District of Minnesota

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced an indictment charging HUMBERTO TORRES-RODRIGUEZ, 38, JOSE ALFREDO PENALOZA ROMERO, 22, and IRWIN ENRIQUE BECERRA, 22, with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. The defendants will make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court at a later date.

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, on April 3, 2019, Colorado law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a California-plated vehicle. The driver, TORRES-RODRIGUEZ, consented to a search of the vehicle. Officers recovered more than 55 pounds of methamphetamine in a false compartment, or “trap,” inside the vehicle. The following day, TORRES-RODRIGUEZ made phone calls to ROMERO and BECERRA to coordinate the delivery and pickup of the methamphetamine in Minnesota. On April 5, 2019, law enforcement established surveillance at the defendants’ agreed-upon meeting location in Bloomington, Minnesota. The three defendants arrived at the meeting location and law enforcement observed BECERRA give TORRES-RODRIGUEZ money in exchange for the methamphetamine. All three defendants were taken into custody. Following the arrests, law enforcement executed a follow-up search warrant at ROMERO's residence in Minneapolis and recovered an additional sixteen (half-pound to pound) packages of methamphetamine and approximately $30,000 in U.S. currency.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team, and the St. Paul Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley M. Endicott.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

HUMBERTO TORRES-RODRIGUEZ, 38

Los Angeles, Calif.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

JOSE ALFREDO PENALOZA ROMERO, 22

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

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

 

IRWIN ENRIQUE BECERRA, 22

Kansas City, Mo.

Charges:

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

 

 

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

 

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

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a 33-count indictment charging ADAM M. LASHINSKI, 40, with filing false tax returns. LASHINSKI will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.

According to the allegations in the indictment, LASHINSKI, who falsely claimed to be a certified public accountant, prepared and filed dozens of fraudulent federal individual income tax returns for his acquaintances between 2013 and 2015.  The charges state that LASHINSKI repeatedly filed returns in the names of the taxpayers that omitted taxable income and claimed false adjustments, deductions, and business expenses, which resulted in larger refunds than what the taxpayers were actually entitled to receive.  To obtain additional profits beyond the small payments LASHINSKI received from the taxpayers for his services, the indictment alleges that LASHINSKI filed documentation with the IRS to cause portions of the fraudulent refunds to be paid directly into his personal bank account.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, with assistance from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Lewis.

 

Defendant Information:

ADAM M. LASHINSKI, 40

Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Charges:

• Filing false tax returns, 33 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 guilty pleas of ROBERT ANTHONY COLEMAN, 45, and YOLANDA YVETTE COLEMAN aka YOLANDA YVETTE PITTMAN, 50, for conspiring to defraud multiple government social services programs over the course of several years. The defendants entered their guilty pleas today before Senior Judge David S. Doty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed with the court, from 2002 through December 2016, PITTMAN was employed by the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD). From at least October 2009, PITTMAN’s job duties gave her access to computer databases used in processing applications for government benefits intended to assist low-income persons with food, medical, and other living expenses, including Medical Assistance and SNAP food stamp benefits. During this time, PITTMAN became romantically involved with COLEMAN, who was a HSPHD client prior to and continuing into their relationship. PITTMAN and COLEMAN were married on August 17, 2014.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed with the court, from October 2010 through August 2018, PITTMAN and COLEMAN conspired to fraudulently obtain Section 8 rental housing assistance subsidies, SNAP benefits, Medical Assistance benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration, and other public assistance, by concealing information and submitting false applications to the government entities responsible for implementing these programs. For example, PITTMAN and COLEMAN failed to disclose that they resided together while COLEMAN received Section 8, SNAP, Medical Assistance, and SSI public assistance benefits. PITTMAN also acted as COLEMAN’S Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for several years, with COLEMAN’S Medical Assistance benefits paying for these PCA services. The Government contends the total loss amount, which will be established at sentencing, is $248,838.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of the Inspector General, Hennepin County Fraud Investigations Unit, and the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hudleston and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Middlecamp.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

ROBERT ANTHONY COLEMAN, 45

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, 1 count
   

YOLANDA YVETTE COLEMAN, aka YOLANDA YVETTE PITTMAN, 50

Minneapolis, Minn. 

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, 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 PERCY LEE STROTHER JR., 47, with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. STROTHER will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court at a later date.

According to the allegations in the indictment, on October 12, 2018, and January 5, 2019, STROTHER was found to be in possession of firearms, namely, a Beretta, Model 92F, 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol and a Jennings, Model Bryco 59, .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Because he has prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Dakota Counties, STROTHER is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time. If convicted of the charges, STROTHER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott.

 

Defendant Information:

PERCY LEE STROTHER JR., 47

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Felon in possession of a firearm (Armed Career Criminal), 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 a fourteen-count federal indictment charging ALAN DENNIS WOLFF, 56, with sexually exploiting children in the Philippines. WOLFF was initially charged in a criminal complaint on April 5, 2019, and was indicted on May 6, 2019. He is currently in custody in the Sherburne County Jail pending further court proceedings.

According to the allegations in the indictment and the criminal complaint, from January 2013 through February 2019, WOLFF used various Facebook accounts to communicate with other Facebook accounts purporting to belong to minor girls, some as young as 13 years old, in the Philippines. WOLFF repeatedly engaged the girls in graphic, sexually explicit conversations, sometimes telling the girls that he loved them, wanted to marry them, and wanted to meet them during his next trip to the Philippines. WOLFF repeatedly asked the minor girls to send him naked images or recordings and, on several occasions, he sent the girls images and recordings of himself that were sexual in nature. WOLFF also sent money via MoneyGram to the Philippines in exchange for the images and recordings. WOLFF traveled to the Philippines at least three times. 

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Kayser.

 

Defendant Information:

ALAN DENNIS WOLFF, 56

Ramsey County, Minn.

Charges:

• Sexual exploitation of children, 12 counts
• Transfer of obscene material to minors, 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 guilty plea of IGOR VOROTINOV, 54, for faking his death in order to collect a $2 million life insurance payment. VOROTINOV pleaded guilty earlier today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. VOROTINOV’s co-defendants, IRINA VOROTINOV and ALKON VOROTINOV, have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the scheme. VOROTINOV is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2019.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in March 2010, IGOR VOROTINOV obtained a $2 million life insurance policy on his own life from Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company (Mutual of Omaha), and designated his wife, IRINA VOROTINOV, as the primary beneficiary.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, On October 1, 2011, the Moldovan police discovered the corpse of an adult male decedent by the side of a road near the Moldovan village of Cojusna. Based upon the dead body and the defendant’s identification documents in its clothing, the Moldovan police and a Moldovan morgue official purported to determine that Igor Vorotinov had died of a heart attack on October 1, 2011. After his purported death, VOROTINOV began using the name “Nikoly Patoka” and lived in Transnistria, a small Russian-controlled region of Moldova, from approximately 2012 until approximately November 2018.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on November 7, 2011, IRINA VOROTINOV submitted a claim for death benefits against the Mutual of Omaha life insurance policy, claiming that VOROTINOV had died in the Republic of Moldova on October 1, 2011. VOROTINOV was aware of his former wife’s filing of the fraudulent death claim, and therefore continued living and doing business as “Nikoly Patoka.”          On March 23, 2012, Mutual of Omaha mailed a check payable to IRINA VOROTINOV in the amount of $2,048,414.09 to her home in Maple Grove, Minnesota. 

According to documents filed in court, IRINA recruited a third party to open an account at a local branch of U.S. Bank and to deposit the insurance check into the account. She then caused the third party to transfer $1.5 million to another account at U.S. Bank in the name of her son, ALKON VOROTINOV. Between March 29, 2012 and January 2015, more than $1.5 million of the life insurance proceeds were transferred to accounts located in Switzerland and Moldova.

According to documents filed in court, on November 27, 2013, ALKON VOROTINOV was stopped by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Detroit, Michigan upon returning from a trip to Moldova. A computer seized by CBP agents contained digital photographs of IGOR VOROTINOV taken on April 19, 2013 and on May 12, 2013, in which IGOR is alive.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs handled the extradition in this matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. MacLaughlin and Matthew Ebert are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

IGOR VOROTINOV, 54

No known address

Convicted:

• Mail Fraud, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging eight individuals with conspiracy to distribute heroin on the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation.

According to the ten-count indictment, from December 2017 through June 2018, TYRONE JAMES NELSON, 38, ROBERT DONTELL SYKES, 48, and DAVID LEE SNODDY, 36, RAMON FORD, 58, DEVONN ROSE MITCHELL, 23, KRISTIN RAE BOYD, 28, DUWAYNE IVAN SCHWENSEN, 26, and CHASE REED NICKABOINE, 20, knowingly conspired with each other to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. The defendants are charged with conspiracy and heroin distribution.

“Here in Minnesota, and around the nation, our Native American communities have been disproportionately affected by heroin and opioid abuse. This is unacceptable. My office and our law enforcement partners remain aggressive in our approach to stopping those who infiltrate our communities with this poison,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald.

“The Band is very grateful for the critical assistance provided by Bureau of Indian Affairs and federal law enforcement officers, and the U.S. Attorney,” said Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin. “I would especially like to thank our Mille Lacs Tribal Police force. They have done outstanding work in leading this effort with our federal partners to address the drug epidemic on our Reservation.”

“The Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement (BIA DDE) was instrumental in the investigation,” said Mille Lacs Band Chief of Police Sara Rice. “We worked hand-in-hand with the BIA DDE drug agents. They were incorporated into our department throughout the entire process of investigation during this case. Several other agencies assisted in the lengthy investigation of this conspiracy case. Thank you to the investigators from Mille Lacs, Crow Wing and Sherburne county sheriff’s offices, Lakes Area Drug Investigation Division, Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, Red Lake Tribal and Minneapolis police departments, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Drug Enforcement Agency, Minnesota Department of Corrections the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Office.”  

This case is the result of an investigation led by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

TYRONE JAMES NELSON, 38

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 2 counts

 

ROBERT DONTELL SYKES, 48

City of residence unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 2 counts
• Possession with intent to distribute heroin, 1 count

 

DAVID LEE SNODDY, 36

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 2 counts

 

RAMON FORD, 58

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 1 count
• Possession with intent to distribute heroin, 1 count

 

DEVONN ROSE MITCHELL, 23

Onamia, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 1 count

 

KRISTIN RAE BOYD, 28

Onamia, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 2 counts
• Possession with intent to distribute heroin, 1 count

 

DUWAYNE IVAN SCHWENSEN, 26

Onamia, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 1 count

 

CHASE REED NICKABOINE, 20

Onamia, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Distribution of heroin, 1 count

 

 

 

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

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the release of a district-wide Request for Proposals (RFP) under its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is a nationwide initiative, led by U.S. Attorneys, which brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

“More than $400,000 will be awarded to jurisdictions throughout the District of Minnesota to develop and implement tailored solutions to address the local violent crime, gang, and substance abuse issues plaguing their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “Leveraging resources such as these will bring us closer to our shared goal of reducing violent crime and making our communities safer for everyone.”

Approximately $413,791 in funding is now available to support locally developed, comprehensive violence reduction partnerships. Eligible applicants include nonprofit agencies and/or local units of government including cities, counties, townships, and tribal governments. The funding is administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs and will be awarded through a competitive process. The RFP is available here: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/grants/Pages/default.aspx. Applications will be accepted until midnight (CDT), July 15, 2019.

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of MILES DENZEL RAYMOND LEWIS, 26, to 248 months in prison for methamphetamine distribution and illegal possession of three firearms. LEWIS, who pleaded guilty on December 13, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, on May 1, 2018, LEWIS sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant from his home in Shakopee, Minnesota. Upon execution of a search warrant at LEWIS’s residence, law enforcement recovered approximately 2,238 grams of methamphetamine, 338 grams of cocaine, 1,564 grams of marijuana, three firearms, two digital scales, a money counting machine, numerous rounds of ammunition, and $88,221 in cash. When law enforcement arrested LEWIS on May 18, 2018, he was found to be in possession of another $49,831 in cash.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team, the Shakopee Police Department, and the Saint Paul Police Department. 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.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.

 

Defendant Information:

MILES DENZEL RAYMOND LEWIS, 26

Shakopee, Minn.

Convicted:

• Possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count
• Possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 248 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald and DEA Special Agent in Charge Richard Salter Jr. announced that the DEA and its national, tribal and community partners will host the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at more 6,000 sites nationwide, including 116 locations in Minnesota. To date, 48 counties in Minnesota will host drop-off locations, including sites on the Bois Fort, Leech Lake, Lower Sioux, Upper Sioux and White Earth Reservations. Individuals can dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications. This service is free and anonymous, however DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or other sharp objects.

Every year, America is losing more than 70,000 people to drug overdose deaths. This is the equivalent of the capacity of Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium with additional space needed for 4,000 more people. In 2017, an estimated 3.2 million Americans age 12 or older reported misusing prescription pain relievers within the last month, making prescription opioids the second-most abused drug after marijuana in the United States. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.

“In Minnesota, 2,503 people died of opioid overdose between 2014 and 2017,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Richard Salter Jr., said. “These were mothers, fathers, children, friends and neighbors in our communities who didn’t need to die. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a way in which members of our communities can do their part to prevent the next overdose death by cleaning out their cabinets and those of their loves ones and getting rid of unused, unwanted and expired medications that have the potential for abuse.”

“I encourage Minnesotans to take an active role in ending the opioid epidemic by safely and responsibly disposing of their unused prescription medications. This one small step toward prevention could save the life of a friend, neighbor or loved one,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald.

Now in its ninth year, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day initiative continues to remove high amounts of opioids and other medicines from homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens. Since the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day held in 2010, DEA has collected nearly 11 million pounds of medications.

To locate a DEA Take Back site, visit www.DEATakeBack.com or call 1-800-882-9539.Visit http://www.deatakeback.com to find a drop off site near you.

 

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United States Attorney Erica MacDonald today announced that Maplewood dentist DR. JERRY KENT BRUNSOMAN and his clinic INSTITUTE OF FACIAL SURGERY ST. PAUL, PLLC, d/b/a/ IDEALSKIN LASER REJUVENATION CENTER has agreed to pay $75,000 in civil penalties for allegedly issuing illegitimate prescriptions for opioid medications and repeatedly failing to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.

According to the allegations in the complaint, BRUNSOMAN unlawfully issued multiple prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, namely, oxycodone and hydrocodone, without a legitimate medical purpose. The complaint further alleges that BRUNSOMAN failed to keep complete and accurate records regarding the receipt and dispensing of controlled substances used at his clinic. Congress enacted the recordkeeping and prescribing requirements to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal purposes. As a result of BRUNSOMAN’S alleged actions, hundreds of doses of controlled substances went unaccounted for and are presumed to have been diverted for illicit purposes.

“Prescription drug abuse is a very real threat to the health and safety of our community. Doctors and medical professionals have a unique responsibility in preventing these dangerous drugs from falling into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “The United States Attorney’s Office and our partners at the DEA are committed to pursuing those who divert prescription opioids in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.”

Prior to the federal civil suit, the Minnesota Board of Dentistry conducted an independent investigation that resulted in a public discipline order. The Board required BRUNSOMAN to voluntarily surrender his license to practice dentistry and his DEA registration to prescribe controlled substances. BRUNSOMAN is no longer practicing dentistry in Minnesota.

“Communities rely on doctors to help treat and improve their quality of life,” DEA Omaha Division Diversion Program Manager William Stockman said. “Doctors are held to a certain standard and are not expected to disregard controlled substance laws and regulations. When doctors disregard laws, they allow pharmaceutical drugs to be illegally channeled into our community and contribute to increased drug abuse. The DEA continues to fight the opioid crisis by working alongside the USAO and the Minnesota state boards.”

This case was investigated by the Diversion Group of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Minneapolis-St. Paul District Office and handled by the Affirmative Civil Enforcement unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, with cooperation from the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry.

The case is captioned United States of America v. Jerry Kent Brunsoman, Institute of Facial Surgery St. Paul, PLLC, d/b/a/ IdealSkin Laser Rejuvenation Center, Civil No. 18-CV-2172 (JRT/BRT). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

 

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

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald today announced the filing of a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to forfeit and recover approximately 21,852 fashion dolls that infringe a registered copyright owned by Mattel, Inc. 

As alleged in the forfeiture complaint, on September 27, 2017, a shipping container aboard a Canadian National Railway train arrived into Ranier, Minnesota. The importer, Greenbrier International Inc. d/b/a Dollar Tree Inc., and Dollar Tree Distribution (“Greenbrier”) listed the contents of the shipping container as “Other Toys” on its manifest. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers examined the container and discovered the 21,852 toy “fashion dolls.” Representatives of Mattel reviewed photographs of the fashion dolls and confirmed that they were unauthorized copies that infringed the “CEO Barbie” doll head copyright owned by Mattel, Inc. Specifically, Mattel identified several features of the copyrighted CEO Barbie head sculpt infringed by the fashion dolls, including the shape of the mouth, nose and jaw.

As alleged in the forfeiture complaint, in 2016, Greenbrier attempted to import 13,296 Mermaid fashion dolls that were seized at the border by CBP for infringement of the CEO Barbie head sculpt. In both instances, the counterfeit dolls originated from the same exporter/shipper located in Hong Kong.

This case is being handled by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, and was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the sentencing of RANDALL DEAN JONES, 28, to 100 months in prison for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun. JONES, who pleaded guilty on December 20, 2018, to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, 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, on August 1, 2018, law enforcement officers were dispatched to an apartment complex located in Thief River Falls, following a report of a fight. When officers arrived, JONES was yelling and banging on an apartment door. After detaining JONES, officers located an Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works, Excel model, 20-gauge shotgun with a shortened barrel in the apartment hallway beneath a sweatshirt on the floor. JONES admitted to possessing the unregistered, modified shotgun. JONES has two prior felony convictions, including aggravated assault in Cass County, North Dakota and assault with a dangerous weapon in U.S. District Court in the District of Minnesota, which prohibit him from possessing firearms.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Thief River Falls Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Red Lake Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

RANDALL DEAN JONES, 28

Ponemah, Minn.

Convicted:

• Possession of an unregistered firearm, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 100 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of FERNANDO RAMOS-MEZA, 34, for conspiring to distribute approximately 191 pounds of methamphetamine. RAMOS-MEZA and co-conspirators PETER MARTIN, 34, JAVIER LOPEZ-LOPEZ, 47, and JUAN DANIEL VALDEZ-MENDOZA, 24, were indicted on November 7, 2018. RAMOS-MEZA pleaded guilty earlier today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 20, 2019.

“The quantities of methamphetamine coming into our state continue to rise and the destruction that comes with it cannot be understated,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “I applaud the work of the Cannon River Drug Task Force in taking nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine off the street and out of our community.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea, on September 11, 2018, law enforcement officers with the Cannon River Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at RAMOS-MEZA’s residence in north Minneapolis. During the search of the residence, officers located several items of contraband, including a 12-gauge sawed-off pump shotgun, and approximately 191 pounds of methamphetamine (with packaging).

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Cannon River Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the case. 

 

Defendant Information:

FERNANDO RAMOS-MEZA, 34

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

 

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In the case of United States v. Hansmeier, et al., defendants PAUL R. HANSMEIER and JOHN L. STEELE will be sentenced on June 4, 2019, before Judge Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HANSMEIER and STEELE were charged and convicted of orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme in which they obtained payments from victims to settle sham pornography film copyright infringement lawsuits. At the sentencing hearing, the Court may, but is not required to, order HANSMEIER and STEELE to pay restitution to the victims of their scheme.

If you believe that you are a victim of this scheme, and actually paid money to the entities involved in the case (including, but not limited to, Steele Hansmeier Law, Prenda Law, Alpha Law, Anti-Piracy Group, AF Holdings, Ingenuity 13, Guava LLC, Livewire, LW Systems), please visit https://hansmeier.usaocrimevictims.org/ to obtain information about how to make a claim for restitution in this case. Victim information will not be disclosed to the public.

The case is captioned United States v. Hansmeier, et al., Criminal No. 16-cr-00334 (JNE).

 

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

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald will be presenting awards today to law enforcement officials and community leaders at the inaugural United States Attorney’s Office Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice Awards Ceremony. Thirty-six individuals will be honored for their outstanding work and selfless contributions to the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office – the pursuit of truth and justice.

“This group of dedicated professionals work tirelessly for the betterment of our community in pursuit of a common goal – the desire to make our community a safer and more just place to live, work, love and play,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “Today, we honor them by publicly celebrating their achievements and recognizing the sacrifices that they and their families make in the name of justice.”

Among the honorees include Robert Small, Executive Director of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, who has dedicated his life to public service. Mr. Small held various positions with the United States Attorney’s Office, including Acting U.S. Attorney, and served honorably as a Hennepin County Judge until retirement, at which time he continued his service by taking on the responsibility of Executive Director of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association. U.S. Attorney MacDonald described Mr. Small as, “the quintessential public servant, a true leader who sets a shining example for all to follow.”

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

• Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
• Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Minneapolis Police Department
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• NorthPoint Health & Wellness, Inc.
• City of Minneapolis
• Hennepin County
• United States Postal Inspection Service
• Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau
• Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation
• Minnesota County Attorneys Association

 

 

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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 BRYAN BOARDMAN, a/k/a “Boon,” 25, for his role in a heroin distribution conspiracy that resulted in the shooting deaths of two individuals. FRANKLIN JACKSON, a/k/a “Frankie,” 23, also pleaded guilty on April 18, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin. Both defendants entered their guilty pleas before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, between October 1, 2018, and October 21, 2018, BOARDMAN, JACKSON, and a third co-defendant KRISTOPHER SULLIVAN, 24, conspired with each other to distribute heroin on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. In the early morning hours of October 21, 2018, BOARDMAN, JACKSON, and SULLIVAN met in a trailer on the Red Lake Indian Reservation belonging to JACKSON’s girlfriend. The three defendants made preparations to sell heroin later that day, including contacting potential customers to let them know that heroin was available for sale at the trailer. The defendants’ drug trafficking activities were interrupted at approximately 6:30 a.m. that morning when three armed, masked men broke into the trailer in an apparent armed robbery. BOARDMAN drew a 9 millimeter pistol and fired eight shots, killing two of the intruders. The third intruder was wounded in the leg by the gunfire and fled from the scene.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey S. Paulsen and Julie E. Allyn are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

BRYAN BOARDMAN, a/k/a “Boon,” 25

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

 

FRANKLIN JACKSON, a/k/a “Frankie,” 23

Unknown

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count

 

 

 

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

United States Attorney Erica MacDonald today announced the filing of a civil complaint against SCOTT PHILLIP FLYNN, SHAWN M. GRIMM, WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC, and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, seeking to liquidate millions in assets purchased with income that was part of FLYNN’s tax fraud scheme.

In January 2019, FLYNN was convicted of a multi-million dollar tax fraud scheme and, as part of his sentence, the Court ordered FLYNN to pay more than $5 million in restitution. FLYNN also owes over $652,000 in restitution in connection with his previous conviction for wire fraud and securities fraud in 1999. From July 2007 to January 2019, FLYNN resided in a $2.7 million mansion located in Orono, Minnesota, which FLYNN admittedly purchased with income that was part of his tax fraud scheme.  

As stated in the complaint, the United States alleges that FLYNN has used multiple entities under his control, including WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, to protect the equity in the Orono mansion from his creditors. GRIMM, FLYNN’s sister, is listed as a manager and/or general partner of WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, the purported owners of the Orono mansion. The United States alleges that WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP do not function as operational, solvent businesses but, instead, serve as alter egos of FLYNN intended to enable him to protect the equity in the Orono mansion and avoid his creditors, including the United States.

The United States is seeking a declaratory judgment that WATERTOWN PROPERTY, LLC and DESERT INN HOLDINGS, LLLP, the purported owners of the Orono mansion, are alter egos of FLYNN. The United States is also seeking to liquidate the assets held by those entities, namely the Orono mansion, so that the proceeds can be applied to FLYNN’s restitution obligations.

This case is being handled by the Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, and was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of DESMOND GEORGE DANIAL, 51, to 30 months in prison for interstate stalking. DANIAL, who pleaded guilty on November 8, 2018, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, between August 5, 2014, and March 20, 2018, DANIAL repeatedly harassed and threatened his victim, her husband and her family. In 2012, DANIAL was charged and convicted of stalking in Stearns County, Minnesota, and a restraining order was filed against DANIAL preluding him from having contact with the victim. In August 2014, even after the victim left Minnesota and moved to Wyoming, DANIAL continued his harassment by repeatedly sending threatening text messages and emails, including threats of violence, to both the victim and her husband. DANIAL also harassed and threatened the victim’s parents who lived in Bemidji, Minnesota.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.

 

Defendant Information:

DESMOND GEORGE DANIAL, 51

City of residence unknown

Convicted:

• Interstate stalking, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 30 months in prison
• Three 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 a federal indictment against AARON RHY BROUSSARD, 28, charging him with twenty-one counts related to the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl, which resulted in the deaths of eleven people and caused serious bodily injury to four people. BROUSSARD will be arraigned on these charges before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court at a later date. On December 6, 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania indicted BROUSSARD on one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and he is scheduled to stand trial on those charges on May 14, 2019. BROUSSARD was arrested on December 7, 2016, and is in custody in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

According to the allegations in the indictment, from 2014 through December 6, 2016, BROUSSARD obtained controlled substances, including fentanyl, from China-based drug suppliers. Upon receipt, BROUSSARD repackaged the controlled substances, marketed them for sale, and sold them to customers in the United States. BROUSSARD used various websites to market the controlled substances including PlantFoodUSA.Net, and distributed the controlled substances to customers using the United States mail and a United States Postal Service “Click-N-Ship” account.

According to the allegations in the indictment, on March 12, 2016, BROUSSARD placed a drug order for 100 grams of 4-FA, a controlled substance, which was shipped from China and contained approximately 100 grams of fentanyl. Between April 1 and April 27, 2016, BROUSSARD sent packages containing fentanyl to multiple customers throughout the United States. After ingesting the controlled substance received from BROUSSARD, eleven of the customers died from a fentanyl overdose and four customers suffered serious bodily injury. BROUSSARD continued to distribute controlled substances to customers even after learning that some had overdosed.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the University of Minnesota Police Department, the Peoria Heights (Illinois) Police Department, the Hazel Green (Wisconsin) Police Department, the Dallas (Texas) Police Department, the Broome County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, the Velusia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Office, and the Atlanta (Georgia) Police Department.

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

 

Defendant Information:

AARON RHY BROUSSARD, 28

Hopkins, Minn.

Charges:

• Drug conspiracy resulting in death/serious bodily injury, 1 count
• Importation of 40+ grams of fentanyl, 1 count
• Possession with intent to distribute 40+ grams of fentanyl, 1 count
• Distribution resulting in death/serious bodily injury, 12 counts
• Possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, 5 counts
• Possession With Intent To Distribute 4-EMC, 1 count

 

 

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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 sentencing of DOMINIC EDWARD DESJARLAIT, 19, to 108 months in prison for assault with intent to commit murder. DESJARLAIT, who pleaded guilty on December 19, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Joan N. Erickson in United States District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to documents filed with the court, including a law enforcement affidavit, during the evening hours of August 29, 2018, DESJARLAIT began an argument with the victim and a group of six other minor males at a grocery store on the Red Lake Reservation. The victim and the group of minor males left the grocery store and relocated to a residence on the reservation. DESJARLAIT also left the grocery store and followed the group, riding in a black SUV. Upon reaching the residence, DESJARLAIT exited the vehicle with a firearm, shouted the victim’s name and began firing multiple shots at the victim and the group of six other minor males. Multiple bullets hit two nearby residences that were occupied at the time.

DESJARLAIT also admitted to a previous assault with intent to commit murder against the same victim. On July 28, 2017, DESJARLAIT emerged from a wooded area on the Red Lake Reservation, near a residence where the victim and other males were located. DESJARLAIT fired a shotgun at the victim, causing wounds to his face and upper body.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force and Red Lake Department of Public Safety. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Munoz-Kaphing prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DOMINIC EDWARD DESJARLAIT, 19

Red Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Assault With Intent To Commit Murder, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 108 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $715.83 in restitution

 

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

Each year in April, the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys’ offices observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week nationwide by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme: Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.  

“Victims of crime deserve justice. This Department works every day to help them recover and to find, prosecute, and convict those who have done them harm,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “During this National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we pause to remember the millions of Americans who have been victims of crime and we thank public servants who have served them in especially heroic ways. This week the men and women of the Department recommit ourselves once again to ensuring that crime victims continue to have a voice in our legal system, to securing justice for them, and to preventing other Americans from suffering what they have endured.”

“Justice is not only prosecuting the offender, it is upholding the rights of victims,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “During Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and throughout the year, we honor the resilience of victims and survivors and we commemorate those who champion victims’ rights and advocate for victim-centered approaches within the criminal justice system.”

The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota has a dedicated team of Victim Witness Specialists. In addition to ensuring compliance with victims’ rights, as set forth in federal statute, team members accompany crime victims to court, make referrals for counseling, and assist in accessing victim compensation funds. For more information or to contact the Victim Witness Specialists, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/victim-witness.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ANTONIO CARLOS DE GODOY BUZANELI, 57, to 240 months in prison for his role in a $150 million investment fraud scheme involving Brazilian factoring. BUZANELI, who entered his guilty plea on April 19, 2018, was sentenced today before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. BUZANELI’S co-conspirators, JOSE MANUEL ORDOÑEZ, JR., 48, was sentenced on January 23, 2019, to 120 months in prison and JULIO ENRIQUE RIVERA, 62, will be sentenced on April 16, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald said, “Antonio Buzaneli was the primary architect of a $150 million Ponzi scheme that targeted hundreds of victims worldwide, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable. Some victims lost their retirement savings, others lost the ability to provide a college education to their children or grandchildren. For these egregious crimes, Mr. Buzaneli will spend the next 20 years behind bars. I applaud our law enforcement partners for their steadfast efforts in seeking justice for the victims.”

“No matter how complex the scheme, the FBI is committed to stopping fraudsters like these from preying on people, especially elderly investors who may have lost their life savings in this case,” said Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Division. “We are grateful for our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau for thoroughly investigating this global scheme and bringing these criminals to justice; and we believe this matter further illuminates the need for citizens to be wary of those peddling these kinds of fraudulent business investments.”

“Our securities enforcement unit and the Commerce Fraud Bureau began investigating this scheme after receiving a tip about a suspicious investment opportunity being offered in Minnesota,” said Steve Kelley, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. “We are proud that the Commerce Fraud Bureau collaborated successfully with federal authorities, bringing to justice a far-reaching operation that deceived Minnesotans.”

According to his guilty plea, BUZANELI, along with his co-conspirators, ORDOÑEZ and RIVERA, were the principals of Providence Holdings International, Inc., a company based in Key Biscayne, Florida. BUZANELI and ORDOÑEZ became principals of Providence Financial Investments, Inc. and Providence Fixed Income Fund LLC (collectively, along with Providence Holdings International, Inc., “Providence”) in order to raise money from investors.

According to BUZANELI’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from about 2010 until June 2016, Providence raised approximately $150 million from investors worldwide by representing that Providence would invest the money in Brazilian factoring. “Factoring” is a financial transaction in which accounts receivable are purchased at a discount. Providence’s marketing materials explained that in Brazil consumers write ten separate post-dated checks for $100 – one per month – to pay for $1,000 in retail items such as consumer electronics or groceries. The retailer then sells the post-dated checks to Providence for approximately $820, and Providence earns $180 over ten months as the checks mature. As a result, Providence claimed to make a 48 percent annual return on money invested in Brazil.

According to BUZANELI’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, Providence raised more than $64 million from U.S. investors by employing a network of brokers who sold promissory notes bearing annual interest rates between 12 percent and 24 percent. Investors were told their money would be used to factor accounts receivable in Brazil. BUZANELI, ORDOÑEZ and RIVERA provided the brokers with an Executive Memorandum to show investors that their money would be used to factor accounts receivable in Brazil. The Executive Memorandum falsely stated that funds would be used “for the sole purpose” of making loans to a Brazilian subsidiary of Providence “which will use the proceeds of the loan to acquire receivables or financial instruments such a post-dated checks and/or Duplicatas in the Brazilian Factoring Market.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, BUZANELI and ORDOÑEZ instead used a significant amount of the investors’ funds to make Ponzi-style payments to other investors and to make commission payments to Providence’s nationwide network of brokers. BUZANELI and ORDOÑEZ also diverted investor funds to other companies they controlled, including an import/export company, a travel company, a realty company, a credit rehabilitation company, and a catering company and food truck operated by BUZANELI’S wife.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, BUZANELI and ORDOÑEZ also opened Providence offices and affiliates in locations around the world, including London, Taipei, Shanghai, Singapore, Vancouver, and Panama. For example, in 2011 and 2012, BUZANELI and ORDOÑEZ opened Providence affiliates in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and in Hong Kong, through which they raised approximately $85 million from offshore investors based on the same lies they told investors in the United States – that their money would be used to invest in Brazilian factoring. Instead, much of the investors’ money was transferred to other Providence-controlled entities around the world as well as to bank accounts controlled by BUZANELI and ORDOÑEZ, where the money was used for payments unrelated to Brazilian factoring, including to pay commissions to U.S. brokers and to make interest payments to American investors in Providence’s U.S.-based entities. As a result of the fraud scheme, Providence investors worldwide – including more than 500 victims in the United States alone – lost a total of more than $100 million.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau. United States Attorney MacDonald would also like to thank the Securities and Exchange Commission for their assistance on this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Svendsen and Joseph H. Thompson prosecuted this case.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

ANTONIO CARLOS DE GODOY BUZANELI, 57

Coral Gables, Fla.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 240 months in prison
• $51,353,861.45 in restitution
• Three years of supervised release

 

 

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

The U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds all Minnesotans that the deadline for filing federal income tax returns is Monday, April 15. Although the filing season is nearing the end, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division work year round to protect the integrity of our nation’s tax system by investigating and prosecuting individuals who violate the tax laws.

“We owe it to every American taxpayer to use all lawful means to identify and prosecute those who seek to violate our nation’s tax laws. It is a matter of maintaining public confidence in our system of taxation,” stated U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald.

“Taxpayers thinking about participating in fraudulent tax schemes, such as failing to report all forms of income or falsifying deductions should take a good look at the serious and detrimental consequences of taking the next step,” stated Special Agent in Charge Gabe Grchan of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. “Those who might consider preparing false and fraudulent tax returns should be aware of the extremely negative consequences that could result in prison time, large tax bills, including substantial fines, interest and penalties.”

As the tax filing season winds down next week, the following court actions serve as a reminder to taxpayers, to think before filing a false or fraudulent tax return and to be wary of any schemes that falsify your income or deductions.

MICHAEL DEAN CARNICLE, of Henderson, Nevada, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison and ordered to pay $303,881 in restitution for willfully failing to file his tax returns. CARNICLE received gross income in the amount of $1,276,858 for tax year 2007 and $575,840 for tax year 2008, but willfully failed to file tax returns resulting in a total tax loss of $303,881.

SHARI ANN NATYSIN, of Elk River, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of wire fraud and tax evasion related to payments she received while employed as a bookkeeper of a family-owned concrete flooring company in Anoka, Minnesota. Utilizing her position, NATYSIN manipulated the company’s payroll processing service to overpay herself more than $630,000 while concealing the fraudulent transactions from the owners of the business. NATYSIN also attempted to file tax returns that grossly understated her income to evade the income tax she owed to the United States.

MELISSA VANG PASKEWICH, owner and operator of WIN SOLUTIONS, a temporary staffing agency, pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to pay payroll taxes and one count of filing a false tax return. During the tax years 2014 through 2017, PASKEWICH caused the business to withhold payroll taxes from only some employees’ wages and pay the amounts to the IRS as required. For most workers, whom she called “cash” employees, PASKEWICH did not pay the payroll taxes as required and did not report the employees’ wages on IRS Forms 941 and Forms 1120S. PASKEWICH admitted keeping $740,564.22 in payroll taxes and filing a false 2016 income tax return in which she only reported $80,949 in business income when, in fact, WIN SOLUTIONS’s net income was $609,538. The total criminal tax loss is approximately $1,132,110.75.

SCOTT PHILLIP FLYNN, of Orono, Minnesota, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and was ordered to pay more than $5 million in restitution for evading the assessment of millions of dollars in income taxes by fraudulently hiding millions of shares of stock that he obtained for himself. In one year alone, FLYNN received approximately $2.7 million in proceeds which he used to purchase a house in Orono, Minnesota while only reporting income of $26,136 to the IRS.

JEROME C. RUZICKA, W. JEFFERY TAYLOR, SCOTT A. NELSON, and JEFFREY LEE LONGTAIN, were recently sentenced for their roles in a massive fraud scheme perpetrated against Eden Prairie-based Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Starkey) and its principal owner William F. Austin. Following a nearly eight-week trial, both RUZICKA and TAYLOR were convicted of mail and wire fraud and RUZICKA was convicted of tax fraud. NELSON pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and LONGTAIN pleaded guilty to making and subscribing a false tax return.

JULIE ANN LEE, former controller of the Town & Country Club (“TCC”) in St. Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for operating a million dollar embezzlement scheme. LEE stole more than $1 million in cash, checks, and credit card payments and, in order to conceal the shortage of funds, LEE filed false quarterly payroll tax returns with the IRS understating TCC’s payroll tax liability. At times, LEE also filed TCC’s quarterly payroll tax returns late and made TCC’s quarterly tax payments late, which resulted in TCC paying more than $300,000 in interest and penalties to the IRS.

ELLIS ALANCE BANKS, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, was sentenced to 92 months in prison on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and aggravated identity theft. BANKS filed more than 250 false tax returns seeking $1.2 million in fraudulent tax refunds. Additionally, he obtained social security numbers, dates of birth, and other personal identifying information of individuals to use to file fraudulent income tax returns.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of RODNEY KEITH THOMPSON, 53, to 24 months in prison for corruptly soliciting a bribe. THOMPSON, who pleaded guilty on November 15, 2018, was sentenced before Judge Susan R. Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from 2011 through June 2017, THOMPSON served as the Superintendent of the Shakopee School District. In his official capacity, THOMPSON had the authority to select contractors to perform construction and related services for the School District. THOMPSON used his position and authority to obtain personal benefits from a company interested in being awarded contracts with the School District. THOMPSON solicited things of value from the company, such as home improvement projects, personal travel, and attendance at sporting events, in exchange for contracts with the School District. For example, between July 2010 and November 2015, at THOMPSON’s demand, the company spent more than $44,000 remodeling and improving the basement of THOMPSON’s Shakopee house.

“Mr. Thompson abused his position of trust throughout his entire tenure with the Shakopee School District. And now, his greedy and corrupt dealings have earned him a prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.

“Today’s sentence of Mr. Thompson demonstrates our collective commitment to hold public officials accountable”, said Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis Division. “The success of this investigation was due in large part to the collaboration between the FBI, Department of Justice, the Scott County Attorney’s Office and the Shakopee Police Department. Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to investigate public officials who abuse their positions and violate the public trust.”

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

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

 

Defendant Information:

RODNEY KEITH THOMPSON, 53

Shakopee, Minn.

Convicted:

• Corrupt solicitation of a bribe, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 24 months in prison

 

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced a federal criminal complaint against JOSIAH RAUL MOSQUEDA, 27, charging him with coercion and enticement of two separate minors, transfer of obscene material to a minor, and receipt, distribution, and production of child pornography. MOSQUEDA made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MOSQUEDA was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Monday, April 1, 2019.

According to the allegations in the complaint, MOSQUEDA was a volunteer and former employee of a Minneapolis charter school and a volunteer at a different Minneapolis middle school. From July 6, 2017, through December 23, 2018, MOSQUEDA engaged in sexually explicit communications, including transferring graphic, sexually explicit images and videos, to minors via Facebook Messenger. MOSQUEDA sent hundreds of messages to at least one minor, repeatedly requesting images and videos of sexually explicit acts or suggesting sexual encounters. In one instance, a minor reached out to MOSQUEDA for financial help getting his cell phone fixed. MOSQUEDA paid for the repair with the condition that the minor repay him by “hook[ing] up.”

According to the allegations in the complaint, MOSQUEDA was aware that his conduct was illegal, sending a message to one minor that read, “I mean if I show you you literally cant show anyone. I would go to jail and never be able to teach or work in a school lol.” MOSQUEDA’s Facebook also contained posts regarding law enforcement officers, as well as the Government in general, stating that, “all pigs must die,” and “[expletive] the pigs, barbeque them all.”

Based on the evidence obtained in this investigation, authorities believe there may be additional victims of the alleged conduct. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the BCA Tip Line at 1-877-996-6222. Callers may remain anonymous.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (“BCA”).

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Kayser and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Middlecamp.

 

Defendant Information:

JOSIAH RAUL MOSQUEDA, 27

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Receipt of child pornography, 1 count
• Coercion and enticement of a minor, 4 counts
• Production of child pornography, 1 count
• Transfer of obscene material to a minor, 1 count
• Distribution of child pornography, 1 count

 

 

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

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced that Accurate Home Care, LLC (“Accurate Home Care”), a home health care company headquartered in Otsego, Minnesota, has agreed to pay $726,957.59 to resolve federal False Claims Act  violations arising from the unlawful submission of claims for payment to Minnesota Medicaid, a jointly funded federal and state health care program.

According to the settlement agreement, Accurate Home Care voluntarily disclosed to the United States that it had submitted claims for payment for home care services to both Minnesota Medicaid and private insurers for the same service, and fraudulently retained full payment from Minnesota Medicaid, even where it was not the primary insurer. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Accurate Home Care must pay the United States and the State of Minnesota a total of $726,957.59 to resolve the misconduct. Accurate worked cooperatively with the Department of Justice in voluntarily disclosing the false claims. Department of Justice policy encourages self-reporting of fraud and values company cooperation.

The government’s resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s 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).

This matter was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, with assistance from the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a criminal complaint charging GONZALO JIMINEZ-PAZ, JR., 22, and REY DAVID LUNA-SANTILLANES, 22, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. JIMINEZ-PAZ and LUNA-SANTILLANES were arrested earlier today and made their initial appearances before Magistrate Judge Tony Leung in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

According to a criminal complaint, on March 23, 2019, law enforcement officers with the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team (VCET) executed a search warrant at a residence in the downtown area of Minneapolis. During execution of the search warrant, officers recovered approximately 64 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, a large sum of U.S. currency, 3 pounds of suspected heroin, a bag containing unidentified blue pills and two loaded hand guns. The methamphetamine was found inside two suitcases, the heroin was hidden inside of a shoebox, and a large amount of cash was located in a kitchen cupboard.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County VCET, the DEA, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (“BCA”), and the Minnesota State Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

GONZALO JIMINEZ-PAZ, JR., 22

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

REY DAVID LUNA-SANTILLANES, 22

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, 1 count

 

 

 

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

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of LUMINAIRE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC., and co-defendants JOHN D. MILLER JR., 61, and JOSEPH V. MILLER, 59, for a $1 million fraud scheme involving the improper disposal of toxic waste. Defendants LUMINAIRE and JOHN MILLER were sentenced today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Defendant JOSEPH MILLER was sentenced on March 5, 2019.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, LUMINAIRE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (“LUMINAIRE”) provided recycling and waste disposal services to customers. Among other services, LUMINAIRE offered to pick up customers’ fluorescent light ballasts containing polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”), transport the PCB-containing ballasts to the LUMINAIRE facility located in Plymouth, Minnesota, and remove and dispose of all the PCBs in accordance with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In exchange, LUMINAIRE charged customers a fee of approximately $0.35 per pound of PCB lighting ballasts plus transportation costs. Because the PCBs contained in the ballasts are considered a toxic chemical, regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), pursuant to TSCA, mandate special procedures and documentation for the transportation and disposal of PCB waste.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, between 2010 until 2015, JOHN MILLER, owner of LUMINAIRE, and other LUMINAIRE employees falsely represented to customers that LUMINAIRE would properly transport and dispose of customers’ toxic chemicals. Instead, after picking up loads of PCB-ballasts from customers, JOHN MILLER instructed LUMINAIRE employees to remove warning labels from the containers holding the PCB-ballasts, and then sell the PCB-ballasts as scrap metal to scrap yards and metal recycling facilities. In order to conceal the fact that the PCB-ballasts had not been received and processed at LUMINAIRE’S facility, JOHN MILLER directed LUMINAIRE employees, including JOSEPH MILLER, to falsely certify on shipping manifests that the PCB-ballasts had arrived at LUMINAIRE’S facility. At JOHN MILLER’S direction, LUMINAIRE employees also sent copies of the falsified shipping documentation by mail to customers and to certain state environmental agencies. In addition, JOHN MILLER instructed LUMINAIRE employees to prepare and deliver falsified invoices to customers who, in turn, made payments to LUMINAIRE. As a result of the scheme, LUMINAIRE fraudulently collected more than $1,000,000 in fees and additional profits.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hennepin County Department of Environmental Protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin F. Langner and Amber M. Brennan prosecuted this case.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

LUMINAIRE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Plymouth, Minn.

Convicted:

• Mail fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Five years of probation with special conditions, including an Environmental Compliance Plan
• $10,000 fine

 

JOHN D. MILLER JR., 61

Plymouth, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 36 months in prison
• $15,000 fine
• $1,049,848.78 in restitution

 

JOSEPH V. MILLER, 59

Chanhassen, Minn.

Convicted:

• Falsification of documents with intent to obstruct a federal matter, 1 count

Sentenced:

• Two years of probation
• $3,000 fine

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced two separate federal indictments against OTIS RAY MAYS, JR., 26, charging him with production and receipt of child pornography and wire fraud. Following his arraignment and detention hearing yesterday before Magistrate Judge Katherine M. Menendez, MAYS was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

According to the allegations in the first indictment, from May 2017 through September 20, 2017, MAYS devised a scheme to defraud two victims, a husband and wife couple. As part of the scheme, MAYS falsely told the couple that he was a lawyer and offered to help them with the eviction of tenants from their rental properties. MAYS also told them that their son, a college student, had visited terrorist websites and, as a result, was facing federal, criminal, terrorism charges. MAYS told the victims that in exchange for a payment of $30,000, their son could avoid being detained on those federal terrorism charges, and in exchange for further payment of $6,222, those charges would be dropped. Additionally, MAYS told the victims that their son’s computer contained videos that had been “pirated” and in exchange for a $305,000 payment, MAYS could resolve any legal difficulties arising from the allegedly pirated videos. In total, MAYS stole more than $340,000 from the victims.

According to the allegations in the second indictment, on November 20, 2017, and on November 29, 2017, MAYS engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor victim for the purpose of producing video recordings of the conduct. Additionally, on November 29, 2017, and on December 1, 2017, MAYS received multiple video files containing child pornography.

Based on the evidence obtained in both cases, authorities believe there may be additional victims of the alleged conduct. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the FBI at (763) 569-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

These cases are the result of an investigation conducted by Bloomington Police Department, Richfield Police Department, and the FBI.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Docherty.

 

Defendant Information:

OTIS RAY MAYS, JR., 26

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Wire fraud, 3 counts
• Production of child pornography, 9 counts
• Receipt of child pornography, 1 count

 

 

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

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald issued the following statement in response to the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand:

“United, we must condemn all acts of violence fueled by hatred, bigotry, and intolerance. My commitment to freedom and safety for all of our faith communities and houses of worship is unwavering. This is a sad day and we are grieving with the people of Christchurch, New Zealand,” said U.S. Attorney MacDonald.

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of DAMIEN JAMES McDONALD, 40, to two counts of armed bank robbery. McDONALD, who was indicted on July 18, 2018, pleaded guilty today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea, on April 14, 2018, McDONALD entered the US Bank branch in the Lunds & Byerly’s grocery store in Eagan, Minnesota, pointed a firearm at two tellers and demanded money. The tellers complied with his demands and McDONALD fled the store with $2,739 in cash. On June 6, 2018, McDONALD entered the Associated Healthcare Credit Union in Eagan, Minnesota. McDONALD pointed a firearm at a teller, threw a bag on the counter and demanded that the teller fill it with cash. After the teller complied, McDONALD ordered the teller to pass the bag to an adjacent teller, who was also instructed to fill the bag with cash. McDONALD ordered the two tellers to a back room and then fled the credit union with $8,236 in cash, which included ten pre-recorded $20 bait bills. Upon review of the surveillance video of the credit union robbery, law enforcement recognized McDONALD and executed a search warrant at his residence and for his vehicles later that day. Law enforcement recovered clothing that matched the clothing worn by the robber during the two robberies and thousands of dollars in cash hidden in the residence. Additionally, investigators found over one-thousand dollars cash in McDONALD’S pocket following his arrest, including cash that matched some of the pre-recorded bait bills from the credit union robbery.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar, Thomas Calhoun-Lopez, and Charles J. Kovats.

 

Defendant Information:

DAMIEN JAMES McDONALD, 40

Saint Paul, Minn.

Convicted:

• Bank robbery (armed), 2 counts

 

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced the sentencing of STEVEN PHILLIP SVOBODA, 37, to 15 months in prison for stealing more than $100,000 in Social Security benefits. SVOBODA, who pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds on November 6, 2018, was sentenced by Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from July 2010 through August 2017, SVOBODA applied for and received survivor benefits as the representative payee on behalf of his two minor children. In his application and in subsequent annual paperwork submitted to the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), SVOBODA repeatedly lied by saying the two minor children lived with him, that he was the sole provider of financial support and care, and that the survivor benefit funds were being used to pay for the children’s care. In reality, the minor children resided with their grandparents and SVOBODA spent the survivor benefit funds on himself. In total, SVOBODA stole approximately $113,804.00 from the SSA.  

This case was the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration-Office of the Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

STEVEN PHILLIP SVOBODA, 37

Meadowlands, Minn. 

Convicted:

• Theft of government funds, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 15 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release
• $113,804.00 in restitution

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of JAYVON DOMINIQUE GANT, 28, to eight years in prison for bank robbery. GANT, who pleaded guilty on August 20, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, on June 7, 2018, GANT entered Premier Bank in Bloomington, Minnesota, and passed a note to the teller that contained a demand for money, followed by a verbal demand of the teller to, “give me all the money and no trackers.” In response to his demand, the teller handed GANT $3,710 and, after receiving the money, GANT fled the bank on foot. Following the robbery, law enforcement officers located GANT at his home in Bloomington. Upon law enforcement’s entry to the residence, GANT jumped from his third floor balcony to the second floor below, broke the sliding glass door and entered the second floor apartment in an attempt to escape. When confronted by law enforcement on the second floor, GANT jumped from the second floor balcony to the ground level where he was apprehended.

According to his guilty plea and documents filed in court, GANT committed five additional robberies of other banks located throughout the Twin Cities area. In all instances, GANT used similar tactics by passing a note to the teller that contained a demand for money. For example, one such note stated, “Give me all the money out the top and bottom drawer act calm and normal NO Gps or Dypack Im going to go through the money at this counter so don’t play games with me give me the money act normal no one will get hurt.” 

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Bloomington, Blaine, Fridley, Edina, Cottage Grove and Oakdale Police Departments. 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.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats.

 

Defendant Information:

JAYVON DOMINIQUE GANT, 28

Bloomington, Minn.

Convicted:

• Bank robbery, 1 count

Sentenced:

• 96 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of ROBERT PHILIP IVERS, 65, to 18 months in prison for threatening to murder a federal judge and interstate transmission of a threat to injure. IVERS, who was convicted by a federal jury on September 14, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Robert W. Pratt, in United States District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

As proven at trial, in January 2017, a United States District Court Judge (the “Victim Judge”) held a bench trial on a lawsuit brought by IVERS. The Victim Judge ruled against IVERS. He responded by sending a series of threatening letters and calling a court employee to say he was crazy angry at the Victim Judge and described himself as a “walking bomb.” IVERS was told repeatedly by Deputy U.S. Marshals to stop his threatening language.

On November 9, 2017, IVERS filed another civil lawsuit alleging the same facts as those in the case he lost before the Victim Judge. As part of the new civil case, IVERS was referred to two volunteer lawyers for a telephone consultation. After the lawyers discussed his case and told IVERS they did not believe he had a valid legal claim, IVERS began talking about his previous case with the Victim Judge. One of the lawyers described IVERS as becoming “intensely angry” and making threatening statements including:

•           “This [expletive] judge stole my life from me.”

•           “I had overwhelming evidence.”

•           The Judge “stacked the deck” to make sure I lost this case.

•           “She is lucky” I was “going to throw some chairs.”

•           “You don’t know the fifty different ways I planned to kill her.”

After the lawyer reported the threats IVERS made during the phone conversation, two Deputy U.S. Marshals went to a residence in West Fargo, North Dakota to speak with IVERS about the threats. When confronted, IVERS became extremely agitated, and screamed at the Deputies, among other things, that he was glad the Victim Judge was scared, because “that [expletive] judge stole my life.”

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and Timothy C. Rank prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

ROBERT PHILIP IVERS, 65

West Fargo, N.D.

Convicted:

• Threatening to murder a federal judge, 1 count
• Interstate transmission of a threat to injure the person of another, 1 count
   
  Sentenced:

• 18 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release with location monitoring

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of DENNIS EDWARD BRESNAHAN, 55, a former United States Probation Officer, to two counts of making false statements to the FBI. BRESNAHAN, who was indicted on August 15, 2018, entered his guilty plea earlier today before Judge Robert W. Pratt in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

“People who work in the criminal justice system hold positions of trust over others and are to use that authority appropriately,” said Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Minneapolis Division. “The FBI takes seriously its responsibility to maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system by investigating allegations where that trust was violated. All citizens, including the vulnerable victims in this case, expect and deserve equal protection under the law.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, for more than twenty-five years, and until August 22, 2016, BRESNAHAN was employed as a United States Probation Officer for the District of Minnesota. In his role, BRESNAHAN was responsible for supervising defendants on federal pretrial and supervised release, and had access to records and maintained communications with individuals under his supervision. Between January 2016 and April 1, 2016, BRESNAHAN engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with an individual (identified as “Witness A”) under his supervision, including repeated phone and email discussions of a sexual nature.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on August 22, 2016, FBI agents interviewed BRESNAHAN regarding both his sexually inappropriate conduct in his role as a United States Probation Officer and his relationship with Witness A. BRESNAHAN admitted to engaging in sexually inappropriate behavior and to receiving one topless photograph from Witness A. When FBI agents asked BRESNAHAN whether he had asked for additional sexual photographs from Witness A, BRESNAHAN lied and said that he had not. FBI agents then asked BRESNAHAN if he had engaged in any similar inappropriate sexual conduct with other probationers, including asking for sexual photographs, to which BRESNAHAN again lied and claimed that he had not. However, upon further investigation, it was revealed that BRESNAHAN had in fact asked for sexual photographs from other probationers, specifically an individual identified as Witness B. Witness B was under BRESNAHAN’S supervision from July 2013 until approximately February 2014. During that time, BRESNAHAN engaged in multiple email exchanges of a sexual nature with Witness B, including asking for sexual photographs.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and Allen A. Slaughter are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DENNIS EDWARD BRESNAHAN, 55

Forest Lake, Minn.

Convicted:

• Making false statements or representations to an agency of the United States, 2 counts

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of JAMAAL MARQUIE MAYS, 34, to 180 months in prison for the armed robbery of an Inver Grove Heights business. MAYS and his co-defendant, JAQUON KESHAWN MOMAN, 26, were charged in a superseding indictment on February 7, 2018. MAYS, who pleaded guilty on September 21, 2018, was sentenced yesterday before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. MOMAN pleaded guilty on August 1, 2018, and was sentenced on January 2, 2019, to 72 months in prison.

United States Attorney MacDonald said, “These defendants showed complete disregard for human life when they made the decision to commit armed robbery of a business establishment located in a busy suburban retail area. Such brazen acts of violence will not be tolerated in our communities and we, along with our law enforcement partners, are committing all necessary resources to bringing violent criminals to justice.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on August 17, 2017, MAYS and MOMAN entered a Verizon Wireless store in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, armed with a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. After waiting for customers to leave the store, MAYS and MOMAN held the store employee at gunpoint while demanding money and cell phones. The employee pretended to comply, but then shot MAYS in self-defense with a firearm the employee was licensed to carry. MAYS’ firearm was also discharged. During the exchange of gunfire, a stray bullet grazed a worker in an adjacent restaurant. MAYS was wounded and remained at the scene, while MOMAN fled on foot.   

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute individuals who commit armed robberies of businesses engaged in interstate commerce.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Inver Grove Heights Police Department. 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. Attorney David P. Steinkamp prosecuted the case.

 

Defendant Information:

JAMAAL MARQUIE MAYS, 34

Unknown

Convicted:

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

Sentenced:

• 180 months in prison
• Five years of supervised release

 

JAQUON KESHAWN MOMAN, 26

Unknown

Convicted:

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

Sentenced:

• 72 months in prison
• Three years of supervised release

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced an indictment charging JEREMIAH KINGBIRD, 38, with first and second degree murder.[1] KINGBIRD made his initial appearance yesterday before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby in U.S. District Court in Bemidji, Minnesota.

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, on January 6, 2019, law enforcement responded to a call from a woman who said that an unknown male had stopped at her house and said that he had found his wife on Old Ponemah Road and that she had been there all night. Responding officers found the victim, KINGBIRD’S wife, lying face down in the snow; she had severe physical injuries, and was having difficulty breathing. The victim was transported to the Red Lake IHS Hospital where hospital staff were unsuccessful in reviving her.

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, during a search of KINGBIRD’S vehicle, law enforcement observed blood on the front passenger window of the vehicle. KINGBIRD admitted to physically assaulting his wife and leaving her outside in the elements following a night of drinking in Bemidji.

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 Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Gina L. Allery and Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

JEREMIAH KINGBIRD, 38

Ponemah, Minn.

Charges:

• Murder in the first degree, 1 count
• Murder in the second degree, 1 count

 

 

 

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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 indictment of DYLAN MATTHEW DELING, a/k/a “Jason Keens,” a/k/a “Dylan Nash,” 19, on child pornography and extortion charges. DELING made his initial appearance yesterday before Magistrate Judge Katherine Menendez, in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, sextortion crimes are becoming more prevalent through the use of social media platforms and messaging apps,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “These types of cases cause very real harm and can have a devastating impact, especially on young victims. Teachers, parents, and students alike need to be aware of this issue, know how to defend against online predators, and be vigilant in reporting these crimes.”

According to the allegations in the indictment, on May 14, 2018, DELING, a registered sex offender, persuaded, induced, and coerced a minor victim (Minor A) to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. On July 8, 2018, DELING contacted a second minor victim (Minor B) and threatened to kidnap and injure the victim and her parents if she did not provide DELING with sexually explicit images.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, in coordination with multiple state and local law enforcement agencies inside and outside of Minnesota.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda E Dugi.

 

Defendant Information:

DYLAN MATTHEW DELING, a/k/a “Jason Keens,” a/k/a “Dylan Nash,” 19

Fairmont, Minn.

Charges:

• Production and attempted production of child pornography, 1 count
• Penalties for registered sex offenders, 1 count
• Interstate commination with intent to extort, 1 count

 

 

 

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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 an indictment charging FRANKLIN JACKSON, a/k/a “Frankie,” 23, KRISTOPHER SULLIVAN, a/k/a “Blood Money,” 24, and BRYAN BOARDMAN, a/k/a “Boon,” 24, with conspiracy to distribute heroin. SULLIVAN and BOARDMAN were also charged with using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

According to the indictment, between October 1, 2018, and October 21, 2018, JACKSON, SULLIVAN, and BOARDMAN conspired with each other to distribute heroin on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. On October 21, 2018, the defendants’ drug trafficking activities resulted in the shooting deaths of two individuals, identified in the indictment as J.R. and R.B.

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

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey S. Paulsen and Julie E. Allyn are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

FRANKLIN JACKSON, a/k/a “Frankie,” 23

Unknown

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count

 

KRISTOPHER SULLIVAN, a/k/a “Blood Money,” 24

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

 

BRYAN BOARDMAN, a/k/a “Boon,” 24

Minneapolis, Minn.

Charges:

• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, 1 count

 

 

 

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

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a four-count federal indictment against JARED ROSS BOSWELL, 32, for distributing child pornography, sending obscene material to a minor, and stalking a minor via the internet. BOSWELL, who was charged in a criminal complaint on January 22, 2019, will remain in detention pending further proceedings.

According to the allegations in the indictment, from April 2018 through September 2018, BOSWELL used the internet to stalk a minor victim. Also during that time, BOSWELL used the internet to send obscene materials and distribute sexually explicit images, including visual depictions of minors, to a second minor victim.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Department of Public Safety, the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, the Bemidji Police Department, the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the FBI.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Munoz-Kaphing.

 

Defendant Information:

JARED ROSS BOSWELL, 32

Cass County, Minn.

Charges:

• Stalking, 1 count
• Distribution of child pornography, 2 counts
• Transfer of obscene material to minors, 1 count

 

 

 

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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 guilty plea of BARRY RON SKOG, 68, for perpetrating a counterfeit coin fraud scheme. SKOG, who was indicted on April 10, 2018, entered his guilty plea earlier today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea, SKOG owned and operated a business called Burnsville Coin Company, which engaged in advertising and selling numismatic coins. Through his business, SKOG posted advertisements for coins in a publication called Numismatic News. When potential buyers responded to the ads, SKOG would mail them lists of available coins for purchase, many of which were counterfeit. In his communications with the victims, SKOG would often represent himself as an employee of the Burnsville Coin Company named “Ron Peterson,” when, in fact, there were no other owners or employees of the company other than SKOG. In total, SKOG stole more than $57,000 from his victims. SKOG also intended to create additional loss by advertising for sale 275 additional counterfeit coins at an advertised sale value of approximately $235,000.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau and the Burnsville Police Department.

Based on the evidence obtained in this case, authorities believe there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau at 651-539-1617. Callers may remain anonymous.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

BARRY RON SKOG, 68

Burnsville, Minn.

Convicted:

• Sale of counterfeit coins, 1 count
• Mail fraud, 1 count

 

 

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United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the conviction of HAKEEM MALIK DONTAE FLAX, a/k/a “Keem,” 32, for crimes related to violent gang activity, including conspiracy, distribution of heroin, and firearms violations. FLAX was found guilty following a four-day trial before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Prior to trial, FLAX pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of ammunition. Co-defendants DOMONICK DESHAY WRIGHT, BRIAN FUNTANOUS MACK, and JAMES LAVELL BROWN each pleaded guilty to count of conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

“This conviction signifies the aggressive stance my office is taking against gun and gang violence under the Project Safe Neighborhood crime reduction strategy,” said U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald. “We are committed to the work of ensuring safe neighborhoods and communities for all Minnesotans.”

“These individuals were engaged in gang warfare that resulted in shootings deaths of gang members on both sides of the conflict,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Calhoun-Lopez. “Their actions posed a clear and present danger to Minneapolis communities through dangerous drug trafficking and public shootings. This conviction is a victory for North Minneapolis.”

“Hakeem Flax and his associates caused a significant amount of violence in furtherance of their drug distribution activities,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Getting this group off the streets is a huge win for North Minneapolis, which has been plagued by violence. There is more work to be done there, but this verdict is a step in the right direction toward making that community safer for residents.”

As proven at trial, FLAX and his co-defendants maintained active membership in the 1-9 Block Dipset Gang with the purpose of making money for the gang through criminal acts, including distribution of heroin. As part of the gang’s heroin distribution scheme, FLAX and other members of the gang possessed, used and carried firearms in order to protect themselves from rival gang members and maintain their drug distribution territory.

As proven at trial, members of the 1-9 Block Dipset Gang were involved in a violent gang war with rival North Minneapolis gangs, including the Tre Tre Crips and the Young-N-Thuggin gangs, which resulted in the shooting deaths of gang members on both sides of the conflict. Disputes over gang territories and retaliation for prior acts of violence also contributed to the gun violence. As an example, on August 5, 2017, FLAX shot and killed a member of the rival Tre Tre Crips gang in a parking lot outside of a North Minneapolis restaurant.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

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

 

Defendant Information:

HAKEEM MALIK DONTAE FLAX, a/k/a “Keem,” 32

Vadnais Heights, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Conspiracy to distribute heroin, 1 count
• Discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 1 count
• Felon in possession of ammunition, 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 plea of JEROME ROBERT HENNESSEY, 56, to one count of mail fraud and one count of tax evasion. HENNESSEY, who was charged via felony information on December 18, 2018, entered his guilty plea earlier today before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from 2003 through September 2018, HENNESSEY, the former manager of Ashby Farmers’ Co-Operative Elevator Company (“the Co-op”), was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Co-op, controlling the bank accounts and obtaining loans for the business. Using his position and his control over the Co-op’s bank accounts, HENNESSEY wrote checks to himself and to third parties for, among other things, renovations and improvements to his residence and a cabin, the purchase of real estate, the purchase of all-terrain vehicles, outstanding credit card balances, property taxes, expensive hunting trips, and taxidermy services.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, HENNESSEY attempted to disguise the payments by writing descriptions on the carbon copies of the checks falsely indicating that the checks were for the purchase of corn and soybeans or other operating expenses and supplies. HENNESSEY then provided the carbon copies to the Co-op’s bookkeeper, thus ensuring that the Co-op’s accounting records would give the false impression that the funds HENNESSEY had taken had been used for legitimate purposes. In order to make sure that the Co-op had sufficient funds to cover its legitimate expenses and to cover the millions of dollars that HENNESSEY stole, HENNESSEY obtained a line of credit for more than $7 million. In total, HENNESSEY stole approximately $5,338,922.21.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kokkinen is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

JEROME ROBERT HENNESSEY, 56

Dalton, Minnesota

Convicted:

• Mail Fraud, 1 count
• Income Tax Evasion, 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 plea of DONTAY LAVARICE REESE, 37, for kidnapping. REESE entered his guilty plea yesterday afternoon 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, in the early morning hours of August 6, 2017, REESE met the victim, T.M., in downtown Minneapolis. REESE offered T.M. a ride home; however, instead of driving her home, he drove in the wrong direction into Wisconsin. The defendant told the victim that he was going to take her “several states away” and use her to make money as a prostitute. The victim attempted to escape multiple times - each time she was captured and violently restrained by REESE. A family witnessed one of the escape attempts and called 911.

After the 911 call, Wisconsin State Patrol found the victim running out of a wooded area, with her wrists bound together, and screaming for help. REESE came out of the same wooded area shortly after, fully naked and attempted to cross the interstate on foot. He was taken into custody.

“The victim endured a terrifying experience, and has shown incredible courage throughout this process. Because of her courage a violent offender is no longer in our community,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.   

"Thoughts today are with the victim in this case who courageously helped put her assailant in prison for many years,” said Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis Division of the FBI. “Thanks to the victim and diligent work of law enforcement from Minnesota and Wisconsin working with the FBI, justice was served and Mr. Reese was held accountable for his actions."

Sentencing has been scheduled for June 4, 2019, at 9:00 am in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Jackson County (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Department, Eau Claire County (Wisconsin) Sheriff’s Department, and Minneapolis Police Department. 

Assistant U.S Attorneys Angela Munoz-Kaphing and John Docherty are prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

DONTAY LAVARICE REESE, 37

Burnsville, Minnesota

Convicted:

• Kidnapping, 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 ERIC WILLOR, 69, with 15 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. WILLOR will make his initial appearance in United States District Court at a later date.

According to the indictment, WILLOR, also known as “Papa Eric,” ran a tax preparation business called Willor’s Tax Preparation and Planning out of his home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. WILLOR regularly prepared and filed tax returns using false and fraudulent itemized deductions in order to fraudulently obtain large tax refunds to which his clients were not entitled. Specifically, WILLOR regularly prepared and filed returns falsely claiming that his clients had significant tax-deductible charitable contributions, medical expenses, and educational expenses. In reality, WILLOR knew that these claimed deductions were fraudulent. Between 2012 and 2017, WILLOR prepared and filed approximately 100 fraudulent tax returns that fraudulently claimed a total of approximately $316,000 in tax refunds to which his clients were not entitled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

 

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

ERIC WILLOR, 69

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Charges:

• Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, 15 counts

 
 

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

 

 

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

Throughout the recent 35-day lapse in appropriations, press releases for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota were very limited as required by Department of Justice rules. However, during any lapse in Congressional appropriations, the Department of Justice’s essential public safety and national security missions continue unabated. As a result, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal investigative agencies continued to work full-time alongside their state, local, and tribal partners on all criminal cases and prosecutions. Highlighted below are convictions and sentencings that occurred between December 22, 2018 and January 25, 2019.

On January 2, 2019, MICHAEL SCOTT HANUMAN, 27, pleaded guilty before Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug-trafficking crime. HANUMAN is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2019. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dakota County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.

On January 8, 2019, PRESLEY AARON PELTIER, 22, pleaded guilty to stealing four firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer. PELTIER entered his guilty plea before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lakeville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.

On January 14, 2019, AVIEL LI GOODMAN, 63, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for receipt of child pornography. GOODMAN, a St. Paul psychiatrist, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography on July 20, 2018. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katharine T. Buzicky and Carol M. Kayser prosecuted the case.

On January 15, 2019, NOEL DEBRA HALL, 41, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. HALL pleaded guilty on September 13, 2018, to a one-count felony information. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Surya Saxena.

On January 16, 2019, STEVEN MITCHELL GANT, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute heroin on the White Earth Indian Reservation. GANT entered his guilty plea before Senior Judge Michael J. Davis in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the West Central Minnesota Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, the White Earth Police Department, and the Becker County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad is prosecuting the case.

On January 16, 2019, KELVIN BAEZ, 34, was found guilty of methamphetamine and firearms violations following a jury trial before Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. BAEZ is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2019. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the case.

On January 17, 2019, PHILLIP MARK REINHART, 38, pleaded guilty to production and attempted production of child pornography. REINHART entered his guilty plea before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 6, 2019. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Nicollet County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich is prosecuting the case.

On January 22, 2019, AMOS KIPROP KOECH, 44, was convicted by a federal jury for sex trafficking a 15-year-old minor. KOECH’S codefendant, ANDRE MATHIS, JR., 33, pleaded guilty on January 10, 2019, to one count of sex trafficking of a minor. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Duluth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino is prosecuting the case with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Holets. 

On January 22, 2019, DAKOTA JAMES LAFAVE, 29, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, witness retaliation, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. LAFAVE entered his guilty plea before Chief Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Bradley Endicott are prosecuting the case.

On January 23, 2019, JOSE MANUEL ORDONEZ, JR., 47, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for his role in a $150 million international Ponzi scheme. ORDONEZ pleaded guilty on February 13, 2018, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly A. Svendsen and Joseph H. Thompson are prosecuting the case.

On January 23, 2019, two defendants in separate cases, DARVELL DEVONTRE EDWARDS, 27, and CAMERON DAVON DURAND, 25, each pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. EDWARDS and DURAND entered their guilty pleas before Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota. These cases are thedid  result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Saint Paul Police Department. They are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Thomas Calhoun-Lopez.

On January 24, 2019, RASHAD YASIN DAVIS, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage to property on the Bois Forte Indian Reservation. DAVIS entered his guilty plea before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Bois Forte Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the Breitung Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad is prosecuting the case.

On January 25, 2019, ROGER ERICK SPLETTSTOESZER, 54, was sentenced to 210 months in prison for distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. SPLETTSTOESZER was found guilty on April 19, 2018, following a four-day jury trial. This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Hudleston and Miranda E. Dugi.

“I am honored to lead an office comprised of public servants who are dedicated to the shared mission of pursuing justice,” said United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “I want to thank each and every one of these individuals for their selfless and unwavering service during the course of the partial government shutdown.”

 

 

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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 OMAR KASHAKA TAYLOR a/k/a “Shaka,” 44, for sex trafficking two victims, including one minor victim. Following a seven-day trial before Senior Judge Donovan W. Frank in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota, the jury found TAYLOR guilty on all counts.

“Sex trafficking is an abhorrent crime that will not be tolerated in our communities,” said United States Attorney Erica MacDonald. “Omar Taylor targeted young, Native American women and girls and coerced them into performing commercial sex acts during massages for his own financial benefit.  I commend the work of the investigators and the prosecutors in obtaining justice for the victims.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda Sertich said the convictions “should serve as a warning to those who seek to traffic and exploit vulnerable Native American girls and women.”

As proven at trial, from August 2017 through March 2018, TAYLOR, a registered sex offender, operated an illegal massage business out of his Minneapolis residence. TAYLOR recruited several young women and girls to work in his illicit massage business and then, through force, fraud, and coercion, made them perform commercial sex acts in exchange for money for his own financial benefit. TAYLOR used Backpage.com to solicit prospective clients by posting advertisements with photos of the victims, offering massage services that would include sex acts.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force, and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Manda M. Sertich and Michelle E. Jones are prosecuting this case.

 

Defendant Information:

OMAR KASHAKA TAYLOR, a/k/a “Shaka,” 44

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Sex trafficking of a minor, 1 count
• Sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, 2 counts
• Commission of a felony offense involving a minor when required to register as a sex offender, 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 plea of BARTON GEORGE SCOTT, 35, a registered sex offender, for producing child pornography. SCOTT, who was indicted on September 12, 2018, entered his guilty plea earlier today before Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in U.S. District Court in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, between April 30 and August 8, 2017, SCOTT gained unauthorized access to the Snapchat accounts of dozens of victims, including minors between 14-16 years of age. In several cases, SCOTT used threats and extortionate tactics in an attempt to obtain sexually explicit images and videos from the victims.

Based on the evidence obtained in this case, authorities believe there may be additional victims of this alleged conduct. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the FBI at (763) 569-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the New Richmond Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, the Stillwater Police Department, the Spring Green Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine T. Buzicky is prosecuting the case.

 

Defendant Information:

BARTON GEORGE SCOTT, 35

City of residence unknown

Convicted:

• Production of child pornography, 1 count
• Penalties for registered sex offenders, 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 PISANU SUKHTIPYAROGE, a/k/a “Pat,” 72, owner of the Royal Orchid Restaurant, to 42 months in prison for visa fraud and alien harboring. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“This defendant not only violated our immigration laws, he exploited a young, vulnerable victim for his own financial and sexual benefit,” said Assistant United States Attorney Laura M. Provinzino. “While nothing can make the victim truly whole, the prison sentence - which was above the guideline range for his crimes - and restitution ordered by the Court represent a just outcome. Our hope is that this brave, resilient victim can finally move forward.”

“This individual used his knowledge of our laws to fraudulently bring the victim to our country on smoke and mirror promises of the American Dream,” said Special Agent in Charge Tracy J. Cormier, of HSI St. Paul. “Instead he used the victim for sex and forced them to work at his business without pay. HSI is proud of the work accomplished in bringing Sukhtipyaroge to justice.”

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, in July 2015, SUKHTIPYAROGE assisted in the procurement of an F-1 student visa for an individual identified as A.M., a citizen of the Dominican Republic whom the defendant met and befriended. At the time, SUKHTIPYAROGE was very familiar with the F-1 student visa process and knew that an F-1 student visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that does not permit employment in the United States. SUKHTIPYAROGE used false statements in preparing the visa application and instructed A.M. as to what he should and should not say during the visa interview.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, October 19, 2015, upon arrival in the United States, A.M. lived with the defendant and the defendant’s family in Maplewood and attended Edison High School until May 2016. At some point during this time, A.M. began living and working at the Royal Orchid Restaurant in Columbia Heights. At the restaurant, A.M. was subjected to poor living and working conditions. SUKHTIPYAROGE told A.M. he would be paid $500 per month in cash for his labor; however, A.M. did not receive the promised pay each month, as SUKHTIPYAROGE deducted the costs incurred in bringing A.M. to the United States in a debt bondage scheme. A.M. also worked at SUKHTIPYAROGE’S home in Maplewood without pay. SUKHTIPYAROGE admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with A.M. shortly after he brought A.M. to the United States.

SUKHTIPYAROGE has also been charged in Anoka County with one felony count of third degree criminal sexual conduct and one felony count of labor trafficking.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.

The District of Minnesota is one of six districts designated through a competitive, nationwide selection process as a Phase II Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam), through the interagency ACTeam Initiative of the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and Labor. ACTeams focus on developing high-impact human trafficking investigations and prosecutions involving forced labor, international sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion through interagency collaboration among federal prosecutors and federal investigative agencies.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Laura M. Provinzino prosecuted the case.

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

PISANU SUKHTIPYAROGE, a/k/a “Pat,” 72

Maplewood, Minn.

Convicted:

• Visa fraud, 1 count
• Alien harboring, 1 count

 

Sentenced:

• 42 months in prison
• 3 years of supervised release
• Restitution ordered – amount to be determined at a later date

 

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