Glock switches or auto sears. Agents also found that Bell had received four previous shipments from the same company in China over a two-month timeframe. Bell was later found in possession of a handgun outfitted with an auto sear, 70 rounds of ammunition, and seven additional auto sears. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, CBP, ATF, and the Blaine Police Department. ( bell_complaint.pdf )

 

• Jay James Olson, 21, of Sauk Rapids, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with manufacturing firearms without a license and possession of a machine gun. According to court documents, law enforcement learned that Olson was manufacturing and selling “ghost guns” as well as selling large quantities of other firearms throughout the Metro area. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized from Olson multiple ghost guns, high-capacity magazines, a silencer, several unserialized gun kits, and other firearms and accessories. This is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force, and the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office. ( olson_complaint.pdf )

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury convicted a Granite Falls man of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright, Ramon Diego Pacheco, 42, was convicted earlier this week of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

According to the evidence presented at trial, in late 2018 law enforcement began investigating a methamphetamine trafficking organization in the Twin Cities. Law enforcement learned that Scott Velisek, one of the defendant’s co-conspirators, was receiving large shipments of methamphetamine and selling pound-level quantities to a regular stable of customers.  Those key customers would then deal the methamphetamine to their own customers.  Pacheco was one of several of Velisek’s customers who then sold smaller amounts of methamphetamine to others.

Pacheco’s co-conspirators, Scott Joel Velisek, Elizabeth Reeves Sporleder, Del Corey Crandell, Leslie Marie Cloud, and Nicole Lee Chaparro previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug trafficking organization.  

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Renville County Sheriff’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan H. Nelson, and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren O. Roso and Lindsey E. Middlecamp.

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MINNEAPOLIS – An Illinois man was sentenced to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for sex trafficking a woman and transporting another woman to engage in prostitution, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Sex trafficking is an insidious crime that causes lasting physical and emotional trauma. Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of Mr. Stennis’s crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “I commend our law enforcement partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the Bloomington Police Department for their commitment to this case.”

“While today’s sentencing cannot undo the pain Stennis inflicted upon those who survived his abuse, it is my hope that by seeing him held accountable for his heinous crimes they will be given some form of solace knowing he is no longer in the communities in which they live,” said Jamie Holt, acting special agent in charge of HSI St. Paul. “HSI, along with our law enforcement partners, are dedicated to the eradication of sex trafficking and will continue to search out those who intend to profit off the pain and abuse of others.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, between January and March 2019, Darnell Deshawn Stennis, 30, transported one woman around the Midwest, using threats and physical violence to force the woman into performing commercial sex acts.  In March of 2019, Stennis transported a second woman between Minnesota and North Dakota for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

On March 25, 2019, officers with the Bloomington Police Department were dispatched to the La Quinta Inn in Bloomington, Minnesota, following a report that a hotel guest heard yelling and what sounded like someone being thrown against a wall. Upon arrival, officers encountered Stennis and the two women, identified as Victim A and Victim B. Officers checked the hotel room and observed obvious signs of a disturbance, including a toilet seat that was broken into multiple pieces and a towel rack that was bent. Victim A reported to officers that Stennis had violently assaulted her after she told him she didn’t want to engage in commercial sex work anymore. Victim A reported that Stennis choked her, bashed her head into the towel rack, and pushed her down onto the toilet seat. Stennis, who also had outstanding warrants, was arrested and placed into custody. After his arrest, Stennis instructed Victim B to lie to the investigators and destroy evidence of the sex trafficking. He continued to force Victim A to perform commercial sex acts for several months, even while he was in custody, by threatening her with physical violence.

On October 7, 2021, Stennis was convicted by a federal jury on two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, two counts of transporting an individual to engage in prostitution, and one count of obstruction. Stennis was sentenced earlier today by U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bloomington Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Manda M. Sertich, and Evan B. Gilead.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Carver County man was sentenced to 480 months in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for producing child pornography and extortion related to a years-long sextortion scheme, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“For nearly a decade, Mitchell Ottinger engaged in a sextortion scheme that targeted dozens of vulnerable, young victims. This predator will now spend the next 40 years behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands united with our law enforcement partners in combatting child sexual exploitation.”

“Today's crippling sentence reflects the heinous nature of the defendant's crimes, as he used his position of trust and authority to find his victims, and traumatize them,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. “Sextortion is a crime that can victimize any child and the FBI will continue to work with our partners and in our communities to make sure our children know that help is available and that we will spare no effort in hunting down their predators.”

According to court documents, Mitchell James Ottinger, 25, a former substitute teacher and paraprofessional, engaged in a scheme to obtain sexually explicit images and videos of minors and adults by using false online personas. Ottinger threatened to disseminate the images and videos of his victims in order to extort more images and videos. Over the course of several years Ottinger victimized 42 people, including at least 23 minors, some of whom he knew from the school district where he worked.

Law enforcement was alerted to the sextortion when one of the victims contacted the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center and reported the threats.

Ottinger was sentenced late last week by U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright. At sentencing, Judge Wright commented that Ottinger committed heinous crimes that introduced grievous harm and suffering into the lives of his victims. On October 19, 2021, Ottinger pleaded guilty to two counts of production and attempted production of child pornography and one count of interstate communication with intent to extort.

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

If you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.

This case is the result of investigations conducted by the FBI and the Carver County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda E. Dugi prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury convicted a St. Paul man of illegal possession of a firearm as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel, Samson Diamonte Xavior-Smith, 27, was convicted on April 21, 2022, of one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on June 25, 2021, the St. Paul Police Department received a 911 call reporting a pedestrian, later identified as Xavior-Smith, had pointed a gun at the driver of a stopped vehicle on the Robert Street Bridge. St. Paul Police officers responded to the scene and, after a foot chase, apprehended Xavior-Smith at the intersection of 4th Street and Cedar Street. During the chase, officers observed, and city surveillance cameras recorded, Xavior-Smith place an object into a trash can. Immediately after his arrest, officers looked inside that trash can and recovered a Sig Sauer, Model P290RS, 9mm pistol from the trash can. Subsequent testing found Xavior-Smith’s DNA on the gun.

Because Xavior-Smith has multiple prior felony convictions in Ramsey and Washington Counties, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

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

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

This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Burnsville man has been sentenced to 240 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for dealing methamphetamine out of hotel rooms in the Twin Cities. U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, in the summer of 2020, law enforcement determined that Eric Michael Dungy, 50, was selling methamphetamine out of hotel rooms in the Twin Cities metro area. On September 30, 2020, law enforcement encountered Dungy in the Element Hotel parking lot in Bloomington. Agents arrested Dungy and found heroin and $16,621 in cash on his person. Agents conducted a search of Dungy’s vehicle and recovered 364 grams of methamphetamine, three methamphetamine pipes, needles, gallon Ziploc bags with methamphetamine residue on them, an electronic money counter, and a Kel-Tec 9mm handgun. On October 3, 2020, law enforcement searched Dungy’s unoccupied hotel room and found 5.5 pounds of methamphetamine and other personal effects belonging to Dungy.

According to court documents, after obtaining release on bail from the Hennepin County Jail in November 2020, Dungy was again investigated for methamphetamine distribution and by December 14, 2020, he agreed to sell three pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover officer for $15,000. On the same day, law enforcement searched two adjacent rooms he rented at the Country Inn & Suites in Bloomington, and recovered approximately 6.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 13.5 grams of heroin, three digital scales, multiple small Ziplock bags, eleven phones, and $12,286 in cash.

On October 18, 2021, Dungy pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Paul Police Department, the Edina Police Department, with assistance from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter, Jr.

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal criminal complaint has been filed against Mohamed Jama Ismail, 49, of Savage, charging him with passport fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Ismail is one of the targets of a federal investigation into the misappropriation of Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. During the investigation, law enforcement identified several companies, including ThinkTechAct Foundation, Empire Cuisine & Market LLC, and Empire Enterprises LLC, that were receiving a suspiciously high amount of reimbursements under the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Collectively, these companies received more than $30 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds from approximately May 2020 to January 2022. As alleged, Ismail and a partner owned and controlled Empire Cuisine & Market LLC, which he and other co-conspirators used to fraudulently obtain, launder, and misappropriate millions of dollars in federal funds. For example, ThinkTechAct received more than $21 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds from February 2021 to January 2022, based on the claim that the company was serving meals to thousands of children a day at multiple distribution sites. Bank records show that ThinkTechAct transferred more than $12 million in federal funds to Empire Cuisine & Market LLC. In addition to the $12 million it received from ThinkTechAct, Empire Cuisine & Market also received more than $12 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds directly from Partners in Quality Care and Feeding Our Future during this same period.

As alleged, most of the funds were misappropriated and sent through shell companies to an array of individuals involved in the scheme. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered receipts for more than $800,000 in international wire transfers from Empire Cuisine & Market to entities in China. Bank records show that all of the money sent to China was traceable to Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. Bank records also show more than $700,000 in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds were wired from Empire Enterprises LLC (previously transferred from Empire Cuisine & Market) to Nairobi, Kenya in 2021.

According to court documents, on January 20, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ismail’s home in Savage. During the search, law enforcement seized Ismail’s U.S. passport. Ismail provided law enforcement agents with the combination to the locked safe where the passport was stored. On March 22, 2022, Ismail applied for a new U.S. passport, falsely representing on the application that he had “lost” his passport “at home.” Ismail also claimed that he had filed a police report related to the loss of his passport. According to the Savage Police Department, Ismail has not filed any police reports related to the loss of his passport. Based on his application, the U.S. Department of State issued Ismail a new U.S. passport on March 22, 2022.

According to court documents, Ismail booked a flight from Rochester, Minnesota, to Nairobi, Kenya, via Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, scheduled to depart on April 20, 2022. At 10:30 a.m. on April 20, 2022, at Rochester International Airport, Ismail used his newly obtained U.S. passport to check in for the flight. Ismail arrived at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and was arrested by FBI agents while boarding his flight to Amsterdam.  

Ismail is charged with one count of passport fraud. He made his initial appearance earlier today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson 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 Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 184 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $49,213.85 in restitution for his role in a string of violent carjackings throughout the Twin Cities. U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced the defendant.

“This disturbing wave of carjackings throughout the Twin Cities is eroding our overall sense of safety and security,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working in close coordination with all levels of law enforcement to bring this trend to an end.”

“Carjacking is a borderless, flagrant crime that can affect anyone at any time. These violent carjackings terrorized the Twin Cities and instilled fear in our communities,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. “Today’s sentencing underscores that those who commit these senseless acts of violence will face significant penalties for their actions. The FBI is committed to our ongoing work with our law enforcement partners to take these criminals off the streets.”

According to court documents, on August 28, 2020, Jeremiah Lee Ironrope, 25, and his co-defendant Krisanne Marie Benjamin, 26, drove a maroon SUV to a parking lot in Richfield, where they parked near a 2017 Audi. Ironrope approached the driver of the Audi and pointed a Remington 870 l2-gauge shotgun, with a sawed-off barrel, at the driver and demanded the car keys. Benjamin kept watch from the maroon SUV as Ironrope started the Audi and drove away. Benjamin followed in the maroon SUV.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of August 29, 2020, the Minnesota State Patrol used GPS data to track and locate the stolen Audi, which was driven by Ironrope and occupied by Benjamin. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Ironrope drove away at a high rate of speed, while cutting across multiple lanes of traffic, swerving between cars, and driving through red lights. During the flight from law enforcement, Benjamin got out of the vehicle and fled on foot while Ironrope continued fleeing in the Audi. Law enforcement found the vehicle running and unoccupied in Minneapolis. The vehicle had been partially spray-painted black. Inside officers found a stolen wallet, bottles of spray paint, a hat, gloves, and receipts. Law enforcement also found a used l2-gauge shotgun shell under the driver's seat.

On September 9, 2021, Ironrope pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. On September 7, 2021, co-defendant Benjamin pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting carjacking.

As part of their guilty pleas, Ironrope and Benjamin admitted to two additional carjackings that occurred on July 26, 2020, in Maple Grove and August 7, 2020, in St. Paul. In both instances, the defendants physically assaulted the victims before stealing their vehicles. Ironrope also admitted to two December 2020 carjackings occurring in St. Louis Park and St. Paul. In both instances, Ironrope pointed a handgun at the victims before stealing their vehicles.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Maple Grove Police Department, the Richfield Police Department, the Edina Police Department, the Roseville Police Department, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan H. Nelson.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury convicted a Fridley man of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and illegal possession of firearms as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright, John Edward Juneau, 48, was convicted yesterday of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of illegally possessing firearms as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on February 1, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Columbia Heights. Officers encountered Juneau and two other people inside a detached garage. As a result of the search, officers found three plastic baggies containing more than 23 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine. Subsequent testing determined that Juneau’s DNA was present on the baggies.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on July 9, 2019, police executed a search warrant at a Coon Rapids residence. Officers saw Juneau trying to exit the residence through a basement bedroom window of the residence. Juneau dropped a bag outside the window that contained, among other things, a safe containing $6,000 in cash and numerous empty plastic baggies. Inside the residence, officers found quantities of 99% pure methamphetamine. The police also searched the garage located on the property and found a Ruger, .380 caliber pistol, a Ruger, .22 caliber pistol, two scales, several empty plastic baggies, and more than 40 grams of high purity methamphetamine.

Because Juneau has multiple prior felony convictions in Anoka, Sherburne, Hennepin, and Ramsey Counties, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Anoka-Hennepin Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force.

This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Dunne and Harry Jacobs.

Two Illinois men were today sentenced to 190 months and 170 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the 2017 bombing of Dar al-Farooq (DAF) Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

On Jan. 24, 2019, Michael McWhorter, 33, and Joe Morris, 26, both of Clarence, Illinois, pleaded guilty in the District of Minnesota to federal charges that originated in both the District of Minnesota and the Central District of Illinois. The charges included intentionally obstructing, and attempting to obstruct, by force and the threat of force, the free exercise of religious beliefs; carrying and using a destructive device during and in relation to crimes of violence; possession of a machine gun; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats and violence; and attempted arson. The pleas to the charges originating in the Central District of Illinois were entered in Minnesota pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 20, which allows for the transfer of charges for the entry of guilty pleas and the imposition of sentence.

“McWhorter and Morris carried out a violent plan to attack a house of worship as people peacefully prayed inside,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “In the United States, all people have a right to exercise their faith freely. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute domestic terrorists who carry out acts of violence to suppress those rights or threaten and intimidate others based on their religious identity.”

“Hate-fueled acts of violence like the bombing of the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center violate our laws and run contrary to our values as a nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This heinous bombing instilled fear in an entire faith community. These defendants made the decision to confess to their crimes and assist in the civil rights prosecution of the individual who led them to join a far-reaching criminal conspiracy rooted in white supremacy. The department will continue using all the tools in our law enforcement arsenal to prosecute hate-fueled acts, including those that target communities of faith and houses of worship.”

“These men followed Hari’s lead, complied with her direction, and subscribed to her violent and extremist ideology in carrying out this act of terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger for the District of Minnesota. “Today, justice has been served for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice will protect and uphold the rights of individuals and faith communities to worship freely, without the threat of violence.”

“Attacks on houses of worship and those practicing their faith are heinous acts,” said Assistant Director Timothy Langan of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The outcome of this case should serve notice that such actions will not be tolerated. The FBI will work with our partners to hold accountable those who commit or plot to commit such acts of violence in our communities.”

McWhorter and Morris were recruited by Emily Claire Hari, 51, formerly known as Michael Hari, to join a terrorist militia group called “The White Rabbits” in the summer of 2017. According to court documents, Hari recruited McWhorter and Morris to join the militia, which Hari outfitted with paramilitary equipment and assault rifles. On Aug. 4 and 5, 2017, Hari, McWhorter and Morris drove in a rented pickup truck from Illinois to Bloomington, Minnesota, to bomb the DAF Islamic Center. About an hour outside of Minnesota, Hari disclosed to McWhorter and Morris that there was a pipe bomb in the truck and that they were going to bomb a mosque. Hari targeted DAF specifically to terrorize Muslims into believing they are not welcome in the United States and should leave the country.

According to court documents, Hari, McWhorter and Morris arrived at DAF at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2017. Morris used a sledgehammer to break the window of the Imam’s office at DAF and threw a plastic container with a mixture of diesel fuel and gasoline into the office. McWhorter then lit the fuse on a 20-pound black powder pipe bomb and threw it through the broken window. McWhorter and Morris ran back to the truck where Hari was waiting in the driver’s seat. The three sped away from the building and drove back to Illinois. When the pipe bomb exploded, the blast caused extensive damage to the Imam’s office. It also ignited the gasoline and diesel mixture, causing extensive fire and smoke damage. At the time of the bombing, several worshipers were gathered in the mosque for morning prayers.

According to court documents, on Nov. 7, 2017, Hari, McWhorter and Morris attempted to set fire to the Women’s Health Practice in Champaign, Illinois. Morris used a sledgehammer to break a window and placed a PVC device containing thermite powder in the Women’s Health Practice. The device did not ignite and was found on the floor by an employee of the Women’s Health Practice when the employee arrived to work later that morning.

According to court documents, on Dec. 16, 2017, McWhorter and Morris participated in an armed home invasion in the town of Ambia, Indiana, where they dressed as police officers and carried firearms, including two that had been illegally converted into machine guns. Hari, McWhorter and Morris also carried out armed robberies of two Walmart stores, one in Watseka, Illinois, and one in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on Dec. 2, and 17, 2017, respectively.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Ethen and Timothy Rank for the District of Minnesota prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Timothy Visser of the Civil Rights Division, Lead Paralegal Specialist Lynette Simser, Community Affairs Director Angie LaTour, Witness Specialist Selina Kolsrud, former Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Docherty and Julie Allyn, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Miller of the Central District of Illinois, and the special agents of the FBI’s Minneapolis and Springfield Divisions, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Bloomington Fire Department.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Michael McWhorter, 33, and Joe Morris, 26, both of Clarence, Illinois, were sentenced today to 190 months and 170 months in prison, respectively, for firearms violations, arson, use of a destructive device, and federal civil rights violations in connection with the 2017 bombing of Dar al-Farooq (DAF) Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

“Hate-fueled acts of violence like the bombing of the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center violate our laws and run contrary to our values as a nation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This heinous bombing instilled fear in an entire faith community. These defendants made the decision to confess to their crimes and assist in the civil rights prosecution of the individual who led them to join a far-reaching criminal conspiracy rooted in white supremacy. The department will continue using all the tools in our law enforcement arsenal to prosecute hate-fueled acts, including those that target communities of faith and houses of worship.”

“McWhorter and Morris carried out a violent plan to attack a house of worship as people peacefully prayed inside,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “In the United States, all people have a right to exercise their faith freely. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute domestic terrorists who carry out acts of violence to suppress those rights or threaten and intimidate others based on their religious identity.”

“Although these men were not the criminal masterminds of their violent acts, they followed Hari’s leadership, they complied with the direction they were given, and submitted to a violent and extremist ideology in carrying out this act of terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger. “The government recognizes and values McWhorter and Morris’s cooperation throughout this case, which contributed to Hari’s conviction. Today, justice under the law has been served for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice will protect and uphold the rights of individuals and faith communities to worship freely, without the threat of violence.”

“This crime was a violent, hate driven attack that specifically targeted individuals based on their faith. More broadly, this was an attack on all faith-based communities that openly practice their religions with a reasonable expectation of peaceful freedom to do so,” said Michael Paul, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis division.  “Every person has the right to live and worship freely and without fear. The FBI is committed to defending all communities and protecting the rights of all Americans.”

According to court documents, during the summer of 2017, Emily Claire Hari, 51, f/k/a Michael Hari, established a terrorist militia group called “The White Rabbits” in Clarence, Illinois. Hari recruited McWhorter and Morris to join the militia, which Hari outfitted with paramilitary equipment and assault rifles. On August 4 and 5, 2017, Hari, McWhorter, and Morris drove in a rented pickup truck from Illinois to Bloomington, Minnesota, to bomb the DAF Islamic Center. About an hour outside of Minnesota, Hari disclosed to McWhorter and Morris that there was a pipe bomb in the truck and that they were going to bomb a mosque. Hari targeted DAF specifically to terrorize Muslims into believing they are not welcome in the United States and should leave the country.

According to court documents, Hari, McWhorter, and Morris arrived at DAF at approximately 5:00 a.m. on August 5, 2017. Morris used a sledgehammer to break the window of the Imam’s office at DAF and threw a plastic container with a mixture of diesel fuel and gasoline into the office. McWhorter then lit the fuse on a 20-pound black powder pipe bomb and threw it through the broken window. McWhorter and Morris ran back to the truck where Hari was waiting in the driver’s seat. The three sped away from the building and drove back to Illinois. When the pipe bomb exploded, the blast caused extensive damage to the Imam’s office. It also ignited the gasoline and diesel mixture, causing extensive fire and smoke damage. At the time of the bombing, several worshipers were gathered in the mosque for morning prayers.

According to court documents, on November 7, 2017, Hari, McWhorter, and Morris attempted to set fire to the Women’s Health Practice in Champaign, Illinois. Morris used a sledgehammer to break a window and placed a PVC device containing thermite powder in the Women’s Health Practice. The device did not ignite and was found by an employee of the Women’s Health Practice when the employee arrived to work later that morning.

According to court documents, on December 16, 2017, McWhorter and Morris participated in an armed home invasion in the town of Ambia, Indiana, where they dressed as police officers and carried firearms, including two that had been illegally converted into machine guns. Hari, McWhorter, and Morris also carried out armed robberies of two Walmart stores, one in Watseka, Illinois, and one in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on December 2, 2017, and December 17, 2017, respectively.

On January 24, 2019, McWhorter and Morris pleaded guilty in the District of Minnesota to federal charges that originated in both the District of Minnesota and the Central District of Illinois. The pleas to the charges originating in the Central District of Illinois were entered in Minnesota pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 20, which allows for the transfer of charges for the entry of guilty pleas and the imposition of sentence. The charges included intentionally obstructing, and attempting to obstruct, by force and the threat of force, the free exercise of religious beliefs; carrying and using a destructive device during and in relation to crimes of violence; possession of a machine gun; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats and violence; and attempted arson.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Ethen and Timothy Rank for the District of Minnesota prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by Trial Attorney Timothy Visser of the Civil Rights Division, Lead Paralegal Specialist Lynette Simser, Community Affairs Director Angie LaTour, former Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Docherty and Julie Allyn, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Miller, of the Central District of Illinois, and the special agents of the FBI’s Minneapolis and Springfield Divisions, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Bloomington Fire Department.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Paul man has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison followed by two years of supervised release for threatening a U.S. Representative, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on January 11, 2021, Jason Robert Burham Karimi, 32, left a voicemail on the office telephone of a U.S. Representative located in California. The voicemail contained graphic threats of violence directed at the U.S. Representative. The U.S. Capitol Police reviewed the voicemail and traced the telephone number to Karimi. On January 12, 2021, agents arranged to meet with Karimi near his St. Paul residence. Karimi told agents that he works as a lobbyist for the marijuana industry and the voicemail was meant to cause “political pain” to the U.S. Representative’s political career. Karimi admitted that he knew the voicemail he left would be perceived as a threat.

On September 8, 2021, Karimi pleaded guilty to one count of interstate communication of a threat. He was sentenced earlier today by Senior U.S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury convicted a Stearns County man of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine while incarcerated, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a five-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge David S. Doty, Robert Edward Maloney, Jr., 39, was convicted on April 8, 2022, of a single count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

According to the evidence presented at trial, in spring 2019, Maloney, while incarcerated in a Minnesota state prison, coordinated with others outside the prison to sell methamphetamine. While Maloney was incarcerated, he communicated with his co-conspirators via jail calls. Law enforcement agents obtained recordings of Maloney’s jail calls, which revealed Maloney’s direction and coordination, including arranging meetings and discussing methamphetamine prices and quantities. 

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Cannon River Drug & Violent Offender Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Joseph S. Teirab.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 144 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for an armed Hobbs Act robbery of a Minneapolis restaurant, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on November 9, 2020, Abdiweli Mohamed Jama, 32, entered Market Barbecue in Minneapolis, armed with a semi-automatic pistol, and attempted to rob the business. An employee tried to thwart the robbery and engaged in a physical altercation with Jama. During the altercation, Jama’s pistol discharged, and the employee was struck in the shoulder and the knee. Jama fled the scene on foot.

On November 16, 2021, Jama pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of discharge firearm during a crime of violence. He was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Cloud man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $4,187,999.72, in restitution for wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, from 2009 through 2021, Hared Nur Jibril, 60, owned and operated Hormud Meat and Grocery Market located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. In 2009, Jibril completed the application and agreement and signed the required certifications for the Hormud Market to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At that time Hormud Market was also authorized as a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vendor. The SNAP and WIC programs are run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in collaboration with the states. Both programs required Jibril to periodically recertify compliance. From 2018 through 2021, Jibril and other employees of Hormud Market devised and participated in a scheme to defraud the USDA by exchanging SNAP and WIC benefits for cash and ineligible items including, phone minutes, personal care products, and prepared food from Jibril’s adjoining restaurant. The scheme resulted in a loss amount of more than $4.1 million to the SNAP and WIC programs.

According to court documents, during the spring and summer of 2020, Minnesota provided unemployment insurance benefits to assist individuals who had lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite his continued self-employment at the Hormud Market, Jibril applied to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for unemployment benefits, falsely claiming that he had been laid off from work due to COVID-19. DEED granted his application for benefits, which were ultimately funded by the United States Department of the Treasury as part of pandemic relief efforts. In total, Jabril received more than $32,724 in unemployment assistance.

Jibril was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud. On December 1, 2021, Jabril pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the USDA-OIG, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor-OIG, and the Minnesota Department of Health.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Huddleston.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Texas man was sentenced today to 52 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for rioting during the 2020 civil unrest, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Ivan Hunter, 24, admitted to traveling from San Antonio, Texas, to Minneapolis with the intent to participate in a riot. Hunter is a self-described member of the Boogaloo Bois, a loosely connected group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments. The term “Boogaloo” itself references the group’s belief in an impending second civil war in the United States that includes a violent uprising against the government.

On the night of May 28, 2020, within hours of arriving in Minneapolis, Hunter met up with other Boogaloo Bois members, obtained an AK-47 assault rifle, and blindly fired 13 rounds into the entryway of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building. At the time of the shooting there were other individuals, believed to be looters, still inside the building. Hunter’s actions were captured on surveillance video and law enforcement recovered from the scene discharged rifle casings consistent with an AK-47 style firearm. Hunter’s gunfire caused approximately $85,000 in damage to the building.

According to court documents, upon returning to Texas, Hunter made various statements on social media describing the violence in which he engaged in Minneapolis. On June 3, 2020, officers with the Austin Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a pick-up truck for numerous traffic violations. Hunter was one of three occupants in the vehicle. Hunter, the front seat passenger, had six loaded magazines for an AK-47 style assault rifle affixed to a tactical vest he was wearing. Officers found three semi-automatic rifles on the rear seat of the vehicle, one loaded pistol in plain view next to the driver’s seat, and another loaded pistol in the center console. Several days after the traffic stop, federal agents became aware of Hunter’s online affiliation with Boogaloo Bois member Steven Carrillo, who recently pleaded guilty in the Northern District of California to the murder of a Federal Protective Service Officer he committed May 29, 2020.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter, and Trial Attorney Daniel Gardner of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Mounds View man has been charged with tax evasion for failing to pay several years’ worth of payroll taxes, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Larry Wallace Lindberg, 68, is a pharmacist and the CEO of Midwest Medical Holdings LLC, a Mounds View-based pharmaceutical and medical equipment company. As the owner and CEO of the company, Lindberg was responsible for filing tax returns and paying taxes on behalf of the company. Despite being aware of his company’s tax obligations, Lindberg failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) several hundred thousand dollars in federal payroll taxes each quarter. Beginning in 2011, the IRS spent years attempting to collect on the tax debt. Lindberg entered into several installment agreements with the IRS in which he agreed to make regular payments towards the tax debt, but ultimately failed to make the payments and defaulted on each of the agreements. In attempt to evade the IRS’s collection of the tax debt, Lindberg diverted funds and assets to other business entities he controlled. In total, Lindberg and Midwest Medical Holdings owes more than $6 million in federal income taxes.

Lindberg is charged with one count of tax evasion. He will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court before Judge Katherine M. Menendez on April 21, 2022.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson is prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the information are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BEMIDJI, Minn. – A Ponemah man was sentenced today to 144 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for the murder of a woman on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, in 2019, William Jones, IV, 24, and the victim were involved in a romantic relationship and lived together at the victim’s house in Ponemah. During the evening of November 6, 2019, Jones repeatedly assaulted the victim in their residence, hitting her on the shoulders, arms, and torso, and throwing her against a wall. During the assault, the victim’s head was struck, and she suffered a brain injury. Jones did not contact emergency personnel or attempt to render aid to the victim despite her obvious injuries. The victim remained in the house unconscious for almost two days. During that time, Jones was in the house and chose not to contact emergency personnel or otherwise render any aid to the victim.

According to court documents, on November 8, 2019, Jones’s mother contacted emergency personnel after arriving at the house and observing the victim’s condition. The victim was transported to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, where medical personnel determined that the victim suffered a traumatic brain injury, which caused the victim to remain in a persistent vegetative state with no hope for recovery. The victim died on November 22, 2019, as a result of her injuries and the defendant’s failure to seek immediate and life-saving medical assistance on the victim’s behalf.

Jones pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder on October 21, 2021. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan B. Gilead and Deidre Y. Aanstad prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Slayton, Minnesota, man was sentenced to 12 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and $435,517.78 in restitution for converting collateral that secured loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, in October 2015, Mark Alan Engelkes, 54, pledged 15,641 bushels of soybeans as collateral to the U.S Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Commodity Credit Corporation (“CCC”) in order to obtain loan proceeds of nearly $80,000. During the application process for the CCC loan, Engelkes agreed to not move or dispose of the collateral until the loan was paid in full. However, in April 2016, officials from the USDA learned that Engelkes had removed the pledged grain without prior approval and sold it. In addition to the USDA CCC loan, the defendant also defaulted on other farm financing from USDA, resulting in a total loss amount to the government of $435,517.78.

On October 21, 2021, Engelkes pleaded guilty to one count of conversion of USDA CCC crops. He was sentenced on April 1, 2022, by Chief U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Middlecamp and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary Taylor prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Red Lake man has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting a Red Lake Tribal Police Officer, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, on July 27, 2021, officers with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department (“RLTPD”) responded to a call to conduct a welfare check on David Brian Donnell, Jr., 29, at his residence in Redby, Minnesota. Five RLTPD officers responded to Donnell’s residence. Upon arrival, the officers found Donnell standing outside on the porch and attempted to have him walk towards the officers, but Donnell instead went inside the residence. Because Donnell had an active tribal warrant and was refusing to comply, the officers made the decision to breach the door. As soon as the door was breached, Donnell opened fire on the officers. Officer Ryan Bialke was immediately struck by gunfire and fell. Donnell continued shooting, firing several rounds from an Izhmash Saiga 7.62 caliber rifle at the four other officers on the scene. One RLTPD officer returned fire to allow the officers to escape into the woods. Donnell continued firing at the officers as they fled into the woods. Donnell fired at least 22 shots at Officer Bialke and the four other RLTPD officers. Officer Bialke succumbed to his injuries and died on the scene. Donnell then fled the scene, taking the rifle with him. Shortly thereafter, officers arrested Donnell at a nearby residence.

Donnell pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim to one count of murder in the second degree. Donnell faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Joseph S. Teirab are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Canadian man has been arrested and charged for his role in a $300 million telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to court documents, Abdou Diallo, also known as Abdou-Rahmane Diallo, 34, of Montreal, Quebec, was a co-owner and operator of Readers Services and NP Readers Inc., both Canadian-based companies that carried out a telemarking fraud scheme. From 2011 through 2020, Diallo and his co-conspirators provided “lead lists” and fraudulent sales scripts to their telemarketing employees for use in carrying out the fraud scheme. The scheme targeted people who had previously fallen victim to a fraudulent magazine sales scam and been tricked into signing up for multiple expensive magazine subscriptions they did not want and could not afford. Diallo and his co-conspirators took advantage of the victims’ desperation to make the magazine subscriptions stop. They called the victims pretending to be from the “magazine cancellation department.” Diallo and his co-conspirators offered to pay off the victims’ “outstanding balance” and cancel their existing magazine subscriptions in exchange for a large, lump-sum payment. None of this was true. In reality, the victims did not owe the defendants or their companies any money. Diallo and his co-conspirators had no power or ability to cancel the victims’ existing magazine subscriptions or any outstanding balance owed to any other magazine companies. This scheme ultimately defrauded more than 20,000 victims—many of whom were elderly and vulnerable—across the United States out of approximately $30 million.

Diallo was arrested on March 30, 2022, at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, and made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Becerra in the Southern District of Florida. He will be transported in custody to the District of Minnesota for further court proceedings. Diallo is charged with one count conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.

Another Canadian defendant, Saman Moghbel, 34, of Montreal, Quebec, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on February 28, 2022, before Chief U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim in Minneapolis. Moghbel’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Diallo is charged in connection to United States v. Timmerman et al., 20-cr-233. This indictment is related to United States v. Rahm, et al., 20-cr-232, United States v. Mathias et al., 20-cr-231, United States v. Dahl, 18-cr-305 and United States v. Oelrich, 20-cr-128. Over sixty defendants have been charged for their roles in a $300 million fraud scheme that targeted more than 150,000 elderly and vulnerable victims. To date, 37 defendants have pleaded guilty to their roles in the fraud scheme.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Based on the evidence obtained in this investigation, authorities believe there may be additional victims of the alleged conduct. Report suspected fraudulent activity to MagazineVictims@FBI.GOV or visit FBI.gov/MagazineVictims.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, and Melinda A. Williams are 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. – A federal jury found a Hopkins, Minnesota man guilty of distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl, which resulted in the deaths of eleven people and caused serious bodily injury to four people, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Following a 10-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Aaron Rhy Broussard, 31, was convicted on 17 counts, including conspiracy, importation of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues.

“Aaron Broussard was a black-market drug dealer,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. “Concerned only with his profits, Broussard sold illegal, dangerous drugs over the internet. The defendant’s deadly fentanyl killed eleven young, healthy, and vibrant victims, and caused serious bodily harm to at least four others. Even after Broussard found out his customers were overdosing, he callously continued to ship out deadly drugs. I thank the jury for their service in a difficult case. I offer my condolences and gratitude to the family members of victims across the county who traveled to the District of Minnesota to testify at trial. I applaud the trial team for their work in bringing the defendant to justice.”

“Today’s verdict is the culmination of a multi-jurisdictional investigation into an individual who used innovative techniques to supply an incredibly lethal substance to an unwitting community,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said. “In the time since Broussard’s arrest in 2016, our nation has seen an unprecedented rise in overdose deaths attributed to synthetic substances such as fentanyl. As Broussard is now held accountable for his actions, the DEA continues to educate communities on the dangers of this potent substance while also working with our local, state, tribal and federal partners to remove the threat of drug traffickers pushing this highly addictive substance.”

“The prosecution and conviction of Aaron Broussard is an excellent example of multiple law enforcement agencies combining their expertise and resources to conduct investigations with the common goal of taking down internet vendors of illicit narcotics. Broussard worked under the belief he was an anonymous individual selling dangerous narcotics, such as the deadly fentanyl uncovered in this investigation, which resulted in the deaths of almost a dozen citizens. U.S. Postal Inspectors are committed to continuing our work to dismantle drug trafficking operations to keep USPS customers and employees safe from greedy drug traffickers who favor profit over human lives,” stated Inspector in Charge Ruth M. Mendonça of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Denver Division.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2014 through December 6, 2016, Broussard obtained controlled substances, including fentanyl, from China-based drug suppliers. Broussard conspired with his China-based suppliers to smuggle what would prove to be deadly drugs into the country. Broussard marketed these drugs for sale on his website, PlantFoodUSA.net, under the guise of selling plant food. He then used the United States mail and a United States Postal Service “Click-N-Ship” account to send out packages of deadly drugs around the country.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on March 12, 2016, Broussard placed a drug order for 100 grams of 4-FA, a controlled substance analogue, which was shipped from China. The package actually contained 100 grams of 99% pure fentanyl. Although Broussard had experienced a similar mix-up in August 2015 and was repeatedly told to test his drugs, he just didn’t bother. Between March 31 and April 27, 2016, Broussard sent his branded packages containing fentanyl to more than a dozen customers throughout the United States. The customers had ordered and were expecting to receive an amphetamine analogue, similar to Adderall. They were not opiate users and had no tolerance for the deadly fentanyl Broussard sent them. After ingesting the fentanyl, believing it was Adderall, eleven of the customers died from a fentanyl overdose, and at least four customers suffered serious bodily injury. Broussard continued distributing his deadly packages despite hearing about adverse reactions. Even after he learned that several customers had been hospitalized and nearly died, Broussard never warned his customers not to take the deadly drugs. Broussard did reach out to his suppliers in China to request a discount on his next drug delivery.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, the University of Minnesota Police Department, the Peoria Heights (Illinois) Police Department, the Dallas (Texas) Police Department, the Broome County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, the Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Office, Garrard County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Office, Hazel Green (Wisconsin) Police Department, and the Atlanta (Georgia) Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Hollenhorst and Melinda A. Williams tried the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the appointment of 12 U.S. Attorneys to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). Created in 1973, the AGAC advises the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorneys in Department policies. The first meeting of the AGAC will take place later this spring.

The appointees include U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York; U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee for the District of Maine; U.S. Attorney Trini Ross for the Western District of New York; U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina; U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana; U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris for the Central District of Illinois; U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota; U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona; U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado; and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. An appointee from a district within the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals will be announced at a later date, once the Senate has confirmed nominees.

“These United States Attorneys will represent the views of dedicated federal prosecutors across the country, and provide advice and insight into essential matters facing the Department,” said Attorney General Garland. “I look forward to working alongside them in carrying out the Department’s core priorities of upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.”

A brief bio on each appointee is below:

Damian Williams (Chair)

The Senate confirmed Damian Williams’ appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in October 2021. Williams began his legal career as a law clerk to then-Judge Merrick Garland when he served in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2007 to 2008. Williams then served as a law clerk for Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court from 2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2012, he was a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. From 2012 to 2021, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In the role, he served as a chief of the securities and commodities fraud task force from 2018 to 2021. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard University in 2002, a Master of Philosophy in international relations from Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge in 2003, and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2007, where he was also an editor of the Yale Law Journal.

Cindy K. Chung (Vice Chair)

The Senate confirmed Cindy K. Chung’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania in November 2021. In 2002 and 2003, Chung served as a law clerk for Judge Myron H. Thompson in the Middle District of Alabama. She then joined the New York County District Attorney’s Office in 2003, serving as an assistant district attorney until 2007 and as investigation counsel in the Official Corruption Unit from 2007 to 2009. From 2009 to 2014, Chung served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. She later joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, serving as deputy chief of the major crimes division. From 2014 to 2021, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Chung earned a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1997 and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 2002.

Darcie McElwee

The Senate confirmed Darcie McElwee’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine in October 2021. McElwee began her legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Penobscot and Piscataquis counties in Maine from 1998 to 2002. Between 2005 and 2008, McElwee was an adjunct professor of advanced trial advocacy at the University of Maine School of Law. From 2002 to 2021, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine. Since 2005, she has been the coordinator of Project Safe Neighborhoods. McElwee received her Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in 1995 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law in 1998.

Trini Ross

The Senate confirmed Trini Ross’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York in September 2021. Ross began her career as an appellate attorney for the New York Supreme Court. She was an associate at Hiscock & Barclay LLC before joining the Office of Professional Responsibility as assistant counsel. From 1995 to 2018, Ross served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. She has also been an adjunct professor of law at Buffalo Law School. She has also served as director of the investigations for the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General since 2018. Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1988, a Master of Arts from Rutgers University in 1990, and a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo Law School in 1992.

Sandra Hairston

The Senate confirmed Sandra Hairston as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina in November 2021. Hairston previously served as an assistant district attorney in Columbus County, North Carolina, from 1987 to 1989 and as a special assistant district attorney in Guilford County, North Carolina from 1989 to 1990. From 1994 to 1996, she served as Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina before returning to the Middle District of North Carolina in 1996. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina in 1990 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Hairston previously held the position of First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina from 2014 to 2021. From March 1, 2021, until her Senate confirmation, she served as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. Hairston received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1981 and her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1987.

Brandon Brown

The Senate confirmed Brandon Brown as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana in December 2021. From 2007 to 2012, Brown served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office. He was also an associate at Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice LLP in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since 2012, he has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. Brown earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2002 and a Master of Business Administration in 2004 from Louisiana Tech University, followed by a Juris Doctor in 2007 from the Southern University Law Center.

Dawn Ison

The Senate confirmed Dawn Ison as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan in December 2021. In 1989 and 1990, Ison was a prehearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals. In 2002, Ison began serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. She also served as chief of the Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit. Ison earned a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State University Law School.

Gregory Harris

The Senate confirmed Gregory Harris as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois in December 2021. Harris began his career as a lawyer for the Office of the State Appellate Defender in 1976 where he represented indigent criminal defendants on appeal. From 1979 to 1980, he served as legal counsel for the Illinois Governor’s Office of Manpower and Human Development and later as a staff attorney for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Development. From 1980 to 1988, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. From 1988 to 2001, he was a lawyer for Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes in Springfield, Illinois. He later rejoined the Central District of Illinois in 2001, where he served as chief of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney. Harris was born in Washington, D.C. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law in 1976.

Andrew Luger

The Senate confirmed Andrew Luger as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota in March 2022. He previously served in that role during the Obama administration and briefly during the Trump administration from 2014 to 2017. Prior to his appointment, Luger was a partner in the Minneapolis office of Jones Day from 2017 – 2022. Luger has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, from 1989 to 1992, and for the District of Minnesota from 1992 to 1995, where he prosecuted a wide variety of narcotics and violent crimes, as well as complex white collar frauds. In 1995, Luger joined the law firm of Greene Espel in Minneapolis, where he was a partner until 2014. Luger earned a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.

Gary Restaino

The Senate confirmed Gary Restaino as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in November 2021. From 1991 to 1993, Restaino served in Paraguay with the Peace Corps. From 1996 to 1999, he provided legal services to seasonal farm workers as a lawyer with Community Legal Services. From 1999 to 2003, he served as a civil rights lawyer in the Arizona Attorney General's Office. He then served as a trial attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Restaino joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona in 2003. He was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney in October 2021. Restaino earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College in 1990 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1996.

Cole Finegan

The Senate confirmed Cole Finegan as U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado in November 2021. From 1991 to 1993, Finegan served both as Chief Legal Counsel and Director of Policy and Initiatives for Colorado Governor Roy Romer. From 1993 to 2003, Finegan was a partner for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Denver office. Finegan joined Hogan Lovells (then Hogan & Hartson) in 2007 as a partner. Finegan acted as an adviser to Governor Hickenlooper and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Finegan attended the University of Notre Dame from 1974 to 1978, earning a degree in English. Finegan earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986.

Matthew Graves

The Senate confirmed Matthew Graves as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in October 2021. After graduating law school, Graves began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Richard W. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. From 2002 to 2007, he was an associate at WilmerHale. From 2007 to 2016, Graves worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia, where he served in the office’s fraud and public corruption section, ultimately serving as the acting chief of the section. Since 2016, he has been a partner at DLA Piper. Graves earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University in 1998 and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2001.

MINNEAPOLIS – Andrew M. Luger has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. U.S. Attorney Luger was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on November 12, 2021, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 23, 2022. He took the oath of office from Chief U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim this afternoon. He succeeds Erica H. MacDonald, who served as the United States Attorney from 2018 – 2021.

“I am honored to lead this office and once again serve the people of Minnesota as their United States Attorney,” said U.S. Attorney Luger. “I look forward to working with these talented public servants who are committed to public safety and the pursuit of justice.”

As United States Attorney, Mr. Luger is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the District of Minnesota. He will oversee a staff of 115 employees, including 59 attorneys and 56 support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, firearms, narcotics, child exploitation, human trafficking, financial fraud, healthcare fraud, and public corruption. The office is also responsible for representing the United States in affirmative and defensive civil cases, as well as assisting communities throughout Minnesota in appropriate community-building efforts designed to enhance public safety.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland appointed Mr. Luger to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), which is tasked with advising the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorneys in Department policies.

Prior to returning to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Luger was a partner in the Minneapolis office of Jones Day from 2017 – 2022. As a member of the firm’s Investigations and White Collar Defense Practice, he represented local and international companies and was a leader of the firm's national hate crimes and extremism initiative. Mr. Luger was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as Minnesota’s United States Attorney from 2014 – 2017.

In 1995, Mr. Luger joined the law firm of Greene Espel in Minneapolis, where he was a partner until 2014. Mr. Luger has also served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (1989 – 1992) and for the District of Minnesota (1992 – 1995), where he prosecuted a wide variety of narcotics and violent crimes, as well as complex white collar frauds.

He graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center (1985), and earned his bachelor's degree from Amherst College, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa (1981).

Upon taking office, U.S. Attorney Luger thanked Mr. Kovats, who most recently served as Acting U.S. Attorney, for his continued and dedicated service to the office and to the Department of Justice.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal criminal complaint has been filed against Jason Thomas Cikotte, 31, of Isanti, charging him with possession of stolen firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

According to court documents, beginning in August 2021, law enforcement began receiving notifications of firearm thefts from shipments to Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs). The carrier for the firearms shipments was XPO Logistics, a logistics company with facilities in St. Cloud and Fridley. On March 9, 2022, XPO Logistics contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to report an additional 11 firearms were solen from a recent shipment, including one Century Arms model Draco NAK 9 9mm semiautomatic AK pistol, five Canik model Rival 9mm semiautomatic pistols, and five Canik model Rival 9mm semiautomatic pistols. The company’s security manager later notified law enforcement that they identified Cikotte as the person responsible for several thefts of firearms shipments over the course of almost a year. The security manager provided law enforcement with video evidence showing Cikotte removing boxes of firearms from shrink wrapped pallets, removing the firearms from the boxes, and carrying the firearms to his vehicle.

According to court documents, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cikotte’s Isanti residence. Inside the house, law enforcement found approximately 40 firearms, all of which appear to be firearms stolen from XPO Logistics, as well as tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, and miscellaneous firearms parts and accessories. Following the search, after being advised of his rights, Cikotte admitted to having stolen the firearms, ammunition, and firearms parts and accessories from XPO Logistics.

Cikotte is charged with one count of possession of stolen firearms. He made his initial appearance on March 25, 2022, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF and the Isanti Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez 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.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Chicago man has been sentenced to 52 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for aiding and abetting a carjacking in downtown Minneapolis. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on June 1, 2020, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department responded to a report of a carjacking in the downtown area. A witness told officers that two men, one later identified as Delaney Nicholas Harris, 21, the second an unidentified accomplice, approached a man who was exiting his vehicle, and threw him to the ground. One of the men displayed a gun, threatened to kill the victim, and demanded his car keys. The witness also told officers that Harris had been holding a red plastic cup just prior to the incident. Officers recovered the cup and later found that the fingerprints and DNA on the cup were a match for Harris.

Harris also entered his guilty plea on March 25, 2022, to a single count of aiding and abetting carjacking.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis woman pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

According to court documents, on March 13, 2020, Rekita Tiara Harden, 32, was driving a vehicle on Interstate 35W in Carlton County. Harden was stopped by a Carlton County Sheriff’s Deputy for driving violations. Harden’s vehicle was searched, and the deputy recovered a Beretta, Model 90, .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol in Harden’s backpack. Because she has prior felony convictions in Hennepin County, including robbery, burglary, and assault, Harden is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time.

Harden pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

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

This case is the result of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office.

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

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A McGregor man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally possessing stolen firearms. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on July 15, 2020, Vaundell Duwayne Kingbird, 32, sold a Hi-Point, Model 995, 9mm carbine rifle and a New England Firearm Company, Model SB1, 12-gauge shotgun, both with obliterated serial numbers, to an individual for $550. At the time of the sale, Kingbird was unaware that the individual who purchased the firearms was working with law enforcement. Both firearms had been reported stolen on May 29, 2020, from a residence near Kingbird’s home. Kingbird admitted to knowing the firearms were stolen.

On September 16, 2021, Kingbird pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lakes Area Drug Investigations Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Caleb Dogeagle prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Rochester man was sentenced today to 204 months in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $5,000 to the Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund, for producing sexually explicit images and videos of a minor. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Chief U.S. District John R. Tunheim sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, between November 8, 2020, and January 8, 2021, Arkady Pavlovich Pichurin, 26, sexually exploited a minor who was between the ages of nine and 10 years old at the time. Pichurin, who contacted the minor using a variety of instant messaging and texting services, including Snapchat, lied about his age and identity to carry out his sexual exploitation of the minor. Pichurin admitted to using similar tactics to sexually exploit and produce pornographic images and videos of more than 20 minors. Pichurin also had thousands of images depicting sexual abuse of infants and toddlers and bestiality.

On September 7, 2021, Pichurin pleaded guilty to one count of producing sexually explicit images and videos of a minor.

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

If you know of any child who may have been a victim of exploitation, please call the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit NCMEC’s web site at www.missingkids.com.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Rochester Police Department, with substantial assistance from the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine prosecuted the case.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Moorhead man was sentenced to 57 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm in his residence after a minor was shot and killed with his gun, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

According to court documents, on March 21, 2021, Phillip Neal Jones, Jr., 34, possessed a Walther .40 caliber pistol in his Moorhead residence. While Jones was away from the residence, a visiting child found the loaded gun under a large snack chip box in the kitchen. The gun went off, hitting and killing a second child.

Jones has multiple prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Anoka Counties and therefore is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

Jones was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson.

This case is the result of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Moorhead Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber M. Brennan prosecuted the case.

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MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on June 29, 2021, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department approached a man who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Cody Lennell Taylor, 29, was standing next to the man and fled on foot as officers approached. As he ran, Taylor threw a red bag he had been wearing. Officers recovered the bag, and inside found a Kimber model Micro 9 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Officers later apprehended Taylor who admitted that the red bag was his, and that he threw it because the police approached him.

Because Taylor has prior felony convictions in Hennepin County, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

On November 19, 2021, Taylor pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon.

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

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

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez.

 

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Minneapolis – A Cottage Grove man has pleaded guilty today to bank robbery, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

According to court documents, in November 2021, Michael Thomas Prall, 43, used force, violence, and intimidation to steal thousands of dollars from three separate banks. On November 5, 2021, Prall stole approximately $2,558 from a U.S. Bank in Bloomington. On November 19, 2021, Prall stole approximately $4,589 from a Bremer Bank in Woodbury. On November 30, 2021, Prall stole approximately $775 from a Wells Fargo bank in Cottage Grove.

Prall pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery before U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Cottage Grove Police Department, the Woodbury Police Department, the Bloomington Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine is prosecuting the case.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 92 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for two armed bank robberies and firearms violations. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on February 22, 2018, Samuel Lamar Brantley, 34, and two accomplices entered Lake Area Bank in White Bear Lake brandishing guns and demanding money from the tellers. Brantley was armed with a .40 caliber Glock handgun. During the robbery, Brantley ensured that none of the employees made phone calls or alerted law enforcement. Brantley and his accomplices stole approximately $9,816 in cash from the bank and split the proceeds.

According to court documents, on May 4, 2018, Brantley and an accomplice entered Bremer Bank in Brooklyn Center brandishing guns and demanding money from the tellers. Brantley was armed with a .40 caliber Glock handgun. A third accomplice was waiting in a getaway car. Brantley and his accomplices stole approximately $88,618 in cash from the bank and split the proceeds.

According to court documents, on May 21, 2018, following a shooting incident near Brantley’s residence, Brantley’s acquaintance, identified as “the Shooter,” handed off two handguns to Brantley. The next morning, Brantley met the Shooter at a Perkins restaurant so he could return the two firearms. During the course of their conversation, the Shooter told Brantley that he had used the firearms to shoot a man the night before.

On October 8, 2020, Brantley pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery, one count of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, and one count of disposing of a firearm to a felon.

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

This case is the result of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Minneapolis Police Department, the White Bear Lake Police Department, and the Brooklyn Center Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates and Amber M. Brennan.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Detroit Lakes man has been sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for an armed robbery of a convenience store on the White Earth Indian Reservation. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on November 11, 2020, Levi Brandin Jerome, 34, entered a convenience store located on the White Earth Indian Reservation carrying an American Tactical Imports, Omni Hybrid, multi-caliber rifle. Jerome pointed the rifle at the store clerk and demanded she open the cash register. Jerome stole approximately $2,250 in cash from the register and from a drawer next to the register before fleeing the store.

On November 2, 2021, Jerome pleaded guilty to one count of robbery.

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 Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the White Earth Police Department, the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, the West Central Drug Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, and the Devils Lake (North Dakota) Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander D. Chiquoine prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Two Twin Cities men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the armed robbery of a Deerwood Bank, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

On March 15, 2022, U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud sentenced John Thomas Paciorek II, 52, of Minneapolis, to 90 months in prison. Co-defendant James Richard Ardito, Jr, 52, of Fridley, was sentenced on August 3, 2021, to 58 months in prison.

According to court records, Paciorek and Ardito together devised a plan to rob the Deerwood Bank in Garrison, Minnesota. On July 24, 2020, Paciorek and Ardito drove to the bank; Paciorek waited in the car while Ardito hid in the bushes outside of the bank until an employee arrived to open the business. Ardito emerged from the bushes, pointed a replica firearm at the employee, and demanded that they open the bank and disable the security system. Ardito then demanded money from the bank teller drawers. The employee complied, giving Ardito $402 in cash. Ardito took the money and fled the scene in the getaway car, driven by Paciorek.

The robbery was caught on the bank’s surveillance camera and law enforcement was able to easily identify Ardito. After his apprehension, Ardito confessed to his and Paciorek’s involvement in the bank robbery. Additionally, law enforcement learned Paciorek was the owner of the getaway vehicle and location data from Paciorek’s cellphone placed him at the scene of the bank robbery.

On October 21, 2021, Paciorek pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery, and on January 20, 2021, Ardito pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department.

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

MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man has pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with the illegal purchase of multiple firearms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

According to court documents, between approximately May 2020 and May 2021, Geryiell Lamont Walker, 22, and his co-defendants Sarah Jean Elwood, 34, and Jeffrey Paul Jackson, 31, conspired together to illegally purchase dozens of firearms from various Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL) in the State of Minnesota and to provide these firearms to individuals whom they knew could not lawfully possess them. As part of the straw-purchasing scheme, Elwood, who at the time had a permit-to-carry firearms, would go to various FFLs and purchase multiple firearms on behalf of Walker and others, who requested the firearms through Jackson and often provided the funds in advance of, or immediately after, the purchases. In making the purchases, Elwood knowingly misrepresented to the licensed dealers that she was the actual purchaser of the firearms, when in fact she and her co-defendants knew she was not. Walker, Jackson, and others helped arrange the deals, which included a $100 premium for each straw-purchased gun. In total, the defendants illegally straw purchased approximately 97 firearms, including approximately 62 firearms in May 2021 alone. To date, 18 of these 97 firearms have been recovered by local and federal law enforcement at various crime scenes or in the possession of persons legally prohibited from possessing firearms.  The other 79 have not yet been recovered.

Walker pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of aiding and abetting the making of false statements during purchase of firearms. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 27, 2022.

Straw purchasing typically involves a buyer who is permitted to purchase firearms from an FFL but who then unlawfully provides the purchased firearm to another person who is prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. When making a straw purchase, the buyer allows a prohibited person – typically a convicted felon – to illegally obtain a firearm by avoiding the national background check system.

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

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for a Hobbs Act robbery and multiple armed bank robberies. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on February 4, 2018, Richard Alonzo Woods, 38, and two accomplices entered Project SoZo, a business that sold apparel and accessories in Minneapolis, brandishing handguns and threatening customers and employees. Woods and his accomplices stole jewelry, money, and cell phones from the customers, approximately $600 in cash from the register along with other store merchandise, including Nike Air Jordan shoes valued at $1,900.

According to court documents, on February 22, 2018, Woods and two accomplices entered Lake Area Bank in White Bear Lake brandishing guns and demanding money from the tellers. Surveillance video footage from the bank showed Woods jump over a counter and demand money a teller’s drawer while pointing a firearm at the teller’s head. Woods and his accomplices stole approximately $9,816 in cash from the bank.

According to court documents, on May 4, 2018, Woods and an accomplice entered Bremer Bank in Brooklyn Center brandishing guns and demanding money from the tellers. They also threatened to kill the tellers if they did not comply with the demands.  A third accomplice was waiting in a getaway car. Woods and his accomplices stole approximately $88,618 in cash from the bank.

On November 10, 2021, Woods pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), two counts of armed bank robbery, two counts of carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery.

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

This case is the result of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Minneapolis Police Department, the White Bear Lake Police Department, and the Brooklyn Center Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates and Amber M. Brennan.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for an armed Hobbs Act robbery that resulted in the shooting death of a store clerk. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on April 27, 2021, Marlow Ramsey Carson, 31, robbed the Blue Sky Wireless and West Bend Furniture stores located in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. During the robbery, Carson stuck a handgun under a plexiglass barrier on the counter and demanded money from the store clerk. When Carson attempted to get behind the counter, the store clerk tried to shut the door to keep Carson out. Carson shot the store clerk in the chest from pointblank range before running out of the store into a car parked on the street and fleeing from the scene. The store clerk was transported by ambulance to the emergency room where he was later pronounced dead from the gunshot wound.

On December 10, 2021, Carson pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of possession of ammunition as a felon. Carson has prior felony convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Samantha H. Bates prosecuted the case.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A federal jury convicted a Duluth man for possessing a firearm as a felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

Following a five-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank, Edell Jackson, 41, was found guilty of a single count of possessing a firearm as an armed career criminal. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on January 14, 2021, officers with the Brooklyn Center Police Department were dispatched to a call of shots fired. Officers spoke to a woman who said Jackson shot at her during an argument and was still armed. The woman assisted officers in locating Jackson, who was sitting in a parking lot in the driver’s seat of a Chevrolet Avalanche. When law enforcement tried to apprehend Jackson, he reversed his vehicle and attempted to drive away but was blocked by police squad cars. Jackson exited his vehicle and fled on foot. As he ran, Jackson took his jacket off and discarded it in a snowbank near his vehicle. Officers pursued him on foot and eventually apprehended Jackson. Officers searched Jackson’s discarded jacket and found inside a zipped pocket a Bersa model Thunder 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

Because Jackson has multiple prior felony convictions in St. Louis County, Cook County (Illinois), and Will County (Illinois), he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

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

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Brooklyn Center Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

The case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Angela M. Munoz.

MINNEAPOLIS – Michael Robert Solomon, 31, of New Brighton, was sentenced today to 36 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to provide material support and resources, to Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, for use against Israeli and U.S. military personnel overseas.

According to court documents, in late May of 2020, the FBI initiated an investigation into Solomon and co-defendant Benjamin Ryan Teeter, two members of the “Boogaloo Bois,” and a sub-group called the “Boojahideen.” The Boogaloo Bois are a group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments.

According to court documents, on June 10, 2020, Solomon and Teeter met with a confidential human source (“CHS”), whom the defendants believed to be a member of Hamas. During this meeting, Solomon and Teeter proposed assisting Hamas as a means of furthering the goals of the Boogaloo Bois. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Solomon used encrypted messaging applications to communicate with Teeter and the CHS about various aspects of the conspiracy.

On June 28, 2020, Solomon, Teeter, and the CHS, met an undercover employee of the FBI (“UCE”) that Solomon believed was a member of Hamas. During this meeting, Solomon and Teeter proposed manufacturing suppressors, untraceable firearms, and fully automatic firearms for Hamas.

On July 6, 2020, Solomon and Teeter purchased a drill press for the purpose of manufacturing suppressors for Hamas. Solomon admits that he and Teeter had planned to use the drill press to also manufacture suppressors for members of the Boogaloo Bois. Solomon and Teeter brought the drill press to Solomon’s home and later used the drill press to manufacture five suppressors.

On July 30, 2020, Solomon and Teeter delivered the suppressors to the CHS and UCE believing those devices would be used by the militant wing of Hamas. During that meeting, the defendants agreed to manufacture additional suppressors for Hamas believing that the next batch of suppressors would be used against Israeli and U.S. military personnel overseas.

Solomon admitted that he and Teeter again met the UCE on August 29, 2020. During this meeting, the defendants gave the UCE a 3-D printed “auto sear” believing that the auto sear would be used by Hamas to convert semi-automatic rifles into fully automatic rifles. At this time, Solomon and Teeter agreed to obtain, and did obtain, another order of auto sears for the CHS and the UCE.

On May 4, 2021, Solomon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats for the District of Minnesota; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Michael J. Davis sentenced the defendant. In sentencing the defendant, the Court recognized the extensive assistance to multiple investigations that Solomon provided to the FBI following his arrest.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter and Trial Attorney Jessica Fender of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maple Grove man has been sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for fraudulently applying for $9,619,046.46 from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, out of which he fraudulently obtained and misappropriated more than $1.7 million. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge David S. Doty sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, Aditya Raj Sharma, 47, was the founder, CEO, and president of Crosscode Inc., a cloud-based software development company originally headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota. In November 2019, Sharma was removed as an officer and terminated from the company by Crosscode’s board of directors. Between May 2020 and July 2020, Sharma created three separate technology companies, Kloudgaze Inc., Neoforma LLC, and Mokume LLC.

From April 2020 through August 2020, Sharma applied for 16 loans from ten different lenders for a total of $9,619,046.46 through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) by submitting false and fraudulent applications under the names of his various technology companies. As part of his fraud scheme, Sharma submitted fabricated supporting records, made false statements about the number of employees he had and the amount of payroll expenses he incurred, and made false statements about the relevant corporate entities and intended use of the loan proceeds.  Sharma also applied for one of his fraudulent loans in the name of his wife without her knowledge or approval.

In addition, on April 26, 2020, Sharma submitted an application in the name of “Crosscode dba Kloudgaze” seeking a $562,500 PPP loan. On the application Sharma falsely stated that “Crosscode dba Kloudgaze” was in operation on February 15, 2020, even though Sharma did not create Kloudgaze until May 2020. In addition, Sharma falsely stated that he was the 100% owner and CEO of Crosscode, that Crosscode did business under the name of Kloudgaze, and that “Crosscode dba Kloudgaze” had approximately 29 employees on its payroll even though records from the State of Minnesota show Sharma paid no wages to a single Kloudgaze employee. In support of the application, Sharma included fraudulent supporting documentation, including fabricated bank account statements.

As a result of Sharma’s fraud scheme, lenders approved three of his PPP applications and deposited $1,773,600 in PPP funds into bank accounts controlled by Sharma. Rather than using the funds for permissible business expenses, Sharma used the money to pay off unrelated legal debts, fund new business ventures, transfer approximately $14,000 to a financial account in India, and pay for home improvements, including landscaping and the installation of a $64,300 backyard pool at his residence.

On July 8, 2021, Sharma pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately $674,980.76 in fraudulent proceeds held in multiple bank accounts controlled by Sharma. The seized funds will be forfeited to the United States and Sharma has been ordered to pay $1,773,600 in restitution.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Jordan L. Sing, Quinn Hochhalter, and Craig R. Baune prosecuted the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for impersonating a federal officer. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, on July 24, 2017, Bernard Holmes, 67, pretended to be a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Holmes spoofed his telephone number to make it appear that he was calling his victim from the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office. Holmes provided the victim with a fake name, “FBI Special Agent John Tidwell,” and a fake FBI badge number. Holmes falsely stated that he was investigating terrorism-related conduct involving the victim's household, including terrorism evidence that supposedly originated from a computer and IP address at the victim's house. In his fake capacity, Holmes asked questions of the victim using highly charged words, like “ISIS,” “terroristic,” and the “Patriot Act,” in furtherance of the supposed terrorism investigation.

On October 20, 2021, Holmes pleaded guilty to one count of impersonating a federal officer.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Bloomington Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert prosecuted the case.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison and ordered to pay $620,362 in restitution for evading taxes by failing to report his business revenue and income to the IRS. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, between June 2019 and April 2020, Shimon Shaked, 57, owned and operated several t-shirt and souvenir shops in Duluth’s Canal Park tourist zone, including I Love Duluth, I Love Duluth 2, Up North-The Good Life, and the Lake Life (the “Duluth Stores”). Shaked operated the Duluth Stores under a holding company called ALMS18, LLC, which he formed in 2012. Although Shaked owned, operated, and controlled ALMS18, LLC, he listed his teenage daughter as the nominal owner in order to hide and evade taxes on income he received from the company. In 2017, Shaked opened I Love Marquette, another souvenir store located in Marquette, Michigan, operated under the company SkyMqt, LLC.

According to his guilty plea, Shaked evaded the assessment of taxes on the income he earned through his Duluth and Michigan stores by failing to report the full revenue and income to the IRS. Specifically, Shaked reported the credit card sales for his stores, but failed to report or pay taxes on most of the cash sales. To further conceal his income, Shaked used the cash from the unreported cash sales to pay for personal expenses and to pay some of his employees' overtime wages in cash. In doing so, Shaked failed to account for and pay over to the IRS some or all of the required federal payroll taxes due and owing for those employees. In total, Shaked evaded paying approximately $620,362 in taxes.

On October 13, 2021, Shaked pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson and Angela M. Munoz prosecuted the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to using social media to produce and attempt to produce sexually explicit images and videos of children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

According to court documents, between August 2018 and March 2021, Nathan Miller Dobbelmann, 40, used email and various social media apps to contact and solicit sexually explicit images and videos from children. Dobbelmann also sent minors sexually explicit videos of himself as well as sexually graphic text messages, and used online chat rooms and platforms to discuss and trade child pornography files with others.

Dobbelmann pleaded guilty earlier today before Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank to one count of production and attempted production of child pornography. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date.

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

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Hudleston is prosecuting the case.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Maple Grove man has been sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for receiving material depicting the sexual abuse of children. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after Senior U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, between 2017 and 2020, Uriel Adan Vasquez-Rios, 29, created multiple social media accounts to solicit child pornography, the production of child pornography, and sexual contact with both children and adults. He also accessed websites depicting child pornography and downloaded a video depicting the sexual abuse of a minor. During this time, Vasquez-Rios was a student at the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry and had access to children.

On May 11, 2021, Vasquez-Rios pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

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

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the University of Minnesota Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek.

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal jury convicted a Minneapolis man of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon while on probation for a prior federal firearms conviction, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

Following a two-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud, Demetrius Demarco Spencer, 38, was convicted yesterday afternoon of a single count of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.

According to the evidence presented at trial, on July 22, 2020, at approximately 2:30 a.m., a St. Paul police officer encountered a man who was visibly distressed walking through a residential neighborhood. The man told the officer that he had been inside a residence with Spencer and Spencer’s girlfriend when Spencer became upset with the man. The man explained that Spencer had pulled out a gun, pointed it at the man and threatened him. St. Paul police officers went to the residence and found Spencer inside the house, wrestling his girlfriend. Officers were able to intervene in the struggle and take Spencer into custody. Officers recovered a Kahr model PM9, 9mm semi-automatic handgun that was on the floor in close proximity to where the struggle took place.  

Spencer has multiple prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, and one prior federal conviction. In January 2013, Spencer was convicted in federal court in the District of Minnesota on one count of possession of a firearm as a felon and was sentenced to 80 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

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

This case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison K. Ethen and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Rochester man who fled to Mexico to evade apprehension, and was later located and returned by Mexican authorities, has pleaded guilty to arson of two retail stores and a school during the summer of 2020, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

According to court documents, on May 28, 2020, Jose Angel Felan, Jr., 35, set fire to the Goodwill retail store, the Gordon Parks High School, and the 7 Mile Sportswear store, all of which were located on University Avenue in St. Paul. Following the arsons, Felan and his wife and co-defendant Mena Dhaya Yousif, 23, fled the state. Felan and Yousif traveled by car from Rochester, Minnesota, to Texas, where Felan had family. Ultimately, Felan and Yousif fled the United States and escaped to Mexico. On February 15, 2021, following an anonymous tip, Felan and Yousif were located and detained by Mexican immigration authorities and returned to the United States.

Felan pleaded guilty yesterday before Senior Judge David S. Doty to one count of arson. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the St. Paul Police Department, the St. Paul Fire Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division. The fugitive apprehension efforts were led by the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Emily A. Polachek.

MINNEAPOLIS – A Moorhead man has been sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for distributing material depicting the sexual abuse of children. Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson sentenced the defendant.

According to court documents, between February 2016 and August 2020, Joey David Gonzales, 36, used email and other online media to advertise, solicit, and trade images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children.

On August 24, 2021, Gonzales pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.

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

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Becker County Sheriff’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Hudleston.