District of Minnesota

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and its federal law enforcement partners, including the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals and Homeland Security Investigations, will devote all our resources to protect public safety throughout the State of Minnesota in the coming days. Federal law enforcement is leaning forward to both respond to threats of violence and acts of violence and to assist state and local law enforcement to ensure public safety in our communities. We are leveraging additional resources, including an FBI-led 24-hour command post to facilitate information and intelligence sharing across the law enforcement spectrum, in order to achieve this shared goal. In accordance with our public safety mission, federal law enforcement will hold accountable any individuals or groups who commit any criminal activity in our communities.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald urges the public to be safe and to report suspicious activity to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-‪800-225-5324).

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging RALPH EDWARD CLOUD, JR., 36, with murder in the second degree. CLOUD made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby in U.S. District Court.

According to the allegations in the indictment, on September 12, 2020, on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, CLOUD unlawfully killed an individual with malice aforethought.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily A. Polachek and Deidre Y. Aanstad.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

RALPH EDWARD CLOUD, JR., 36

Red Lake, Minn.

Charges:

• Murder in the second degree, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal criminal complaint against DAYNE ADRIAN SITLADEEN, 29, and MUZAMIL ADEN ADDOW, 29, charging them with being unlawful aliens in possession of firearms. SITLADEEN and ADDOW are currently in federal custody and will make their initial appearances later this week before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, on January 10, 2021, at approximately 10:10 p.m. near Fergus Falls, a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with Texas license plates that was traveling between 95-100 miles per hour. When the Trooper approached the vehicle, the driver provided an Ontario, Canada driver’s license with a false name. The front seat passenger provided a false Florida identification card. The driver was later identified as ADDOW and the passenger was later identified as SITLADEEN.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, after detecting the odor of marijuana in the vehicle and receiving suspicious and inconsistent statements from SITALDEEN and ADDOW, the Trooper searched the vehicle. As a result of the search, law enforcement officers recovered a total of 67 firearms and numerous pistol magazines from four bags in the vehicle. Law enforcement later discovered a provisional federal arrest warrant from the United States Marshals Service for SITLADEEN, which was based on a 2019 Canadian arrest warrant for first degree homicide, fentanyl distribution, and possession of proceeds of crime. Law enforcement also determined that ADDOW has outstanding felony arrest warrants in Canada for firearms offenses and kidnapping.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Minnesota State Patrol.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Bates and John Docherty.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

DAYNE ADRIAN SITLADEEN, 29

Citizen of Canada

Charges:

• Unlawful alien in possession of firearms, 1 count

 

MUZAMIL ADEN ADDOW, 29

Citizen of Canada

Charges:

• Unlawful alien in possession of firearms, 1 count

 

 

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U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of ABDELHAMID AL-MADIOUM, 24, to one count of providing and attempting to provide material support and resources, namely personnel and services, to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. AL-MADIOUM entered his guilty plea today before Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sentencing is currently scheduled for May 26, 2021 at 1:30 pm.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on June 23, 2015, AL-MADIOUM and his family traveled from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, to Casablanca, Morocco, to visit their extended family. On July 8, 2015, AL-MADIOUM left Morocco and traveled to Istanbul, Turkey. There, AL-MADIOUM met up with members of ISIS who aided his border-crossing into Syria. Once in Syria, the defendant joined other members of ISIS who brought him to Mosul, Iraq.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea, after AL-MADIOUM arrived in Mosul, he enrolled into ISIS and received military training from its members. AL-MADIOUM was then assigned to the Tariq Bin-Ziyad Battalion of the Abu Mutaz al-Qurashi Division of ISIS, where he served as a solider for ISIS until 2016, when he was injured conducting military activities on behalf of ISIS. Following AL-MADIOUM’s injury, he remained a member of ISIS and continued to receive a stipend until his surrender to Syrian Democratic Forces in or near Baghouz, Syria, in March of 2019. In September of 2020, AL-MADIOUM was returned to Minnesota.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter and Trial Attorney Danielle S. Rosborough of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

ABDELHAMID AL-MADIOUM, 24

St. Louis Park, Minn.

Convicted:

• Providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), 1 count

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of KENNETH RAY MILLER, 58, to 22 months in prison for manufacturing and dealing in explosive material. MILLER, who pleaded guilty on September 8, 2020, was sentenced earlier today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to MILLER’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, in the spring of 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was notified of a Popular Science magazine article about MILLER manufacturing pyrotechnics on his property in Brownsville, Minnesota. MILLER, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms and manufacturing and dealing in explosive material.

According to MILLER’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, from 2013 to March 3, 2020, he manufactured and sold smoke generating devices containing electric igniters (also known as electric matches) and a chlorate explosive mixture to customers across the country. MILLER admitted that he did not have a license, permit, exemption or other authorization from the ATF to possess or use the electric matches or chlorate explosive mixtures.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Paul Police Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (State Fire Marshal).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

KENNETH RAY MILLER, 58

Brownsville, Minn.

Convicted:

• Manufacturing and dealing explosive materials, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 22 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• Prohibited from buying, selling, using, or possessing pyrotechnic materials

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office condemn the violence and terror that took place at our Nation’s Capitol and surrounding area. This was a reprehensible affront to our institution of democracy. We are committed to upholding the rule of law and will hold accountable any individual who traveled from the District of Minnesota to commit illegal, violent acts.

The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, DC. The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol Building and surrounding area in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021.

If you have witnessed unlawful violent actions, we urge you to submit any information, photos, or videos that could be relevant at fbi.gov/USCapitol

You may also call ‪1-800-CALL-FBI (1-‪800-225-5324) to verbally report tips and/or information related to this investigation.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging MATTHEW HARALD SCHUMACHER, 44, with four counts of wire fraud. SCHUMACHER will make his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 4, 2020.

According to the allegations in the indictment, SCHUMACHER was owner and operator of Travel Troops, LLC, and Vacation Agent Nation, LLP, which were host travel agencies based in Waseca, Minnesota.  Through his businesses, SCHUMACHER purported to provide host travel services to independent travel agents throughout the United States in exchange for a monthly fee.   SCHUMACHER represented that his host travel business was a reliable and profitable means for his fee-paying travel agents to receive higher commission rates from travel industry suppliers, such as airlines, resorts, and cruise companies, than if the individual travel agents booked their customers’ travel arrangements.  Pursuant to service agreements that SCHUMACHER entered into with travel agents, SCHUMACHER claimed to receive and collect on behalf of travel agents commission payments from travel industry suppliers and to distribute those commission payments to the various travel agents who booked the travel and earned the commissions.

However, according to the allegations in the indictment, SCHUMACHER defrauded at least 36 travel agents by misappropriating for his own personal use and benefit at least approximately $484,000 in commission payments owed to them from travel suppliers.  SCHUMACHER tried to retain his travel agents’ money and to lull them into a false sense of security by, among other things, providing the travel agents with partial payments and by giving them materially false and fraudulent information. 

As further alleged in the indictment, SCHUMACHER misappropriated travel agents’ commission payments for his own personal use and benefit by, among other things, depositing at least approximately $160,000 to a personal account, funding of at least approximately $150,000 for his own travel expenses, including travel to Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and multiple European countries, withdrawing of at least approximately $33,000 in cash, purchasing approximately $3,117 of electronics at Best Buy, as well as making payments for personal expenses, such as retail purchases, restaurant bills, car payments, credit card bills, StubHub ticket purchases, and loan payments.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert is prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

MATTHEW HAROLD SCHUMACHER, 44

Waseca, Minn.

Charges:

• Wire fraud, 4 counts

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald and National Security Division Assistant Attorney General John Demers today announced the guilty plea of BENJAMIN RYAN TEETER, 22, to conspiracy to provide material support and resources, namely property, services and weapons, to Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. TEETER, who was charged via a superseding indictment on November 6, 2020, pleaded guilty today before Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time. 

“The defendant was a self-described member of the Boogaloo Bois whose extremist ideologies had moved into the realm of violent action,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “I am grateful for the quick and effective action by law enforcement to keep our community safe.”

“This case highlights the real threat posed by domestic violent extremists who self-radicalize and threaten to violently attack others opposed to their views, with little or no warning,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. “Preventing terrorist attacks is the FBI’s number one priority and the primary mission of our Joint Terrorism Task Forces. The FBI and its task force partners will persist in using every investigative tool available to identify, assess and disrupt those willing to compromise the safety of our neighbors and communities.”

According to documents filed with the court, in late May of 2020, the FBI initiated an investigation into TEETER and co-defendant Michael Robert Solomon, two members of the “Boogaloo Bois,” and a sub-group called the “Boojahideen.” The Boogaloo Bois are a loosely-connected group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments. The term “Boogaloo” itself references an impending second civil war in the United States and is associated with violent uprisings against the government.

According to TEETER’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, in early June, the FBI received information about TEETER, Solomon, and other members of the Boogaloo Bois and the Boojahideen through a confidential human source (“CHS”), whom the defendants believed to be a member of Hamas. In audio-recorded conversations, TEETER and Solomon expressed that Hamas shares anti-U.S. government views that align with their own views. TEETER and Solomon also expressed their desire to employ themselves as “mercenaries” for Hamas to generate cash for the Boogaloo Bois/Boojahideen movement, including funding for recruitment and purchasing land for a training compound. TEETER admitted in his guilty plea that he knew Hamas was a designated foreign terrorist organization, and that the organization had engaged and was engaging in terrorist activity or terrorism.

According to TEETER’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, throughout the summer of 2020, TEETER and co-defendant Solomon met with the CHS on multiple occasions.

On June 14, 2020 TEETER met with the CHS and proposed ways to assist Hamas including using explosives to destroy government buildings in the United States. In exchange, TEETER sought financial backing from Hamas for the Boogaloo Bois. On June 18, 2020, TEETER identified to the CHS a courthouse in northern Minnesota that TEETER and Solomon believed was a suitable target for destruction. On June 19, 2020, TEETER and Solomon met with the CHS and continued to discuss, among other topics, the plot to destroy a courthouse.

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

On July 6, 2020, TEETER and Solomon purchased a drill press for the purpose of manufacturing suppressors for Hamas. TEETER admitted in his guilty plea that he planned to produce suppressors, some of which could be sold to others. TEETER and Solomon brought the drill press to Solomon’s home and later used the drill press to manufacture five suppressors. TEETER and Solomon delivered the five suppressors to the CHS and UCE on July 30, 2020, believing those devices would be used by Hamas. During that meeting, TEETER and Solomon agreed to manufacture additional suppressors for Hamas believing that the next batch of suppressors would be used against Israeli and United States military personnel overseas.

TEETER and Solomon again met the UCE on August 29, 2020. During this meeting TEETER and Solomon 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 TEETER and Solomon agreed to obtain, and did obtain, another order of auto sears for the CHS and the UCE.

This case is 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).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter, and Trial Attorneys George Kraehe and Phil Viti of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the cases.

These cases fall with the purview of the Attorney General’s Task Force to Combat Violent Anti-Government Extremism. Launched in June 2020, the Task Force is dedicated to supporting the investigation and prosecution of any person or group who commits violence in the name of an anarchist ideology.

The charges against defendant Michael Robert Solomon are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

BENJAMIN RYAN TEETER, 22

Hampstead, N.C.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (Hamas), 1 count

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging CAROL ANN OLBERG, 46, with three counts wire fraud and violating the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994 (the “SCAMS Act”). OLBERG is the 63rd defendant charged to date as part of a nationwide telemarketing scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims. OLBERG will make her initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.

According to allegations in the indictments and documents filed with the court, from 2013 through 2020, OLBERG owned and operated Sun Coast Readers LLC, a California-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales. OLBERG ran Sun Coast Readers from her home in Winchester, California. As part of the fraud scheme, OLBERG obtained lists of consumers who had active and ongoing magazine subscriptions through other companies. OLBERG knew that many of the consumers on these lists were elderly or otherwise susceptible to fraudulent and deceptive sales tactics. OLBERG used the information on these lists to fraudulently pose as the victim-consumers’ existing magazine provider, calling about an existing subscription. Using a series of knowing and deliberate lies and misrepresentations OLBERG signed the victim-consumers up for expensive magazine subscriptions or falsely claimed to be calling with an offer to renew the victim-consumer’s existing magazine subscription, often at a reduced cost. In reality, OLBERG and her company had no existing relationship with most of the victim-consumers and OLBERG was not calling about an existing magazine subscription. Instead she was calling to defraud them by tricking them into unwittingly signing up for entirely new magazine subscriptions.

According to allegations in the indictment and documents filed with the court, OLBERG also defrauded victim-consumers who had been previously defrauded by multiple magazine companies. These victim-consumers had been “sold” magazine subscriptions they did not want and did not knowingly sign up for. The victim-consumers were being billed by multiple other magazine sales companies—as many as a dozen magazine companies at a time. Many of these victim-consumers were elderly and otherwise vulnerable. They were desperate to cancel their magazines. As part of the fraud scheme, when victim-consumers said they did not want the magazines they were already receiving, OLBERG used a fraudulent “cancellation” pitch in which she fraudulently claimed that the victim-consumers owed a large outstanding balance for existing magazine subscriptions with their company. OLBERG then fraudulently offered to pay off that balance in exchange for a large lump-sum payment. In reality, the customers did not owe OLBERG or her company any money and OLBERG simply stole the money. During the course of the scheme, OLBERG defrauded more than 3,000 victims across the United States. Between 2013 and 2020, she received approximately $1.4 million from victims of her scheme.

This indictment is related to the cases United States v. Rahm, et al., 20-cr-232; United States v. Timmerman et al., 20-cr-233; United States v. Mathias et al., 20-cr-231; United States v. Dahl, 18-cr-305 and United States v. Oelrich, 20-cr-128.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, and Melinda A. Williams are prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

CAROL ANN OLBERG, 46

Winchester, Cali.

Charges:

• Wire fraud, 3 counts

 

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

 

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of DYLAN SHAKESPEARE ROBINSON, 23, to one count of conspiracy to commit arson at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct. ROBINSON entered his guilty plea today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.

According to the ROBINSON’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on the night of May 28, 2020, ROBINSON went to the Third Precinct where a crowd of hundreds had gathered. At one point, the crowd began shouting, “Burn it down, burn it down.” Soon after, a fence that was designed to keep trespassers out of the Third Precinct building was torn down. ROBINSON, along with other co-conspirators, breached the fence and entered the Third Precinct building. ROBINSON, assisted by an unidentified co-conspirator, lit a device held by the unidentified co-conspirator who threw it toward the Third Precinct building with the intent that it would start a fire or fuel an existing fire.

On November 19, 2020, co-conspirator Bryce Michael Williams plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson for his role in the arson at the Third Precinct building.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the ATF, the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and David P. Steinkamp.

Defendant Information:

DYLAN SHAKESPEARE ROBINSON, 23

Brainerd, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging ANDREW CHARLES WELSH, 41, with intentionally setting fire to his business and submitting a fraudulent insurance claim. WELSH, who was arrested earlier today, made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Kate M. Menendez in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the allegations in the indictment, WELSH is the owner and operator of the Press Bar and Parlor located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. WELSH purchased and maintained a $1,350,000 business owner’s insurance policy for the Press Bar and Parlor. On February 17, 2020, WELSH used an ignitable liquid to set fire to the basement of the Press Bar and Parlor. 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. 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. 

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. Attorney Nathan H. Nelson and Evan B. Gilead are prosecuting the case, with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Teirab.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

ANDREW CHARLES WELSH, 41

Saint Joseph, Minn.

Charges:

• Arson, 1 count
• Use of fire to commit a federal felony, 1 count
• Wire fraud, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging SHADOR TOMMIE CORTEZ JACKSON, 24, VICTOR DEVON EDWARDS, 31, and LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34, each with one count of conspiracy to commit arson of the Target Corporation’s corporate headquarters building located at 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota. JACKSON, EDWARDS, AND WILLIAMS were previously charged via federal complaint with arson. Formal detention and arraignment hearings will be scheduled at a later date.

According to allegations in the federal indictment and documents filed with the court, on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Minneapolis experienced arson, rioting, and looting following the suicide of a suspect in a homicide, and in response to false rumors surrounding the man’s death. JACKSON, EDWARDS, and WILLIAMS went to the Target Corporation’s corporate headquarters building (“Target Corporation building”) where dozens of other people had gathered. JACKSON used a construction sign to break through one of the glass doors into the Target Corporation building. JACKSON, EDWARDS, and WILLIAMS, along with unidentified others, breached the doors and entered the Target Corporation building. Once inside, JACKSON intentionally set a fire on a counter inside the mailroom while EDWARDS stood nearby. EDWARDS later added a liquid accelerant to the fire located on the mailroom counter with the intent to fuel the existing fire.  JACKSON attempted to light a second fire in the mailroom on top of cardboard boxes using a lighter and a bottle of ignitable liquid. JACKSON, EDWARDS, and WILLIAMS, along with unidentified others then ran out of the building together using the same door. WILLIAMS subsequently re-entered the building and attempted to light a fire inside the building entrance before leaving the scene.  

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Fire Department, and the Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Richfield Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea A. Walcker.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

SHADOR TOMMIE CORTEZ JACKSON, 24

Richfield, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to Commit Arson, 1 count

VICTOR DEVON EDWARDS, 31,

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to Commit Arson, 1 count

LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to Commit Arson, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

 

Yesterday, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict against Micheal Hari, 49, for his role in the bombing of the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, on Aug. 5, 2017. 

Following a three week trial, the jury convicted Hari on all five counts of the indictment, including intentionally defacing, damaging, and destroying any religious real property because of the religious character of that property; intentionally obstructing, and attempting to obstruct, by force and the threat of force, the free exercise of religious beliefs; conspiracy to commit federal felonies by means of fire and explosives; carrying and using a destructive device during and in relation to crimes of violence; and possession of an unregistered destructive device. Hari faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.

“I commend the outstanding efforts of the trial team from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI, which tried this case with support from the Civil Rights Division. The jury’s verdict confirms the fundamental principle that every person in this country has the right to exercise religion free from violence and fear,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners on this case and are pleased to see justice being carried out.”

“Michael Hari’s goal in bombing the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center was to spread hatred, instill fear, and threaten the constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion. This act of violence, driven by hatred and ignorance, shook our community,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the Distirct of Minnesota. “This guilty verdict represents a condemnation of that hatred and upholds our fundamental right to live and worship free from the threat of violence and discrimination. I am sincerely grateful to the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and the FBI special agents who, over several years, have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice.”

As proven at trial, during the summer of 2017, Hari established in Clarence, Illinois, a terrorist militia group called “The White Rabbits.” Hari recruited several men, including co-defendants Michael McWhorter and Joe Morris, to join the militia group, which he outfitted with tactical vests and assault rifles. On Aug. 4 and 5, 2017, Hari, McWhorter, and Morris drove in a rented pickup truck from Clarence to Bloomington, Minnesota, with the mission of bombing the Dar al-Farooq (DAF) Islamic Center. Hari targeted DAF in an attempt to scare Muslims into believing they are not welcome in the United States and should leave the country.

As proven at trial, Hari, McWhorter and Morris arrived at DAF on Aug. 5, 2017, at approximately 5:00 a.m. Morris used a sledgehammer to break a window, which was part of DAF’s Imam’s office, and threw a plastic container containing diesel fuel and gasoline mixture into the building. McWhorter then lit the fuse on a 10-pound black powder pipe bomb that Hari had built 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 men sped away from the building and drove back to Clarence. When the pipe bomb exploded, it ignited the mixture in the plastic container, causing extensive fire and smoke damage to the Imam’s office, in addition to water damage caused by the building’s sprinkler system. At the time of the bombing, several congregants were gathered in the mosque for morning prayers.

On Jan. 24, 2019, McWhorter and Morris pleaded guilty to their roles in the bombing.

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

U.S. Attorney MacDonald thanks Assistant U.S. Attorneys John F. Docherty, Allison Ethen and Timothy C. Rank, who tried this case with assistance from Lead Paralegal Specialist Lynette Simser, Witness Specialist Jeffery Knopps, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie E. Allyn, Trial Attorney Tim Visser from the Civil Rights Division, and the Special Agents of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office. Their hard work and commitment to the pursuit of justice made this result possible. 

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of FORNANDOUS CORTEZ HENDERSON, 33, to 78 months in prison for aiding and abetting arson. HENDERSON who plead guilty on August 26, 2020, was sentenced today by Judge Susan Richard Nelson, in U.S. District Court, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to HENDERSON’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, HENDERSON and GARRETT PATRICK ZIEGLER[1] (co-defendant) constructed multiple Molotov cocktails. In the early morning hours of May 29, 2020, HENDERSON and the co-defendant went to the Dakota County Western Service Center (the ''WSC") located at 14955 Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The WSC houses state and local agencies and organizations, including Dakota County court facilities, as well as a U.S. Passport center. HENDERSON admitted in his guilty plea that he chose the WSC as a target for this arson because he had previously made court appearances at that building and because he was angry with law enforcement regarding the recent death of George Floyd. Using baseball bats, HENDERSON and the co-defendant broke multiple windows at the WSC and threw in multiple, lit Molotov cocktails. Some of these devices successfully ignited and caused fire damage to the WSC. The attacked caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

According to HENDERSON’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, HENDERSON and the co-defendant also started and attempted to start other fires at the WSC by pouring ignitable liquids and throwing unlit Molotov cocktails in and around the broken windows, then attempting to start the fluids on fire.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Apple Valley Police Department, and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander D. Chiquoine and Chelsea A. Walcker.

Defendant Information:

FORNANDOUS CORTEZ HENDERSON, 33

Savage, Minn.

Convicted:

• Aiding and abetting arson, 1 count

 

Sentenced:

• 78 months in prison
• 3 years supervised release
• $205,872.53 in restitution

 

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[1] The charges against co-defendant Garrett Patrick Ziegler are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Today, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against MICHAEL HARI, 49, for his role in the bombing of the Dar al-Farooq (“DAF”) Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, on August 5, 2017. The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota Erica H. MacDonald, Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis field office Michael Paul. Following a five week trial, the jury convicted HARI on all five counts of the indictment, including Intentionally Defacing, Damaging, and Destroying any Religious Real Property Because of the Religious Character of that Property; Intentionally Obstructing, and Attempting to Obstruct, by Force and the Threat of Force, the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs; Conspiracy to Commit Federal Felonies by Means of Fire and Explosives; Carrying and Using a Destructive Device During and in Relation to Crimes of Violence; and Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device. HARI faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in prison. A sentencing date before U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank will be scheduled at a later time.

“Michael Hari’s goal in bombing the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center was to spread hatred, instill fear, and threaten the constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion. This act of violence, driven by hatred and ignorance, shook our community,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “Today’s guilty verdicts represent a condemnation of that hatred and uphold our fundamental right to live and worship free from the threat of violence and discrimination. I am sincerely grateful to the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and the FBI Special Agents who, over several years, have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice. I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to the members of DAF who, despite their fears, showed strength and resiliency by testifying at trial. I hope today’s verdict offers a sense of peace as the community moves forward.”

“I commend the outstanding efforts of the trial team from the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI, which tried this case with support from the Civil Rights Division. The jury’s verdict confirms the fundamental principle that every person in this country has the right to exercise religion free from violence and fear,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners on this case and are pleased to see justice being carried out.”

"Extremist violence such as this – fueled by exclusive, insular hatred and intended to intimidate Minnesotans based simply on their faith – will not be tolerated by the FBI and our regional law enforcement partners,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI's Minneapolis field office. “Today's verdict is a strong warning to criminal extremists conspiring and calculating to target innocent Americans because of their personal beliefs. Our ranks are universally steadfast in our commitment to the FBI’s core mission – to protect our communities and to protect the rights of all Americans.”

As proven at trial, during the summer of 2017, HARI established a terrorist militia group called “The White Rabbits” in Clarence, Illinois.  HARI recruited co-defendants Michael McWhorter and Joe Morris to join the militia, which he 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. HARI targeted DAF to terrorize Muslims into believing they are not welcome in the United States and should leave the country.

As proven at trial, HARI, McWhorter, and Morris arrived at DAF on August 5, 2017, at approximately 5:00 a.m. At HARI’s direction, Morris used a sledgehammer to break the window of the Imam’s office at DAF, and he threw a plastic container with a mixture of diesel fuel and gasoline into the office. Also at HARI’s direction, 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 men 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.

On January 24, 2019, McWhorter and Morris pleaded guilty to their roles in the bombing.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney MacDonald thanks Assistant United States Attorneys John Docherty, Allison Ethen and Timothy Rank, Justice Department Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Timothy Visser, Lead Paralegal Specialist Lynette Simser, Witness Specialists Jeffery Knopps and Selina Kolsrud, Community Affairs Director Angie LaTour, former Assistant United States Attorney Julie Allyn, and the special agents of the FBI’s Minneapolis and Springfield, Illinois Divisions, the ATF, and the Bloomington Police Department for their hard work and commitment to the pursuit of justice.  United States Attorney further thanks the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois and the FBI’s Springfield field office for their collaboration and partnership. United States Attorney MacDonald also thanks Assistant United States Attorney Eugene Miller, of the Central District of Illinois, for his support and assistance to this case.

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL HARI, 49

Clarence, Ill.

Convicted:

• Intentionally Defacing, Damaging, and Destroying any Religious Real Property Because of the Religious Character of that Property, 1 count
• Intentionally Obstructing, and Attempting to Obstruct, by Force and the Threat of Force, the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs, 1 count
• Conspiracy to Commit Federal Felonies by Means of Fire and Explosives, 1 count
• Carrying and Using a Destructive Device During and in Relation to Crimes of Violence, 1 count
• Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device, 1 count

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of MARK OREN SCHORN, 53, to 180 months in prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. SCHORN, who pleaded guilty on August 19, 2020, was sentenced today before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, SCHORN and his co-conspirators engaged in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation. On April 14, 2020, law enforcement stopped SCHORN’s co-conspirators, including Lucas Jay Madison, near Faribault, Minnesota, as they traveled back from Phoenix, Arizona. Law enforcement conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered approximately 23 pounds of methamphetamine contained within a backpack. Lucas Jay Madison was sentenced to 235 months in prison on November 24, 2020.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, the recovered methamphetamine was intended for delivery to SCHORN and other co-conspirators in the Twin Cities. On the same day, law enforcement conducted multiple search warrants, including at SCHORN’s apartment in Montrose, Minnesota. Law enforcement found over $100,000, two digital scales, an empty holster, metal knuckles with a retractable knife, and ammunition in various calibers inside SCHORN’s bedroom. During the execution of the search warrant, SCHORN attempted to flee the apartment. The following day, law enforcement located a 9mm handgun hidden along SCHORN’s flight path.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Anoka Hennepin Drug Task Force, the Cannon River Drug & Violent Offender Task Force, the Southeast Minnesota Gang and Drug Task Force, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Edina Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Allen A. Slaughter prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

MARK OREN SCHORN, 53

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 180 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of LUCAS JAY MADISON, 40, to 235 months in prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. MADISON, who pleaded guilty on July 21, 2020, was sentenced yesterday before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, MADISON and his co-conspirators engaged in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation. On April 14, 2020, law enforcement stopped MADISON and his co-conspirator near Faribault, Minnesota, as they traveled back from Phoenix, Arizona. Law enforcement conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered approximately 23 pounds of methamphetamine contained within a backpack. The methamphetamine was intended for delivery to MADISON’s co-conspirators in the Twin Cities. On the same day, law enforcement conducted search warrants at MADISON’s car detailing business in Bloomington, Minnesota, and his apartment in St. Paul. As a result of these searches, law enforcement agents recovered approximately 680 grams of methamphetamine, a Hi Point Model 9 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a digital scale, THC cartridges, and multiple cell phones. Afterward, law enforcement searched other conspiracy locations and seized over $100,000 in U.S. currency, two handguns, over 100 grams of methamphetamine, additional digital scales, and drug paraphernalia.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Anoka Hennepin Drug Task Force, the Cannon River Drug & Violent Offender Task Force, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and the Edina Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Allen A. Slaughter prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

LUCAS JAY MADISON, 40

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 235 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty pleas of five additional defendants for their roles in a $300 million telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly and other vulnerable victims. STACEY LEIGH PERSONS, 34, PATRECIA NICHOLE SHINN, 33, LEEANN GARCIA, 26, PETRA JINETTE LABOY, 42, and ANGEL WILSON, 49, were indicted on October 27, 2020, and pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in U.S. District Court earlier today.

STACEY LEIGH PERSONS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to her guilty plea and documents filed with the court, from January 2010 through February 2020, PERSONS owned and operated General Subscription Services (“GSS”) and Amerimag Services LLC (“Amerimag”), two Minnesota-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales. PERSONS and her companies ran a telemarketing call center in Fridley, Minnesota.  As part of the scheme, PERSONS obtained lists of consumers who had active magazine subscriptions through other companies. PERSONS and her co-conspirators knew that many of the consumers on these lists were elderly or otherwise susceptible to fraudulent and deceptive sales tactics. At PERSONS’ direction, her sales employees called the people on these lists and, through lies and misrepresentations, signed them up for expensive magazine subscriptions or falsely claimed to renew victim-consumer’s existing magazine subscription at a reduced cost. In reality, GSS and Amerimag often had no existing relationship with the victim-consumers and the telemarketers were not calling about an existing magazine subscription. Instead, the telemarketers were calling to defraud the victim-consumers by tricking them into unwittingly signing up for entirely new magazine subscriptions. PERSONS, GSS, and Amerimag defrauded thousands of victims and amassed approximately $6,894,439 from victims as a result of this fraudulent scheme. As part of her guilty plea, PERSONS agreed to pay $6,894,439.00 in restitution to all identified victims in this and related cases.

PATRECIA NICHOLE SHINN and LEEANN GARCIA pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud before Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. SHINN and GARCIA worked as telemarketers for GSS and Amerimag. At PERSONS’ direction, SHINN and GARCIA made calls to victim-consumers using fraudulent scripts. SHINN and GARCIA knew that many of the consumers on these lists were elderly or otherwise susceptible to fraudulent and deceptive sales tactics. SHINN and GARCIA, using a series of knowing and deliberate lies and misrepresentations, signed the victim-consumers up for expensive magazine subscriptions or falsely claimed to be calling with an offer to renew the victim-consumer’s existing magazine subscription, often at a reduced cost. As part of their guilty pleas, SHINN and GARCIA agreed to pay $50,000 and $15,000, respectively, in restitution to all identified victims in this and related cases.

PETRA JINETTE LABOY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to LABOY’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, from January 2011 to February 2020, LABOY worked as a sales manager and telemarketer for several fraudulent magazine companies in south Florida, including MO Management LLC, Preferred Media Source Inc., Preferred Media Solutions, American Readers Service, Atlantic Media Source, North American Direct Service, Inc., and North America’s Readers Choice (the “fraudulent companies”). These fraudulent companies were owned by MICHAEL OELRICH, who pleaded guilty to mail fraud on July 2, 2020, and were operated on behalf of co-defendant RUSSELL RAHM. In her role, LABOY worked out of an office in Cape Coral, Florida, and used fraudulent sales scripts to defraud elderly victim-consumers out of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. LABOY was eventually promoted to sales manager. As a sales manager, LABOY would oversee and train other telemarketers to commit the fraud, using the fraudulent scripts. The companies fraudulently obtained more than $72 million from victims over the period in which LABOY worked for the companies. As part of her guilty plea, LABOY agreed to pay $50,000 in restitution to all identified victims in this and related cases.

ANGEL WILSON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From 2007 through 2010 and 2017 and 2020, WILSON worked as a telemarketer for Online Reading Club Inc., a Mississippi company that also conducted business under the names Readers Pros and Online Reading Pros. (collectively, “Readers Pros”). The companies were owned by co-defendant DANIEL MATHIAS. The companies ran a telemarketing call center in Oxford, Mississippi. Readers Pros employed a similar fraud scheme that also targeted victim-consumers who were elderly or otherwise vulnerable. Using scripts provided by MATHIAS, WILSON called the vulnerable victim-consumers on the lists and, through a series of knowing and deliberate lies and misrepresentations, defrauded them. WILSON falsely claimed that the victim-consumers owed a large outstanding balance for existing magazine subscriptions and fraudulently offered to pay off that balance in exchange for a one-time payment of $507. In reality, the victim-consumers did not have any existing subscriptions with Readers Pros, did not owe Readers Pros any outstanding balance, and Readers Pros did not have the ability to cancel the victim-consumers ongoing magazine subscriptions. Readers Pros fraudulently obtained more than $1.6 million from victim-consumers during the period in which WILSON worked for the company. As part of her guilty plea, WILSON agreed to pay $15,000 in restitution to all identified victims in this and related cases.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, and Melinda A. Williams are prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

STACEY LEIGH PERSONS, 34

Andover, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

PATRECIA NICHOLE SHINN, 33

Cambridge, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

LEEANN GARCIA, 26

Cambridge, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

PETRA JINETTE LABOY, 42

Cape Coral, Fl.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

ANGEL WILSON, 42

Oxford, Miss.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal criminal complaint against LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34, charging him with attempt to commit arson. WILLIAMS made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the criminal complaint, on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Minneapolis experienced arson, rioting, and looting, following the suicide of a suspect in a homicide, and in response to false rumors surrounding the man’s death. At approximately 11:06 p.m., City of Minneapolis and Target Headquarters surveillance video showed a man, later identified as WILLIAMS, light a cardboard box on fire and place it inside the Target Headquarters building through a shattered glass door. WILLIAMS made several attempts to reignite the cardboard box. At 11:10 p.m., WILLIAMS was seen making several additional attempts to start a fire inside of the vestibule of the building.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Fire Department, and the Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Richfield Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea A. Walcker.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34

Charges:

• Attempt to commit arson, 1 count

 

 

 

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Antigravity Effects, LLC (AGE), Results Laboratories LLC (Results), their owner, Mathias Berry, and employee Kate Ross, have agreed to pay the United States $500,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they knowingly billed Medicare for medically unnecessary viscosupplementation injections and medically unnecessary knee braces that were also tainted by illegal kickbacks, the Department of Justice announced today. 

Berry has also agreed to an eight-year period of exclusion from participation in federal health care programs, and Ross has agreed to a five-year period of exclusion. Results and AGE are no longer operating.

Viscosupplementation is a treatment therapy for osteoarthritis, in which a doctor injects a gel-like fluid into a patient’s knee joint to act as a lubricant and to supplement the natural properties of joint fluid. AGE licensed branding and business methods for viscosupplementation to chiropractors across the country, which led to the formation of the Osteo Relief Institutes (ORIs). One of those ORIs was based in Minnesota. AGE and Berry received license fees from the ORIs based on their collections. Results acted as a group purchaser for the ORIs to order and purchase medical supplies, including viscosupplements and custom knee braces. Berry owned both companies, and Kate Ross worked for AGE.

The settlement resolves allegations that AGE, Results, Berry, and Ross knowingly caused the ORIs to submit claims to Medicare from 2011 through 2017 for medically unnecessary viscosupplementation and medically unnecessary knee braces that were also tainted by illegal kickbacks. The government alleged that AGE, Results, Berry, and Ross pressured these clinics to administer viscosupplementation injections to patients who did not need them, to use multiple brands of viscosupplements successively on patients without clinical support, and to use discounted viscosupplements reimported from foreign countries.

This settlement also resolves allegations that AGE, Results, Berry, and Ross caused the ORIs to provide unnecessary custom knee braces to patients that were also tainted by illegal kickbacks solicited and received by Results and Berry from Vision Quest, Incorporated (VQ), a knee brace manufacturer located in Irvine, California, in exchange for arranging for the ORIs to purchase the manufacturer’s braces. The United States filed suit against VQ this week, alleging that VQ paid kickbacks to Results in order to sell knee braces to the ORIs.

“Billing Medicare for medically unnecessary procedures and for unnecessary medical devices tainted by kickbacks wastes taxpayer funds and jeopardizes patient health,” said Erica H. MacDonald, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota. “Today’s settlement demonstrates that we will continue to pursue those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of both taxpayers and patients.”

“The billing of medically unnecessary services and products as well as paying kickbacks to induce medical practitioners to provide such services and products is illegal,” said Lamont Pugh III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General – Chicago Region. “The OIG routinely conducts data analysis in an effort to identify aberrant and potentially fraudulent billing trends and will take action to hold accountable those who seek to defraud federally funded health care programs.”

This settlement is based on the entities’ and individuals’ ability to pay and could total up to $3.875 million, if certain contingencies are triggered.

The allegations resolved by today’s settlement stem from a proactive government investigation based on a critical analysis of Medicare claims data. This effort also led to other previously announced settlements with several former Osteo Relief Institutes and others for their alleged roles in this scheme.

The government’s settlement in this matter illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The claims asserted against defendants are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of BRYCE MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 26, to one count of conspiracy to commit arson at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct. WILLIAMS, who was initially charged via criminal complaint on June 16, 2020, and indicted on August 25, 2020, entered his guilty plea today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on the night of May 28, 2020, WILLIAMS went to the Third Precinct where a crowd of hundreds had gathered. At one point, the crowd began shouting, “Burn it down, burn it down.” Soon after, a fence that was designed to keep trespassers out of the Third Precinct building was torn down. WILLIAMS, along with other co-conspirators, breached the fence and entered the Third Precinct building.

Surveillance video footage from the Third Precinct showed WILLIAMS, wearing a mask, a baseball cap, and a hooded sweatshirt, standing near the entrance of the Third Precinct holding a Molotov cocktail while other co-conspirators lit the wick. The Molotov cocktail was taken into the Third Precinct by a co-conspirator and was used to start a fire. WILLIAMS later threw a box on an existing fire located just outside the Third Precinct entrance.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Staples Police Department, the Todd County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and David P. Steinkamp.

Defendant Information:

BRYCE MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 26

Staples, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging JOHN DAVID PAULSON, 56, with two counts of mail fraud. PAULSON will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court before a Magistrate Judge at a later date.

According to the allegations in the indictment, PAULSON owned and operated the David Paulson Agency Inc., an independent insurance agency located in Wadena, Minnesota. Between 2011 and 2018, PAULSON engaged in a scheme to defraud by stealing money he collected from his clients for their insurance premiums. As part of the scheme, PAULSON provided fake invoices to his clients that fraudulently inflated the amount of money they owed to their insurance companies.  Instead of paying over the premiums to the insurance companies, PAULSON used much of his clients’ money for his own purposes, including paying his home mortgage and personal credit card bills.  PAULSON’s scheme left his clients owing large amounts to their insurance companies or without insurance policies. In total, PAULSON stole approximately $524,000 from his clients.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the United States Postal Inspection Service. United States Attorney MacDonald also thanks the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.

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

Defendant Information:

JOHN DAVID PAULSON, 56

Wadena, Minn.

Charges:

• Mail fraud, 2 counts

 

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The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging ADITYA RAJ SHARMA, 47, with wire fraud. SHARMA, who was arrested on November 13, 2020, made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the allegations in the indictment, SHARMA was the founder, CEO, and president of Crosscode Inc., a cloud-based software development company headquartered in Foster City, California. In November 2019, SHARMA was removed as an officer and terminated from the company by Crosscode’s board of directors. In May 2020, SHARMA created a cloud-computing technology company called Kloudgaze Inc. On April 26, 2020, SHARMA submitted a false and fraudulent loan application in the name of “Crosscode dba Kloudgaze” seeking approximately $562,500 through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). 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.

According to the allegations in the indictment, on April 29, 2020, as a result of SHARMA’s material falsehoods and omissions, the application was approved, and SHARMA received $562,500 in PPP funds. However, instead of using the PPP funds for permissible small business expenses, such as payroll for employees, SHARMA sought to enrich himself personally and transferred approximately $500,000 to a personal bank account, made a $5,000 down payment toward the installation of a $64,300 pool at his personal residence, and transferred approximately $14,000 to a financial account in India.  

The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spends the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and uses at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.

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 Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert and Jordan L. Sing are prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

ADITYA RAJ SHARMA, 47

Maple Grove, Minn.

Charges:

• Wire fraud, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of PETER EARL DAHL, 54, to a year and a day in prison for wire fraud and filing a false income tax return. DAHL, who pleaded guilty on July 20, 2020, was sentenced on November 16, 2020 before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, while President and CEO of Minneapolis-based Crown Bank (“Crown”) from 2015 to 2017, DAHL engaged in a scheme to defraud the bank and several individuals. DAHL conducted transactions involving funds and credits of Crown for his own purposes and without permission of the bank’s board or shareholders and without notice to or approval of state and federal regulatory agencies.  DAHL used various Crown accounts to cover his personal debts and expenditures and repeatedly kited obligations within accounts of Crown and between accounts at Crown and other banks. In connection with many such transactions, DAHL understood that records would be created at Crown. On many occasions DAHL made and caused to be made false entries in Crown’s records, either because records were created in accounts that did not legitimately belong to DAHL, or because a false entry had to be made in a record to cause funds to be released for the benefit of DAHL.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, DAHL also defrauded prospective investors in Crown Bank’s holding company, Crown Bankshares. To entice investors to buy shares, DAHL made misrepresentations of material fact and concealed material facts from investors. For example, in March 2017 and later, DAHL represented to prospective investors that a merger with or acquisition by another bank was “imminent,” and that he was negotiating for the other bank to purchase Crown. DAHL specified a per-share premium of 25 percent to be received by investors and that he would remain with the surviving entity in a controlling management capacity. In reality, no merger was likely.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, during this same period, DAHL knew that he was under scrutiny by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). DAHL did not disclose this material information when telling investors that he would remain in his position within the new entity. Prospective investors paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase bank stock based on the misrepresentations.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, another aspect of the fraud involved DAHL arranging loans from individuals which were falsely described as loans to third parties, but with the funds actually going to DAHL. DAHL forged the signatures of at least two bank customers to obtain such loans for his personal use. DAHL also failed to disclose on his 2016 federal tax return the income obtained from the transactions, resulting in a loss to the IRS of more than $250,000.

As part of the case, DAHL was ordered to pay restitution and to forfeit $40,000 he had paid to the United States Marshals Service ostensibly to purchase Crown Bankshares stock that had been seized in the prosecution of Tom Petters.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigation, the Office of Inspector General for the Federal Reserve Board, and the Office of Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Lewis.

Defendant Information:

PETER EARL DAHL, 54

Edina, Minn.

Convicted:

• Wire fraud, 1 count
• False income tax return, 1 count

Sentenced:

• A year and a day in prison
• Two years of supervised release
• Restitution of at least $468,799

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of JEFFREY FRANK HORNER, 57, to 28 months in prison for wire fraud. HORNER, who pleaded guilty on July 7, 2020, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, HORNER, the owner and operator of HORNER PAYEE SERVICES and RENROH Enterprises LLC, served as a fiduciary for disabled veterans. In his capacity, HORNER was responsible for managing veterans’ benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), the U.S. Social Security Administration (“SSA”), and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”). Between April 2010 and September 2018, HORNER devised and executed a scheme to defraud the VA, the SSA, and the OPM, and veterans entitled to these agencies’ benefits. HORNER established and used at least 12 bank accounts in his own name and in the names of his businesses to transfer and divert for his own use at least $365,374.69 victims’ government funds.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Assistant United States Attorney Miranda E. Dugi prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

JEFFREY FRANK HORNER, 57

Mableton, Ga.

Convicted:

• Wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 28 months in prison
• One year of supervised release
• $372,874.69 in restitution

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced federal carjacking charges against DELANEY NICHOLAS HARRIS, 19, JOSHOAMEI DEANGELO RICHARDSON, 19, and JAMES BROCK WILLIAMS, JR., 19. HARRIS was charged with aiding and abetting carjacking and, in a separate indictment, RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS were charged with aiding and abetting carjacking and firearms violations. The defendants made their initial appearances in U.S. District Court and have been ordered to remain in detention pending further proceedings.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald stated, “This disturbing spike in carjackings throughout the Twin Cities has not gone unnoticed by federal law enforcement. This is unacceptable and we will not hesitate to hold accountable individuals who perpetrate this type of violence in our communities.”

According to the allegations in the indictment and documents filed with the court, 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 HARRIS, the second a yet 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.

According to the allegations in a separate indictment and documents filed in state court, on August 25, 2020, in St. Paul, Minnesota, RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS used force and violence, while brandishing a firearm, to steal a 2012 Dodge Charger. WILLIAMS allegedly brandished a firearm, demanded the keys, and threatened the driver of the Dodge Charger as he exited his vehicle. RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS then fled the scene in the Charger.

These cases are the result of investigations conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Saint Paul Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the HARRIS case. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the RICHARDSON and WILLIAMS case.

The charges contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

DELANEY NICHOLAS HARRIS, 19

Chicago, Ill.

Charges:

• Aiding and abetting carjacking, 1 count

 

JOSHOAMEI DEANGELO RICHARDSON, a/k/a “Yoshi,” 19

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

• Aiding and abetting carjacking, 1 count
• Aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

 

JAMES BROCK WILLIAMS, JR., 19

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

• Aiding and abetting carjacking, 1 count
• Aiding and abetting using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty pleas of TERRY LYNN CHRISTENSEN, 73, TODD ALLEN HUGHES, 47, and JESSICA MARIE PRINCE, 40, for their roles in a $300 million telemarketing fraud scheme. The defendants were indicted on October 27, 2020, and entered their guilty pleas before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

According to his guilty plea and documents filed with the court, CHRISTENSEN worked as a call center manager for several fraudulent magazine companies including MO Management LLC, Preferred Media Source Inc., Preferred Media Solutions, American Readers Service, Atlantic Media Source, North American Direct Service, Inc., and North America’s Readers Choice. These companies had telemarketing call centers in Fort Lauderdale and Cape Coral, Florida. These companies were owned by MICHAEL OELRICH, who pleaded guilty to mail fraud on July 2, 2020, and were operated on behalf of co-defendant RUSSELL RAHM. In his role, CHRISTENSEN trained telemarketers to use deceptive sales scripts designed to defraud victim-consumers—many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable—by tricking them into signing up for expensive magazine subscription packages. Between June 2009 and 2020, the fraudulent magazine companies defrauded victims out of approximately $98,788,421. As part of his guilty plea, CHRISTENSEN agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution to victims of his fraud conspiracy.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed with the court, HUGHES worked from his home in Holstein, Iowa, as a telemarketer for a company called The Magazine Deal. At the direction of the company and its owners, HUGHES used fraudulent sales scripts to defraud elderly victim-consumers out of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Among other misrepresentations he made, HUGHES would falsely claim that a victim-consumer owed a large debt for an existing magazine subscription and fraudulently offered to pay off the balance in exchange for a single lump sum payment. In reality, HUGHES was simply defrauding victims out of thousands of dollars. As part of his guilty plea, HUGHES agreed to pay $50,000 in restitution to all identified victims in this and related cases.

According to her guilty plea and documents filed with the court, PRINCE worked as a call center manager for Readers Club of America (“RCA”), a Missouri-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales. RCA employed a similar fraud scheme that also targeted victim-consumers who were elderly or otherwise vulnerable. RCA telemarketers used deceptive sales scripts and, through a series of knowing and deliberate lies and misrepresentations, signed up elderly and vulnerable individuals for expensive magazine subscriptions. Between 2014 and 2020, RCA collected $4,070,549.01 from victims as a result of this fraudulent scheme. As part of her guilty plea, PRINCE agreed to pay $4,070,549.01 in restitution to all identified victims in this and related cases.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, and Melinda A. Williams are prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

TERRY LYNN CHRISTENSEN, 73

Fort Myers, Fla.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

TODD ALLEN HUGHES, 47

Holstein, Iowa

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

 

JESSICA MARIE PRINCE, 40

Thayer, Mo.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a four-count superseding indictment charging MICHAEL ROBERT SOLOMON, 30, and BENJAMIN RYAN TEETER, 22, with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (Hamas) and firearms violations. SOLOMON and TEETER, who were initially charged via federal criminal complaint on September 3, 2020, will be arraigned before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court at a later date. SOLOMON and TEETER have been ordered to remain in detention pending further proceedings.

According to the superseding indictment and documents filed with the court, in late May of 2020, the FBI initiated an investigation into SOLOMON and TEETER, two members of the “Boogaloo Bois,” and a sub-group called the “Boojahideen.” The Boogaloo Bois are a loosely- connected group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments. The term “Boogaloo” itself references an impending second civil war in the United States and is associated with violent uprisings against the government.

According to the superseding indictment and documents filed with the court, during the civil unrest in the Twin Cities following the death of George Floyd, according to a witness, SOLOMON was openly carrying a firearm in a residential neighborhood in Minneapolis. SOLOMON and TEETER interacted with the witness over the course of several days. The witness told FBI agents that SOLOMON and TEETER possessed firearms and substantial quantities of ammunition and that SOLOMON, TEETER, and other members of the Boogaloo Bois and Boojahideen discussed committing acts of violence against police officers and other targets in furtherance of the Boojahideen’s stated goal of overthrowing the government and replacing its police forces.

According to the superseding indictment and documents filed with the court, in early June, the FBI received information about SOLOMON, TEETER, and other members of the Boogaloo Bois and the Boojahideen through a confidential human source (“CHS”), whom the defendants believed to be a member of Hamas. In audio-recorded conversations, SOLOMON and TEETER expressed that Hamas shares anti-U.S. government views that align with their own views. SOLOMON and TEETER also expressed their desire to employ themselves as “mercenaries” for Hamas as a means to generate cash for the Boogaloo Bois/Boojahideen movement, including funding for recruitment and purchasing land for a training compound.

According to the superseding indictment and documents filed with the court, SOLOMON and TEETER shared with the CHS, and another individual whom they believed to be a more senior member of Hamas (and who was actually an undercover employee of the FBI), their ideas about destroying government monuments, raiding the headquarters of a white supremacist organization in North Carolina, and targeting politicians and members of the media.

According to the superseding indictment and documents filed with the court, SOLOMON and TEETER also expressed their ability to manufacture unmarked parts for guns and create unregistered and untraceable weapons, including suppressors. On July 30, SOLOMON and TEETER delivered to the individual they believed to be a senior member of Hamas five suppressors and expressed their desire to manufacture additional suppressors and fully-automatic weapons for Hamas. SOLOMON and TEETER later negotiated with the individual a price of $1,800 for five additional suppressors. SOLOMON and TEETER also delivered to the individual a “drop in auto sear” (“DIAS”), a part designed and intended for use in converting a weapon to shoot automatically. SOLOMON and TEETER believed the suppressors and the DIAS would be used by Hamas overseas to attack Israeli and U.S soldiers. Under federal law, suppressors must be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. On August 29, 2020. SOLOLMON and TEETER knowingly possessed a device which converts a semi-automatic rifle into an illegal machine gun.

In a separate, related case, IVAN HUNTER, 26, was indicted by a grand jury on November 4, 2020, on one count of riot. HUNTER, who was initially charged via federal criminal complaint on October 23, 2020, will be arraigned before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court at a later date. HUNTER has been ordered to remain in detention pending further proceedings.

These cases are 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).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter, and Trial Attorneys George Kraehe and Phil Viti of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the cases.

These cases fall with the purview of the Attorney General’s Task Force to Combat Violent Anti-Government Extremism. Launched in June 2020, the Task Force is dedicated to supporting the investigation and prosecution of any person or group who commits violence in the name of an anarchist ideology.

The charges contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

MICHAEL ROBERT SOLOMON, 30

New Brighton, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (Hamas), 1 count
• Attempt provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (Hamas), 1 count
• Possession of unregistered firearms – silencers, 1 count
• Unlawful possession of a machine gun, 1 count

 

BENJAMIN RYAN TEETER, 22

Hampstead, N.C.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (Hamas), 1 count
• Attempt provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (Hamas), 1 count
• Possession of unregistered firearms – silencers, 1 count
• Unlawful possession of a machine gun, 1 count

 

IVAN HARRISON HUNTER, 26

Boerne, Texas

Charges:

• Riot, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced an 11-count federal indictment charging TY RAYMOND JINDRA, 28, with acquiring controlled substances by deception, extortion under color of official right, and deprivation of rights under color of law. JINDRA, who was taken into custody earlier today, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the allegations in the indictment, from September 2017 through October 2019, JINDRA, a former police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department (“MPD”), abused his position in order to obtain and attempt to obtain controlled substances including methamphetamine, heroin, oxycodone, cocaine, and other drugs by deception, extortion, and conducting unconstitutional searches and seizures.

According to the allegations in the indictment, as part of his scheme, JINDRA diverted controlled substances for his own purposes by various means in the course of his duties as a MPD officer. JINDRA diverted controlled substances by not reporting, logging, placing into evidence, or informing his partner or other officers on scene about the controlled substances that he had confiscated. On some occasions, JINDRA would find ways to interact with or search an individual, vehicle, or residence so that he could surreptitiously recover controlled substances without his partner’s knowledge. At times, JINDRA conducted searches beyond the scope warranted under the circumstances in attempt to recover controlled substances. At times, JINDRA would turn off his body-worn camera when he found, concealed or diverted controlled substances he lawfully possessed in the course of his duties as a MPD officer.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald thanks the FBI for its skilled investigative work on this case and the Minneapolis Police Department for its immediate notification to the FBI and substantial assistance in bringing this indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber M. Brennan and Michelle E. Jones are prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

TY RAYMOND JINDRA, 28

Elk River, Minn.

Charges:

• Acquiring controlled substances by deception, 6 counts
• Extortion under color of official right, 2 counts
• Deprivation of rights under color of law, 3 counts

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of WILLIAM KYLE SUTOR III, 38, to 16 months in prison for health care fraud. SUTOR, who pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020, was sentenced yesterday before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between 2015 and 2016, SUTOR, a licensed personal injury attorney, engaged in a scheme to defraud providers of automobile insurance policies. Specifically, SUTOR conspired with chiropractors and patient recruiters, referred to as “runners.” As part of the scheme, the chiropractor would pay the runner a fee, typically between $1,000 and $1,500, for every individual that the runner brought to the chiropractor’s clinic to become a patient. In addition, SUTOR would pay the runner a fee, typically $300, for every individual that became a client of SUTOR’s. The result was that patients got paid to receive chiropractic services.  SUTOR, the chiropractors, and the runners took steps to conceal their scheme, including making kickback payments in cash or by checks written out to appear that they were payments for legitimate legal services. In his plea agreement, SUTOR acknowledged sending an attorney demand letter on behalf of a recruited patient to an insurance company for chiropractic services he knew had not in fact been performed.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. MacLaughlin prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

WILLIAM KYLE SUTOR III, 38

Minnetonka, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit health care fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 16 months in prison
• One year of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of HAKEEM ALEXANDER COLES, 25, to 204 months in prison for Hobbs Act robbery and assault of a person assisting federal law enforcement officers. COLES, who pleaded guilty on July 16, 2020, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald said, “Mr. Coles inflicted extreme violence and injury on his victims. This type of violence is unacceptable in our communities and my office, along with our dedicated law enforcement partners, remains committed to holding accountable violent offenders such as this.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea, on August 17, 2019, COLES committed a violent armed robbery of Cowboy Jacks Bar and Grill in downtown Minneapolis. COLES, who had been fired from the restaurant the night before, held the general manager at gunpoint with a short-barreled shotgun and demanded that she fill a backpack with cash from the safe. COLES tied the victim’s hands with a phone cord and violently punched the victim in the side of her head, causing her to lose consciousness. COLES stole more than $24,000 from the business. COLES then fled to Texas where he allegedly committed another armed robbery and was eventually stopped and arrested in Louisiana, where he was found in possession of a semiautomatic pistol and another short-barreled shotgun. COLES has been federally charged with Hobbs Act robbery and firearms violations in Texas and Louisiana.

In January 2020, after being transferred back to the District of Minnesota on the Hobbs Act robbery indictment for Cowboy Jacks, COLES was ordered to remain in detention at the Sherburne County Jail in United States Marshal’s custody pending trial in the Cowboy Jack’s robbery case. On January 27, 2020, COLES attacked and violently assaulted a Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer, who was making rounds in the jail where COLES was housed, causing significant injuries including a traumatic brain injury.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshal’s Service.

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

Defendant Information:

HAKEEM ALEXANDER COLES, 25

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Hobbs Act robbery, 1 count
• Assault of a person assisting federal law enforcement officers, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 204 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $86,200 in restitution

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced that JAY DEAN LOW, 57, was sentenced to an above guideline sentence of 72 months in prison for wire fraud. LOW, who pleaded guilty on December 18, 2019, was sentenced yesterday before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between September 2014 and April 2016, LOW devised and executed an investment scheme to defraud Victim A.  After LOW made false representations about an investment opportunity, Victim A provided LOW with her life savings of approximately $266,000, believing the money was going to be invested in a pharmaceutical company. In reality, there was no investment opportunity, and LOW created authentic-looking documents that he periodically provided to Victim A in order to give his sham investment the appearance of legitimacy.  Rather than invest as promised, LOW fraudulently misappropriated all of Victim A’s investment funds for his own personal use and benefit, including the purchase of a BMW, tuition payment for a family member, a $10,000 hot tub, jewelry, and other personal expenses.  LOW committed this fraud scheme while he was on pretrial release after being charged in 2015 in a separate, unrelated $400,000 embezzlement case.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

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

Defendant Information:

JAY DEAN LOW, 57

Plymouth, Minn.

Convicted:

• Wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 72 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $266,737 in restitution

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of BRIAN JAMES WILLIAMS, 51, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. WILLIAMS, who was indicted on October 27, 2020, entered his guilty plea today before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This was the first guilty plea following the October 27, 2020, indictment of 60 individuals for their involvement in fraudulent magazine sales.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, WILLIAMS owned and operated several companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, including Readers Club Home Office, Pacific Renewal Service, and Tropical Readers in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Pacific Beach Readers Club in San Diego, California. WILLIAMS’ companies operated telemarketing call centers in both St. Paul and San Diego at which telemarketers used deceptive sales scripts designed to defraud victim-consumers—many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable—by tricking them into signing up for expensive magazine subscription packages. WILLIAMS conspired with and participated in this scheme with many others, including with company owners, lead brokers, and telemarketers located across the country. In total, WILLIAMS and his companies defrauded thousands of victims out of more than $29 million.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, WILLIAMS agreed to pay $29,262,249 in restitution to victims of his fraud conspiracy. WILLIAMS faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, and Melinda A. Williams are prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:

BRIAN JAMES WILLIAMS, 51

Long Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the 2020 recipients of the second annual U.S. Attorney’s Office “Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice” Awards. Sixty-seven law enforcement officials and community leaders are being honored for their outstanding work and selfless contributions in the pursuit of truth and justice.

“I am honored to present the “Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice” award to 67 law enforcement and community leaders in recognition of their exceptional work, courage, and character. Even through the unprecedented challenges of this past year, these professionals are unwavering in their commitment to public safety,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s mission of pursuing justice is not one we can achieve on our own. We do it together, as partners. On behalf of the entire office, I extend my sincere gratitude and commendation on a job well done.”

The honorees at today’s virtual ceremony are members of the following agencies and organizations:

• United States Marshals Service
• Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas
• Anoka County Sheriff’s Office
• Homeland Security Investigations
• Face to Face Health and Counseling Service
• International Institute of Minnesota
• St. Louis County Attorney's Office
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Duluth Police Department
• Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, DOJ
• Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
• St. Paul Police Department
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Eden Prairie Police Department
• Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
• Bureau of Indian Affairs
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Minnesota Department of Corrections
• Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
• Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
• Minnesota State Patrol
• Dakota County Sheriff’s Office
• Apple Valley Police Department
• Dakota County Drug Task Force
• Ramsey County VCET
• Carver County Sheriff’s Office
• Orono Police Department
• U.S. Department of Commerce
• National Security Division, DOJ
• United States Postal Inspection Service
• Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau
• U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Angela Munoz will lead local efforts in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSA Munoz has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for Minnesota and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will always act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open through Election Day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).

The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney MacDonald stated that AUSA/DEO Munoz will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at (612) 664-5776.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (763) 569-8000 or 1-800-CALLFBI.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

United States Attorney MacDonald said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced three separate indictments charging 60 defendants for their roles in a $300 million nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims. The charges include conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994 (the “SCAMS Act”). The defendants are located in 14 states, 16 judicial districts, and two Canadian provinces.

“This case represents the largest elder fraud scheme in the nation. More than 150,000 elderly and vulnerable victims across the United States have been identified in what is essentially a criminal class action,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “Unfortunately, we live in a world where fraudsters are willing to take advantage of seniors, who are often trusting and polite. It’s my hope that this prosecution is a call for vigilance and caution. Combatting elder fraud and abuse is one of the Justice Department’s top priorities and I applaud our investigative partners for their grit and dedication in tackling, at the systemic level, this widespread fraud.”

“The thieving greed of fraudsters who target senior citizens knows no bounds,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul. “Using a tactic like telemarketing magazine sales, these deceitful scam artists bilk hard earned money from their aging victims – leaving so many financially devastated in their retirement years and without recourse for recovery. The FBI is working intently to help ensure our elderly fellow citizens are protected and not defrauded.”

“When the U.S. Mail is used for the purposes of committing fraud, and in this case, a particularly insidious type of fraud- elder fraud, it's the job of the Postal Inspection Service to aggressively investigate and ensure America's confidence in the integrity of the U.S. Mail,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonҫa.

According to allegations in the indictments and documents filed with the court, over the past 20 years, the defendants devised and carried out a telemarketing scheme to defraud more than 150,000 victim-consumers located across the United States, many of whom are elderly and vulnerable. The scheme was carried out by a network of dozens of fraudulent magazine sales companies located across the United States and in Canada. The companies operated telemarketing call centers from which their employees made calls using deceptive sales scripts designed to defraud victim consumers by inducing them—through a series of lies and misrepresentations—into making large or repeat payments to the companies.

The indictments allege that the defendants used fraudulent sales scripts to carry out their scheme. Many of the defendants used a fraudulent “renewal” script in which the telemarketers falsely claimed to be calling from the victim-consumer’s existing magazine subscription company about an existing magazine subscription package. The telemarketers often claimed—falsely—to be calling with an offer to reduce the monthly cost of an existing subscription. In reality, the company had no existing relationship with the victim-consumers and was actually fraudulently signing the victim-consumers up for expensive and entirely new magazine subscriptions.

The effect was that a single consumer went from having one magazine subscription to, at times, more than a dozen, all with different fraudulent magazine companies, each “sold” under the auspices of “reducing” the consumer’s monthly rate.

United States v. Rahm, et al., 20-cr-232, charges 43 defendants with carrying out a conspiracy to use the fraudulent renewal scripts to defraud more than 125,000 victims out of more than $300 million.

The indictments further allege that some of the defendants employed a “cancellation” script. The cancellation scripts targeted people who had previously fallen victim to a fraudulent magazine sales scam. Taking advantage of the victims’ desperation to make the magazine subscriptions stop, defendants using the cancellation script falsely claimed to be calling from the magazine “cancellation department.” The defendants offered to consolidate and cancel the victim-consumers’ existing magazine subscriptions and to pay off the victims’ “outstanding balance” in exchange for a large lump-sum payments. In reality, the companies had no relationship with the victim-consumer and the victim-consumer did not owe any money to the company. The “balances owed” were completely made up and the defendants stole the victims’ money.

United States v. Timmerman et al., 20-cr-233, charges nine defendants who worked for one of three Canadian companies that used the cancellation script to defraud more than 20,000 victim-consumers in the United States out of approximately $30 million.

United States v. Mathias et al., 20-cr-231, charges eight defendants in Mississippi and Georgia who used the cancellation script to defraud more than 13,000 victims of approximately $4.5 million.

The indictments charge defendants at all levels of the conspiracies, including Scheme Leaders, Company Owners, Call Center Managers, Telemarketers, and Lead Brokers. The Scheme Leaders provided an array of services to companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, including customer relationship management (“CRM”) software programs that tracked orders, sales, and other customer information for companies involved in the fraudulent magazine sales scheme. The Scheme Leaders also provided leads to the Company Owners and sent out confirmation letters, invoices, bills, and collections letters to victim-consumers who had been defrauded by fraudulent magazine sales companies. The Company Owners operated telemarketing call centers and provided lead lists and fraudulent sales scripts to their telemarketing employees. These companies were operating in 14 states across the country, including Minnesota, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, California, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Arkansas. The Call Center Managers trained the Telemarketers to use the fraudulent sales scripts to defraud victim-consumers. The indictment also charges Lead Brokers, who bought and sold lead lists of victim-consumers to fraudulent magazine sales companies. Many of the consumers on this list were elderly and susceptible to fraudulent and deceptive sales tactics and particularly valuable to companies engaged in fraudulent magazine sales. Accordingly, the lead lists commanded a significant premium and sold for as much as $10 or $15 per name.

*********

The following defendants are named in the United States v. Rahm, et al. indictment:

• RUSSELL JASON RAHM, 50, of Kansas City, Kansas, owner and Chief Executive Officer of several Kansas-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• TERRY LYNN CHRISTENSEN, 73, of Fort Myers, Florida, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JANNICE KRISTINA LAUR, 39, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• PETRA JINETTE LABOY, 42, of Cape Coral, Florida, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• DAVID JOHN MOULDER, 57, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, owner and Chief Executive Officer of several Minnesota-based companies that provided an array of services to companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• ANTHONY EUGENE MOULDER, 59, of Fort Myers, Florida, owner and operator of several Florida-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• RHONDA JEAN MOULDER, 60, of Cape Coral, Florida, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• BARBARA ANN MOULDER, 55, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• LUIS ORLANDO MENDIZABAL, 41, of Cape Coral, Florida, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JEFFREY LEE SMOLIAK, 45, of Cape Coral, Florida, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JOHN MICHAEL BLALOCK, 53, of Cape Coral, Florida, owner and manager of a Florida-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• LLOYD JOSEPH LOFTIS, 60, of Cape Coral, Florida, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• BRYANT JARODE CRITTEN, 33, of Cape Coral, Florida, a call center manager and telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and violating the SCAMS Act.
• NATESHA JAHMELIA MARSON, 33, of Lehigh Acres, Florida, a call center manager and telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• THOMAS ATHANASIOS KIRITSIS, 64, of North Fort Myers, Florida, a call center manager and telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• DANIEL MORRIS KLIBANOFF, 65, of Asheville, North Carolina, a lead broker, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• BRIAN DOUGLASS COX, 50, of Locust Grove, Georgia, a lead broker, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JOHN THOMAS HARBERT III, 58, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a lead broker, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• AMONDO ANTOINE MILLER, 44, of Littleton, Colorado, a lead broker and owner of a company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• KILEY MARIE SAINDON, 39, of Lakewood, Colorado, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• HENRY ARAGON, 50, of Golden, Colorado, owner of several Colorado-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• LUCILLE J. PATTERSON, 68, of Denver, Colorado, owner of several Colorado-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JAMES ANTHONY SIERRA, 55, of Littleton, Colorado, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• TARA NICOLE CREASON, 34, of Grand Blanc, Michigan, a call center manager and telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and violating the SCAMS Act.
• YVONNE PATTERSON, 60, of Thayer, Missouri, owner and operator of a Missouri-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• CHARITIE A. SEELYE, 47, of Pekin, Illinois, a call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. BONNIE LEE COLBERT, 56, of Alton, Missouri, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JENNIFER LYNN GIRARDIN, 48, of Englewood, Colorado, owner and operator of a Missouri-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JESSICA MARIE PRINCE, 40, of Thayer, Missouri, call center manager, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• BRIAN JAMES WILLIAMS, 41, of Long Lake, Minnesota, owner and operator of several Minnesota-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• TASHENA LAVERA CRUMP, 36, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a call center manager and telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JARED THOMAS MICHELIZZI, 37, of Ramsey, Minnesota, owner and operator of several Minnesota-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• ERIC PATRICK MCGARRITY, 36, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• ANDREW JOHN LANDSEM, 34, Minneapolis, Minnesota, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• BALLAM HAZEAKIAH DUDLEY, 34, of Plymouth, Minnesota, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• CAITLIN COLLEEN SCHLUSSLER, 28, of San Diego, California, call center manager and telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• MONICA SABINA SHARMA-HANSSEN, 52, of Excelsior, Minnesota, owner and operator of a Minnesota-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• TIMOTHY PAUL HANSSEN, 54, of Excelsior, Minnesota, owner and operator of a Minnesota-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• CORLOS KENTRELL SMITH, 41, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• STACEY LEIGH PERSONS, 34, of Andover, Minnesota, owned and operated two Minnesota-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• PATRICIA NICHOLE SHINN, 33, of Cambridge, Minnesota, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• LEEANN GARCIA, 26, of Cambridge, Minnesota, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• ERIC STEPHEN ESHERICK, 37, of Andover, Minnesota, owner and operator of a Minnesota-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.

The following defendants are named in the United States v. Timmerman, et al. indictment:

• CODY WAYNE TIMMERMAN, 37, of Maricopa, Arizona, owner and operator of Arizona-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.  
• IRMA BEATRICE TIMMERMAN, 47, of Maricopa, Arizona, owner and operator of Arizona-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• SIARRA IRIS DAWN GALLEGOS, 29, of Hemet, California, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• JUSTIN DONALD SUHAJDA, 33, of San Jacinto, California, owner and operator of a California-based company involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• TODD ALLEN HUGHES, 47, of Holstein, Iowa, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.

The following defendants are named in the United States v. Mathias, et al. indictment:

• DANIEL MATHIAS, 62, of Oxford, Mississippi, owner and operator of Mississippi-based companies involved in fraudulent magazine sales, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act. 
• VASEAN BERIOISOVA RICKS, 53, of Oxford, Mississippi, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• DIANA REPELL LOGAN, 36, of Abbeville, Mississippi, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• IVORY DENISE ALEXANDER, 26, of Oxford, Mississippi, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• ANGEL WILSON, 49, of Oxford, Mississippi, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• SHARON DENISE MCEWEN, 54, of Abbeville, Mississippi, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• RONALD OLLO COLEMAN, 59, of Powder Springs, Georgia, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.
• RITA ANTOINETTE ALBRITTON, 49, of Stockbridge, Georgia, a telemarketer, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and violating the SCAMS Act.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald thanks the FBI and the United States Postal Inspection Service for their collaboration and skilled investigative work in bringing these indictments. Additional assistance was provided by 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.

These indictments are related to the cases United States v. Dahl, 18-cr-305 and United States v. Oelrich, 20-cr-128.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, and Melinda A. Williams are prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal criminal complaint against IVAN HARRISON HUNTER, 26, charging him with participating in a riot. HUNTER, who was arrested on October 21, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas, made his initial appearance yesterday before Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad in U.S. District Court in San Antonio, Texas.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, in late May of 2020, the FBI initiated an investigation into members of the “Boogaloo Bois” based on information that members were discussing committing crimes of violence and were maintaining an armed presence on the streets of Minneapolis during civil unrest following the death of George Floyd. The Boogaloo Bois are a loosely-connected group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments. The term “Boogaloo” itself references an impending second civil war in the United States and is associated with violent uprisings against the government.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, between May 27 and May 28, 2020, HUNTER, who claims to be a member of the Boogaloo Bois, traveled in interstate commerce from Texas to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the intent to participate in a riot. Federal agents reviewed a video taken on the night of May 28, 2020, that shows an individual, later identified as HUNTER, discharged 13 rounds from an AK-47 style semiautomatic rifle into 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. Law enforcement recovered from the scene discharged rifle casings consistent with an AK-47 style firearm.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint and law enforcement affidavit, 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 has been charged in the Northern District of California with the May 29, 2020, murder of a Federal Protective Service Officer in Oakland, California.

This case is 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter, and Trial Attorneys George Kraehe and Phil Viti of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section.

This case falls within the purview of the Attorney General’s Task Force to Combat Violent Anti-Government Extremism. Launched in June 2020, the Task Force is dedicated to supporting the investigation and prosecution of any person or group who commits violence in the name of an anti-government ideology.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

IVAN HARRISON HUNTER, 26

Boerne, Texas

Charges:

• Riot, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging MIGUEL EDUARDO DEL REAL, 25, GERALD ALLEN JENSEN, 57, IVAN LOPEZ, 25, JUAN JOSE PANIAGUA JR., 24, and AARON MICHAEL STENQUIST, 49 with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants will be arraigned in U.S. District Court before a Magistrate Judge at a later date.

According to the allegations in the indictment and documents filed with the court, between June 2020 and September 2020, members of the East Central Drug and Violent Offenders Task Force (ECDVOTF) received information that JENSEN was regularly selling pound-level amounts of methamphetamine. On September 16, 2020, ECDVOTF agents executed a search warrant at JENSEN’s residence and recovered $11,800.00 in U.S. currency and more than seven pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside PVC pipes. On September 18, 2020, ECDVOTF agents arrested PANIAGUA and LOPEZ, and recovered approximately 15.4 pounds of methamphetamine in vacuum sealed bags from within the trunk of LOPEZ’s vehicle. DEL REAL ran from the scene before he could be apprehended. ECDVOTF’s continued investigation revealed DEL REAL, PANIAGUA, LOPEZ, and STENQUIST’s were a part of the conspiracy with JENSEN.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the DEA and the East Central Drug and Violent Offenders Task Force.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter Jr.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

MIGUEL EDUARDO DEL REAL, 25

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
• Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

GERALD ALLEN JENSEN, 57

Brook Park, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

IVAN LOPEZ, 25

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
• Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

JUAN JOSE PANIAGUA JR., 24

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
• Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

AARON MICHAEL STENQUIST, 49

Isanti, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of JOHN EDWIN KUHNEL, 41, to 204 months in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. KUHNEL, who was convicted at trial on January 7, 2020, was sentenced earlier today before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“Despite the many challenges this past year has presented, my office has not lost sight of our commitment to bringing child predators to justice. Prosecuting cases involving child exploitation remains a top priority,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.

As proven at trial, between January 3, 2016, and November 29, 2016, KUHNEL, while under supervision for a previous conviction for criminal sexual conduct in the second degree, knowingly received and possessed more than 33,000 image and video files depicting sexually explicit conduct involving minors.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Manda M. Sertich and Emily A. Polachek tried the case.

Defendant Information:

JOHN EDWIN KUHNEL, 41

Elk River, Minn.

Convicted:

• Receipt of child pornography, 9 counts
• Possession of child pornography, 2 counts

Sentenced:

• 204 months in prison
• 15 years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

The Justice Department, in an announcement by Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric S. Dreiband, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Katharine T. Sullivan, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Erica H. MacDonald, unveiled a new National Response Center Initiative and offered the assistance to the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) to support law enforcement, and review, enhance and reform policies and practices to prevent the use of excessive force. The Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Law Enforcement Training and Technical Assistance Response Center will be a national resource for all state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

“I have heard, loud and clear, from Minneapolis faith, community, and business leaders the call for safety and protection in our community,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Erica H. MacDonald. “Today we announce a new initiative between the Department of Justice and MPD, offering federal resources to assist MPD in their reform efforts to better serve the City of Minneapolis.”

“As Chief of Police I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with our U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald to launch the Department of Justice Reponse Center Program to improve law enforcement and community protection here in Minneapolis,” said Chief Medaria Arradondo, MPD. “In creating a new MPD, I want to utilize all available tools and resources to support the hardworking and professional men and women of the MPD. We have an obligation and duty to be guardians of our communities and enhance our level of service and this program seeks to do just that. I want to thank our U.S. Attorney for her leadership and assistance in this endeavor.”

“Our goal with this new policing initiative and offer of assistance to MPD to keep everyone safe and secure through Constitutional and otherwise lawful police practices,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Chief Medaria Arradondo and MPD to protect the people of Minneapolis and support law enforcement. We seek to ensure public safety and eliminate excessive force by the police. We also seek to enforce the rule of law to protect the people of Minneapolis and because doing so is necessary to all civilized societies.”

“The Department of Justice maintains a long-standing commitment to public safety, and inherent in that commitment is the desire for highly skilled, highly trained professionals capable of protecting their communities while promoting the principles of equity and fairness that form the foundation of law and order,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “This initiative will help law enforcement officers adapt to the wide range of challenges they face every day, from violent gangs, illegal guns, and lethal drugs to civil unrest, decisions about use of force, and the complex social problems like addiction and mental illness that they are so often called on to resolve.”

Following the announcement of the program, various representatives of the Civil Rights Division, OJP, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota will meet with a diverse group of faith, business and community leaders in roundtable events to hear from these stakeholders about important issues related to safe policing and safe communities.

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available at www.justice.gov/crt. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components, please visit at www.ojp.gov.

The Department of Justice, in an announcement by Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric S. Dreiband, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Katharine T. Sullivan, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Erica H. MacDonald, unveiled a new National Response Center Initiative and offered the assistance to the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) to support law enforcement, and review, enhance and reform policies and practices to prevent the use of excessive force. The BJA Law Enforcement Training and Technical Assistance Response Center will be a national resource for all state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

“I have heard, loud and clear, from Minneapolis faith, community, and business leaders the call for safety and protection in our community,” said United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota Erica H. MacDonald. “Today we announce a new initiative between the Department of Justice and the Minneapolis Police Department, offering federal resources to assist MPD in their reform efforts to better serve the City of Minneapolis.”

“As Chief of Police I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with our U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald to launch the DOJ Response Center Program to improve law enforcement and community protection here in Minneapolis,” said Chief Medaria Arradondo, Minneapolis Police Department.  “In creating a new MPD, I want to utilize all available tools and resources to support the hardworking and professional men and women of the MPD. We have an obligation and duty to be guardians of our communities and enhance our level of service and this program seeks to do just that. I want to thank our U.S. Attorney for her leadership and assistance in this endeavor.”

“Our goal with this new policing initiative and offer of assistance to the Minneapolis Police Department to keep everyone safe and secure through Constitutional and otherwise lawful police practices,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric S. Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.  “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Chief Medaria Arradondo and the Minneapolis Police Department to protect the people of Minneapolis and support law enforcement.  We seek to ensure public safety and eliminate excessive force by the police.  We also seek to enforce the rule of law to protect the people of Minneapolis and because doing so is necessary to all civilized societies.” 

“The Department of Justice maintains a long-standing commitment to public safety, and inherent in that commitment is the desire for highly skilled, highly trained professionals capable of protecting their communities while promoting the principles of equity and fairness that form the foundation of law and order,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan.  “This initiative will help law enforcement officers adapt to the wide range of challenges they face every day, from violent gangs, illegal guns, and lethal drugs to civil unrest, decisions about use of force, and the complex social problems like addiction and mental illness that they are so often called on to resolve.”

Following the announcement of the Program, various representatives of the Civil Rights Division, Office of Justice Program, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota will meet with a diverse group of faith, business and community leaders in roundtable events to hear from these stakeholders about important issues related to safe policing and safe communities.

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available at www.justice.gov/crt. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components, please visit at www.ojp.gov.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced awards of more than $4.7 million in Department of Justice grants to fight drug abuse and addiction in the District of Minnesota. The grants were awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and are part of more than $341 million going to communities nationwide.

“The addiction crisis has taken an enormous toll on America’s families and communities, eroding public health, threatening public safety and claiming tens of thousands of lives year after year,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Through comprehensive measures taken by this administration, we have been able to curtail the opioid epidemic, but new and powerful drugs are presenting exceptional challenges that we must be prepared to meet. The Justice Department’s substantial investments in enforcement, response, and treatment will help us overcome these challenges and work towards freeing Americans from abuse and addiction.”

“As a former judge and Assistant United States Attorney, I have seen first-hand the damage and destruction drug addiction can cause to individuals, families, and communities, said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.” But I have also seen inspiring examples of recovery and I know that there is always hope. These grants will provide and sustain the treatment and prevention resources that are crucial in the fight against drug addiction.”

Illegal drugs and illicit drug use have claimed the lives of nearly 400,000 Americans since the turn of the century. Powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl are exacting an enormous toll on families and communities, and an emergence in the use of methamphetamines and other psychostimulants is drawing drug traffickers and driving up overdose rates. Three years ago, President Trump declared a Public Health Emergency and initiated a whole-of-government approach dedicated to ending this national tragedy. The Department of Justice has invested unprecedented levels of funding in combating the addiction crisis. The awards announced today build on those earlier investments.

“If we hope to defeat an enemy as powerful, persistent and adaptable as illicit drugs, we must be at least as determined and versatile, focusing our ingenuity and resources on curbing abuse and fighting addiction,” said OJP’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These grants will enable criminal justice officials and substance abuse, mental health and other medical professionals to pool their assets and bring the full weight of our public safety and treatment systems down on this epidemic that has already caused so much harm.”

Funding is made available through OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, National Institute of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program:

Category 1

Awardee

Amount Awarded

Ottawa County Community Mental Health

$900,000

City of Duluth

$899,055

Upper Sioux Community

$538,819

County of Saint Louis

$897,607

City of Saint Paul

$412,125

Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program: Category 2

8th Judicial District Treatment Court

$286,617

Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program: Category 3

Judiciary Courts of the State of Minnesota

$499,486

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

$279,382

Total Minnesota

$4,713,091

A full list of the awards, organized under specific grant programs and listing awardees by state, is available here.

Additional information about FY 2020 grant awards from the Office of Justice Programs can be found online at the OJP Award Data Page.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of Seyed Sajjad Shahidian, 33, to 23 months in prison for his role in conducting financial transactions in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Shahidian, who pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Shahidian, a citizen of Iran, was arrested in London, England on Nov. 11, 2018, and, on May 15, 2020, was extradited to the United States.

“Shahidian lied to U.S. suppliers, illegally transferred funds from Iran, used fraudulent passports and ids, and established a business whose entire purpose was to circumvent U.S. sanctions and to enable others to do the same,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.  “Today’s sentence should discourage other would-be sanctions violators from following in Mr. Shahidian’s footsteps.”

“Mr. Shahidian was the founder and CEO of a financial services firm that employed fraudulent tactics designed to circumvent United States sanctions lawfully imposed on the Government of Iran. Such actions are criminal and threaten our national security interests,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “In Iran, based on his illegal business, Mr. Shahidian had been a high-profile executive and a millionaire. He is now a convicted felon who has lost everything. This prosecution holds Mr. Shahidian accountable for his crimes and sends a broader message to others considering violating sanctions laws that there are serious consequences for doing so.”

“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who try to willfully violate U.S. sanctions against Iran will be held accountable,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. “The FBI and our worldwide partners will continue to identify, investigate and pursue those who perpetrate these deceptive criminal schemes with a deliberate disregard for our nation’s safety and security.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, PAYMENT24 was an internet-based financial services company with approximately 40 employees and offices in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan, Iran. The primary business of PAYMENT24 was helping Iranian citizens conduct prohibited financial transactions with businesses based in the United States, including the unlawful purchase and exportation of computer software, software licenses, and computer servers from United States companies. According to PAYMENT24’s website, the company charged a fee to circumvent “American sanctions,” and claimed to have brought in millions of dollars of foreign currency into Iran.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, Shahidian, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of PAYMENT24, co-conspirator Vahid Vali, and other individuals violated the restrictions on trade and exports from the United States to Iran. On its website, PAYMENT24 sold a package to assist its Iranian clients with making online purchases from United States-based businesses, which included a PayPal account, a fraudulent “ID card and address receipt,” a remote IP address from the United Arab Emirates, and a Visa gift card. The PAYMENT24 website also offered its clients advice on how to create accounts with a foreign identity and how to avoid restrictions on foreign websites, including advising clients to “never attempt to log into those sites with an Iranian IP address.”   

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, Shahidian admitted to making material misrepresentations and omissions to United States-based businesses regarding the destination of the United States-origin goods. In order to accomplish the transactions, Shahidian obtained payment processing accounts from United States-based companies like PayPal using fraudulent passports and other false residency documentation to falsely represent that his customers resided outside of Iran. Shahidian admitted to opening hundreds of PayPal accounts on behalf of his PAYMENT24 customers who resided in Iran and to unlawfully bringing millions of U.S. dollars into the economy of Iran. As noted in recently unsealed court documents in the Northern District of California, Shahidian’s payment services were used to register domains targeted for seizure based on their association with Iranian Cyber Influence Operations.

Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), unauthorized exports of goods, technology or services to Iran, directly or indirectly from the United States or by a United States person are prohibited.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Division of the FBI. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the United States Department of Justice National Security Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are grateful for the substantial assistance provided by law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom, including in particular the National Crime Agency and the London Metropolitan Police, in connection with the arrest and extradition in this matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Rank and Charles J. Kovats of the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of SEYED SAJJAD SHAHIDIAN, 33, to 23 months in prison for his role in conducting financial transactions in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. SHAHIDIAN, who pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. SHAHIDIAN, a citizen of Iran, was arrested in London, England on November 11, 2018, and, on May 15, 2020, was extradited to the United States.

“Mr. Shahidian was the founder and CEO of a financial services firm that employed fraudulent tactics designed to circumvent United States sanctions lawfully imposed on the Government of Iran. Such actions are criminal and threaten our national security interests,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “In Iran, based on his illegal business, Mr. Shahidian had been a high-profile executive and a millionaire. He is now a convicted felon who has lost everything. This prosecution holds Mr. Shahidian accountable for his crimes and sends a broader message to others considering violating sanctions laws that there are serious consequences for doing so.”

“Shahidian lied to U.S. suppliers, illegally transferred funds from Iran, used fraudulent passports and ids, and established a business whose entire purpose was to circumvent U.S. sanctions and to enable others to do the same,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “Today’s sentence should discourage other would-be sanctions violators from following in Mr. Shahidian’s footsteps.”

“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who try to willfully violate U.S. sanctions against Iran will be held accountable,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. “The FBI and our worldwide partners will continue to identify, investigate and pursue those who perpetrate these deceptive criminal schemes with a deliberate disregard for our nation’s safety and security.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, PAYMENT24 was an internet-based financial services company with approximately 40 employees and offices in Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan, Iran. The primary business of PAYMENT24 was helping Iranian citizens conduct prohibited financial transactions with businesses based in the United States, including the unlawful purchase and exportation of computer software, software licenses, and computer servers from United States companies. According to PAYMENT24’s website, the company charged a fee to circumvent “American sanctions,” and claimed to have brought in millions of dollars of foreign currency into Iran.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, SHAHIDIAN, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of PAYMENT24, co-conspirator VAHID VALI, and other individuals violated the restrictions on trade and exports from the United States to Iran. On its website, PAYMENT24 sold a package to assist its Iranian clients with making online purchases from United States-based businesses, which included a PayPal account, a fraudulent “ID card and address receipt,” a remote IP address from the United Arab Emirates, and a Visa gift card. The PAYMENT24 website also offered its clients advice on how to create accounts with a foreign identity and how to avoid restrictions on foreign websites, including advising clients to “never attempt to log into those sites with an Iranian IP address.”   

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, SHAHIDIAN admitted to making material misrepresentations and omissions to United States-based businesses regarding the destination of the United States-origin goods. In order to accomplish the transactions, SHAHIDIAN obtained payment processing accounts from United States-based companies like PayPal using fraudulent passports and other false residency documentation to falsely represent that his customers resided outside of Iran. SHAHIDIAN admitted to opening hundreds of PayPal accounts on behalf of his PAYMENT24 customers who resided in Iran and to unlawfully bringing millions of U.S. dollars into the economy of Iran.

Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), unauthorized exports of goods, technology or services to Iran, directly or indirectly from the United States or by a United States person are prohibited.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Division of the FBI. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the United States Department of Justice National Security Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are grateful for the substantial assistance provided by law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom, including in particular the National Crime Agency and the London Metropolitan Police, in connection with the arrest and extradition in this matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Rank and Charles J. Kovats of the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

SEYED SAJJAD SHAHIDIAN, a/k/a “Soheil Shahidi,” 33

Shiraz, Iran

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to defraud and commit offenses against the United States, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 23 months in prison
• 2 years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced two separate federal indictments charging 11 individuals in connection with parallel methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution conspiracies on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Ten defendants are currently in custody and will make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court over the next several days. 

According to allegations in the indictment, between August 2019 and December 2019, KYLE DALE CLARK, JOSE ARCEGA-VEJAR, VALERIE ANN CLARK, VANESSA LOUISE COBENAIS, KATHI LYN DUDLEY, DREW WILLIAM GRAVES, and KALYSSA KAILANI DEANAH WHITE conspired with each other to distribute methamphetamine on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and the surrounding area. Between April 15, 2020, through April 22, 2020, WHITE and ARCEGA-VEJAR also conspired with DAVID ALAN JOURDAIN, TARA MAE LUSSIER, and ANDREW JAMES NEADEAU to distribute fentanyl on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and the surrounding areas.

According to allegations in the indictment, COREY LEE DONNELL and KYLE CLARK were charged with firearms violations for illegally selling and possessing a firearm, namely a Glock model 26gen5, 9mm pistol. Because he has a prior felony conviction in U.S. District Court, KYLE CLARK is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald thanks the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force for their collaboration and skilled investigative work in bringing these indictments. Additional assistance during the arrests was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Fargo and the Metro Street Crimes Unit in Fargo, North Dakota.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina L. Allery and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad are prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

KYLE DALE CLARK, 29

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
• Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

 

JOSE ARCEGA-VEJAR, a/k/a “Jos Ar,” a/k/a “Jose Robles,” 32

Baja, Mexico

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count

 

VALERIE ANN CLARK, 51

Redby, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

VANESSA LOUISE COBENAIS, 31

Bemidji, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

KATHI LYN DUDLEY, 42

Redby, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

COREY LEE DONNELL, 28

Redby, Minn.

Charges:

• Sale or transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person, 1 count

 

DREW WILLIAM GRAVES, 32

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

KALYSSA KAILANI DEANAH WHITE, 19

Red Lake, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count

 

DAVID ALAN JOURDAIN, 38

Red Lake, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count

 

TARA MAE LUSSIER, 20

Red Lake, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count

 

ANDREW JAMES NEADEAU, 28

Red Lake, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, 1 count

 

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

 

Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID 19 and its impact on the criminal justice process. These cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr announced his commitment to investigating, prosecuting, and combatting gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy. These firearms-related charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made firearms-related investigations a priority.

“Here in the District of Minnesota, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working with our law enforcement partners to focus resources on keeping our communities safe by reducing gun violence. This past year we have seen a 34 percent increase in the number of defendants charged with federal firearms violations over last year,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “Prosecuting violent offenders who carry guns and those who supply guns to criminals are just some of the strategies we use to help us achieve our mission of keeping Minnesotans safe.”

“The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr. “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens. Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences. The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms. Reducing gun violence requires a coordinated effort, and we could not have charged more than 14,000 individuals with firearms-related crimes without the hard work of the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the ATF, our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, and especially all of our state and local law enforcement partners.”

“Protecting the public from violent crime involving firearms is at the core of ATF’s mission,” commented ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Every day the men and women of ATF pursue and investigate those who use firearms to commit violent crimes in our communities, many of whom are prohibited from possessing firearms from previous convictions. ATF, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the nation, is committed to bringing these offenders to justice for their egregious and violent criminal acts.”

Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, domestic abuser, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to illegally purchase - firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, is also a federal offense. The Department is committed to prosecuting these firearms offenses as well as using all modern technologies available to law enforcement such as the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, known as NIBIN, to promote gun crime intelligence. Keeping illegal firearms out of the hands of violent criminals will continue to be a priority of the Department of Justice and we will use all appropriate, available means to keep the law abiding people of this country safe from gun crime.

For more information on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atf-form-4473.     

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. A Department priority since 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr created the Department of Justice’s first ever-Domestic Violence Working Group, these charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made domestic violence firearms-related investigations a priority.

“Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminal offenders is one of the Department of Justice’s top priorities,” said Attorney General Barr. “This is especially important when it comes to individuals with prior domestic violence convictions. The statistics are clear that when domestic violence offenders have access to guns, their partners and their families are at much greater risk of falling victim to gun violence. In fact, in some communities across America, roughly half of the homicides are related to domestic violence. The Department of Justice is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them, and we will continue investigating and prosecuting all domestic violence firearms related crimes.”

“According to the CDC, data suggests that about one in six homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner,” said ATF Acting Director Lombardo. “Nearly half of female homicide victims in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male intimate partner. ATF is committed to aggressively pursuing prohibited possession of firearms due to domestic violence convictions and certain protective orders. It is another way we prevent violent gun crime within our communities.”

Of the more than 500 cases charged, 13 cases have been brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, announced U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.

“Under federal law, abusers are prohibited from purchasing, possessing, borrowing, storing, or carrying firearms at any time. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and throughout the year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is taking a stand in the fight against domestic violence by vigorously enforcing these firearms laws that are in place to help protect individuals, families, and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.

Under federal law, individuals with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders, are prohibited from possessing firearms. The data shows that offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a high risk of homicide. In fact, domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners.

The Working Group, chaired by U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox, of the Northern District of Texas, disseminates legal guidance on keeping guns out of the hands of domestic violence abusers using three federal statutes:

• 18 USC § 922 (g)(1), felon in possession of a firearm
• 18 USC § 922 (g)(9), possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (misdemeanor crime of domestic violence) 
• 18 USC § 922 (g)(8), possession of a firearm while subject to a domestic violence protective order

Based on the Working Group’s guidance, in FY 2020, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide brought 337 domestic violence felon-in-possession charges, 54 possession while subject to a protective order charges, and 142 possession by a prohibited person charges.

For more information on domestic violence or to get help, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of CLARISSA LYNN COMBS, 49, to 71 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and making a false statement. COMBS, who pleaded guilty on December 4, 2019, was sentenced today before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A total of 12 defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. 

“Ms. Combs orchestrated a years-long fraud scheme that diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from some of the most vulnerable members of society, including individuals and families in need of housing. I applaud the work of our investigative partners in bringing this conspiracy to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.

“The FBI will pursue those who plan, scheme and defraud charities for their own personal gain,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office. “The men and women of the FBI work hard every day to identify and apprehend those responsible for such crimes that simply will not be tolerated.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, between April 2012 and February 2019, COMBS, a former program manager for a Twin Cities non-profit organization that provides housing and related services to the homeless, and multiple co-conspirators, devised and participated in a scheme to fraudulently obtain at least $684,081.90 in charitable funds from the organization. As part of the scheme, COMBS recruited other employees of the non-profit, as well as her family and friends, to pose as landlords and fictitious homeless clients. During the course of the investigation, COMBS tried to conceal the scheme and minimize her involvement by making false statements to Special Agents of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a United States Postal Inspector.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Miranda E. Dugi prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:

CLARISSA LYNN COMBS, 49

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count
• False statements, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 71 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $684,081.90 in restitution

 

SHANEKA LASHAY MZEE, 36

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Two years of probation
• $ 26,865.00 in restitution

 

LETEASTE HENRY-DAVIS, 56

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Two years of probation
• $12,400.00 in restitution

 

SHARRÉ OPHILIA RUSH, 34

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Two years of probation
• $35,843.25 in restitution

 

AISHA LENEE DAVIS, 42

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Two years of probation
• $87,740.65 in restitution

 

JALONDA LEEANN COMBS, 38

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Three years of probation
• $117,633.00 in restitution

 

RACHAEL ELIZABETH EKHOLM, 41

Richfield, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Six months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $109,080.00 in restitution

 

BRIDGIT YVETTE MICHAUD, 54

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Three years of probation
• $89,000.00 in restitution

 

AUDREY SEBILETTA HEATH, 35

Ramsey, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Two years of probation
• $14,650.00 in restitution

 

AISHIA RENEE BELL, 43

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 24 months in prison
• Two years of supervised release
• $166,875.00 in restitution

 

ANTHONY JEROME OLIVER, 56

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Three years of probation
• $76,600.00 in restitution

 

NEAL BURTON, 57

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Two years of probation
• $15,785 in restitution

 

TYRONE LAMAR BURTON, 41

St. Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 18 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $166,785 in restitution

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the conviction of RONALD JERMAINE JACKSON, 36, and WILLIAM CHARLES GRAHAM, 37, on Hobbs Act robbery and firearms charges. Following a three-day bench trial, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson found both JACKSON and GRAHAM guilty on all counts.

As proven at trial, on April 30, 2019, JACKSON and GRAHAM entered a T-Mobile reseller store in Brooklyn Park Minnesota, disguised in wigs, dust masks, and reflective vests. JACKSON was armed with an Accu-Tek AT380 .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol and GRAHAM was armed with a BB gun that resembled a real handgun. JACKSON and GRAHAM forced two employees at gunpoint into a back room. GRAHAM used zip ties to restrain the employees while JACKSON filled mesh bags with cell phones. JACKSON and GRAHAM fled the store with more than 70 cell phones and other devices. Officers with the Brooklyn Park Police Department responded almost immediately to the robbery and were able to locate and apprehend JACKSON and GRAHAM in the parking lot of a nearby business.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Brooklyn Park Police Department, Champlin Police Department, and Osseo Police Department, and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber M. Brennan and Justin A. Wesley tried the case.

Defendant Information:

RONALD JERMAINE JACKSON, 36

Plymouth, Minn.

Convicted:

• Hobbs Act robbery, 1 count
• Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

 

WILLIAM CHARLES GRAHAM, 37

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Hobbs Act robbery, 1 count
• Using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600

U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced that a nearly half a million dollar Department of Justice grant has been awarded to the Minnesota Elder Justice Center to combat elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors across Minnesota. The $499,981 grant, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), is part of over $9 million in funding to support these efforts throughout the United States. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult. Attorney General William P. Barr announced the awards on the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons.

“I am excited to see nearly half a million dollars awarded to an organization that is a steadfast resource and champion for elder justice,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “My office and the Department of Justice are committed to protecting older Americans from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. They raised us. They took care of us. Now we have to take care of them.”

“Predators who target older citizens for fraud, financial scams and physical abuse are particularly despicable, turning the golden years of our nation’s seniors into a period of poverty and suffering,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The Department of Justice is taking aggressive action, pursuing all legal avenues to bring these criminals to justice and supporting law enforcement officials and service providers as they ferret out scam artists, arrest abusers, and bring aid and relief to victims.”

“With lockdowns in place across the country, older adults are especially vulnerable to fraud, neglect and abuse, and criminals have not hesitated to take full advantage,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “These grants, which build on previous Department of Justice investments, will help to turn the tide of deception and predation and restore victims to fiscal security and physical safety.”

Under the direction of Attorney General Barr, the Department of Justice is attacking elder fraud and abuse from all sides. A National Elder Justice Coordinator oversees the department’s work to combat elder fraud, and each of the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices has a prosecutor dedicated to addressing elder justice issues. This past March, the Attorney General announced the results of the largest elder fraud sweep ever conducted, with prosecutors charging more than 400 defendants and the charged elder fraud schemes causing alleged losses of over a billion dollars. Also in March, he launched a national initiative to pursue nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care and a National Elder Fraud Hotline managed by OJP’s Office for Victims of Crime.

Earlier this year, U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald released a public service announcement, aimed at raising awareness and reaching potential victims of elder fraud and abuse.

FY 2020 grants awarded by OVC and NIJ further the department's mission and priorities by funding direct victim services and research projects that enhance the field's response to victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation. Specific programs being funded include the following:

• OVC’s Enhancing Services for Older Victims of Abuse and Financial Exploitation program awards nearly $6 million to 12 organizations to support communities in providing services to older victims of abuse and exploitation using trauma-informed approaches that protect the safety and confidentiality of victims.
• OVC’s Training for Law Enforcement to Improve Identification of and Response to Elder Fraud Victims program (previously announced) awarded over $1.9 million to provide training and technical assistance to enhance law enforcement's ability to identify elder fraud victims, connect those victims with available services, and bring the fraudsters to justice.
• NIJ’s Research on the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Elderly Individuals program awarded over $1.4 million to two recipients to fund research projects to, respectively, better differentiate physical abuse of elderly individuals from accidental injury and to improve the reporting of elder abuse.

For a complete list of individual grant programs, award amounts, and jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/elderabusefactsheet.pdf.

More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

 

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600