District of New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – The president and the chief financial officer of a now defunct New Jersey-based marble and granite wholesaler have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating and participating in a scheme to defraud a bank in connection with a $17 million secured line of credit, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Rajendra Kankariya, 61, of Tenafly, New Jersey, and Rakesh Sethi, 44, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, are charged by complaint with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution. Both defendants made their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and were each released on $500,000 bonds secured by property.

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

From late 2015 to early 2016, Lotus Exim International Inc. (LEI) obtained from the victim bank a $17 million line of credit to discharge a prior debt and gain working capital. The line of credit was to be secured by LEI’s accounts receivable and assets. In reality, LEI’s accounts receivable and assets were insufficient to serve as collateral for the line.

In order to conceal the lack of sufficient collateral, LEI and its employees, including Kankariya and Sethi, devised a scheme to create fake email addresses on behalf of LEI’s customers so they could pose as those customers and answer the bank’s and outside auditor’s inquiries about the accounts receivables. The scheme involved numerous fraudulent accounts receivable where the outstanding balances were either inflated or entirely fabricated. The scheme caused the victim bank losses of approximately $17 million.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss derived from the offense, whichever is greater.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to these charges.

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

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

Defense counsel: Kankariya: Michael Baldassare Esq., Newark
Sethi: Danielle M. Corcione Esq., West Orange, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man has been indicted on charges of distributing, receiving, and possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Vaughn Tiedeman, 46, of West Milford, New Jersey, is charged by indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on Dec. 4, 2019, with one count of distributing child pornography, one count of receiving child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. Tiedeman was initially charged by complaint in April 2019.

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

Between July 2018 and January 2019, Tiedeman used the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file-sharing network to distribute more than 50 video files and 100 image files containing images of child sexual abuse. On April 1, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Tiedeman’s home and found approximately 6,800 unique still images and 120 unique videos containing images of child sexual abuse.

The distribution and receipt charges each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah A. Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

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

Defense counsel: Michael A. Orozco Esq., Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Grape Street Crips gang was sentenced today to life in prison for murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and other drug crimes, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Khalil Stafford, a/k/a “Stod,” a/k/a “Homicide,” 35, of Newark, was previously convicted following a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. Stafford had been acquitted of the murder charge following a 2013 state jury trial in Essex County.

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

On June 19, 2010, during a family cookout on Garside Street in Newark, Stafford – a long-time member of the Grape Street Crips – confronted an individual about a drug debt. Stafford and several other gang-members left the cookout to retrieve firearms and later returned. They fired more than a dozen shots at the person whom Stafford originally confronted. A woman who was not involved in the dispute was standing on a nearby porch, and was shot and killed. Two other people were wounded and survived.

Stafford sold heroin and cocaine at the James Baxter Terrace housing complex from 2003 until it was demolished in 2009. After Baxter Terrace was torn down, Stafford continued to distribute heroin and cocaine at the Wynona Lipman public housing complex. In 2014, Stafford and a conspirator sold to DEA confidential informants nearly $20,000 worth of heroin in separate transactions.

Stafford was charged – along with 13 other defendants –with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid racketeering, conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram of more of heroin. All 14 defendants have now been convicted.

Another 66 members and associates of the Grape Street Crips who were arrested in a coordinated takedown in May 2015 were separately charged with drug-trafficking, physical assaults, and witness intimidation, and all have been convicted. These individuals include:

• Corey Hamlet, a/k/a “C-Blaze,” 41, of Newark, sentenced to life in prison; • Kwasi Mack, a/k/a “Welches,” 30, of Newark, sentenced to 45 years in prison and five years’ supervised release; • Tony Phillips, a/k/a “Blue,” 28, of Newark, sentenced to life in prison; • Ahmad Manley, a/k/a “Fresh,” 32, of Summit, New Jersey, sentenced to 35 years in prison and five years’ supervised release; • Rashan Washington, a/k/a “Shoota,” 31, of Newark, sentenced to 30 years in prison and ten years’ supervised release; • Justin Carnegie, a/k/a “Dew Hi,” 31, of Newark, sentenced to 25 years in prison and ten years’ supervised release; • Ahmed Singleton, a/k/a “Gangsta Mu,” 30, of Newark, sentenced to 19 years in prison and five years’ supervised release; • Eric Concepcion, a/k/a “Wax,” 33, of Newark, sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years’ supervised release; • Hakeem Vanderhall, a/k/a “Keem,” 34, of Newark, sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years’ supervised release; • Hanee Cureton, a/k/a “City,” 34, of Springfield, New Jersey, sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years’ supervised release; and
• James Gutierrez, a/k/a “Bad News,” 27, of Newark, sentenced to 11 years in prison and five years’ supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, and the Essex County Sherriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Osmar J. Benvenuto, Chief of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit within the Criminal Division in Newark, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Ramsay of the Appeals Division in Newark.

This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. 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.

Defense counsel: John McMahon Esq., West Orange, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Louisiana man was arraigned today on charges that he illegally accessed a healthcare company’s online portal and downloaded more than 60,000 laboratory reports belonging to more than 30,000 patients, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

David Manno, 34, of Marrero, Louisiana, appeared before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court and pleaded not guilty. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 19, 2019, on one count of wire fraud.

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

The victim was a publicly traded healthcare company with its headquarters in New Jersey. The company offered a web-based portal through which patients could access their medical and health information, schedule laboratory testing, track their healthcare provider information, maintain medical records, and pay for services. Patients were able to log in to the portal by using a unique username and password. In November 2016, Manno accessed the portal and sent requests that caused the portal to send him lab reports belonging to other patients. Manno sent more than 150,000 modified requests, causing the portal to send him more than 60,000 laboratory reports for more than 30,000 patients.

The wire fraud count with which Manno is charged carries a maximum potential punishment of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross loss or gain caused by the offense.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the indictment.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime 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.

Defense counsel: David Courcelle Esq., Metairie, Louisiana

NEWARK, N.J. – The Department of Justice today announced that it has awarded more than $376 million in grant funding to enhance state, local and tribal law enforcement operations and reinforce public safety efforts in jurisdictions across the United States, including $4,561,569 to support public safety activities in the District of New Jersey. The awards were made by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.

“These awards provide substantial resources to support important public safety initiatives sponsored by our state and local law enforcement partners,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, District of New Jersey, said. “This kind of support from the Department of Justice encourages greater cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement, as we work together to protect the people of New Jersey.”

The awards announced today support an array of crime-fighting initiatives, including the quarter-billion dollar Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grants Program, which funds public safety efforts in 929 state, local and tribal jurisdictions. Funding also supports sex offender registration and notification, law enforcement-based victim services, the testing of sexual assault kits, and programs designed to address youth with sexual behavioral problems. Other awards will focus on wrongful convictions, intellectual property enforcement, innovative prosecution strategies and the safety and effectiveness of corrections systems.

“Crime and violence hold families, friends and neighborhoods hostage, and they rip communities apart,” OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan said. “These programs help restore the health and safety of crime-ravaged communities by supporting prevention activities, aiding in the apprehension and prosecution of perpetrators, facilitating appropriate sentencing and adjudication, and providing communities and their residents the means for recovery and healing.”

The following awards were made to organizations in the District of New Jersey:

Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program – Local Awards

•           Union County, $167,387

•           City of Passaic, $180,339

•           Asbury Park, $51,346

•           Mercer County, $131,756

•           Newark Police Department, $434,882

•           City of Camden, $208,291

•           Vineland, $82,671

•           Lakewood, $15,572

•           Atlantic City, $68,318

•           Perth Amboy, $86,689

 

Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program – State Award

 

•           New Jersey Division of Law & Public Safety, $3,817,827

 

BJA Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy

 

•           Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, $350,345

 

BJA Implementing the Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards, Protecting Inmates, and Safeguarding Communities Program

 

•           New Jersey Dept. of Corrections, $246,146

 

Information about the programs and awards announced today is available here. For more information about OJP awards, visit the OJP Awards Data webpage.

 

The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training and technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County, New Jersey, man previously convicted of multiple felony offenses, including robbery, burglary, and aggravated assault, was indicted today for unlawful possession of a handgun and possessing fake law enforcement officer credentials, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Warren E. Shelton, 53, of Chesilhurst, New Jersey, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of imitation badges, identification cards, and other insignia prescribed for use by officers of a department or agency of the United States, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He will be arraigned at a later date.

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

Law enforcement authorities learned Shelton had designed and acquired counterfeit Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service (FPS), credentials and business identification cards, falsely representing that he was employed as a special agent with FPS.

During a court-authorized search of Shelton’s home in May 2018, investigators located and seized counterfeit FPS credentials, business identification cards, and a badge falsely representing that Shelton was employed as a special agent and authorized to carry a weapon and enforce federal laws. They also located a Colt .45 caliber handgun and ammunition along with two blank guns that resembled real firearms. As a previously convicted felon, Shelton is prohibited from possessing a firearm. Shelton was charged by criminal complaint on May 7, 2018 with being a felon in possession of a firearm and has been detained since.

Shelton faces a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearm offense. He also faces up to six months in prison and fine of up to $5,000 for possession of the counterfeit FPS credentials and badge.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Karen Jordan; special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Services (FPS), under the direction of Supervisory Special Agent Anthony Fuscellaro; special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, Philadelphia Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James Henry; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; and the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Wysocki.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

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

Defense counsel: Thomas Young Esq., Camden

NEWARK, N.J. – The president of a bible college will appear in court today on charges he sexually assaulted a student on an international flight bound for Newark, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Cornelius Tilton, 65, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged by complaint with one count of abusive sexual contact after being arrested by FBI agents on Nov. 30, 2019, when the flight, which departed from Tel Aviv, Israel, arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport. He is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark III in Newark federal court.

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

Tilton was sitting in a window seat next to the victim, a 19-year-old male student at a theological seminary who was traveling with a group of students on a religious trip to Israel. Tilton accompanied the group as an unofficial guide and gave speeches.

During the flight, Tilton allegedly placed his hand on the victim’s bare calf. Tilton continued to touch the victim’s thigh, and eventually began rubbing the victim’s genitals over the victim’s shorts. The victim did not react, or look at Tilton, out of shock and fear. Tilton took the victim’s hand and placed it on Tilton’s erect penis, on top of his clothing. The victim got up to go to the bathroom, in hopes of ending the assault. Tilton also went to the bathroom. When the victim and Tilton were back in their seats, Tilton continued to touch the bare skin of the victim’s lower back, underneath the victim’s clothing. Tilton moved his hand around to the front of the victim’s waistline, and attempted to place his hand down the victim’s pants, when the victim blocked Tilton’s hand with his elbow. The victim then got up from the seat and informed a flight attendant about the assault.

The charge of abusive sexual contact carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Macurdy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for distributing and possessing videos and images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Malcolm Salamanca, 29, of Ridgefield, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to an information charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Judge Salas imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

Salamanca used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program to download and share videos and images of child sexual abuse. In November 2016, undercover law enforcement agents downloaded some of those images and videos from Salamanca’s computer. After executing a search warrant at Salamanca’s home in November 2017, agents located more videos of child sexual abuse on Salamanca’s computers.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Salas sentenced Salamanca to five years of supervised release and imposed a special assessment of $10,000 under the Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking Act.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ridgefield Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Wangenheim, Chief of the Opioids Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Paul Brickfield Esq., River Edge, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man today admitted conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Felix Acevedo, 28, of Paterson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

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

From March 2018 through March 2019, Acevedo conspired with others to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. On Feb. 20, 2019, he took possession of a parcel that had been shipped to him at an address in Clifton, New Jersey. Acevedo believed the parcel contained narcotics, which he planned to deliver to a conspirator. Unbeknownst to Acevedo, law enforcement had interdicted the parcel prior to its delivery and removed the 997 grams of fentanyl contained within. 

The count to which Acevedo pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentencing is scheduled for March 2, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, and the inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

This case is being 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.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – Members of the “Famous Boyz” street gang have admitted to firearms and narcotics distribution offenses as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Shaka McKinney, 25, of Newark, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum fine of $250,000.   

Jahid Vauters,” a/k/a “k”, a/k/a “KO,” 31, of Newark, pleaded guilty Nov. 25, 2019, before Judge Arleo to an information charging him with one count each of: conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 28 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; possessing two firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon; and possessing two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. As part of his plea agreement, the parties have agreed to a sentence of 10 years in prison. 

Karen Armstrong, 29, of Newark, pleaded guilty before Judge Arleo on Nov. 7, 2019 to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and heroin. 

Eugene Williams, a/k/a “Popa,” a/k/a “Papa,” 53, of Newark, pleaded guilty before Judge Arleo on Nov. 7, 2019, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. 

Saeed Dawes, a/k/a “Nasty,” 22, of Newark, pleaded guilty before Judge Arleo on Nov. 6, 2019, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base and heroin. 

In October 2018, McKinney, Vauters, Armstrong, Williams, and Dawes, and 12 other members of a violent drug trafficking conspiracy operating in Newark were charged by criminal complaint after a lengthy wiretap investigation with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and/or heroin. McKinney and Vauters were also charged with firearms offenses.

On Feb. 25, 2019, a grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging three of the defendants, Patricio Hernandez, Jonathan Hernandez, and Jonathan Garcia, a/k/a “Bebo,” with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine for their alleged participation in supplying the “Famous Boyz” with cocaine.

On Sept. 30, 2019, a grand jury returned a 21-count superseding indictment against the remaining defendants and Patricio Hernandez, Jonathan Hernandez, Garcia, Javon Holmes, a/k/a “J-Dot”, and John Mosley, a/k/a “Breezy,” a/k/a “Brazy.” The charges in the superseding indictment are pending against the remaining defendants. 

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

The defendants are members and associates of the Famous Boyz – a subset of the Brick City Brims set of the Bloods street gang – which dealt significant quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, in the area of South 18th Street and 15th Avenue, in Newark. The gang often referred to this area as the “8 Block,” “18th,” or simply by reference to the number “8.” 

Mosley was a primary source of narcotics for the Famous Boyz and often directed the gang’s drug operations. He and other members of the Famous Boyz shared narcotics, customers, and firearms with one another in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking activities, and they used juveniles to distribute narcotics and stash firearms. Patricio Hernandez and Jonathan Hernandez were among the main suppliers of crack cocaine to Mosley, while Vauters supplied Mosley with heroin. Heroin sold by Famous Boyz members, including Dawes, Armstrong and Williams, contained a fentanyl analogue, which is an extremely dangerous and highly addictive substance. 

Members of the Famous Boyz used social media to promote the gang’s criminal activities, including by advertising their narcotics trafficking activities and proceeds and by threatening both rival gang members and any individuals who considered cooperating with law enforcement. Those members who sold narcotics also enriched themselves by committing other crimes, including robberies.

The heroin and crack cocaine conspiracy and heroin and crack cocaine distribution counts to which Vauters pleaded guilty each carry a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million. In addition, the firearm possession count to which Vauters pleaded guilty carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other punishment.

The crack cocaine conspiracy count to which Williams pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The heroin conspiracy to which Williams pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million.

The heroin and crack cocaine conspiracy counts to which Dawes and Armstrong pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $1 million. 

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark, and officers of the Newark Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Director Anthony F. Ambrose, with the investigation.

He also thanked the special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura; the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Belleville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Minichini; and the Livingston Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gary Marshuetz, for their assistance with the investigation.

This investigation is part of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Newark. 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 to combat 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 New Jersey Division, 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 Board of 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 Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division Mary E. Toscano and Assistant U.S. Attorney Angelica M. Sinopole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man today admitted that he used a fraudulently made United States passport to travel abroad, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jetmir Memija, a/k/a “Shefki Hoti,” 42, an Albanian national residing in Edgewater, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with one count of using a fraudulently made passport.

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

On July 11, 2011, Memija, who had illegally entered the United States in 1996, applied for a United States passport. He submitted false information regarding his date of birth and Social Security number. Memija submitted the personal identifying information of a family member along with his photograph. A United States passport book was issued to Memija based on this false information, which he used to gain entry into the Republic of Albania. 

The passport fraud charge carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 2, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate, Newark; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark.

TRENTON, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man today admitted participating in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and to bribe a doctor, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Eduard “Eddy” Shtindler, 36, of Paramus, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks to a doctor.

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

From 2012 through at least 2017, Shtindler owned and operated the now-defunct Empire Pharmacy in West New York, New Jersey. Starting in 2015, Empire began filling prescriptions for expensive specialty medication that required “prior authorization” before being approved for reimbursement payment by Medical, Medicaid, and some private insurance providers. To entice doctors to use Empire to fill such medications, Shtindler planned to have Empire receive prior authorization approval more successfully than any other pharmacies. He directed Empire employees, including two pharmacists, to repeatedly falsify prior authorization forms for medications for different conditions, including psoriasis and Hepatitis C. Shtindler was captured on recorded conversations admitting to his and Empire’s practice of falsifying prior authorization forms in order to receive approval for medication that would not have otherwise been approved.

From 2012 through early 2017, Shtindler participated in a conspiracy to pay bribes to a psychiatrist in Hudson County, New Jersey, to induce the doctor to send prescriptions to Empire. Shtindler sent Empire employees to deliver some of the bribe payments to the doctor. On occasion, Shtindler secreted cash bribes, in $100 denominations, in pill bottles that were delivered to the doctor. In exchange for these bribes, the doctor steered patients to use Empire pharmacy, even though the patients used other pharmacies closer to their homes for all of their other prescriptions. In one recorded conversation between Shtindler and a concerned former Empire employee who had delivered a bribe to the doctor on Shtindler’s behalf, Shtindler was captured stating, “You think [the doctor]’s going to go to the FBI and rat himself out?” In another conversation with the same former employee regarding the same topic of bribe payment Shtindler had the employee deliver to the doctor, Shtindler was captured saying, “First off, I didn’t make you do it. I didn’t put a gun to your head. We all made money together.” Shtindler concluded, “It is business.”

As part of his plea agreement, Shtindler agreed to loss amounts between $1.5 million and $3.5 million for each of the charged conspiracies to which he pleaded guilty.

The count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and the count of conspiring to pay illegal kickbacks is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison. Both offenses are punishable by a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; special agents of the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; and the N.J. Office of the State Comptroller, under the direction of Comptroller Philip James Degnan, with the ongoing investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Haber of the Health Care & Government Fraud Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.

Defense counsel: Albert Y. Dayan. Esq., Queens, New York

NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for being a felon in possession of guns, possessing bombs, and precursor materials, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Christopher Faschan, 31, of Landing, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of unlawful possession of destructive devices and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

On Feb. 1, 2019, Faschan detonated the bomb in the area of Lake Lackawanna in Stanhope. On Feb. 4, 2019, law enforcement agents interviewed Faschan, who said that he had ignited the bomb. He described it as two pounds in weight and explained how he used and mixed Potassium Perchlorate, Aluminum Powder, and Tannerite to make several bombs that were in his home.

Law enforcement agents executed a court-authorized search of Faschan’s home and recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, firearms, explosive devices and precursor materials.

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

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson in Newark; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; officers of the Byram Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter J. Zabita; the Roxbury Police Department, under the direction of Chief Marc Palanchi; the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Francis A. Koch; officers of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James M. Gannon; and officers of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Frederic M. Knapp, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean C. Sovolos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit.

Defense counsel: John Whipple Esq., Morristown, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man appeared in court today on charges of producing, receiving, and possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Ramon Zelaya, 36, of Newark, is charged by indictment with one count of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of receiving child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography. Zelaya was initially charged by complaint in April 2019.

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

Between Aug. 20, 2018, and Sept. 23, 2018, Zelaya used Instagram messages to entice, threaten, and coerce a minor into creating and sending him sexually explicit images and videos. Zelaya also used multiple Facebook accounts to contact the victim’s parent and to send at least nude image of the victim.

The charge of sexual exploitation of a child carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, and officers of the Union City Police Department, under the direction of Chief Nichelle Luster, with the investigation leading to the charges.  

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah A. Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime 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 property developer and manager has been arrested on charges stemming from a scheme to defraud real estate investors, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Herbert Whalen a/k/a “Bert Whalen,” 45, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 20, 2019, on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Whalen was arrested Nov. 21, 2019, and is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Tim A. Baker in Indianapolis, Indiana. His arraignment date in Newark federal court has not yet been scheduled.

According to the indictment:

Between August 2016 and July 2018, Whalen, the owner of Oceanpointe Property Management in Indianapolis, Indiana, engaged in a scheme to obtain money from victim real estate investors by misrepresenting and concealing the poor condition of properties managed by Oceanpointe and by creating fake leases for unoccupied Oceanpointe properties. Employees from Company 1 and Oceanpointe promised investors that, after repairs and rehabilitations were completed, and tenants rented the properties, investors would receive copies of the leases and begin to receive rent payments as their return on investment. In reality, many Oceanpointe properties were not repaired and rehabilitated, and were not ready for occupancy. To conceal this fact from victim investors, Whalen and Coconspirator 1 directed Oceanpointe employees to draft fake leases, making it appear to investors that Oceanpointe properties were rented, when, in fact, the properties remained vacant. Whalen instructed Oceanpointe employees to place fake tenant names on leases to send to Oceanpointe investors.

When investors attempted to view the properties that they had purchased, Whalen directed Oceanpointe employees to cover the windows to make the properties appear to investors as if work was being completed, when, in fact, it was not. Oceanpointe employees did this to conceal the poor condition of the properties and the fact that the properties remained vacant. Whalen, Coconspirator 1, and others commingled tenant rent payments and selected which investors would be paid from the pool of funds in order to silence investors who voiced concerns and evade detection of the fraud. In order to prevent investors from leaving Oceanpointe and exposing the fraudulent conduct, Whalen directed an Oceanpointe employee to create a false identity and falsely claim, on an online real estate message forum, that the Oceanpointe employee was an investor with Oceanpointe and Company 1, and that Oceanpointe had addressed all of the concerns regarding the investment property. These misrepresentations and others led to millions of dollars in losses to investors, which Whalen used to, among other things, fund his and Coconspirator 1’s lifestyle.

The conspiracy count and the three counts of wire fraud with which Whalen is charged each carry a maximum potential punishment of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross loss or gain caused by the offense.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the indictment.

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

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

A doctor who practiced in New Jersey and Pennsylvania pleaded guilty today for his participation in a scheme to receive over $140,000 in bribes and kickbacks from a pharmaceutical company in exchange for prescribing large volumes of a powerful fentanyl narcotic.

Assistant Attorney Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito of the District of New Jersey, Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie of the FBI’s Newark Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Office of Investigations – New York Region, Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cleevely of the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) and Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General New York Region made the announcement.

Kenneth Sun, M.D., 58, of Easton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson of the District of New Jersey.  Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 26, 2020, before Judge Thompson. 

As part of his guilty plea, Sun admitted that from 2012 to 2016, he conspired with others to solicit and receive more than $140,000 in bribes and kickbacks from Insys Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company based in Arizona in exchange for prescribing more than 28 million micrograms of Subsys, a powerful opioid narcotic designed to rapidly enter a patient’s bloodstream upon being sprayed under the tongue.  Subsys contains fentanyl, a synthetic opioid pain reliever which is approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Subsys solely for the “management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients who are already receiving and who are tolerant to around the clock therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain.”  Sun admitted that he prescribed Subsys to patients for whom Subsys was medically unnecessary, not eligible for insurance reimbursement and unsafe.

Sun also admitted that the bribes and kickbacks he received from Insys Therapeutics in exchange for prescribing Subsys were disguised as “honoraria” for educational presentations regarding Subsys that Sun purportedly provided to licensed practitioners.  In reality, Sun admitted, these presentations were a sham: they lacked the appropriate audience of licensed practitioners seeking educational information regarding Subsys; there was no presentation about Subsys whatsoever; the same individuals attended over and over again; and Sun did not attend some of the presentations at all.  Sun caused Medicare to pay more than $847,000 for Subsys prescriptions that were medically unnecessary, procured through the payment of kickbacks and bribes and not eligible for Medicare reimbursement, he admitted. 

The FBI, HHS-OIG, the DEA, USPS-OIG and DOL-OIG investigated the case.  Trial Attorney Rebecca Yuan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force.  Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 15 strike forces operating in 24 districts, has charged more than 4,200 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for nearly $19 billion.  In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

TRENTON, N.J. – A former member of Paraguay’s Congress, her husband and another senior member of a Paraguayan money exchange business are charged by complaint for their participation in an international money laundering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Cynthia Elizabeth Tarrago Diaz, 40; Raimundo Va, 44; and Rodrigo Alvarenga Paredes, 33, are charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit money laundering. Tarrago and Va were arrested by the FBI on Thursday after they arrived in Newark as part of their unlawful money laundering activities. They appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman in Trenton federal court and were detained. Alvarenga remains at large in Paraguay.

“As alleged in the complaint, Tarrago, while a former member of Paraguay’s legislature, brazenly offered to launder the proceeds of international drug trafficking, and even went so far as to offer to traffic in cocaine herself,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “When we stop this kind of money laundering activity, we help to stop the underlying drug trafficking activity that motivates and depends upon it. By eliminating the means by which international drug trafficking organizations launder their ill-gotten gains, we help to keep New Jersey safer by limiting the flow of drugs into our communities from outside the United States.”

“Money laundering is illegal no matter your position in society,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie. “The FBI follows the evidence and makes arrests based on the actions of those individuals. We will find and bring to justice anyone who uses unlawful means to enrich themselves with no regard for the law.”

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

Tarrago is a former member of Paraguay’s Congress, and recently announced her intention to run for mayor of the capital district of Asunción. Tarrago and Va, her husband, agreed to accept at least $2 million in United States currency from two individuals who represented themselves to be narcotics traffickers. Believing the money to be proceeds of unlawful narcotics trafficking, they laundered the funds through an international network of accounts to disguise the unlawful source of the proceeds.

Tarrago and Va traveled to New Jersey and Florida on multiple occasions and accepted approximately $800,000 in United States currency from the purported drug traffickers, caused those funds to be laundered through the conspiracy’s network of accounts, and ultimately transferred the money back to an account maintained by the purported drug traffickers. Members of the conspiracy generated fraudulent invoices that stated legitimate business reasons for the transfers of laundered funds to the purported drug traffickers’ account. On multiple occasions during the purported drug dealers’ meetings with Tarrago and Va, Tarrago offered to assist them with procuring large quantities of cocaine from Paraguay at an inexpensive price.

Unbeknownst to Tarrago and Va, the currency they accepted from the purported drug traffickers and caused to be laundered was not actually illicit drug proceeds. The funds were provided by two undercover FBI agents as part of an extensive undercover investigation of the money laundering network. During the investigation, the undercover agents met with Tarrago and Va in the United States on numerous occasions, and obtained video and audio recordings of their interactions with Tarrago and Va, which include details of the money laundering network. The evidence uncovered during the investigation revealed that Alvarenga, a high-ranking member of a large money-exchange company in Paraguay, coordinated the laundering of the funds that the undercover agents provided to Tarrago and Va.

The money laundering conspiracy count carries a statutory maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of the greater of $500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved in the conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. He also thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance in the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Joseph Gribko and J. Brendan Day of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

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

TRENTON, N.J. – Twenty defendants have been indicted on charges relating to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in the Burlington County, New Jersey, area, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

The defendants indicted today are among 31 people charged by complaint on Sept. 26, 2019. Charges remain pending against the other 11 defendants.

Herbert Mays, Andre Morton, Ronnie Dawson, Teron Huggins, Rufus Williams, Gurnsey Flagg, Roniffe Gaines, John Petrovich, Linford Johnson, Nathaniel McCoy, Anthony Pruitt, Shameke Fowler, Julius Thigpen, III, Andrew Perkins, and Brandon Watts were charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Additionally, Mays, Morton, Dawson, Flagg, Gaines, Petrovich, Johnson, Fowler, Perkins, Craig Moore, Tracy Williams, Samantha Bohlert, Mecca Grant, and April Branson were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine. Rufus Williams also was charged with possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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

Between July 2019 and September 2019, the defendants and others engaged in large-scale narcotics conspiracies that operated primarily throughout Burlington County – including Willingboro, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Bordentown Township, Edgewater Park, Mount Laurel, and Westampton – and which sought to profit from the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that defendants obtained regular supplies of cocaine and then redistributed that cocaine, portions of which defendants converted into crack cocaine, to distributors, sub-dealers, and end-users throughout Burlington County and elsewhere.

The counts of conspiracy to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $10 million. The count charging Rufus Williams with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and $1 million fine. The count charging Rufus Williams with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, which must be served consecutive to the sentence imposed on the drug trafficking crime. The count charging Rufus Williams with being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Both firearms counts also carry a maximum fine equal to the greatest of $250,000, twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victim of the offense.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; special agents of ATF, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson; detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott Coffina; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Bruce Painter; officers of the Willingboro Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Kinamo Lomon; officers of the Burlington City Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John Fine; officers of the Florence Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Brian Boldizar; officers of the Bordentown Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Brian Pesche; officers of the Edgewater Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Robert Hess; officers of the Mount Laurel Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Stephen Reidener; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John Stemler; officers of the Westampton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Stephen Ent; and officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Director Sheilah Coley, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martha K. Nye and Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations contained in the superseding indictment and 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 charged today for his role in a multi-million dollar money laundering conspiracy and for using a stolen identity in furtherance of the scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Edwin Deleon-Batista, 36, of Newark, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to launder drug proceeds and one count of identity fraud. Deleon-Batista is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court.

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

Over an extended period, Deleon-Batista conspired with other individuals with close ties to drug trafficking organizations to pick up millions of dollars in cash drug proceeds in New Jersey and New York and launder the money by using it to purchase cashier’s checks at local bank branches. The checks were made payable to individuals and companies specified by conspirators with close ties to the drug trafficking organizations. Converting the drug proceeds to cashier’s checks was Deleon-Batista’s way to hide the nature and source of the illegal funds and avoid scrutiny by law enforcement and banks. Between March 2018 and March 2019, Deleon-Batista converted over $13 million in United States currency into cashier’s checks at banks in New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere. Deleon-Batista received a fee of approximately 1 percent of the amount he laundered.  

Deleon-Batista was previously arrested on federal money laundering charges in New York in April 2019. Soon after his arrest, Deleon-Batista began using a stolen identity in order to continue his money laundering activities. Specifically, Deleon-Batista illegally acquired a Florida driver’s license with his own photograph but with someone else’s name and address. He then used this fraudulent license to open several bank accounts, which he then used as a means to convert over $10 million in additional cash drug proceeds into cashier’s checks at bank branches in New Jersey, New York, and Florida over a five-month period. 

The charge of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the offense, whichever is greater. The charge of identity fraud carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson and the New York Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan; special agents and task force officers of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur; and the Morristown, New Jersey, police department, under the direction of Acting Police Chief Darnell Richardson with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan M. Peck of the Criminal Division in Newark.

This case is being 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.

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. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, woman today admitted engaging in a fraudulent scheme through which over $300,000 in purchases were charged or attempted to be charged to victims’ financial accounts without authorization, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Briana Burford, 25, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an information charging her with wire fraud.

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

From October 2018 through December 2018, Burford made four Bitcoin transactions. The Bitcoin were sent to accounts associated with carding websites, which are websites that engage in the trafficking of stolen or otherwise illegally obtained credit card, bank account and other personal identification information, as well as services and tools that one can use to engage in fraudulent activity.

The two telephone numbers used to make the four Bitcoin transactions, along with other telephone numbers, were used to inquire about bank accounts that were later compromised and subject to fraud. On Aug. 31, 2018, one of the telephone numbers was used to contact a bank and inquire about a specific bank account. Later that day, Burford, without authorization, charged a purchase of approximately $9,000 to that bank account.

The wire fraud count 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 March 4, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Albert Y. Dayan Esq., Kew Gardens, New York

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County, New Jersey, man and a Philadelphia man were each sentenced today to 30 months in prison for their respective roles in conspiring to distribute oxycodone, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Prussia Hing, 36, of Philadelphia, and Anthony Pepe, 42, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Jerome B. Simandle to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler, who was assigned the case following the subsequent passing of Judge Simandle, imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

The defendants were charged in connection with one of the largest national healthcare fraud and opioid enforcement actions ever taken by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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

From December 2017 through June 26, 2018, the defendants and others engaged in a conspiracy which resulted in the trafficking of 1,180 oxycodone pills – 680 of which were unadulterated oxycodone and 500 of which were pressed pills mixed with hydrocodone, codeine, and methylphenidate. Hing was a source of the supply. As part of the investigation, law enforcement observed eight controlled purchases, three of which were carried out by the defendants, including Pepe, dressed in his hospital scrubs in front of the major Philadelphia hospital where he was employed as the chief surgical technologist.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced each defendant to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, South Jersey Resident Agency, both under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster in Philadelphia; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert, and the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph D. Wysocki, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina O. Hud and Diana Vondra Carrig of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Defense counsel: Pepe: Rocco Cipparone Esq., Haddon Heights, New Jersey
Hing: Gregory Pagano Esq., Philadelphia

TRENTON, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, man was arrested this morning on charges that he induced a minor to send him sexually explicit pictures and to engage in sexually explicit conduct over an online messaging service, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

David Frew, 41, of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of online enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct, and one count of receipt of child pornography. Frew appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman in Trenton federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and prior state court records:

In June 2017 Frew used an online messaging service to communicate with a minor victim. At Frew’s request, the minor victim sent Frew sexually explicit images, including images of the victim’s genitalia.

In 2008, Frew was convicted of three counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of criminal use of a computer in Pennsylvania after sending sexually explicit photos or videos to investigators in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit, who were posing online as underage girls. Also in 2008, Frew was convicted in New Jersey of endangering the welfare of children. As a result of his prior convictions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Frew was a registered sex offender at the time of his conduct charged in the complaint.

Because Frew is a previously convicted sex offender, the sexual exploitation charge is punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in prison and a statutory maximum potential penalty of 50 years in prison, along with a $250,000 fine, counting one of Frew’s prior convictions; or a mandatory minimum penalty of 35 years in prison and a statutory maximum potential penalty of life in prison, along with a $250,000 fine, counting two or more of Frew’s prior convictions. The charge of online enticement carries a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Because Frew is a previously convicted sex offender, the charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a statutory maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Atlantic City, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Technical Crime Unit; the RCMP National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre; the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, and the Little Egg Harbor Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Buzby Jr., with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander E. Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office 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: Benjamin West Esq., Trenton, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. - A Newark Parking Authority employee was charged today with selling heroin and crack cocaine and with possessing a weapon as a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Aughkay L. Green, a/k/a “K-Boogie,” 48, of Newark, was charged by indictment with one count each of possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the indictment:

On Jan. 12, 2017, Green sold 25 bricks of heroin, with a net weight of 38 grams, to Individual 1 for $1,200. On March 22, 2017, he sold the same person 48.9 grams of crack cocaine for $2,250. Green was under law enforcement surveillance and observed to be dressed in his Newark Parking Authority uniform at the time of that sale.

On April 1, 2017, Green, accompanied by an unidentified male, met Individual 1 in Irvington, New Jersey, where Green’s associate provided Individual 1 with: a Smith and Wesson Model 21 .44 caliber handgun; a Smith and Wesson Model 15 .38 handgun, and 50 rounds of hollow-point .44 caliber ammunition marked “44 REM MAG FC.” Green’s associate received $1,360 from Individual 1, and subsequently provided Green with proceeds from the sale and discussed using these proceeds for the purchase of narcotics. 

The count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute is punishable by a statutory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison. The count of heroin with intent to distribute count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s indictment. He also thanked the New Jersey State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness for their work on the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean C. Sovolos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was indicted today on a charge of distributing and possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Keith Voolgaris, 62, of Newark, is charged by indictment with one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. Voolgaris was initially charged by complaint in September 2019.

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

Between July 21, 2017, and Sept. 8, 2017, Voolgaris distributed and possessed at least 50 videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children. He used a “chat” website to send numerous messages to another child pornography distributor in Minnesota. Many of those messages contained links to Dropbox files that were found to contain images of child sexual abuse. A subsequent search of Voolgaris’ email accounts revealed numerous additional videos and images of child sexual abuse.

Voolgaris has prior convictions for receiving or distributing child pornography and for possession of child pornography. Accordingly, the charge of distribution of child pornography by a repeat offender carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography depicting prepubescent children by a repeat offender carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah A. Sulkowski of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime 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.

Defense counsel: Chester Keller Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

NEWARK, N.J. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) settlement with Madison Asbury Convention Hall LLC, the owner of the historic Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to ensure physical accessibility for people with disabilities, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

“This agreement begins a new era for the historic Paramount Theater, which will enable all audiences, with or without disabilities, to enjoy the venue and its performances,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “We commend the Paramount Theater for making the changes necessary to come into compliance with the ADA.”

The agreement requires, among other things, the installation of wheelchair spaces and companion seats, tactile signs with raised characters and Braille identifying all exits and restrooms, accessible ticket and concession stands, and at least 47 assistive listening receivers.

This agreement was reached under Title III of the ADA, which prohibits places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will actively monitor compliance with the agreement, which will remain in effect for three years.

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office at http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Michael Campion, Chief of the of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Pascal, Deputy Chief, Civil Division.

TRENTON, N.J. –Two New Jersey men today admitted their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed significant quantities of heroin and cocaine in the Bayshore area of Monmouth and Middlesex counties, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Gregory Gillens, 47, of Hillside, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  Gillens also admitted to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

Tyler Scarangello, 34, of Hazlet, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Judge Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

In November 2018, Gillens, Scarangello, and 13 others were charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. Gillens and Scarangello are the sixth and seventh defendants to plead guilty.

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

From May 2017 to November 2018, the defendants and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the Raritan Bayshore region of Middlesex and northern Monmouth counties.

Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that Gillens regularly supplied large quantities of heroin and cocaine for further distribution to codefendants Guy Jackson, Richard Gethers, and Deberal Rogers. Law enforcement also learned that Jackson distributed the narcotics to others, including Scarangello.

Members of the conspiracy sold the narcotics to other conspirators, distributors, sub-dealers, and end-users in the Bayshore area. Some of the heroin distributed by the conspiracy contained fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.

The heroin conspiracy count to which Gillens pleaded guilty carries a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. The cocaine conspiracy to which Scarangello pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 19, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Red Bank Resident Agency, Jersey Shore Gang and Criminal Organization Task Force (including representatives from the Bradley Beach Police Department, Brick Police Department, Howell Police Department, Marlboro Police Department, Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, Toms River Police Department, and Union Beach Police Department) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; Special Agents of the FBI, Philadelphia Division, Scranton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Harpster; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent; the Matawan Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas J. Falco, Jr.; the Holmdel Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Mioduszewski; the Highlands Police Department, under the direction of Chief Robert Burton; the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni; the Old Bridge Police Department, under the direction of Chief William A. Volkert; the Keansburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief James K. Pigott; the Hazlet Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Meehan; and the Aberdeen Police Department, under the direction of Chief John T. Powers, with the investigation leading to today’s pleas. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations against the remaining eight defendants are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NEWARK, N.J. – Three men have been charged with conspiring to distribute 30 kilograms of cocaine in Newark, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Yohan E. De Jesus Osornio, 29, of Los Angeles, California; Raul A. Figueroa Santana, 47, of the Bronx, New York, and Ronal Luiyi Hernandez Sepulveda, 29, of the Bronx, New York, are charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. They appeared Nov. 18, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court.

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

De Jesus Osornio, Figueroa Santana, and Hernandez Sepulveda were arrested on Nov. 15, 2019, in Newark after conducting a transaction involving 10 kilograms of cocaine. Law enforcement officers observed De Jesus Osornio, who had parked his tractor trailer on Passaic Street in Newark, enter a white Mazda before returning to the tractor trailer with a weighted-down bag. Around the same time, law enforcement officers observed Hernandez Sepulveda and Figueroa Santana arrive in a black Mitsubishi. Law enforcement officers observed Hernandez Sepulveda approach the tractor trailer and walk back to the Mitsubishi with a bag, which Hernandez Sepulveda placed in the back of the Mitsubishi. After approaching and apprehending the defendants, law enforcement officers searched the bag and found 10 kilograms of cocaine, and found an additional 20 kilograms of cocaine and a large sum of cash in the tractor trailer.

The count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a $10 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with investigation leading to the arrests.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Repole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A former Warren County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 168 months of prison for receiving and possessing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Derrick Baer, 36, formerly of Pohatcong, New Jersey, was convicted April 9, 2019, of one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography following a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

In May 2010, in connection with an investigation into a suspicious death at Baer’s residence, law enforcement obtained Baer’s consent to seize computer equipment from the residence. That equipment contained at least 348 images and 33 video files of child sexual abuse.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Baer to lifetime supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the Pohatcong Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Robb; the N.J. Regional Computer Forensics Lab; and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Richard T. Burke, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David W. Feder, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit in Newark.

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man today admitted to receiving and possessing videos and images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jack Underwood, 31, of Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography.

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

Underwood used a social networking site that allows users to interact and engage in both conversations and the exchanging of images and videos. From September 2017 through March 2018, the site reported several caches of child pornography found within accounts linked to Underwood. After executing a search warrant at Underwood’s home in December 2018, agents located more images of child sexual abuse on Underwood’s mobile telephone. Underwood has a previous conviction for the same charge, where he served 54 months of incarceration and was placed on a lifetime of supervised release. This new conviction constitutes a violation of his supervised release.

The possession of child pornography charge to which Underwood pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. He also faces an additional mandatory minimum of five years in prison for violating his supervised release by committing another child pornography offense. Underwood will be required to continue registering as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisa Shver of the Camden office.

TRENTON, N.J. – Two Trenton men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a violent drug trafficking conspiracy that allegedly distributed more than one kilogram of heroin in Trenton and the surrounding area, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Kahlil Hampton, a/k/a “Ruger,” 29, was sentenced today to 176 months in prison and five years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Judge Wolfson imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

Donte Ellis, a/k/a “Shalant,” 42, was sentenced Nov. 15, 2019, to 181 months in prison and five years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty before Judge Wolfson to an information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Ellis also admitted to possessing a firearm during the offense.

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

In October 2018, Ellis, Hampton, and 24 other members of a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in Trenton were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute heroin. On Aug. 8, 2019, a grand jury returned a 15-count second superseding indictment charging nine of those defendants – Omar Council, a/k/a “Stacks,” a/k/a “O,” a/k/a “Y-O,” a/k/a “Snow,” Jerome Roberts, a/k/a “Righteous,” a/k/a “Lee;” David Antonio, a/k/a “Papi,” a/k/a “Pop,” a/k/a “Victor Arias,” a/k/a “Santiago Ramirez;” Brian Phelps, a/k/a “B-Money,” a/k/a “B;” Timothy Wimbush, a/k/a “Young Money;” Taquan Williams, a/k/a “Trip;” Jubri West; Dennis Cheston Jr., a/k/a “Beans;” and Wayne K. Bush – with various crimes relating to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, including firearms charges against Phelps, Wimbush, Williams, West, and Cheston. To date, 20 defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with their participation in the conspiracy.

From as early as October 2017 to October 2018, the defendants and others engaged in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the areas of Martin Luther King Boulevard, Sanford Street, Middle Rose Street, Southard Street, Hoffman Avenue, and Coolidge Avenue in Trenton, and which sought to profit from the distribution of heroin and numerous other controlled substances. Through the interception of telephone calls and text messages pursuant to court-authorized wiretap orders, controlled purchases of heroin, the use of confidential sources of information, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement learned that in September and October 2018, Ellis—who had been released from state prison in August 2018 for two prior convictions for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder—obtained large quantities of heroin on multiple occasions from codefendant Jakir Taylor, which he redistributed to others in and around Trenton. The investigation also revealed that, on several occasions when Ellis obtained supplies of heroin from Taylor, he also obtained a firearm from Taylor for protection in redistributing the narcotics. Hampton was a close associate of Taylor, and he regularly obtained and redistributed large quantities of heroin in furtherance of the conspiracy. The investigation also revealed that Hampton had access to one or more firearms.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charlie J. Patterson, ATF Trenton Field Office; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Sheilah Coley; officers of the Princeton Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Nicholas Sutter; officers of the Ewing Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police John P. Stemler III; officers of the Burlington Township Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Bruce Painter; and detectives of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina, with the investigation leading to today’s charges. He also thanked officers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo Onofri; officers of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John A. Kemler; and members of the New Jersey State Board of Parole for their assistance in the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Brendan Day and Alexander Ramey of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

This case was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Greater Trenton Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to enhance the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of individuals involved in gang-related activities, violent crime, and drug distribution in and around the greater Trenton area. 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.

The charges and allegations against the remaining defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defense counsel: Hampton: Stanley O. King Esq., Woodbury, New Jersey
Ellis: Jose Luis Ongay Esq., Camden, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey, couple have admitted to operating a Ponzi scheme in which they defrauded approximately two dozen investors by making extraordinary guarantees about investment returns and then used the money for extravagant purchases and to pay off other victims, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Alcibiades Cifuentes, 36, and his wife, Jennifer Wee Cifuentes, 38, formerly of West New York, New Jersey, each pleaded guilty to all six counts with which they were charged by indictment in May 2017: four counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiring to commit wire fraud, and one count of theft by a commodity pool operator. Jennifer Wee Cifuentes pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court. Alcibiades Cifuentes pleaded guilty on Nov. 8, 2019.

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

Alcibiades and Jennifer Wee Cifuentes engaged in an investment fraud scheme from 2012 through March 2015. They fraudulently induced victims to invest in the foreign currency and commodity markets through Cifuentes Fund Management (CFM), their hedge fund that purportedly invested in foreign currencies. Instead, they almost immediately spent those investment funds on personal items, such as an Audi R8 and jewelry. The couple would then pay back a portion of the victims’ money with money received from newly duped victims. The couple defrauded approximately 25 victims of more than $500,000.

Each count of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy to which the defendants pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss caused by the scheme. The count of commodities theft to which the defendants pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentencing for Alcibiades Cifuentes is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2020, and for Jennifer Wee Cifuentes, Feb. 28, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James V. Buthorn in Newark, and Special Agents with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the investigation leading to the guilty pleas. He also thanked the N.J. Bureau of Securities in the State Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs, under the direction of Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Bureau Chief Christopher Gerold, as well as the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Enforcement, under the direction of Director James M. McDonald, for their respective roles in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony P. Torntore and Courtney A. Howard.

Defense counsel: Alcibiades Cifuentes: Patrick McMahon Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Jennifer Wee Cifuentes: Aidan P. O’Connor Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man today admitted distributing multiple images and videos depicting child sexual abuse, as well as soliciting two children to engage in sexually explicit conduct online, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Christopher Gardiner, 36, of Cranford, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with one count of distributing child pornography and two counts of online enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual conduct.

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

Between March 2018 and June 2018, Gardiner engaged an undercover agent in an ongoing sexually graphic conversation on a web-based social media application. During the course of the conversation, Gardiner publicly posted in a chatroom multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of children and sent similar videos to the undercover agent directly. Law enforcement subsequently discovered numerous images and videos of child pornography on Gardiner’s electronic devices when he was arrested at his home in August 2018.

During a forensic examination of Gardiner’s electronic devices, law enforcement discovered multiple conversations in which Gardiner engaged children in sexually explicit conversations and encouraged them to record themselves engaging in criminal sexual conduct. Law enforcement subsequently identified the children and confirmed that they were under the age of 18 at the time of their conversations with Gardiner.

Gardiner was previously convicted of endangering the welfare of a child and distribution of child pornography in Union County in 2007. For a repeat offender, the charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charges of online enticement carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Michael B. Campagna Esq., Elizabeth, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Georgia woman today admitted using a National Basketball Association (NBA) player’s stolen identity to attempt to obtain a $2.5 million loan, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Annie M. Ford, 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to an indictment charging her with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

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

From October 2013 through November 2013, Ford tried to fraudulently obtain a $2.5 million loan from a New York-based lending company using the stolen identity of another individual, who at the time was a NBA player and resident of New Jersey.

Ford created fraudulent documents using the victim’s name. She also forged or caused to be forged the victim’s signature on multiple documents, including a Merchant Agreement between the victim and the lender, an escrow document providing that the $2.5 million loan would be deposited into a bank account controlled by Ford, and a power of attorney document appointing another individual involved in the scheme to serve as the victim’s “attorney-in-fact” for banking and financial matters. Those fraudulent and forged documents were submitted in support of the $2.5 million loan application.

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a maximum potential penalty of two years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; and inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine R. Murphy of the Economic Crimes Unit.

Defense counsel: Bruno C. Bier, Esq., New York

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic City woman was sentenced to 78 months in prison for her role in a drug trafficking and money laundering operation in the Atlantic County area, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Jazmin Vega, 45, previously pleaded guilty to one count of an indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb imposed the sentence Nov. 14, 2019, in Camden federal court.

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

From 2010 through December 2014, Vega’s long-time paramour, Toye Tutis, 47, operated a large-scale drug trafficking ring out of the Ta’Ja Laundromat in Atlantic City, purchasing and distributing between 150 to 450 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 26 kilograms of heroin, and laundering between $1.5 and $3 million in drug proceeds. Tutis was aided by Vega, who admitted to laundering his drug trafficking proceeds in several ways, including through the couple’s various businesses – Ta’Ja Construction I LLC; Ta’Ja Real Estate Investors LLC; and Integrity Heating and Cooling LLC; and by purchasing more than 30 properties with tainted funds.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Vega to three years of supervised release and fined her $1,000. As part of their plea agreements, Vega and Tutis must forfeit 20 properties, cash and other assets.

Tutis also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 264 months in prison.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s Newark Division, Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; the DEA’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner; and the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Henry White, with the investigation leading to sentencing.

He also thanked the New Jersey State Police; the Pennsylvania State Police, the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-Homeland Security Investigation (HSI); U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventnor, Northfield, and Millville police departments for their assistance.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A Queens, New York, man today admitted impersonating a federal agent, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Tornike Lubyk, 28, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of falsely impersonating an agent of the FBI.

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

Lubyk admitted that on July 8, 2019, during a traffic stop by the Paramus Police Department, he falsely advised Paramus officers that he was with the FBI’s C-22 organized crime squad based in the Manhattan field office, and presented an apparent FBI badge, apparent FBI credentials, and an apparent FBI security access card.

The charge of impersonating a federal officer carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited FBI task force officers and special agents, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, Newark Field Division; and special agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian A. Michael, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Paramus Police Department for their work on the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Warren S. Sutnick Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A resident of the Dominican Republic was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for allegedly trying to smuggle into the United States approximately three kilograms of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jose Manuel Jimenez Jimenez, 47, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty to one count of illegal importation of more than 500 grams of cocaine. Judge McNulty imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

Jimenez arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During a screening, law enforcement officers discovered the cocaine sewn into the vest Jimenez was wearing.

In addition to the prison term, Jimenez is subject to deportation following his sentence.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; and officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Troy Miller, director of Field Operations, New York Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassye Cole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Candace Hom Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Gloucester County, New Jersey, man was charged today with allegedly distributing videos and images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Matthew Alongi, 30, of Thorofare, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court.

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

In November 2018, an undercover law enforcement officer participated in an online chat group on a social networking application that allows internet users to trade digital files. During multiple sessions, a user shared multiple files featuring images of child sexual abuse from an internet address traced to Alongi’s residence.

On May 8, 2019, law enforcement lawfully obtained from Alongi’s residence multiple devices that contained hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children being sexually abused.

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

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations, Cherry Hill Office, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Jeff Kocher; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer; the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Charles A. Fiore; the West Deptford Police Department, under the direction of Chief Sean McKenna; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation leading to today’s charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Harberg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

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

NEWARK, N.J. – A Camden County, New Jersey, man who worked as a corrections officer at a federal facility admitted today that he accepted cash bribes in exchange for delivering contraband to inmates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Paul Anton Wright, 34, of Berlin, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to Count 1 of a five-count indictment charging him with accepting thousands of dollars in cash bribes in exchange for delivering contraband to federal inmates at Fort Dix.

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

From 2014 through April of 2018, Wright worked as a correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix (FCI Fort Dix), a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in Burlington County. In 2015, Wright agreed to accept cash bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband, including tobacco, K2 (synthetic marijuana) and suboxone (a narcotic used to treat opioid addiction), to inmates.

Wright received cash bribes from two individuals outside of FCI Fort Dix. Between February and September 2015, Wright traveled to Philadelphia on multiple occasions to meet with a relative of an FCI Fort Dix inmate and subsequently delivered contraband, including K2, to the inmate. Wright would conceal the contraband in order to smuggle it into FCI Fort Dix. Between October and December of 2015, Wright traveled to New York City on multiple occasions to pick up contraband from a different inmate’s associate, from whom he also received corrupt cash payments in return for smuggling contraband into FCI Fort Dix.

The bribery charge to which Wright plead guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum potential fine of $250,000. In addition, Wright agreed to the entry of a forfeiture money judgment against him in the amount of $50,000, reflecting monies he accepted as bribes during the course of his criminal scheme. Sentencing is currently scheduled for Feb. 27, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Guido Modano, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie, for their assistance in the prosecution.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. McCarren and Tazneen Shahabuddin of the U.S. Attorney’s Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Angelo R. Bianchi Esq. and Peter C. LaGreca Esq., West Caldwell, New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey man, today admitted to engaging in a Ponzi scheme targeting elderly investors and to subscribing to a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Daniel Rivera, 60, of Hillsborough, New Jersey, a former financial advisor, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court to a superseding information charging him with one count of wire fraud and one count of aiding and abetting in the false subscribing to a tax return.

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

From 2008 through 2017, Rivera solicited primarily elderly investors to invest their money in a company called Robbins Lane Properties Inc. Rivera represented to investors that Robbins Lane was a company staffed by experienced real estate professionals that invested in real estate ventures. Rivera told investors that by investing in Robbins Lane, senior investors would share in the company’s investment portfolio by lending it money to invest in real estate. Rivera further promised investors that they would receive a guaranteed monthly income, and that the company’s rate of return was based on secure real estate investments in the company’s portfolio. In reality, Robbins Lane had no employees, no real estate portfolio, and the monies used to pay investors as a purported return on their investments was from funds he received from other investors. Rivera also used funds sourced from investors to pay his personal and unrelated business expenses, including paying his child’s college tuition and sorority fees.

During the course of the fraudulent scheme, on March 5, 2014, Rivera filed with the IRS a federal income tax return that underreported his taxable income by $33,276.

The wire fraud count to which Rivera pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential punishment of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross loss or gain caused by the offense. The aiding and abetting in the subscribing to a false tax return count with which Rivera is charged carries a maximum potential punishment of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark and special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dara Aquila Govan, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Public Protection Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Andrea Dechenne Bergman Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender (Trenton)

NEWARK, N.J. – A father and son from Bergen County, New Jersey, were sentenced today to 27 months in prison and eight months of home detention, respectively, for their roles in a scheme to use straw buyers and short sales on properties to defraud mortgage lenders out of hundreds of thousands of dollars and to avoid paying taxes on the proceeds of the scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

George Bussanich Sr., 60, of Park Ridge, New Jersey, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to a superseding information charging him with one count of bank fraud conspiracy and one count of tax evasion. His son, George Bussanich Jr., 39, of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, was sentenced to eight months of home detention. He previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Judge Cecchi imposed both sentences today in Newark federal court.

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

Between 2009 and 2012, Bussanich Sr. and Bussanich Jr. conspired to defraud mortgage lenders through the sham short sales of two properties, located on Jefferson Avenue in Emerson, New Jersey, and Lillian Street in Park Ridge.

Bussanich Sr. controlled various purported medical clinics and surgical centers in New Jersey. He recruited his business partner and an employee from a sleep clinic in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, to pose as legitimate, unrelated buyers of the properties. In order to conceal his involvement, Bussanich Sr. used a business entity he controlled to fund each short sale transaction and the subsequent repurchase of those properties. Bussanich Jr., the owner of record of both properties, negotiated the short sales with the lenders using materially false information that misrepresented the circumstances of the short sales, the relationships of the parties, and the source of funding for the transactions.

Approximately two years after the fraudulent short sales, Bussanich Sr. bought the properties back from the straw purchasers using money that he owed his business partner from an earlier venture.

Bussanich Sr. and Bussanich Jr. also failed to disclose on their tax returns income that they received from the purported medical clinics and surgical centers. Bussanich Sr. and Bussanich Jr. used those funds to purchase high-end luxury vehicles and to purchase official bank checks to fund the fraudulent short sales.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Cecchi sentenced Bussanich Sr. to five years of supervised release and Bussanich Jr. to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencings.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari B. Fontecchio of the Office’s Economic Crimes Unit, and Nicholas P. Grippo, Attorney in Charge of the Trenton Office.

Defense counsel: Stacy Biancamano Esq., Jersey City, New Jersey

CAMDEN, N.J. - A Camden County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for his role in a Camden drug trafficking organization that distributed large amounts of crack cocaine, furanyl fentanyl and heroin, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Mark Campbell, 39, a/k/a “D” and Diz,” of Sicklerville, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base. Judge Bumb imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

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

Campbell admitted that he supplied large quantities of cocaine base (crack cocaine) to members of a drug trafficking organization operating around the 1700 block of Filmore Street in Camden. The organization also distributed heroin and furanyl fentanyl, which it obtained from other suppliers. Ten members of the drug ring were arrested in June 2017 following a long-term investigation by the FBI, which utilized multiple telephone wiretaps, surveillance, confidential informants, cooperating witnesses, more than 20 controlled drug purchases, a GPS vehicle tracker and four court-authorized search warrants, among other investigative techniques. Members of the drug trafficking organization distributed crack cocaine, furanyl fentanyl, and heroin to users and resellers in and around Camden and to people cooperating with the FBI.

The investigation ultimately led to the seizure of more than 300 grams of crack cocaine, quantities of furanyl fentanyl and heroin, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia. An 11th defendant was later charged in March 2018.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Campbell to three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service and fined him $10,000.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Violent Offender and Gang Task Force, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Harpster; the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Wysocki; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer; and the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation. He also thanked the Camden County Sheriff’s Department, the Cherry Hill Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel J. Vidoni and Alisa Shver of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Defense counsel: Troy A. Archie Esq., Cinnaminson, New Jersey

NEWARK – A Brooklyn, New York, man was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for conspiring to rob a home improvement stores with stolen credit card information, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Omar Doolittle, 38, previously pleaded guilty 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 aggravated identity theft. Judge Chesler imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

From July 2017 through August 2018, Doolittle 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. Doolittle and his conspirators would pick up the goods using dozens of false or stolen identities and would then return the goods at different store locations or sell the goods at a discount to third parties for cash.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesler sentenced Doolittle to five years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan L. O’Neill of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: John Yauch Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for his role in a food stamps fraud and his subsequent flight to avoid prosecution, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jamil Bader, 60, of Teaneck, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an indictment charging him with one count of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits fraud. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

Every food stamp/SNAP recipient receives an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a debit card, with which to make purchases. Every retailer authorized to accept SNAP benefits has an EBT terminal. Food purchases are made by swiping the card at the terminal. After the customer enters a Personal Identification Number (PIN), the EBT terminal verifies the PIN, determines whether the customer’s account balance is sufficient to cover the transaction and informs the retailer whether the transaction should be authorized or declined. If the transaction is authorized, the amount of the purchase is then deducted from the SNAP benefits reserved for the customer, and the amount is credited to the retailer’s designated bank account.

Bader admitted that he controlled a small grocery store that was located on Clinton Avenue in Newark between September 2013 and September 2016. Bader acknowledged placing this store in another person’s name because he had previously been banned from participation in SNAP for similar conduct. Bader admitted that he repeatedly exchanged SNAP benefits for cash and kept a portion of that transaction for himself. Bader acknowledged that this scheme caused at least $754,424 in losses to the federal government. Bader also admitted fleeing from the United States and obtaining a foreign passport in an effort to avoid these criminal charges.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Bader to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $754,424.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bethanne Dinkins, with the investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security with Bader’s apprehension and return to New Jersey.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Barnes of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Frederick “Chip” Dunne III Esq., Kearny, New Jersey

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic City, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for selling over 200 grams of crystal methamphetamine and for staging a fake robbery of a Union County, New Jersey, pawnshop for the purpose of perpetrating an insurance fraud, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Salvatore “Sam” Piccolo, 68, of Atlantic City, a member of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra organized crime family, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to an information charging him with distribution more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of wire fraud. Judge Kugler imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

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

Piccolo distributed quantities of crystal methamphetamine to FBI undercover agents on three separate occasions between June 2017 and September 2017. On one occasion, he sold the undercover agent approximately four ounces of crystal methamphetamine in a restaurant parking lot in Sicklerville, New Jersey, in exchange for a $5,660 cash payment. On two other occasions in September 2017, FBI undercover agents purchased two ounce quantities of crystal methamphetamine from Piccolo in Atlantic City for cash payments of $2,800 for each transaction.

Piccolo also admitted that on April 19, 2014, he and an accomplice conspired to commit an insurance fraud. They entered a pawn shop in Union County, purportedly to sell some silver items. Once inside the shop, the accomplice displayed a hand gun while Piccolo, wearing a nylon mask, chained the front doors closed to prevent anyone from entering. The owner was bound, as a pretense, while Piccolo and his accomplice looted the safe of what the owner told police was approximately $60,000 in cash, several pieces of jewelry, and a hand gun. The owner later submitted to his insurance company a fraudulent loss claim that was paid for approximately $174,000.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced Piccolo to five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $174,025 in restitution to Northland Insurance of Minnesota.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Askin of the Criminal Division, Camden Office, and Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley of the U.S. Attorney's Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel: Louis Barbone Esq., Atlantic City

NEWARK, N.J. – The United States has entered into an agreement with a national daycare provider to resolve an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit filed by the government, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

The government alleged that Spring Education Inc. (SEI), formerly known as Nobel Learning Communities Inc., discriminated against a 3-year-old girl (M.M.) and her parents in violation of the ADA by refusing to make reasonable modifications to its toileting policy and then expelling the child on the basis of her disability. The girl had toileting delays resulting from her disability.

“Equal opportunity is the core American value that is protected by the ADA and advanced by today’s agreement,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “With this agreement, we ensure that children with disabilities attending SEI’s daycare facilities in New Jersey and across the United States receive the protection to which they are entitled under the law. We are proud to continue our vigorous enforcement of the ADA in New Jersey and will continue to root out discrimination to the fullest extent of the law.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from the parents of M.M. – who was diagnosed with Down syndrome – that SEI’s facility in Moorestown, New Jersey, set an arbitrary deadline for the child to become toilet-trained. According to the complaint, SEI then expelled M.M., with only five days’ notice, when she failed to meet that deadline, despite M.M.’s parents providing medical documentation explaining that toileting delays are common in children with Down syndrome. To justify expelling M.M., SEI pointed to its “corporate policy” on toileting, which SEI said required 3-year-olds in certain classrooms to be fully toilet trained.

After conducting the investigation, the United States filed a complaint in federal district court against SEI, alleging that the company violated the ADA by discriminating against both M.M. and her parents when it refused to modify its standard toileting policy and then expelling the child on the basis of her disability.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice brought an action against SEI in Pennsylvania (when it was still operating as Nobel Learning Communities), alleging that the company had a pattern or practice of discriminating against children with disabilities. The parties settled that lawsuit in 2011.

The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in child care centers, which must make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to provide equal access to a child with a disability, unless a modification would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods and services. Reasonable modifications in a child care setting can include personal services, such as diapering or toileting assistance for children who need it due to a disability, regardless of age, when such personal services are provided to other children.

Under the terms of the agreement, SEI is required to adopt a policy consistent with the ADA that requires it to provide reasonable modifications for children with disabilities that impact their ability to be toilet-trained. That policy change will protect children attending SEI’s seven facilities in New Jersey and more than 150 schools in 16 other states and Washington, D.C. SEI must also comply with rigorous reporting requirements, inform current and prospective families about the policy change, and train current and future employees on the policy. SEI must also pay a civil penalty of $30,000 to the United States and $18,000 as damages to M.M.

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at: Civil Rights Enforcement or call the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Complaint Hotline at (855) 281-3339.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at ADA.gov or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 and 800-514-0383.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan M. Anger, Ben Kuruvilla, and David V. Simunovich of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Williamson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Unit; and Trial Attorney Charlotte Lanvers of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section.

NEWARK, N.J. – Six Passaic County, New Jersey, residents were charged today for their roles in a large-scale money laundering and illegal money transmitting scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

The defendants are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to launder drug proceeds and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business:

• Felicia Almonte, 54, Passaic, New Jersey
• Erickson Checo-Almonte, 29, Passaic
• Julio De La Cruz-Acosta, 40, Paterson, New Jersey
• Willy Cruz-Bonilla, 22, Paterson
• Jordano Abreu-Diaz, 24, Paterson
• Enmanuel Nunez-Reyes, 26, Paterson

All defendants except Abreu-Diaz are scheduled to make their initial appearances this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark in Newark federal court. Abreu-Diaz is expected to appear before Judge Clark later this week.

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

The defendants were part of a large-scale money laundering conspiracy that used the U.S. banking system to convert over $27 million in cash from illegal drug sales in New Jersey and New York into cashier’s checks.

Between July 2016 and January 2019, the defendants and other conspirators purchased over 1,000 cashier’s checks, which were used as a mechanism to transfer drug proceeds out of the United States. The checks were made payable to individuals and companies specified by money brokers working on behalf of drug trafficking organizations with ties to the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and elsewhere.

The cashier’s check scheme was designed to conceal the nature, source, ownership, and control of the illegal drug proceeds in order to avoid scrutiny by law enforcement and banking institutions. The defendants were typically paid a fee of $150 to $200 for each check they purchased.
The charge of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the offense, whichever is greater. The charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; special agents and task force officers of IRS - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John R. Tafur; and the Morristown, New Jersey, police department, under the direction of Acting Police Chief Darnell Richardson with the investigation leading to today’s charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan M. Peck of the Criminal Division in Newark.

This case is being 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.

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. – A man from Dracut, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 235 months in prison for using the internet to solicit sex with a minor, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Richard Bly, 69, was convicted in July 2019 of online enticement of a minor after a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

On Feb. 7, 2017, Bly posted an advertisement on an internet website seeking to meet parents willing to allow Bly to engage in sexual activity with their young children. Over the course of several weeks, Bly had numerous e-mail and text message exchanges with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as the mother of an 8-year-old girl. In graphic and explicit terms, Bly repeatedly expressed his interest in engaging in sexual activity with the purported child, and made plans to meet the child and her mother at a hotel in Ramsey, New Jersey. Law enforcement officers arrested Bly at the hotel on the same morning that Bly had planned to sexually assault the purported child. At the time of his arrest, Bly was on bail after having been arrested and charged in August 2016 in Massachusetts state court for engaging in similar conduct.

In addition to the prison term, Judge McNulty sentenced Bly to 10 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael; and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Mark Musella, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Haber and Heather Suchorsky of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division.

Defense counsel: Thomas Ambrosio Esq., Lyndhurst, New Jersey

Initiative emphasizes enforcing gun prohibitions based on domestic violence convictions and mental health denials

NEWARK, N.J. – Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” Attorney General William P. Barr said. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”

“In the past two years, we’ve taken nearly 500 guns off the streets in New Jersey,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, District of New Jersey, said. “In the past year in Jersey City, incidents of murder by shooting are down 60 percent and shooting incidents overall are down 29 percent. In Newark, shooting murder incidents and shooting murder victims are down 20 percent. Newark Department of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose recently noted that 150 fewer people shot, and there were 30 fewer funerals in the city compared to last year. We look forward to working with our law enforcement partners in putting to use the additional tools Project Guardian gives us will help us make the streets of New Jersey even safer.”

“I am very proud to say that here in New Jersey, the five principles listed in the Project Guardian Nationwide Strategic Plan announced by Attorney General Barr today have been well established through the leadership of United States Attorney Craig Carpenito, and with the help of tremendous local, state, and federal partnerships,” ATF Special Agent In Charge Charlie J. Patterson said. “Project Guardian’s principals are central to ATF’s strategic priority mission, including strong collaboration with our partners, vigorous enforcement of federal firearm laws, and the use of shared Crime Gun Intelligence to focus on violent offenders. ATF, with the assistance of our partners, have recently had great success in identifying and disrupting armed violent individuals, which include criminal groups and gangs, from terrorizing our communities.”

“ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.”

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

1) Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.

2) Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.

Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.

3) Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.

4) Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety.

Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.

5) Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.

Federal law enforcement represents only about 15 percent of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Ohio man was sentenced today to 300 months in prison for robbing a mobile communications company retail store in Orange, New Jersey, at gunpoint in June 2016, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Frederick A. White, 47, previously pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

On the afternoon of June 11, 2016, White entered a mobile communications company retail store in Orange wearing a wig and brandishing a handgun. White stole cash from an employee of the store and fled. He was arrested a short while later after a foot pursuit by the Orange Police Department.

White previously was convicted of multiple counts of armed and attempted carjacking and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence in federal court in Newark in 1993.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced White to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and the Orange Police Department, under the direction of Director Todd Warren and Chief Law Enforcement Officer Vincent Vitiello, for their assistance with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens 2nd, for its assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elaine K. Lou and Desiree Grace Latzer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Michael N. Pedicini Esq., Chatham, New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for narcotics trafficking, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Jeramie Harris, 34, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson to an information charging him with one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Judge Wolfson imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

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

Harris was arrested as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation into a drug trafficking organization known to traffic heroin and fentanyl, as well as cocaine, in Monmouth and Ocean counties and elsewhere.

On May 1, 2019, law enforcement officers arrested Harris at his residence, which was an identified drug mill/stash house used to store and package narcotics, including fentanyl and heroin. Harris was found with a large kilogram press and narcotics packaging materials in his vehicle. Law enforcement officers found a bag containing a Röhm Gesellschaft .22 caliber six-shot revolver containing six rounds of ammunition, a metal spoon, and clear zip-lock baggies, as well as a second kilogram press, rubber bands, a digital scale, and a bundle of heroin. In a drawer in the kitchen area, law enforcement also found a clear bag containing approximately 25 grams of cocaine.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Wolfson sentenced Harris to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program out of Monmouth and Ocean counties, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Repole of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

Defense counsel: Brandon D. Minde Esq., Cranford, New Jersey