District of New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his participation in a scheme involving a network of individuals who used stolen payment card information in New Jersey and throughout the United States, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Albert Miller, 29, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini. Judge Martini imposed the sentence this morning in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Miller participated in a network of individuals who obtained stolen payment card information and utilized the information to make fraudulent purchases throughout the United States. Miller previously acknowledged that he recruited so-called “travelers,” who carried out the scheme. Miller personally profited from each of his recruits’ illicit transactions. Miller also acknowledged providing stolen payment card and other personal information to other members of the scheme to facilitate additional fraudulent transactions.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martini also sentenced Miller to one year of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $1.43 million.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents with the U.S. Secret Service, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Mark McKevitt with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man today admitted to his role in a wire fraud conspiracy which defrauded the State of New Jersey of over $19 million in motor fuel tax, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Roman Sobolevsky, 61, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between June 2019 and July 2020, Sobolevsky was the president of a Brooklyn-based motor fuel distribution company, identified in court documents as “Company-1.” Company-1 purchased motor fuel from a Texas-based motor fuel supplier (Fuel Supplier-1) at fuel terminals in Newark and Sewaren, New Jersey. Sobolevsky and others devised a scheme to falsely represent to Fuel Supplier-1 that Company-1 was delivering fuel to gas stations in Delaware, when, in fact, Company-1 was delivering fuel to gas stations in New Jersey. By doing so, Sobolevsky and Company-1 avoided paying New Jersey state fuel tax, which did not apply to fuel delivered outside of New Jersey. After Company-1’s fuel trucks picked up the fuel from Fuel Supplier-1, Sobolevsky directed the drivers to deliver the fuel to gas stations in New Jersey and not Delaware. The New Jersey gas station owners, knowing that Sobolevsky falsely represented to Fuel Supplier-1 that the fuel was being delivered to Delaware, purchased fuel from Sobolevsky and Company-1 at a lower price than other distributors. As a result, Sobolevsky and avoided paying approximately $19 million in motor fuel taxes owed to the State of New Jersey.

The conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.  Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the directions of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, and the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Taxation, Office of Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Supervising Special Agent Marijane Lamattina, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Amore of the Government Fraud Unit in Newark.

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey today filed a complaint and a proposed consent decree with the State of New Jersey and New Jersey Department of Corrections concerning the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.

The proposed consent decree, which must still be approved by the court, would resolve the United States’ claims that that the State and the Department of Corrections fails to protect prisoners at Edna Mahan from sexual abuse by the facility’s staff in violation of the U.S. Constitution. 

Under the proposed consent decree, the New Jersey Department of Corrections will, among other things, implement policies and practices to ensure that prisoners are protected from harm due to sexual abuse through appropriate prisoner supervision; effective and confidential methods for reporting of sexual abuse; and protections against retaliation for reporting sexual abuse. The proposed consent decree includes improved measures to ensure staff are held accountable for misconduct. It also requires greater transparency, through public meetings with stakeholders, including former Edna Mahan prisoners, prisoner advocates and family members of current Edna Mahan prisoners. The proposed consent decree also appoints an independent monitor who will oversee and assess the State’s compliance with the terms of the proposed consent decree. If the State of New Jersey closes Edna Mahan, the consent decree applies to any facility that replaces the prison.

“Every prisoner deserves to be safe from sexual assault and other forms of sexual abuse by staff, and to be protected from retaliation for reporting abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Our agreement addresses the systemic issues that have plagued the Edna Mahan facility, ensures that women incarcerated there will receive the basic protections they are entitled to under the Constitution, and requires accountability through public transparency. We will keep working to protect the civil rights, safety and human dignity of all prisoners held inside our jails and prisons, including women prisoners, many of whom have suffered physical and sexual abuse before their incarceration.”

“Our civil rights investigation revealed systemic and long-standing deficiencies in training, supervision, and reporting at Edna Mahan, deficiencies that allowed the sexual abuse of prisoners to occur unabated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig for the District of New Jersey. “The State of New Jersey now has agreed to remediate these deficiencies by entering into this consent decree, and we look forward to continuing to work with the State and the Department of Corrections to ensure that no prisoner faces this kind of abuse in the future, whether at Edna Mahan or any other facility that might replace it.”

The Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of New Jersey initiated the investigation in April 2018 under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, known as CRIPA, which authorizes the department to take action to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional rights of individuals confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities. In April 2020, the department provided the State written notice of the alleged unlawful conditions and remedial measures necessary to address them. Specifically, the department concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that Edna Mahan violated the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution by failing to protect prisoners from sexual abuse by staff.

Individuals with information relevant to department’s investigation of Edna Mahan are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice via email at Community.EdnaMahan@usdoj.gov or by phone at 833-341-4675. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt. To learn more about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey, additional information is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement.

NEWARK, N.J.  – The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division today filed a complaint and a proposed consent decree with the state of New Jersey and New Jersey Department of Corrections concerning the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women.

The proposed consent decree, which must still be approved by the court, would resolve the United States’ claims that the state and the Department of Corrections fails to protect prisoners at Edna Mahan from sexual abuse by the facility’s staff in violation of the United States Constitution. 

Under the proposed consent decree, the New Jersey Department of Corrections will implement policies and practices to ensure that prisoners are protected from harm due to sexual abuse through appropriate prisoner supervision; effective and confidential methods for reporting of sexual abuse; and protections against retaliation for reporting sexual abuse. The proposed consent decree includes improved measures to ensure staff are held accountable for misconduct. It also requires greater transparency through public meetings with stakeholders, including former Edna Mahan prisoners, prisoner advocates, and family members of current Edna Mahan prisoners. The proposed consent decree also appoints an independent monitor who will oversee and assess the state’s compliance with the terms of the proposed consent decree. If the state of New Jersey closes Edna Mahan, the consent decree applies to any facility that replaces the prison.

“Our civil rights investigation revealed systemic and long-standing deficiencies in training, supervision, and reporting at Edna Mahan, deficiencies that allowed the sexual abuse of prisoners to occur unabated,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. “The state of New Jersey now has agreed to remediate these deficiencies by entering into this consent decree, and we look forward to continuing to work with the state and the Department of Corrections to ensure that no prisoner faces this kind of abuse in the future, whether at Edna Mahan or any other facility that might replace it.”

“Every prisoner deserves to be safe from sexual assault and other forms of sexual abuse by staff, and to be protected from retaliation for reporting abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Our agreement addresses the systemic issues that have plagued the Edna Mahan facility, ensures that women incarcerated there will receive the basic protections they are entitled to under the Constitution, and requires accountability through public transparency. We will keep working to protect the civil rights, safety and human dignity of all prisoners held inside our jails and prisons, including women prisoners, many of whom have suffered physical and sexual abuse before their incarceration.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of New Jersey and the Civil Rights Division initiated the investigation in April 2018 under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which authorizes the Department of Justice to take action to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional rights of individuals confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities. In April 2020, the Department of Justice provided the state written notice of the alleged unlawful conditions and remedial measures necessary to address them. The department concluded that there is reasonable cause to believe that Edna Mahan violated the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution by failing to protect prisoners from sexual abuse by staff.

The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Campion, Chief of the Civil Rights Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Horan Florio, Civil Rights Unit; Kerry Krentler Dean, Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section; and Helen Vera, Trial Attorney, Special Litigation Section.

Individuals with information relevant to Department’s investigation of Edna Mahan are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice via email at Community.EdnaMahan@usdoj.gov or by phone at 833-341-4675. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s reporting portal, available at www.civilrights.justice.gov.  To learn more about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey, additional information is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man with previous felony convictions today admitted illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as part of a planned revenge shooting, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Raheem Allen, 34, of Newark, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to an information charging him with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 7, 2021, Allen travelled to Jersey City, New Jersey, to gain revenge for the March 6, 2021, murder of his brother, a high-ranking member of a Jersey City street gang. Law enforcement officers obtained communications involving Allen wherein he explained his criminal purpose. As a result, law enforcement officers saw Allen arrive in Jersey City and retrieve an Intratec Tec-22 semi-automatic firearm, which was loaded with approximately 25 rounds of ammunition. Law enforcement immediately apprehended Allen as he was readying to enter a vehicle. Law enforcement officers recovered the firearm, additional boxes of ammunition, and a quantity of cocaine. During post-arrest questioning, Allen admitted that he came to Jersey City to “kill a lot of people” due to the murder of his brother.

Allen has previously been convicted of felony offenses, including robbery and possession of controlled substances.

The firearms offense to which Allen pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The drug offense carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; special agents and task force officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez; and the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith R. Travers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County man today admitted his role in a scheme to steal prescription HIV medication from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Wagner Checonolasco, aka “Wanny,” 34, of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiring to steal government property. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From August 2017 through Nov. 20, 2019, Checonolasco conspired with Lisa M. Hoffman and others to steal HIV medication belonging to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Hoffman allegedly stole the medication from the pharmacy of her employer, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in East Orange, New Jersey, and then sold the stolen medication to Checonolasco for cash. Hoffman used her position as a procurement official at the VAMC to order large quantities of HIV prescription medications so that she could steal the excess medication and then sell it to Checonolasco, who then resold it for a profit. Checonolasco and Hoffman stole approximately $8.2 million worth of HIV medication belonging to the VAMC.

The conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.  Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2021.

Hoffman, 48, of Orange, New Jersey, was previously charged in a three-count indictment with conspiracy, theft of government property, and theft of medical products. Those charges remain pending, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole F. Mastropieri of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark. 

NEWARK, N.J. – A Sussex county man appeared in court today on charges that he possessed an arsenal of weapons, ammunition, and marijuana, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Joseph Rubino, 59, of Lafayette Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On July 24, 2019, following a motor vehicle accident, officers with the New Jersey State Police observed numerous weapons and ammunition inside Rubino’s crashed vehicle. After executing court-authorized search warrants on Rubino’s vehicle and residence, law enforcement recovered an arsenal of weapons and ammunition from Rubino’s car and house, including:

• An Intratec Arms Model TEC-DC9 semi-automatic assault handgun;
• A Cobray Arms Mac-11 9mm semi-automatic assault pistol with a high capacity magazine;
• A Keltec CMR30 .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle loaded with sixteen (16) .22 caliber hollow-point cartridges;
• A High Standard Derringer .22 caliber double-barrel handgun;
• A Polymer 80 9mm semi-automatic handgun;
• An Ithaca M-66 20-gauge single shotgun;
• A Remington Model 700 .223 caliber bold action rifle with scope;
• A Thompson Center .50 caliber muzzle-loading rifle with scope;
• A Remington Model 870 Wingmaster 12-gauge pump shotgun;
• A New England Firearms 20-gauge single shot shotgun;
• A Remington Model 760 .300 Savage pump rifle;
• A Glenfield Mod 60 .22 LR caliber semi-automatic rifle;
• Two sawed-off double-barrel shotgun barrels
• Several high-capacity magazines;
• Numerous silencers;
• An assault rifle scope;
• A grenade launcher;
• A ballistics vest; and
• Numerous additional ammunitions of various calibers

 

In addition to the firearms and ammunition, law enforcement recovered approximately 2.5 kilograms of marijuana from Rubino’s house.

The count of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross profits or other proceeds to the defendant, whichever is greatest. The count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or pecuniary loss, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. She also thanked the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Richard T. Burke, and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Francis A. Koch for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Naazneen Khan of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a proposed consent decree to settle a voting rights lawsuit with the State of New Jersey and state officials.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit, brought under Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), challenges the failure of disability transportation programs in the State of New Jersey — including NJ Transit Access Link and county-based Community Transportation programs — to provide voter registration opportunities to their customers. 

The proposed consent decree was filed in federal court in conjunction with a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. The department’s complaint alleges that the State of New Jersey failed to designate offices in the State that provide paratransit and other state-funded disability transportation services as voter registration agencies. Under the NVRA, these offices must distribute a voter registration application to each person who applies for their services, and along with each recertification, renewal or change of address form relating to such services, unless the person involved declines in writing to register to vote. They must also assist applicants in completing voter registration applications, and they must accept completed voter registration applications for transmittal to appropriate state election officials. However, NJ Transit Access Link and Community Transportation programs have not been providing the voter registration opportunities guaranteed by the NVRA. 

“Part of our ongoing effort to ensure access to the ballot includes ensuring that social service and disability agencies are providing registration opportunities as required under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The National Voter Registration Act is a vital tool to ensure that citizens with disabilities have convenient and accessible opportunities to register to vote. It is critical that all citizens have unfettered access to voter registration opportunities. I am pleased that the State of New Jersey has worked with the Department of Justice to help ensure that citizens with disabilities will have broad access to the voter registration opportunities that federal law guarantees.”

“The right to vote is a constitutional principle that forms a cornerstone of our democracy,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig for the District of New Jersey. “The National Voter Registration Act enhances citizens’ access to that democratic process by increasing voter registration opportunities. We appreciate that the State of New Jersey has worked with us to ensure that all New Jersey residents, including those with disabilities, enjoy convenient opportunities to register to vote.”

The department gave notice to the State of New Jersey of its intent to bring suit under the National Voter Registration Act on March 11, 2021, and the parties worked collaboratively to achieve this agreement.  Under the parties’ consent decree — and subject to approval by the federal district court in New Jersey — New Jersey will designate NJ Transit Access Link and Community Transportation as voter registration agencies. New Jersey will also conduct robust implementation and oversight efforts and will afford supplemental voter registration opportunities to existing Access Link clients. 

More information about the National Voter Registration Act and other federal voting rights laws is available on the Department of Justice website at https:www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at http://www.justice.gov/crt. 

NEWARK, N.J. – The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a proposed consent decree to settle a voting rights lawsuit with the State of New Jersey and state officials.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit, brought under Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act, challenges the failure of disability transportation offices in the State of New Jersey – including NJ Transit Access Link and county-based Community Transportation programs – to provide voter registration opportunities to their customers. 

The proposed consent decree was filed in federal court in conjunction with a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department. The Department’s complaint alleges that the State of New Jersey failed to designate offices in the state that provide paratransit and other state-funded disability transportation services as voter registration agencies. Designated voter registration agencies that provide disability services must distribute a voter registration application with each application for such services, and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to such services, unless the applicant declines in writing to register to vote. They must also assist applicants in completing voter registration applications and accept completed voter registration applications for transmittal to appropriate state election officials. NJ Transit Access Link and Community Transportation programs do not provide the voter registration opportunities guaranteed by the National Voter Registration Act. 

“The right to vote is a constitutional principle that forms a cornerstone of our democracy,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig of the District of New Jersey said. “The National Voter Registration Act enhances citizens’ access to that democratic process by increasing voter registration opportunities. We appreciate that the State of New Jersey has worked with us to ensure that all New Jersey residents, including those with disabilities, enjoy convenient opportunities to register to vote.”

“Part of our ongoing effort to ensure access to the ballot includes ensuring that social service and disability agencies are providing registration opportunities as required under federal law,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “The National Voter Registration Act is a vital tool to ensure that citizens with disabilities have convenient and accessible opportunities to register to vote. It is critical that all citizens have unfettered access to voter registration opportunities. I am pleased that the State of New Jersey has worked with the Department of Justice to help ensure that citizens with disabilities will have broad access to the voter registration opportunities that federal law guarantees.”

The Department gave notice to the State of New Jersey of its intent to bring suit under the National Voter Registration Act on March 11, 2021, and the parties worked collaboratively to achieve this agreement. Under the parties’ consent decree – subject to approval by the federal district court in New Jersey – the state will designate NJ Transit Access Link and Community Transportation as voter registration agencies. New Jersey will also conduct robust implementation and oversight efforts and will afford supplemental voter registration opportunities to existing Access Link clients. 

More information about the National Voter Registration Act and other federal voting rights laws is available on the Department of Justice website at https:www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. To learn more about civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey, additional information is available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement.

The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Campion, Civil Rights Unit Chief; Richard A. Dellheim, Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section; Daniel J. Freeman, Trial Attorney, Voting Section; and Rachel Evans, Trial Attorney, Voting Section.

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey gas station manager was charged today in connection with entering fraudulent charges on fuel credit cards assigned to at least four Amtrak vehicles, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Umer Hassan Mir, 39, of South Amboy, is charged by complaint with knowingly and intentionally stealing and converting to his own use approximately $9,600 in money of a department or agency of the United States. He is also charged with making false statements to federal law enforcement. Mir appeared by videoconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and was released on $20,000.   

According to the complaint:

From July 29, 2019, through Aug. 3, 2021, while working as a manager and attendant at a Delta gas station, in Metuchen, New Jersey, Mir caused numerous fraudulent fuel charges to be entered on fuel credit cards leased by the General Services Administration (GSA) and assigned to Amtrak vehicles. Amtrak employees using GSA vehicles are instructed to purchase regular unleaded fuel and provide accurate odometer readings when they are fueling their assigned vehicles with their fuel credit cards. The fraud was initially discovered when a GSA loss prevention technician discovered dozens of fuel credit card charges that exceeded the associated Amtrak vehicle’s fuel tank capacity, along with premium fuel transactions, and non-sequential odometer entries. Additional fuel credit cards assigned to Amtrak vehicles were discovered to have been compromised by fraudulent fuel charges at the Delta gas station.

The fraudulent charges were entered at the Delta gas station by Mir, who would manually enter information regarding fuel credit cards collected during legitimate fuel transactions electronically into the point-of-sale terminal. Immediately following certain false fuel transactions, Mir withdrew cash in the amount of the fraudulent transaction from the gas station’s cash register.

Mir made false statements to law enforcement when questioned about his presence at the gas station during one of the recent fraudulent transactions.

The theft charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison while the false statement charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years. Each charge carries a maximum $250,000 fine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Amtrak, Office of Inspector General, Eastern Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Waters; the General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dattoria; and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Metuchen Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police David Irizarry, for its assistance.

The government is represented by Senior Trial Counsel Leslie Faye Schwartz, of the U.S. Attorneys’ Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cari Fais, Chief of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A local youth wrestling coach was arrested today on a charge of receipt and distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Alec Donovan, 24, of Brick, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with receipt and distribution of child pornography. He appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Donovan used a messaging application to share videos containing child pornography over the Internet. From January 2021 through March 2021, Donovan sent three videos containing images of child sexual abuse and received two videos containing images of child sexual abuse via the web-based messaging application. The videos Donovan sent and received depicted sexual acts involving pre-pubescent children.  

Donovan also used the web-based messaging application to solicit and engage in conversations with minors, including requesting nude photographs from the minors and sending nude photographs to them.

The charge of receipt and distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI’s Newark Field Office is asking anyone with information related to this case or who may be a victim to contact them at NK-Victim-Assistance@FBI.gov.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole F. Mastropieri of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Shawn Barnes of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. –  A Union County resident was charged with possessing three firearms, as well as possessing with intent to distribute narcotics, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Orlando Perez, 38, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Perez appeared by videoconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and was detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Dec. 10, 2020, law enforcement officers lawfully searched Perez’s residence and recovered the following: one .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver loaded with five rounds of .38 caliber ammunition; a .45 caliber Harrington and Richardson semiautomatic carbine; a 20 gauge Browning shotgun; three magazines; approximately 1,500 rounds of ammunition; as well as heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine pills, and drug paraphernalia.

The narcotics offense carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1 million. The felon in possession of firearms and ammunition charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; and officers of the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl Graves, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey E. Zyriek Enriquez of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

CAMDEN, N.J. – Two Indian nationals today admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud by accepting illegally obtained wire transfers from victims across the country totaling over $600,000, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Zeeshan Khan, 22, and Maaz Ahmed Shamsi, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph Rodriguez in Camden federal court to an information charging each with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

As part of an international fraud scheme, criminal India-based call centers utilized automated robocalls to victims with the intent of defrauding U.S. residents, particularly the elderly. After establishing contact with victims through these automated calls, other members of the conspiracy would coerce or trick the victims into sending large sums of cash through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members of the conspiracy, including Shamsi and Khan. These conspirators used a variety of schemes to convince victims to send money, including impersonating government officials from agencies such as the Social Security Administration, or impersonating law enforcement officers from the FBI or Drug Enforcement Administration, and threatened victims with severe legal or financial consequences if they did not comply. Another method utilized by the callers involved convincing the victims they were speaking with someone from a tech support company and coercing the victims into granting the caller remote access to their personal computers, and through that, to the victims’ bank accounts.  By manipulating the victims’ bank accounts, the caller would convince the victims that an overpayment was made to the victims and ultimately instruct them to send money by way of mail or wire transfer to other members of the conspiracy, including Shamsi and Khan. 

As part of this scheme, Shamsi and Khan are charged with receiving fraudulent wire transfers from 19 victims across the country totaling approximately $618,000. 

The conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the amount of the loss, whichever is greatest. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General Office of Investigations, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John F. Grasso; and special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Field Office – El Dorado Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh, with the investigation leading to the charges. 

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Meriah Russell of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Camden. 

NEWARK, N.J. – An Indian national was arrested today in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain at least $2.3 million from elderly victims by impersonating fraud prevention representatives from United States banks, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Ashish Bajaj, 28, of India, is charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe L. Webster in federal court in the Middle District of North Carolina and was detained pending his initial appearance in the District of New Jersey.

“As alleged in the complaint, this defendant and his co-conspirators took advantage of elderly victims by posing as trusted bank employees who could help the victims catch fraudsters. In fact, the defendant and his co-conspirators were the fraudsters,” Acting U.S. Attorney Honig stated. “Detecting and preventing elder fraud continues to be a priority for this Office, whether the defendants reside in the United States or operate out of call centers located overseas. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will track them down and bring them to justice.” 

“Unfortunately, it has become a regular occurrence for our citizens to be duped into giving up their hard-earned money by someone pretending to work for a bank, a fraud detection company, or even a law enforcement agency,” Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. said. “These unscrupulous schemers keep evolving and push every button until they hit the one that will earn them the confidence of their victims or one that they can use to scare and intimidate. While the FBI will continue its relentless pursuit of scammers, the public’s best defense is to remain aware and take extra precautions before handing over money, such as by checking, first, with the supposed entity on the other end of the line. If you have an elderly loved one, educate them so they won’t become the next victim.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From at least as early as in or around April 2020 through in or around July 2021, Bajaj and his co-conspirators received at least $2.3 million in fraudulently obtained funds by impersonating fraud prevention representatives from banks located in the United States.  Bajaj and his co-conspirators targeted elderly victims.  They told the victims that they worked at a “hub” for multiple financial institutions’ fraud departments and they were reaching out because the victims’ bank accounts had been hacked. 

Bajaj and the co-conspirators then asked the victims to assist with their fraud prevention efforts by setting up “sting” operations to catch the fraudsters who had allegedly hacked the victims’ bank accounts.  The requested assistance included initiating various wire transactions to various bank accounts, including bank accounts in India, ultimately resulting in a loss to the victims.  Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement has identified multiple victims of this scheme, including victims in New Jersey and California.

The count of wire fraud conspiracy is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and intelligence analysts of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark.  She also thanked the FBI Charlotte Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Robert R. Wells, for its assistance leading to Bajaj’s arrest.

Additional victims associated with Bajaj’s conduct may reach out to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or visit www.fbi.gov.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. -  A Hudson County, New Jersey, man today admitted possessing with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Hason Armfield, 43, of Jersey City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an indictment charging him with possessing with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Armfield’s residence was searched as part of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Jersey City Police Department. Law enforcement officers found heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.  

The charge to which Armfield pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited agents and task force officers of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, and members of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. 

This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department, for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of violent offenders who endanger the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, the U.S. Marshals, the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole Board, the Hudson County Jail, and the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man today admitted illegally possessing a firearm and conspiring to defraud two banks of $250,000 using stolen credit cards and blank checks, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Tamir Duval, 22, of Newark, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an indictment charging him with one count of illegal possession of a firearm, and to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On July 27, 2020, Duval unlawfully possessed a Taurus PT740 semi-automatic handgun loaded with seven hollow nose rounds of ammunition. The firearm had been reported stolen from Gastonia, Georgia. Duval was previously convicted in Essex County Superior Court of receiving stolen property, a felony under state law.

From August 2018 through January 2020, Duval and others engaged in a scheme to use stolen credit cards and checks to fraudulently make purchases and withdraw money from two banks, leaving the banks to bear the losses of the scheme.

The credit cards and blank checks were stolen from various New Jersey-based postal facilities and never reached their intended recipients. Duval and his conspirators use the credit cards and checks to make unauthorized purchases at various retail stores and withdraw cash from automated teller machines (ATMs) in New Jersey and elsewhere. Duval and his conspirators altered the date, payee, and amount of the stolen checks prior to deposit and then fraudulently withdrew money at various ATMs from third-party account holders’ accounts.

Five of Duval’s conspirators – Nasheed Jackson, Alexander Varice, Dashawn Duncan, Allen Varice, and Qshaun Brown-Guinyard – previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing.

The charge of illegal possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 20, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis Bindi; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins in Newark; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in a carjacking in which a firearm was brandished, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Jared Walker, 24, of Newark, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to a three-count indictment charging him with carjacking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Walker remains detained pending sentencing. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Jan. 6, 2020, the driver of a 2008 Ford E-350 van was carjacked at gunpoint in Newark. Walker approached the van, which was parked in Newark, and drove it away while the victim was still inside. Walker brandished a firearm during the carjacking. The victim ultimately escaped from the vehicle, and Walker was apprehended a short time later. When law enforcement recovered the gun, officers discovered that it was loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. In 2015, Walker was convicted of unlawful possession of a handgun in New Jersey Superior Court – a felony offense – and is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.     

The carjacking charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison. The charge of possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison. The brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of seven years, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on the other charges. Each of the charged offenses also carries a maximum potential fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2021. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch in Newark, and officers of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha C. Fasanello of the Violent Crimes Unit.

NEWARK, N.J. – A pharmacy employee today admitted to conspiring to offer and pay bribes and kickbacks in exchange for having prescriptions steered to the Morris County, New Jersey pharmacy where she worked, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Magdalena “Maggie” Jimenez, 56, of Newark, New Jersey pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to an information charging her with conspiring to violate the federal anti-kickback statute.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Jimenez worked as a pharmacy technician and sales representative for a pharmacy located in Morris County, New Jersey. From at least August 2019 to February 2020, Jimenez worked with other pharmacy personnel to pay kickbacks and bribes to a doctor’s employee in exchange for receiving numerous prescriptions from that doctor’s Jersey City office. Jimenez paid up to $150 for each prescription steered to the pharmacy, which resulted in monthly kickback payments of up to $2,500 cash. When Jimenez discussed the kickbacks and bribes, she instructed others to communicate in coded language. As a result of the scheme, the pharmacy received reimbursement payments from Medicare of approximately $539,000.

The conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss derived from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 7, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, and special agents with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Mahoney.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Haber of the Health Care Fraud Unit.                                            

Defense counsel: Peter Guadagnino, Esq., New York, NY

NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man admitted today to conspiring to commit bank fraud by soliciting U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees to steal check books from the mail and depositing fraudulent checks, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Brian Previlon, 28, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Beginning in summer 2019 through Oct. 22, 2019, Previlon conspired to fraudulently obtain money from victim financial institutions by, among other things, depositing checks stolen from the mail into accounts at victim financial institutions and withdrawing funds from those accounts before the victim financial institutions identified the fraudulent checks and blocked further withdrawals. Previlon and his co-conspirators arranged for USPS employees to steal blank check books from the mail in exchange for cash payments. USPS employees provided the checks to Previlon and his co-conspirators, who fraudulently forged the signatures of the accountholders and negotiated the checks by making them payable to individuals. Previlon and his co-conspirators obtained and attempted to obtain approximately $38,364 from victim financial institutions.

The conspiracy charge to which Previlon pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2021.   

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins, and special agents with the USPS-Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, with the investigation leading to today’s plea. She also thanked the U.S. Secret Service, the New Jersey State Police, the Elizabeth Police Department, and the Secaucus Police Department for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine K. Lou of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Georgina Giordano Pallitto Esq., Newark

TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County, New Jersey, man today admitted attempting to interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder when he attempted to set fire to a police vehicle during a riot in the City of Trenton, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Earlja J. Dudley, 28, of Trenton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On May 31, 2020, large-scale protests were held throughout the United States, including in Trenton, in response to the death of George Floyd. Although the May 31st protest in Trenton was peaceful earlier in the day, violence erupted later. A group of individuals proceeded down East State Street in downtown Trenton and began to riot, smashing store fronts, looting stores, and attacking multiple marked Trenton Police Department vehicles parked on the 100 Block of East State Street.

A City of Trenton street camera and other video footage taken by an individual present on the street captured Earlja Dudley and an unidentified male open the hood of a police vehicle.  Dudley was then joined by another unidentified male who ignited an object that Dudley was holding.  Dudley then placed the flaming object into the engine well of the police vehicle attempting to set the police vehicle on fire.  Law enforcement later identified Dockery through analysis of street camera and other video footage and he was arrested on Aug. 5, 2020.

Dudley pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce, on May 19, 2021.

The charge of attempting to interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder to which Dudley has now pleaded guilty pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.  

Dudley is the fourth of four individuals charged in connection with the May 31, 2020 protest in Trenton, New Jersey to have entered a guilty plea.  Defendant Killian F Melecio was sentenced in June of 2021 to a term of 28 months imprisonment and three years supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti.  Defendants Kadeem A. Dockery and Justin D. Spry and are scheduled to be sentenced in September and October, 2021. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. She also thanked officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Steve E. Wilson; troopers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; and officers of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, under the direction of Commissioner Marcus O. Hicks, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Michelle S. Gasparian of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.            

Defense counsel: Lisa Van Hoeck., Trenton, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was arrested yesterday on charges of illegally possessing a handgun, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Lamont Nelson, 26, of Newark, New Jersey is charged by complaint with one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is scheduled to appear this afternoon by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge André Espinosa.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On or about October 8, 2020, detectives from the Newark Police Department encountered Nelson on the sidewalk as he appeared nervous and touched a black bag on his shoulder. Law enforcement observed the handle of a firearm inside of the bag. Law enforcement recovered a Colt model Pocket Positive .32 Caliber 6-shot revolver, bearing serial number 81259, loaded with six (6) rounds of .32 caliber ammunition from the bag. Nelson is a convicted felon and not permitted to possess a handgun under federal law.

The maximum penalty for illegal possession of the firearm is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor; and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Tsakopoulos Saker and Edeli Rivera of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s OCDETF Unit.

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

Defense Counsel: Laura Sayler, Assistance Federal Public Defender, Newark

NEWARK, N.J. – A Suffolk County, New York admitted today to illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Keith Richter, a/k/a “Conan,” 62, of Bay Shore, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an Information charging him with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Richter is the national president of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club (the “Pagans”)—an outlaw motorcycle gang known by law enforcement to engage in illegal activity including narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and violent crimes. 

On or about February 20, 2021, the Pagans hosted a party in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  While Richter was traveling from the party to his home in Suffolk County, New York, law enforcement pulled the vehicle over in Mercer County, New Jersey.  Law enforcement recovered a loaded Ruger P345 .45 caliber handgun from a front-seat compartment in the vehicle.  As a result, law enforcement obtained a warrant for Richter’s arrest, which was executed on February 26, 2021. 

Richter was previously convicted of felony offenses, including conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated assault in aid of racketeering, for which he served a sixteen-year term of imprisonment.

The offense to which Richter pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3. 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor; special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Timothy D. Sini; the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of William A. Daniel; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensured that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Frazer, R. Joseph Gribko, and Samantha C. Fasanello, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

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Defense counsel:  James R. Froccaro, Jr., Esq., Port Washington, New York

NEWARK, N.J. – Dashawn Duncan, 27, of South Orange, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his role in conspiring to defraud two banks of $250,000 using stolen credit cards and blank checks, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Duncan, and coconspirators Nasheed Jackson, 24, of Newark, and Alexander Varice, 22, of South Orange, previously pleaded guilty by video before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to Informations charging each of them with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge Wigenton imposed Duncan’s sentence today via video conference. Jackson was sentenced to 2 years on July 22, 2021, and Varice is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7, 2021.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From August 2018 through January 2020, Varice, Jackson, and Duncan engaged in a scheme to use stolen credit cards or checks to fraudulently make purchases and withdraw money from two banks. The credit cards were stolen from facilities used by the U.S. Postal Service in Pine Brook and Warren, New Jersey, and never reached the intended cardholders. After obtaining the stolen cards, Varice, Jackson, and Duncan used them to make unauthorized purchases at various retail stores and to withdraw cash from automated teller machines (ATMs) in New Jersey and elsewhere. The blank checks were also stolen from various New Jersey-based post office facilities, and never reached their intended recipients. Varice and Jackson altered the date, payee, and amount of the stolen checks prior to deposit into a third-party account so that they could manually enter the amounts that they wanted to fraudulently withdraw from a victim bank ATM.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentence Duncan to five years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Jackson: Henry Klingeman Esq., Newark
Varice: Charles Alvarez Esq., Bloomfield, New Jersey
Duncan: K. Anthony Thomas Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

NEWARK, N.J. – A Connecticut woman today admitted to engaging in a conspiracy to divert over $546,000 in customer payments owed to her former employers for personal use, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Melissa Corso, 50, of Groton, Connecticut, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From February 2013 through September 2018, Corso conspired and agreed with a former co-worker, Joseph Spaccavento, to divert customer payments owed to their former employers, the Victim Company and the Predecessor Victim Company (collectively, the “Victim Companies”), for their own personal use and benefit. Corso instructed certain customers of the Victim Companies to submit their payments to a PayPal account, registered in Spaccavento’s name and associated with Corso’s work email address, over which Corso exercised control (the “Scheme Account”). In reality, the Scheme Account was not authorized by the Victim Companies to receive these payments.

Corso and Spaccavento caused withdrawals to be made from the Scheme Account and diverted the funds to the personal PayPal accounts of Corso, Spaccavento, and others. Corso and Spaccavento also caused transfers of funds to be made from the Scheme Account to various commercial retailers to pay for personal expenses. Purchases from these commercial retailers were shipped to the home and work addresses of Corso, Spaccavento, and others. By fraudulently diverting funds for their personal gain, Corso caused the Victim Companies losses of approximately $516,857 over the course of the conspiracy. In addition, Corso continued to divert the funds of the Victim Company after Spaccavento left the Victim Company in or about September 2018, causing additional losses to the Victim Company in the amount of approximately $29,735.

Corso was previously arrested on February 5, 2021 and charged by criminal complaint with two counts of wire fraud. Spaccavento previously pleaded guilty to a one-count Information charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud on May 3, 2021 and is currently awaiting sentencing.

The conspiracy to commit wire fraud count is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for December 8, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Kozar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: John Yauch, Esq., Newark, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man, previously convicted of multiple felonies, admitted today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing narcotics with intent to distribute, and possessing the firearm in furtherance of narcotics trafficking, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Lamont West, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an Indictment charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and one count of using the firearm in furtherance of the narcotics trafficking.

According to documents filed in this case and the statements made in court:

On October 17, 2016, officers of the Newark Police Department received a tip that West, who was wanted by the police in connection with an unrelated alleged shooting, was hiding out at a hotel in Harrison, New Jersey. The officers placed West under arrest outside of the hotel and obtained a search warrant for the room in which he was staying. Inside the room, the officers found a loaded .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, two extra magazines containing additional ammunition, approximately 730 glassine envelopes of heroin mixed with fentanyl, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia, and multiple forms of identification and clothing belonging to West. West has multiple prior state convictions for, among other things, narcotics trafficking.

The offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm charged in Count One of the Indictment is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The offense of possession of heroin and fentanyl with intent to distributed charged in Count Two of the Indictment is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The offense of possessing a firearm in furtherance of the narcotics trafficking offense charged in Count Three of the Indictment carries a mandatory minimum prison term of 5 years and a maximum of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. The sentence imposed on Count Three must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed on the other two counts. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited law enforcement officers of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch, Jr. with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sammi Malek and Bruce Keller of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

Defense counsel: John Azzarello, Esq. and William Munoz, Esq., Whipple Azzarello, LLC, Morristown, NJ

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man who was previously employed by the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency (NJDCP&P) was sentenced today to 250 months in prison for producing images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Kayan Frazier, 29, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to one count of producing images of child pornography. Judge Rodriguez imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

After receiving a report of images of child sexual abuse distributed via Tumblr, law enforcement officers identified Frazier, who was then employed as a case worker at NJDCP&P as the sender. On April 12, 2019, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office obtained a search warrant for Frazier’s residence and, while executing the warrant, observed Frazier in the company of an underage boy. Law enforcement officers recovered thousands of additional images of child sexual abuse on Frazier’s cellular telephone and other electronic media, which included images of the boy taken in Frazier’s apartment. Frazier admitted that he took the images with a cellular telephone.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Frazier to a lifetime term of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI Atlantic City Resident Agency Human Trafficking Crimes Against Children Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Cary Shill; the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Scheffler; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, and the New Jersey Human Services Police, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Vondra Carrig of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Camden office.

Defense counsel: Lisa Evans Lewis Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Camden

NEWARK, N.J. – A Newark man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for his role in a carjacking in which a firearm was brandished, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced today.

Raquin Tanner, 25, of Newark, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to one count of aiding and abetting the carjacking. Judge Arleo imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. His co-defendant, Rakeem McNair, 21, of Roselle, New Jersey, also previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count each of carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the carjacking and is scheduled to be sentenced in November 2021.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Aug. 13, 2019, the victim parked her car, which she used for her work as an Uber driver, on Summer Avenue in Newark. At approximately 11:00 p.m., the victim was sitting in the driver’s seat when three males approached her car. 

Video surveillance from the scene showed that Tanner walked with the other two males around the corner. As they neared the victim’s car, Tanner spoke to the other two, then went ahead of them, looked into the passenger seat of the car, and upon seeing the lone female driver, signaled the other two males to begin the carjacking.

One of the other males pointed a firearm through the driver’s side window, opened the door and attempted to physically remove the victim from the car. A struggle ensued, and McNair went around the car to aid his conspirator in dragging the victim from the car. McNair and the unidentified male threw the victim violently to the ground and drove away with the vehicle.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Arleo sentenced Tanner to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; and special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel Robert Frazer of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel:

Tanner: Joseph R. Rubino Esq., Union, New Jersey

McNair: Lisa Mack Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

TRENTON, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man is expected to make his initial appearance today after being charged with trafficking over three kilograms of methamphetamine and illegally possessing unregistered firearms as a previously convicted felon, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Nicholas Layton, 41, of Mount Holly, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more methamphetamine, three counts of unlawful possession of unregistered firearms and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He is scheduled to appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Arpert.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in Court:

In December 2018, Layton and an unnamed conspirator were driving separate vehicles from Arizona back to New Jersey. Both vehicles were the subject of a motor vehicle stop in Crawford County, Arkansas. Subsequent investigation revealed that the conspirator’s vehicle contained four wrapped bundles of suspected narcotics, later confirmed to be approximately three kilograms of methamphetamine. According to receipts located in both vehicles, Layton rented both cars and the cars traveled together through multiple states before being stopped in Arkansas. Both Layton and his conspirator were charged by the State of Arkansas in connection with the methamphetamine; Layton was released by authorities.

In May and June of 2019, Layton sold methamphetamine on three separate occasions to confidential informants under the surveillance of law enforcement in Pemberton and Mount Holly, New Jersey.

On July 17, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Layton’s residence in Mount Holly where they located:

1) a black “AR” style, 5.56 x 45mm semi-automatic rifle, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a Privately Made Firearm (“PMF”);

2) a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a PMF;

3) a firearm silencer, having no visible serial number, which law enforcement later determined was a PMF; and

4) eight “M-Class” explosive devices

On July 17, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at another residence associated with Layton in Southampton, New Jersey, where they located: 5) a Norcino, SKS type, 762 caliber, semi-automatic rifle (the “Norcino”), bearing serial number 244931DUP;

6) a 12-gauge caliber Browning shotgun (the “Browning”), bearing serial number 13324 S69; and

7) nine “M-Class” explosive devices

Layton was not found at either location during the execution of the search warrants. On or about Aug. 4, 2019, Layton was found at a residence in Marlton, New Jersey. At the time of his arrest, Layton was found in possession of approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine and an additional explosive device.
The conspiracy and the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine counts are punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a fine of $10 million; the possession of an unregistered firearm is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000; and the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark; the DEA Fort Smith Post of Duty under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley, Arkansas; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C, Taylor, Newark Field Division; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina; and officers of the Arkansas State Police, under the direction of Chief William J. Bryant, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle S. Gasparian of the Criminal Division in Trenton

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

Defense counsel: Brian P. Reilly, Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton

NEWARK, N.J. – A Trenton, New Jersey woman today admitted distributing fentanyl that caused the death of a Monmouth county woman, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Tarashanna Blake, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an information charging her with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl relating to the overdose death of a Monmouth County woman.

According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On May 15, 2018, a 39-year old woman from Englishtown, referred to in court as Victim-1, texted Blake seeking to buy heroin. Blake and Victim-1 discussed the “stamp” or “brand” of heroin Blake was selling and the purchase price. They agreed to meet at a location around Englishtown to complete the sale. Blake obtained the “CAMEL”-stamped heroin and traveled to the agreed upon location and sold to Victim-1 a controlled substance packaged like heroin, which was later determined to be fentanyl. That afternoon, Englishtown police responded to a location in Englishtown on a report of an overdose death of a female. Upon their arrival, Englishtown police discovered Victim-1, and in Victim-1’s possession were several wax folds of suspected heroin stamped “CAMEL” and empty wax folds stamped “CAMEL.” Laboratory analysis of these wax folds bearing the “CAMEL” stamp determined the substance to be fentanyl, a much more potent narcotic than heroin. An autopsy of Victim-1 found her cause of death to be acute fentanyl toxicity.

For distributing and possessing fentanyl, Blake faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine, and, because the offense resulted in death, she is subject to significant sentencing enhancements. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey; the Englishtown Police Department, under the direction of Peter S. Cooke Jr.; and Trenton Police Department’s Narcotics Task Force, under the direction of Acting Police Director Steve Wilson, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan L. O’Neill, of the Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit.

NEWARK, N.J. – One Essex County correctional officer, two sergeants, and one lieutenant were indicted for civil rights violations in connection with the assault of a federal pretrial detainee, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Officer Damion James, 41, was charged with assaulting the pretrial detainee in violation of his civil rights. Sgt. Herman Pride, 51, Sgt. Jennifer Whitley, 38, and Lt. Nicholas Palma, 46, were charged with failing to intervene to stop the assault. Sgt. Whitley was additionally charged with submitting a false report to cover up the assault. All four defendants will be arraigned on a date to be determined. 

According to documents filed in this case:

On the evening of Aug. 17, 2020, a federal pretrial detainee at Essex County Correctional Facility (ECCF) squirted a mixture of urine, yogurt, and milk onto a correctional officer. The detainee subsequently was transported to a disciplinary cell, where James assaulted the detainee, striking him multiple times in the body and face. Pride, Whitley, and Palma watched the assault, but none of them intervened to stop it.  

Two days after the assault, the detainee was taken to the emergency room at University Hospital in Newark. He was diagnosed with large swelling and tenderness in the right side of his face and discoloration and bruising around his right eye.

The defendants all were required to submit documentation regarding their use of force.  None of them submitted any such reports. Instead, Whitley submitted a report falsely indicating that no force had been used, when, in fact, Whitley, Pride, and Palma had watched James repeatedly assault the pretrial detainee. Officer Angel Chaparro previously pleaded guilty to his role in the submission of the false report. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; and the Essex County Correctional Facility Internal Affairs Bureau, under the direction of Director Alfaro Ortiz and the Office of the Warden, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Acting Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal.

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

CAMDEN, N.J. – A leader of a drug trafficking organization operating in southern New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested after previously being charged for his role in a drug distribution conspiracy, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Glen Long, aka “Bless,” 27, of Philadelphia, made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court later today. Long was charged in March 2021 with one count of conspiring to distribute crystal methamphetamine and heroin. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Using undercover agents, consensual recordings, controlled drug purchases, electronic surveillance, search warrants, and several court-authorized wiretaps, DEA special agents and task force officers conducted a months-long investigation of a drug trafficking organization led by Long. Long oversaw the organization and directed his conspirators to distribute large quantities of various types of drugs to others. 

Thirteen other people have been charged via criminal complaints for their roles in this drug distribution conspiracy. Each defendant, including Long, faces one count of conspiracy that is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Long also faces separate drug charges in an indictment pending in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for which he was has been ordered detained pending trial. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation leading to the charges against Long and his conspirators. She also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Division; U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Marshals Service; FBI; Bensalem Police Department; Berlin Borough Police Department; Berlin Township Police Department; Bucks County District Attorney’s Office; Camden County Prosecutor’s Office; Clayton Police Department; Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Task Force; Deptford Township Police Department; Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office; Gloucester Township Police Department; New Jersey State Police; New Jersey National Guard Counter Drug Task Force; Pennsylvania State Police; Pennsville Police Department; and Winslow Township Police Department for their assistance.This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A former pharmaceutical sales representative was charged today for his role in a scheme to defraud a telecommunications company’s health care plan by billing for medically unnecessary compounded prescriptions, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Carmine A. Mattia Jr. 60, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of health care fraud. He will have his initial appearance on a date to be determined. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Compounded medications are specialty medications mixed by a pharmacist to meet the specific medical needs of an individual patient. Although not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are properly prescribed when a physician determines that an FDA-approved medication does not meet the health needs of a particular patient, such as if a patient is allergic to a dye or other ingredients in the prescription.

The scheme centered on Mattia’s work as a sales representative for a marketing company and various compounding pharmacies, for which he sold compounded medications, including pain creams, scar creams, wound creams, and metabolic supplements/vitamins. Mattia was also a full-time employee of the telecommunications company and was a union representative for the company’s employees.

Between April 2016 and July 2016, Mattia participated in a conspiracy to submit fraudulent prescriptions for compounded medications to the telecommunications company’s health care plan. The compounding pharmacies paid Mattia a commission in exchange for each prescription for compounded medication Mattia caused to be billed to the company’s health care plan.

To fraudulently increase his profits as a sales representative, Mattia recruited Individual-1 to receive medically unnecessary compounded medications. Mattia paid Individual-1 to induce Individual-1 to receive these medications. Mattia also secured the signature of a New Jersey doctor, Robert Agresti, on prescription forms for Individual-1. Agresti and Individual-1 did not have a doctor/patient relationship, Agresti did not determine if Individual-1 needed the compounded medications selected, and he did not examine Individual-1. Agresti pleaded guilty on June 26, 2018, to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and is awaiting sentencing.

Mattia’s participation in the scheme caused a loss to the telecommunications company’s health care plan of approximately $100,000.   

The conspiracy charge and substantive health care fraud charges each carry a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma Spiro and Sean M. Sherman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A Pennsylvania doctor and his wife were charged today for their roles in schemes to solicit and receive kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering genetic tests, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.

Yitzchok “Barry” Kurtzer, 61, and Robin Kurtzer, 60, both of Monsey, New York, are charged by indictment with various counts for participating in a scheme to solicit and receive kickbacks and bribes in exchange for ordering genetic tests. Yitzchok Kurtzer is also charged with health care fraud related to the kickback scheme. Two of Yitzchok Kurtzer’s employees, Amber Harris and Shanelyn Kennedy, have each previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the kickback scheme, and Lee Besen and Kimberly Schmidt have also each previously pleaded guilty for a related cash-for-genetic tests scheme. Sentencings for each of those defendants is pending.  

According to documents filed in this case:

Yitzchok Kurtzer was a primary care physician with separate offices in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, area. Robin Kurtzer helped manage those offices. Beginning in 2018, Yitzchok Kurtzer and Robin Kurtzer solicited and received monthly cash kickbacks and bribes in exchange for collecting samples from Medicare patients and sending them for genetic tests to clinical laboratories in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The cash kickbacks ranged up to $5,000, and the Kurtzers typically accepted the cash in one of Yitzchok Kurtzer’s offices, at times behind locked doors. At one point, the Kurtzers complained that they were not getting paid enough and negotiated for higher kickbacks and bribes.

The Kurtzers were recorded receiving and discussing many of their kickback and bribe payments. After Yitzchok Kurtzer accepted a $5,000 cash kickback, he counted the money and said, “Perfect. Didn’t short me.”

The Kurtzers used their employees in the scheme, including Harris and Kennedy, who each helped collect the DNA swabs in exchange for payments to them. Robin Kurtzer was recorded admitting that Harris and Kennedy should not have to be “bribed” to do their work, but Robin Kurtzer said that she had no trouble “giving them money” as long as they produced results.

Yitzchok Kurtzer correlated genetic test swab collection to bribe and kickback payments, regardless of medical necessity. He instructed his staff to stop collecting genetic test swabs when he missed receiving a bribe and kickback payment, and he increased the volume of genetic test swabs when the kickback and bribe payments resumed. He admitted in a recording that he provided a patient false information to get the patient to agree to be swabbed for a genetic test. And unless a patient actively sought their genetic test results, Yitzchok Kurtzer failed to review or otherwise use those results.

Even as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic substantially reduced in-patient visits, the Kurtzers continued their scheme. They went from receiving hand-delivered cash kickbacks and bribes to accepting payments by wire and through a cell phone money-transfer app. Yitzchok Kurtzer also offered to pay one of his employees to collect genetic test swabs from all of his patients who lived in nursing homes.

As a result of these schemes, Medicare was billed over $1.3 million for tests generated from Yitzchok Kurtzer’s practice.

The indictment contains the following charges:

Counts

Defendants

Charge

1

Yitzchok Kurtzer

Robin Kurtzer

Kickback Conspiracy

2 – 4

Yitzchok Kurtzer

Robin Kurtzer

Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute

5 – 7

Yitzchok Kurtzer

Robin Kurtzer

Illegal Remunerations for Referrals to Laboratories

8 – 10

Yitzchok Kurtzer

Robin Kurtzer

Travel Act

11

Yitzchok Kurtzer

Health Care Fraud

The kickbacks, illegal remunerations, and health care fraud charged in Counts 2 through 7 and 11 are each punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. The kickback conspiracy and Travel Act charges in Counts 1 and 8 through 10 are each punishable by a maximum of five years in prison. All 11 counts are also punishable by a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez in Newark; and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Regional Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the FBI Scranton Field Office, FBI Philadelphia Division, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Haber of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Acting Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal.

The charges and allegations against Yitzchok Kurtzer and Robin Kurtzer are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NEWARK, N.J. – Two Newark men made their initial appearances today on gang-related narcotics distribution and firearms charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig announced.

Ronnie Holley, 32, and Shadee Holley, 31, both of Newark, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Ronnie Holley is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. They appeared by videoconference this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen and were detained.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

A set of the national Bloods Street gang known as Sex Money Murders (SMM) operates in and around Newark, New Jersey. Since 2007, members of SMM have engaged in violent disputes with other gangs, trafficked narcotics, and committed various firearms offenses. Law enforcement officials learned that Ronnie and Shadee Holley, who are brothers, were high-ranking members of SMM and operated a sophisticated narcotics distribution operation around Martin Luther King Boulevard and Spruce Street. Law enforcement officials learned that Ronnie Holley used multiple houses and multiple vehicles to store narcotics, narcotics proceeds, and firearms.

A confidential source conducted eight controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack-cocaine from Ronnie and Shadee Holley over the past few months. Those purchases totaled approximately 40 grams of suspected fentanyl, and approximately 25 grams of suspected crack-cocaine. 

The count of narcotics conspiracy is punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other charges. The count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; and special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.

This case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crime Initiative (VCI). The VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Parole, Union County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, N.J. Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney George L. Brandley of the OCEDTF Unit in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his role in conspiring to defraud two banks of $250,000 using stolen credit cards and blank checks, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Nasheed Jackson, 24, of Newark, and Alexander Varice, 22, and Dashawn Duncan, 27, both of South Orange, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to informations charging each of them with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Judge Wigenton imposed Jackson’s sentence today in Newark federal court. Duncan is scheduled to be sentenced on July 27, 2021, and Varice is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 7, 2021.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From August 2018 through January 2020, Varice, Jackson, and Duncan engaged in a scheme to use stolen credit cards or checks to fraudulently make purchases and withdraw money from two banks. The credit cards were stolen from facilities used by the U.S. Postal Service in Pine Brook and Warren, New Jersey, and never reached the intended cardholders. After obtaining the stolen cards, Varice, Jackson, and Duncan used them to make unauthorized purchases at various retail stores and to withdraw cash from automated teller machines (ATMs) in New Jersey and elsewhere. The blank checks were also stolen from various New Jersey-based post office facilities, and never reached their intended recipients. Varice and Jackson altered the date, payee, and amount of the stolen checks prior to deposit into a third-party account so that they could manually enter the amounts that they wanted to fraudulently withdraw from a victim bank ATM.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentence Jackson to five years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake Coppotelli of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J.  – The U.S. Department of Justice today launched five cross-jurisdictional strike forces to help reduce gun violence by disrupting illegal firearms trafficking in key regions across the country. Leveraging existing  resources, the regional strike forces will better ensure sustained and focused coordination across jurisdictions and help stem the supply of illegally trafficked firearms from source cities, through other communities, and into five key market regions: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento Region and Washington, D.C.

Each strike force region will be led by designated United States Attorneys, who will collaborate with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and with state and local law enforcement partners within their own jurisdiction (where firearms are used in crimes) as well as law enforcement partners in areas where illegally trafficked guns originate. These officials will use the latest data, evidence, and intelligence from crime scenes to identify patterns, leads, and potential suspects in violent gun crimes.

“All too often, guns found at crime scenes come from hundreds or even thousands of miles away. We are redoubling our efforts as ATF works with law enforcement to track the movement of illegal firearms used in violent crimes. These strike forces enable sustained coordination across multiple jurisdictions to help disrupt the worst gun trafficking corridors,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. “The Department of Justice will use all of its tools – enforcement, prevention, intervention, and investment – to help ensure the safety of our communities – the department’s highest priority.”

According to gun trace data, a significant number of firearms recovered in the New York/northern New Jersey area originate from outside the area. The new strike force will help ensure sustained and focused coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors in the New York/northern New Jersey area with their counterparts in those other locations.

“Combatting violent crime has always been a top priority of this office,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. “Because many of the firearm source locations for the New York City and northern New Jersey areas overlap with the source locations for firearms recovered in Washington, D.C., the New York and Washington area strike forces will work closely together.” 

The strike forces represent one important, concrete step in implementing the Department’s Comprehensive Violent Crime Reduction Strategy, which was announced on May 26, 2021. The comprehensive strategy supports local communities in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting gun violence and other violent crime—and requires U.S. Attorneys’ offices to work with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, as well as the communities they serve, to address the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. In guidance to federal agents and prosecutors as part of that comprehensive strategy, the Deputy Attorney General made clear that firearms traffickers providing weapons to violent offenders are an enforcement priority across the country. 

NEWARK, N.J. – A South Carolina investment fund manager was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $20 million from investors through misrepresentations about trading strategy and fund performance, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

George Heckler, 65, of Charleston, South Carolina, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with one count of securities fraud. Judge Arleo imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Heckler managed, controlled or was involved with multiple investment funds, including Conestoga Partner Holdings (Conestoga), Cassatt Short Term Trading Fund LP (Cassatt), CV Special Opportunity Fund LP (CVSO), and TA1 LLC (TA1). 

From 2014 to 2018, Heckler misrepresented to investors that he would invest their funds in particular trading strategies. Instead, he diverted their funds out of Cassatt and TA1 for purposes inconsistent with the trading strategies, including to pay out millions of dollars to other investors. Heckler also used investors’ funds to cover investment losses suffered by other funds under his management and/or control.

Heckler solicited investments from Victim-1, claiming the investments would be invested in Cassatt, which employed a “first loss” trading strategy intended to protect investors from losses. However, as of December 2013, Cassatt no longer had a brokerage account that was necessary to employ the represented trading strategy. Despite Cassatt no longer having a brokerage account, in 2014, Heckler represented to Victim-1 that Cassatt was still engaged in a first loss trading strategy and solicited Victim-1’s investment in Cassatt. In September 2014, Victim-1 invested approximately $9.1 million in Cassatt, relying on Heckler’s representation that Victim-1’s money would be invested consistent with Cassatt’s first loss trading strategy.  Heckler used $4.6 million of Victim-1’s investment to repay existing investors and the remainder to satisfy other obligations Heckler owed that were unrelated to Cassatt.

Heckler also approached Victim-2 about the possibility of creating a hedge fund that would deploy capital to first-loss traders, who would serve as the “first loss” protection for investors’ capital. In late 2015, Victim-2 formed a hedge fund, utilizing the concept proposed by Heckler (Entity-1). In 2015 and 2016, Entity-1 invested $10.1 million in TA1 via a participation agreement that provided that Entity-1’s investment would be used for an “options arbitrage dividend recapture trade,” otherwise known as the “skate trade.” In fact, none of Entity-1’s investment was used for the “skate trade.” Entity-1’s investment was used for other purposes, including repaying others who had previously invested with Heckler.

Over the course of the scheme, Heckler sent out statements to investors that misled them into believing the value of their investments was increasing, when, in fact, the value was declining. Heckler took approximately $1 million in fees and distributions from the fraudulently obtained investments for his personal use. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Arleo sentenced Heckler to three years of supervised release and ordered forfeiture of $19.25 million.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil complaint against Heckler based on the allegations underlying the securities fraud charge.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Driscoll, Philadelphia Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine R. Murphy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Paterson man with prior felony convictions today admitted illegally transporting and selling 16 firearms for over $8,000 on four occasions beginning in July 2019, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced. 

Floyd Henry, aka “HK,” 36, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to an information charging him with one count of illegally engaging in the business of dealing in firearms and four counts of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From July 15, 2019, through Sept. 25, 2019, Henry engaged in the business of dealing firearms, while not being a federally licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer.  On four occasions, in Passaic County, Henry sold or attempted to sell a total of 16 firearms, including two semi-automatic rifles, three revolvers, and 11 semi-automatic pistols, as well as over 100 rounds of ammunition, in exchange for over $8,000. Henry had purchased or obtained the firearms and ammunition in other states, transported them to New Jersey, and sold them to an individual in Passaic County.

The charge of engaging in the business of dealing firearms, while not being a federally licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer carries a maximum potential penalty of up to five years in prison. Each of the four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor, Newark Field Division; officers with the Passaic County Sherriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik; the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Amore of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Government Fraud Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man today admitted to his role in conspiring to defraud a home improvement retail store with stolen credit card information, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Telwin Vincent, 32, of Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Court Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to commit bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From November 2017 through May 2019, Vincent and his conspirators placed online orders with a home improvement store using stolen credit card information and arranged to pick up those goods in person at various store locations throughout New Jersey and New York. Vincent directed his conspirators to pick up the goods using dozens of false or stolen identities and then return the goods at different store locations or sell the goods at a discount to third parties for cash.

The bank fraud conspiracy charge to which Vincent pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain to him or loss to others, whichever is greatest. The conspiracy to use unauthorized access devices count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to him or loss to others, whichever is greatest. Vincent’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man today admitted he defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $200,0000 in survivor’s pension benefits over 12 years, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Melvin Greenspan, 72, of Perrineville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conversion of government funds.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs provided survivor’s pension benefits to Greenspan’s mother because of Greenspan’s father’s prior military service. Those benefits, intended only for surviving spouses of military members, were made through electronic funds transfers into Greenspan’s mother’s bank account beginning in September 1971 and continuing after that date.  After Greenspan’s mother died in 2006, Greenspan did not notify the Department of Veterans Affairs about his mother’s death and made withdrawals of the survivor’s pension benefits from his mother’s bank account between 2006 and 2018, totaling $201,166.

The charge of conversion of government funds carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – A former Hudson County Sheriff’s officer was charged for making false statements to a bank in connection with an application to discharge a mortgage through a fraudulent short sale, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Osbado Hernandez, 52, of Avenel, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of knowingly making false statements for the purpose of influencing the action of an FDIC-insured bank. Hernandez appeared this afternoon via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From September 2015 to Dec. 30, 2015, in order to induce a bank to discharge a mortgage on a property in Keansburg, New Jersey, Hernandez made false statements in connection with a fraudulent short sale of the property, including that he did not have any money to apply toward his mortgage delinquency and that he intended to vacate the property following the short sale. Hernandez fraudulently withheld information regarding the availability of funds in a savings account he failed to disclose to the bank. Hernandez also signed a sworn affidavit that he would not stay in the property for more than 90 days following the short sale, even though he intended to, and did, continue living at the property. As a result of the fraudulent short sale, the bank discharged over $98,000 of debt against Hernandez.

The false statements charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $1 million.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney, and special agents with IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez, with the investigation leading to the charge. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine K. Lou of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 110 months in prison for participating in a string of convenience store robberies that took place across New Jersey in November and December 2017, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Meshach Whagar, 31, of Newark previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, nine substantive counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Whagar’s codefendant, Tione Davis, 38, of East Orange, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty to federal charges relating to the armed robbery spree and is awaiting sentencing.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Davis and Whagar committed a string of 20 armed robberies of convenience stores and gas stations that took place throughout New Jersey between November and December 2017, including locations in Essex, Middlesex, Morris, Bergen, Union, Hudson, and Passaic Counties. During those robberies, Davis, while wearing dark clothing and hiding his face with masks or scarves, brandished a handgun and demanded money from store clerks. After stealing cash from the stores, Davis fled with Whagar, who acted as the getaway driver.

Before being apprehended, the defendants led law enforcement on a high-speed vehicle pursuit in Morris County. Among the items found in the vehicle defendants used in the chase were two handguns matching the description of those Davis used during the robberies. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty sentenced Whagar to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. She also thanked the Morris, Union, Middlesex, Hudson, Passaic, Bergen, and Essex County Prosecutor’s Offices, as well as the Morris Plains, Springfield, Middlesex, Lodi, Roselle Park, Rahway, Parsippany, Rockaway, Mahwah, Elmwood Park, Bayonne, West Orange, East Brunswick, South River, Edison, Hoboken, Union, Clark, Kearny, Clifton, and Maplewood Police Departments for their work on this case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Suchorsky of the Economic Crimes Unit.

NEWARK, N.J.  – A Brooklyn man with prior felony convictions today admitted illegally possessing a machinegun, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Christian Cordero-Gotay, 29, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of possession of a machinegun, one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a machinegun not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On Aug. 31, 2020, officers of the Clinton Township Police Department conducted a motor vehicle stop of a vehicle occupied by Cordero-Gotay and Genesis Bertefabian. Upon approach, the officers detected an odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. Pursuant to a search of the vehicle, an officer observed a loaded Glock magazine under the driver’s seat.  The officers attempted to place Cordero-Gotay and Bertefabian under arrest, but Cordero-Gotay resisted arrest and Bertefabian got in the vehicle and drove away. 

A few minutes later, Bertefabian crashed into the side of a building. Bertefabian then exited the vehicle and walked into a wooded area behind the building. Law enforcement officers conducted a search of the wooded areaand found a 9 mm Glock-type semiautomatic firearm. Law enforcement officials determined that the firearm was fitted with a Glock conversion device commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch,” which has the effect of converting a semiautomatic Glock pistol into a machinegun. After obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle, law enforcement recovered two high-capacity magazines loaded with 9mm ammunition.

Each of the three charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 23, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor, and the Clinton Township Police Department, under the direction of Lieutenant Thomas DeRosa, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey E. Zyriek Enriquez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges against Bertefabian remain pending, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NEWARK, N.J. – A former New Jersey resident today admitted conspiring to distribute a fentanyl analogue, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Darryl Hinkson, 46, formerly of Jersey City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From Sept. 11, 2018, to Oct. 18, 2018, Hinkson conspired with others to distribute pills that contained a fentanyl analogue, an illegal controlled substance. On Sept. 11, 2018, Hinkson met with an individual (Individual-1) and sold Individual-1 approximately 20 pills of purported “Percocet” and 20 pills of purported “Xanax” in exchange for U.S. currency. On Sept. 25, 2018, Hinkson again met with Individual-1 and sold Individual-1 550 pills of purported “Percocet” and approximately 300 pills of purported “Xanax” in exchange for U.S. currency. The pills were not, in fact, Percocet or Xanax, but instead contained a fentanyl analogue.

The count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $10 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Baker of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Denver, Colorado, CEO was arrested today in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain approximately $10 million from investors through various misrepresentations about fund operations and his background and contribution to the fund, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Samuel J. Mancini, 55, is charged by complaint with securities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. He appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristin L. Mix in Denver federal court, and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond pending his initial appearance in the District of New Jersey.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From at least February 2020 through July 2021, Mancini orchestrated an investment fraud scheme and fraudulently obtained more than approximately $10 million from victims. Mancini managed and controlled Outdoor Capital Partners LLC (OCP), which he purported to be a venture capital and private equity firm. OCP served as the managing director of OCP Italia Fund LLC (OCP Italia), a private investment fund.

Mancini promised investors that he was raising $20 million, including $5 million of his own money, for OCP Italia to invest solely in acquiring controlling interests in three Italian cycling companies. Mancini represented to investors that the acquisitions would take place soon after the fund closed and promised investors approximately 70 percent of OCP Italia’s operating profits.

Mancini repeatedly misrepresented his finances and his contribution to OCP Italia.  Mancini also misrepresented OCP Italia’s ability to close on the acquisitions. To date, OCP Italia has not acquired any of the Italian cycling companies. Instead, Mancini defaulted on contracts, diverted investor funds out of OCP Italia, and, in certain instances, paid investor funds to other investors seeking redemption.

Mancini also misled investors about his educational background by representing himself as a graduate of a prestigious military academy when, in fact, Mancini had failed to graduate from the academy due to an ethical violation, a fact he failed to disclose to investors. 

When confronted with requests for transparency and redemptions by certain investors in OCP Italia, Mancini failed to honor the redemption requests, made misrepresentations about his inability to honor the redemption requests, misstated and omitted material facts, and provided certain investors with forged, modified, or otherwise fraudulent documentation.

The securities fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The count of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The count of money laundering is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark. She also thanked the FBI Denver Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael H. Schneider, for its assistance.

Additional victims of Mancini’s conduct may reach out to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or visit www.fbi.gov.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Gloucester County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for producing images of child sexual abuse, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

James Thiel, 34, of Williamstown, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman to an information charging him with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. Judge Hillman imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From April 2019 through August 2019, Thiel used an email account and a file sharing site to send images and videos of child sexual abuse to other individuals. Thiel produced and appeared in several of these images and videos along with a pre-pubescent child.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Hillman sentenced Thiel to a lifetime term of supervised release, ordered him to pay restitution of $5,000 to victims, and ordered him to register as a sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Christine Hoffman, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 45 months in prison for distributing fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Tawan Grier, a/k/a “TJ,” 22, of Paterson, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Grier is an associate of the 230 Boys street gang, which operates primarily around Rosa Parks Boulevard and Godwin Avenue in Paterson. Through numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, consensually recorded telephone calls and text messages, physical surveillance, and the analysis of telephone call detail records, law enforcement officers determined that from September 2018 through Oct. 1, 2019, Grier and other members and associates of the 230 Boys distributed narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Grier to three years of supervised release.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby C. Taylor; special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson in Newark; officers of the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; officers of the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Director Jerry Speziale and Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora; detectives of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia Valdes; and the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and the Belleville and Livingston police departments for their assistance with the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori, of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Mexican National today admitted possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Mayolo Castro Santamaria, 39, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with one count of possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On June 26, 2020, Santamaria possessed 64.76 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle.

The possession with intent to distribute charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life imprisonment, and a $10 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 15, 2021.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, and the Cedar Grove Police Department with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Tsakopoulos Saker of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

TRENTON, N.J. – A California man was convicted today of conspiracy and manufacturing, distributing, and possessing with intent to manufacture and distribute a fentanyl analogue, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Andrew Tablack, 29, of Beverly Hills, California, was convicted of one count of manufacturing, distributing, and possessing with intent to manufacture and distribute pills containing cyclopropyl fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl intended for human consumption, in violation of the federal drug laws, and one count of conspiracy to do the same. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the guilty verdict following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

From at least March 2017 through December 2017, Tablack ran a massive pill making operation that distributed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl analogue pills throughout the United States, including New Jersey. These pills contained a powerful synthetic opioid with significant abuse potential. Tablack manufactured these illegal pills in clandestine labs in and near Los Angeles and sold them anonymously on the dark web, the Internet’s black market, using the moniker “XanaxKing2.” Tablack shipped approximately 400,000 of his illegal pills per month and made millions of dollars from his illegal operation in digital currency that is commonly used in the black market due to its relative anonymity. 

Each count of the indictment is punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2021.

This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), Newark Division, under the direction of under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins; and special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, Northeast Area Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty verdict.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tazneen Shahabuddin of the Special Prosecutions Division, José R. Almonte, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Sarah Devlin, Chief of the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit.

CAMDEN, N.J. – Two Atlantic County men have been charged with conspiring to distribute heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Ricardo Clavijo, 39, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and Christopher Gonzalez, 37, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, were each charged by complaint on July 13, 2021, with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin. Both defendants appeared by videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio and were detained without bail.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On July 12, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and officers from other law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at an Egg Harbor Township residence. They encountered Clavijo at the front door and Gonzalez in the basement. In the basement of the residence, law enforcement officers discovered five kilogram-sized packages of suspected fentanyl, eight kilogram-sized packages of suspected fentanyl or cocaine, two kilogram-sized packages of suspected heroin, tens of thousands of pre-packaged individual doses of suspected heroin, additional narcotics packaging materials and paraphernalia, and an electronic money counter. Agents also found a .45 caliber handgun, a loaded magazine for the handgun, and a 9mm 50-round drum magazine.

The conspiracy count is punishable by a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison and a fine of $10 million, or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest.

Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the DEA’s Newark Division and the DEA Atlantic County HIDTA Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner, and the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael A. Steinman, for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Johns of the Criminal Division in Camden.

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