District of New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A Morris County man has been charged with attempted murder of a federal officer, as well as narcotics offenses and possession of five firearms, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Maloy Amador, 43, is charged by complaint with attempted murder of a federal officer, discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Amador appeared on August 14, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court and was detained.

“Violence against federal law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in New Jersey.  Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”

- Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba

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

On August 13, 2025, law enforcement responded to Amador’s residence in Parsippany, New Jersey for the purpose of executing a search warrant in connection with a federal narcotics and firearms investigation. After law enforcement entered Amador’s residence, Amador fired a gun toward law enforcement. Following an extended exchange of gunfire between Amador and law enforcement, Amador eventually surrendered, and law enforcement placed him under arrest.  At some point during the exchange of gunfire, Amador was struck in the arm. After Amador’s arrest, one of the officers who entered Amador’s residence discovered pieces of a projectile in the officer’s bulletproof vest from a bullet that Amador had fired. During a subsequent search of Amador’s residence, law enforcement recovered narcotics and several firearms, including multiple assault rifles.

The charge of attempted murder of a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the charge of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, the charge of possession of firearms by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and the narcotics offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The attempted murder of a federal officer and firearms offenses each carry a maximum fine of $250,000 and the narcotics offense carries a maximum fine of $1 million.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited officers and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr. with the investigation leading to today’s charges. Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba also thanks U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Port of New York and New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Vance Kuhner; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll; the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Pantina for their assistance in this investigation.

This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin, Chief of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Javon Henry of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

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

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Defense Counsel: Laura Sayler, Esq.

TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County man was sentenced to a total of 190 months in prison for possessing quantities of fentanyl he intended to distribute and being a felon in possession of ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Jaquan Picott, 30, of Trenton, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court to an Information charging him with possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possessing ammunition by a convicted felon.

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

In December 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and other law enforcement agencies began an investigation of Picott for drug trafficking and firearm activities. The investigation revealed that from December 2022 through April 2023, Picott sold approximately 450 grams of fentanyl, unserialized privately manufactured firearms (commonly called “ghost guns”), and ammunition in Ocean and Mercer Counties. On June 1, 2023, Picott was arrested for this conduct.

In December 2024, Picott absconded from pre-trial supervision and on June 27, 2025, was arrested by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF). The NY/NJ RFTF was formed in 2002 and has made an extraordinary impact on the investigation and apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives striving to make communities safer.

“We will not tolerate drug traffickers who poison our community with fentanyl.  This sentence reflects our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to flood our neighborhoods with deadly drugs. And if you run to avoid justice, know that we and our law enforcement partners will find you to face your fate.”

- Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba

Picott was sentenced to 190 months for possessing quantities of fentanyl he intended to distribute and 180 months for being a felon in possession of ammunition, with both counts to run concurrently.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, and the ATF Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr. with the investigation leading to the charges, and the USMS, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., with the investigation leading to the apprehension of Picott after he absconded.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard G. Shephard of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

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Defense counsel: Andrea G. Aldana, Esq., Trenton

TRENTON, N.J. – A Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, man was arrested today for various child exploitation offenses, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Bobbyjean Orak, 30, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged in a five-count Indictment with (i) transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a) (Count One); (ii) interstate travel with intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(b) (Count Two); (iii) enticement of a minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2422(b) (Count Three); (iv) production of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a) (Count Four); and (v) possession of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(5)(B) & (b)(2) (Count Five). Orak was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Skahill in Camden federal court.

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

Beginning at least in or around October 2022, Orak, who was then 27 years old, used a facility and means of interstate commerce to entice a minor (“Victim-1”) to engage in sexual activity, including the production of child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”).  On or about July 13, 2024, Orak transported Victim-1 from Pennsylvania to New Jersey with the intent to engage in sexual activity with Victim-1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement recovered the minor in Atlantic County in August 2024. Following Victim-1’s recovery, law enforcement’s investigation of Orak’s cellphone and various of his online accounts revealed that he possessed substantial quantities of CSAM, including CSAM of Victim-1 and others.

If convicted, Orak faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on Counts One and Three of the Indictment, a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment on Count Two of the Indictment, a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment on Count Four of the Indictment, and a maximum prison sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on Count Five of the Indictment.  Each of the offenses carry a maximum fine of $250,000, in addition to restitution and other assessments.

“There is no higher responsibility than safeguarding the welfare of our children.  According to the allegations in the Indictment, the defendant methodically groomed his victim for years, then transported the minor across state lines to sexually exploit the minor.  We will continue to prioritize these cases, pursue aggressive prosecutions, and hold predators to account.  I commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation and our law enforcement partners for their tireless work on this investigation.”

- Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited law enforcement members with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the charges.  She also thanked the Philadelphia, Galloway Township, Evesham, Delran, Waterford Township, and Winslow Township Police Departments for their assistance with the investigation.

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

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

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

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Defense counsel: Thomas Young, Assistant Federal Public Defender

Camden, N.J. – A Pennsylvania man was charged with unlawfully possessing and transporting an explosive device with intent to intimidate with a detonation that resulted in significant damage to a vehicle, personal property, and adjacent residential homes in Burlington County, New Jersey, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

Michael Patrick Takacs, Jr., 43, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, is charged by complaint with one count of transporting in interstate commerce an explosive with knowledge and intent that it would intimidate an individual and damage and destroy a building, vehicle, and real personal property; one count of unlawfully transporting explosive materials; and two counts of unlawful possession of an explosive device. Takacs had an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew J. Skahill in Camden federal court on August 7, 2025, and was ordered detained.

“Disgruntled individuals who seek retaliation in such dangerous ways – ways that could have seriously injured not only the victim, but others in the community, cannot be tolerated.  We will continue to support and collaborate with our law enforcement partners, who acted swiftly, yet methodically, in this matter. Violent actors will be brought to justice.”

- Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

"We learned a bomb was placed under a person’s vehicle and it exploded before dawn on a Saturday in Delran, NJ. Our agents, intelligence analysts, bomb technicians, evidence response team, and task force officers with state and local police agencies rushed to the scene and immediately began searching for a suspect. We worked around the clock and developed evidence in just days to allege Takacs built the bomb and took very specific steps to avoid detection. Our most important mission in these types of investigations is to protect the public from injury or death by preventing additional attacks. The people of New Jersey do not always get to see the swift and incredible work done by the FBI and our law enforcement partners, but this case illustrates what we do and the way we do it is vital to the communities we serve," Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy said.

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

On or about July 26, 2025, at approximately 2:42 a.m., an explosive device detonated in the vicinity of a silver Ford Explorer owned by Victim-1 and parked in Victim-1’s driveway located in Delran, New Jersey.  The explosion caused a debris field extending out approximately 100 feet in diameter, with various nails and bolts lodged in both the body of the Ford Explorer and in adjacent residential homes.

Approximately two minutes prior to the explosion, surveillance video reviewed by law enforcement showed a dark-colored SUV, later identified as a Jeep Renegade, park directly across the street from Victim-1’s residence and an individual exit the front driver’s side door of the SUV carrying a black object. The individual approached the vicinity of the driver’s side door of Victim-1’s Ford Explorer and then quickly left the vicinity of the Ford Explorer empty handed, returning to the SUV and departing the area.

Shortly thereafter, surveillance video footage showed what appeared to be the same dark-colored Jeep Renegade pass Victim-1’s residence at a high rate of speed, followed immediately by a large explosion that engulfed the vicinity of the Ford Explorer in or near Victim-1’s driveway. Law enforcement believes that the individual driving the Jeep Renegade remotely detonated an explosive device that he had placed near the Ford Explorer while passing Victim-1’s residence.

Victim-1 previously worked with Takacs and was one of his supervisors.  In or around May 2025, Takacs was terminated from his position at his place of employment.

Law enforcement later observed a dark-colored Jeep Renegade – the same make and model of the SUV seen on surveillance footage outside of Victim-1’s residence – parked in the vicinity of Takac’s residential driveway in Warminster, Pennsylvania.  Additionally, law enforcement learned that Takacs had purchased detonators consistent with the detonator found on the scene of the explosion from an online website just weeks before the event.

Takacs had taken a screenshot, on or about June 4, 2025, of an online map depicting Victim-1’s residence and had conversations with another individual about purchasing a license plate flipper (a device that assists drivers in obscuring or concealing license plates at the press of a button).  Takacs did not hold the necessary permits, licenses, or registrations to make or transport explosives.

Counts 1 and 2 of the Complaint each carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Counts 3 and 4 of the complaint each carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark and Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs in Philadelphia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, under the direction of David Metcalf, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, under the direction of Director Laurie R. Doran, New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of LaChia L. Bradshaw, the Delran (NJ) Township Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Matthew J. Gasper, the Warminster (PA) Township Police Department under the direction of Chief James Donnelly III, the Bucks County (PA) Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Fred Haran, and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Jennifer M. Schorn.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincent D. Romano and Casey S. Smith of the Office’s National Security Unit in Newark, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division.

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

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Defense counsel: Thomas Young, Assistant Federal Public Defender

NEWARK, N.J. – A German man admitted today to orchestrating a massive mail fraud scheme targeting elderly and otherwise vulnerable victims with false and fraudulent psychic solicitations, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

Georg Ingenbleek, 58, a citizen of Germany, was indicted in 2020 and has been a fugitive. He was apprehended in Bolzano, Italy in 2024 and extradited in May 2025 to face an indictment charging him with two counts of mail fraud. Ingenbleek pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to two counts of mail fraud.

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

From at least 2011 through 2016, Ingenbleek created numerous direct mail solicitations supposedly from world-renowned psychics, falsely and fraudulently claiming to offer recipients individual psychic services and objects that would result in great fortune. Many of the letters falsely promised that the psychic services being offered were free of charge. Ingenbleek directed co-conspirators to send fraudulent billing notices to the same victims that stated that the victims owed money for psychic services, which in many cases had been offered free of charge. The fraudulent billing notices falsely represented that the victims owed fees and threatened to take legal action if the victim did not send a check, usually for $20 to $50. Through his fraudulent psychic mailing campaign, Ingenbleek obtained more than $10 million dollars from victims.

The mail fraud charges each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2025 at 10:30 A.M.

Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; and special agents of HSI New York, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, with the investigation leading to the charges, and HSI Rome and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for providing significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from Italy.

The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Fayer and Olta Bejleri of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Daniel Rashbaum, Esq., Miami, Florida.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Jersey City, New Jersey man was charged today with possession of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Matthew Ozol, 39, of Jersey City, New Jersey is charged with one count of possession of child pornography.  Ozol made his initial before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark, III in Newark federal court and was detained.

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

Law enforcement reviewed messages sent via a messaging application from an account associated with an IP address registered in Ozol’s name at Ozol’s residence.  The account participated in a chat group named “Baby Rapist,” and sent multiple communications referencing, among other things, a desire to rape babies and exchange child pornography, and distributed a video containing child pornography.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ozol’s residence, and recovered at least 26 images and/or videos of child pornography depicting infants or toddlers.

The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, with the investigation leading to the charge.

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

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Specht of the Special Prosecutions Division.

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Defense Counsel:

Robert Ebberup, Esq., Toms River, New Jersey

NEWARK – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey will join their law enforcement partners, neighbors, and communities in National Night Out events in Jersey City, Newark, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Teaneck, Summit, Verona, Cedar Grove, Morristown, Mansfield, Mount Olive, Woodbridge, New Egypt, Paterson, Millburn, Trenton, Glen Rock, Summit, Bayonne, Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Edison, Rockaway Borough, and Cherry Hill across the District of New Jersey.

“National Night Out is a powerful reminder that public safety is a shared responsibility. By coming together with our law enforcement partners and local communities, we strengthen the trust and collaboration that helps keep the great state of New Jersey safe. Standing behind law enforcement is the greatest honor of my career, and this event is a meaningful reminder of the families, officers, and community leaders who work every day to serve and protect this country.”

- Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August.

National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.

Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.

For more information, visit https://natw.org/.

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Royal Sovereign International Inc. (Royal Sovereign), a New Jersey corporation that sold office and home appliances, pleaded guilty today to a criminal information charging it under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) with failing to report immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) information concerning portable air conditioners allegedly linked to more than 40 fires and one death. Additionally, Royal Sovereign agreed to a civil settlement with the United States that included a $16,025,000 civil penalty, the maximum civil penalty authorized by the CPSA.

According to court documents, Royal Sovereign, which also did business as Royal Centurian Inc., imported and sold more than 33,000 defective air conditioners between 2008 and 2014. The air conditioners were defective due to a faulty drain motor that could electrically short and cause them to catch fire and burn uncontrollably. The company’s CEO, Takwan Lim, previously signed a settlement agreement with CPSC stemming from allegations that a related entity, Royal Sovereign Corporation, sold certain portable ceramic heaters that posed a fire risk. Royal Sovereign recalled the defective air conditioner models in 2021.

“It is critical for companies, corporate executives, and their employees to exercise strict compliance with their obligations under the Consumer Product Safety Act to safeguard the American public and recall hazardous products as soon as possible,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Companies cannot attempt to evade liability by delaying or avoiding reporting. When they do, they must be held accountable.”

“The criminal and civil resolutions in this matter show this Office’s commitment to protecting the public and holding companies accountable for violating their obligations under the Consumer Product Safety Act,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey.

“Royal Sovereign’s failure to report a deadly defect led to tragedy, including the death of a mother and serious injuries to her children,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. “CPSC will not hesitate to use the full weight of its executive power to pursue violations of the law — including criminal penalties — and we thank our partners at DOJ for helping to bring this company to justice.”

In pleading guilty, Royal Sovereign admitted that, despite knowing of the defects from numerous consumer complaints and lawsuits, it willfully failed to report information about the air conditioners immediately to CPSC, as was its obligation under the CPSA. According to the information filed in the case, the company misled the CPSC in November 2010 by telling the agency that it was aware of only two fire incidents related to the air conditioners and that the products had been discontinued. In reality, the government alleged, the company was aware of at least 16 fires and continued to distribute the products anyway. According to the recall notice, a woman died in August 2016 from smoke inhalation and her two children were injured after their Royal Sovereign air conditioner caught fire. In connection with the guilty plea, Royal Sovereign is required to pay $395,786.48 in restitution to victims.

The civil settlement resolves allegations that Royal Sovereign failed to notify the CPSC “immediately,” as required by law, that its portable air conditioners contained a defect presenting a substantial product hazard and that the products created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.

Takwan Lim, the former CEO of the company, died in 2023. Royal Sovereign has permanently ceased all company operations related to the marketing, sale, or distribution of consumer products. In recognition of the company’s limited ability to pay, all but $100,000 of the civil penalty was suspended. The consent decree requires Royal Sovereign and certain individuals associated with it to notify the government and to develop internal controls and procedures designed to ensure timely, truthful, complete, and accurate reporting to CPSC as required by law before resuming the marketing, sale, or distribution of any consumer products.

Trial Attorney Ethan Carroll of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch (CPB) prosecuted the criminal case with the assistance of Renee McCune of CPSC’s Office of the General Counsel. CPB Trial Attorney David Crockett handled the civil settlement with the assistance of Patricia Vieira of CPSC’s Office of the General Counsel. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey provided valuable assistance.

For more information about the products that were recalled, visit www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Royal-Sovereign-Recalls-Portable-Air-Conditioners-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-One-Death-Reported.

Victims who experienced bodily injury or damage, destruction, or loss of property caused by a fire involving a portable air conditioner made or distributed by Royal Sovereign International Inc., or Royal Centurian Inc., with a model number beginning with PAC-3012, ARP-3012, or ARP-3014, should contact the Department of Justice at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov by Sept. 5, if they have not previously received compensation and believe they are entitled to restitution.

For more information about the enforcement efforts of the Consumer Protection Branch, visit the Branch’s website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

NEWARK — Royal Sovereign International Inc. (Royal Sovereign), a New Jersey corporation that sold office and home appliances, pleaded guilty today to a criminal information charging it under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) with failing to report immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) information concerning portable air conditioners allegedly linked to more than 40 fires and one death. Additionally, Royal Sovereign agreed to a civil settlement with the United States that included a $16,025,000 civil penalty, the maximum civil penalty authorized by the CPSA.

According to court documents, Royal Sovereign, which also did business as Royal Centurian Inc., imported and sold more than 33,000 defective air conditioners between 2008 and 2014. The air conditioners were defective due to a faulty drain motor that could electrically short and cause them to catch fire and burn uncontrollably. The company’s CEO, Takwan Lim, previously signed a settlement agreement with CPSC stemming from allegations that a related entity, Royal Sovereign Corporation, sold certain portable ceramic heaters that posed a fire risk. Royal Sovereign recalled the defective air conditioner models in 2021.

“The criminal and civil resolutions in this matter show this Office’s commitment to protecting the public and holding companies accountable for violating their obligations under the Consumer Product Safety Act."

- Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“It is critical for companies, corporate executives, and their employees to exercise strict compliance with their obligations under the Consumer Product Safety Act to safeguard the American public and recall hazardous products as soon as possible,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Companies cannot attempt to evade liability by delaying or avoiding reporting. When they do, they must be held accountable.”

“Royal Sovereign’s failure to report a deadly defect led to tragedy, including the death of a mother and serious injuries to her children,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. “CPSC will not hesitate to use the full weight of its executive power to pursue violations of the law — including criminal penalties — and we thank our partners at DOJ for helping to bring this company to justice.”

In pleading guilty, Royal Sovereign admitted that, despite knowing of the defects from numerous consumer complaints and lawsuits, it willfully failed to report information about the air conditioners immediately to CPSC, as was its obligation under the CPSA. According to the information filed in the case, the company misled the CPSC in November 2010 by telling the agency that it was aware of only two fire incidents related to the air conditioners and that the products had been discontinued. In reality, the government alleged, the company was aware of at least 16 fires and continued to distribute the products anyway. According to the recall notice, a woman died in August 2016 from smoke inhalation and her two children were injured after their Royal Sovereign air conditioner caught fire. In connection with the guilty plea, Royal Sovereign is required to pay $395,786.48 in restitution to victims.

The civil settlement resolves allegations that Royal Sovereign failed to notify the CPSC “immediately,” as required by law, that its portable air conditioners contained a defect presenting a substantial product hazard and that the products created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.

Takwan Lim, the former CEO of the company, died in 2023. Royal Sovereign has permanently ceased all company operations related to the marketing, sale, or distribution of consumer products. In recognition of the company’s limited ability to pay, all but $100,000 of the civil penalty was suspended. The consent decree requires Royal Sovereign and certain individuals associated with it to notify the government and to develop internal controls and procedures designed to ensure timely, truthful, complete, and accurate reporting to CPSC as required by law before resuming the marketing, sale, or distribution of any consumer products.

Trial Attorney Ethan Carroll of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch (CPB) prosecuted the criminal case with the assistance of Renee McCune of CPSC’s Office of the General Counsel. CPB Trial Attorney David Crockett handled the civil settlement with the assistance of Patricia Vieira of CPSC’s Office of the General Counsel. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey is represented by Fatime Cano and Olta Bejleri.

For more information about the products that were recalled, visit www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2022/Royal-Sovereign-Recalls-Portable-Air-Conditioners-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-One-Death-Reported.

Victims who experienced bodily injury or damage, destruction, or loss of property caused by a fire involving a portable air conditioner made or distributed by Royal Sovereign International Inc., or Royal Centurian Inc., with a model number beginning with PAC-3012, ARP-3012, or ARP-3014, should contact the Department of Justice at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov by Sept. 5, if they have not previously received compensation and believe they are entitled to restitution.

For more information about the enforcement efforts of the Consumer Protection Branch, visit the Branch’s website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

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NEWARK, N.J. – Four members of the Paterson based neighborhood street gang known as “4K” were indicted for their roles in a shooting, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

The Superseding Indictment charges Jatrail Avent, a/k/a “Curry” (“Avent”); Shequan Roberts, a/k/a “Shingy” (“Roberts”); Jahmir Moody, a/k/a “Jahdi” (“Moody”); and Wizair Johnson, a/k/a “Wababy” (“Johnson”), all of Paterson with one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. The Superseding Indictment also incorporates individual firearms charges, which were previously charged in the Indictment.

These charges are the result of a long-running investigation coordinated between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, among other law enforcement agencies.

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

Avent, Roberts, Moody, and Johnson are all members and associates of the neighborhood based street gang known as “4K,” which operates in the area of Rosa Parks Boulevard near Lyon Street, Keen Street, and Mercer Streets in Paterson, New Jersey (the “4K Enterprise”).  These members and associates of the 4K Enterprise have engaged in numerous criminal acts in furtherance of their gang, including shootings, robberies, homicides, and drug trafficking. Members and associates of the 4K Enterprise have engaged in acts of violence against members of rival gangs.

On or about November 6, 2022, Avent, Roberts, Moody, and Johnson opened fire on members of a rival gang, called the 230 Boyz, who were inside a van, as part of a dispute between 4K and the 230 Boyz.

The defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the violent crime in aid of racketeering charge, and a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison on the firearm offense, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed. Both offenses carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited law enforcement members with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr.; the New Jersey State Police, Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Thomas Adamo; the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Officer In Charge Patrick Murray, with the investigation leading to yesterday’s charges.

This case is part of the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), which was formed in 2020 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Paterson’s Department of Public Safety for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Paterson. 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 Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals, the Paterson Department of Public Safety, the Paterson Police Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Parole, Bergen County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, and N.J. Department of Corrections.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Sussman and Dan Rosenblum of the U.S Attorney’s Office Narcotics/OCDETF Unit in Newark.

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

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Defense counsel:

Jatrail Avent – Michael T Simon

Shequan Roberts - Richard J. Verde

Jahmir Moody - Ernesto Cerimele

Wizair Johnson - Mary Toscano 

TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey man was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for fraudulently obtaining approximately $691,465.44 in benefits from various programs and institutions, including the Social Security Administration and the United States Department of Defense, Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Steven Jones, 66, of Somerset, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch to an Information charging him with Theft of Public Money. Judge Kirsch imposed the sentence on July 25, 2025, in Trenton federal court.

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

Steven Jones’ father received several federal retirement benefits before he died in October 2004. After Jones’s father died, Jones intentionally falsified his father’s death certificate so that the federal agencies would continue to issue the retirement benefits. On two occasions, Jones had a person impersonate his father to a federal agency so that the agency would think his father was still alive and continue payments. The investigation revealed that Jones unlawfully collected these payments for nearly 20 years, from October 2004 to December 2023.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kirsch sentenced Jones to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $691,465.44 in restitution.

Acting U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, with the investigation leading to this sentence.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Zuckier of the Bank Integrity and Money Laundering Recovery Unit and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Abrams of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Steven Altman, Esq.

NEWARK, N.J. – An East Orange, New Jersey man was sentenced on July 24, 2025, to 120 months for possessing quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine he intended to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Ibraheem Muhammad, 41, of East Orange, New Jersey previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an Indictment charging him with one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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

Law enforcement investigated Muhammad for his drug distribution from an apartment in East Orange (the “Residence”).  On May 9, 2022, Muhammad was arrested on a warrant after law enforcement saw him exit the Residence and engage in a suspected drug transaction.  He was caught in possession of numerous envelopes of suspected heroin and keys to the Residence.  A subsequent search of the Residence revealed Muhammad to be in possession of controlled substances that subsequently lab tested positive for heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, and various glassine envelopes and other paraphernalia used for packaging drugs.  Law enforcement also recovered approximately $14,000 in cash; a Girsan 9mm semi-automatic handgun, loaded with fourteen (14) rounds of 9mm ammunition; and an additional fifteen (15) rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Muhammad to 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., Newark Field Division; and the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Maurice Boyd, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farhana C. Melo and Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Jacqueline Cistaro, Esq, New York, NY

NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to 194 months in prison for transporting and possessing videos and images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

Edward M. O’Hagan, 51, of Hawthorne, New Jersey previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo to an information charging him with one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.  Judge Arleo imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

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

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement obtained records and legal process pertaining to two email accounts that were identified as belonging to O’Hagan.  Based on these email accounts, law enforcement determined that, on or about January 19, 2023, O’Hagan transmitted video files containing child pornography through the internet. The investigation further revealed that O’Hagan’s email addresses utilized an encrypted file storage platform to upload and/or create files containing child pornography, which was accessed from an IP address that was traced to O’Hagan’s address.

Subsequent to a lawful search of O’Hagan’s residence on May 22, 2023, law enforcement officers recovered hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography on O’Hagan’s electronic devices.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Arleo sentenced O’Hagan to a lifetime term of supervised release, and to pay restitution of $86,000 to the victims.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.  She also thanked the Hawthorne Police Department and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farhana C. Melo and Aaron L. Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel:  Areeb Salim, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

TRENTON, N.J. – A Monmouth County man admitted to armed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 51, of Wall Township, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on July 22, 2025, to a one-count Information charging him with armed bank robbery.

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

On October 23, 2024, Kniffin entered a bank in Wall Township, New Jersey armed with a loaded handgun, approached a bank teller, and demanded cash from the teller. After demanding the money, Kniffin removed the handgun from his pocket and displayed it towards the teller. During his interaction with the teller, Kniffin instructed multiple times, “Don’t do anything stupid.” Kniffin received approximately $27,072 in cash from the teller and then fled the bank. He was apprehended and arrested by law enforcement several minutes later. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered from Kniffin and his immediate surroundings a loaded firearm and more than $25,000 in cash.

The count of armed bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for November 24, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited task force officers with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Wall Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Sean O’Halloran, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, for their assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

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Defense counsel: John M. Holliday, Esq.

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his role in the procurement, casting, and tabulation of fraudulent mail-in ballots submitted in connection with the general election held on November 8, 2022, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Craig Callaway, 64, a former member and President of the City Council of Atlantic City and a political organizer who assisted campaigns for elected offices in New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an Information charging him with depriving, defrauding, and attempting to deprive and defraud the residents of the State of New Jersey of a fair and impartially conducted election process by the fraudulent procurement, casting, and tabulation of ballots.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to undermine New Jersey’s electoral process: that such conduct will result in serious consequences.  The sentence also reflects our Office’s commitment to protecting free and fair elections, one of the bedrock principles of our democracy.”

- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“The right to vote is a fundamental aspect of our democracy, one that the FBI and our law enforcement partners strive to protect. Craig Callaway’s nefarious plot to hijack mail-in ballots resulted in his arrest and subsequent sentencing, and serves as a reminder to like-minded criminals, voter fraud will not be tolerated in New Jersey,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.

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

Beginning in or about October 2022, approximately one month before the general election held on November 8, 2022 (the “2022 General Election”), Callaway and others who were working at Callaway’s direction approached numerous individuals in Atlantic City, promising to pay them between approximately $30 and $50 to act as purported authorized messengers for voters who supposedly wished to vote by mail.

After receiving Vote-By-Mail Applications from Callaway or his subordinates, these purported messengers entered the Atlantic County Clerk’s Office carrying anywhere from one to four completed Vote-By-Mail Applications. Inside the County Clerk’s Office, as instructed by Callaway or his subordinates, these individuals provided County Clerk’s Office personnel proof of identification and signed the Vote-By-Mail Applications in the authorized messenger portion before handing those signed applications to office personnel.  Further as instructed by Callaway or his subordinates, these purported messengers waited while office personnel processed the applications and, if the applications were approved, provided to the purported messengers mail-in ballots for the voters listed on the applications.

Under New Jersey law, a messenger is required to deliver any mail-in ballot they received directly to the voter who requested the ballot and must certify that they would do so.  However, after receiving mail-in ballots, these purported messengers left the County Clerk’s Office and handed the ballots to Callaway or his subordinates, instead of delivering the ballots to the voters.

Many of the mail-in ballots collected by Callaway or his subordinates were ultimately cast in the names of voters who have confirmed that they did not vote in the 2022 General Election—either in-person or by submitting a mail-in ballot—and that they did not authorize Callaway, his subordinates, or anyone else, to cast ballots for them in the 2022 General Election.  Many of these mail-in ballots were counted towards the 2022 General Election.

In addition to the prison term, Chief Judge Bumb sentenced Callaway to three years of supervised release. 

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency's Public Corruption Task Force, including the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William Reynolds; the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Chief James A. Sarkos; and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan; as well as special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone; the Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins; and the postal inspectors of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney James H. Graham of the Special Prosecutions Division.

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Defense counsel: Megan J. Davies, Esq.

A New Jersey construction company owner was sentenced yesterday to 15 months in prison for evading employment tax penalties assessed against him.

The following is according to court documents and statements made in court: Joseph Caravella, of Randolph, owned several masonry companies in New Jersey. From 2008 to 2016, the IRS assessed approximately $650,000 in Trust Fund Recovery penalties against Caravella for causing three masonry businesses that he owned to not pay their federal employment taxes. The timely payment of federal employment taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year. Congress empowered the IRS to impose a penalty equal to the amount of the unpaid taxes — called a Trust Fund Recovery Penalty — against any responsible individual who fails to ensure that these taxes are paid timely. Caravella pleaded guilty to attempting to evade these Trust Fund Recovery penalties.  

From around March 2008 through April 2019, Caravella sought to evade the payment of these penalties by placing companies that he controlled in the names of nominee owners and avoiding the use of a bank account in his own name to prevent the IRS from levying the funds. Also during that time, Caravella continued to cause his businesses not to pay employment taxes, resulting in an additional loss of $1.2 million to the IRS.

In total, Carvalla caused a tax loss to the IRS of $1,885,519.39.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Hayter L. Whitman of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Fell for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A former New Jersey resident recently pled guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his participation in a telemarketing scheme to defraud timeshare owners over the age of 55 from 2016 to 2020, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

James Toner, a/k/a “Jason Turner,” a/k/a “James Turner,” a/k/a “Jason Thomas,” 43, of Lake Mary, Florida pleaded guilty today, before the Hon. Karen M. Williams, U.S. District Judge, Camden, to Counts One and Two of a 13-count Indictment, charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing that targeted or victimized timeshare owners over the age of 55 (Count One) and wire fraud in connection with telemarketing that targeted or victimized timeshare owners over the age of 55 (Count Two). Toner’s sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2025.

Toner was previously charged by indictment along with William O’Hanlon, a/k/a “Patrick Burns,” a/k/a “William Burns,” 61, Karen Stefanowski, 63, and William Chiusano, Jr., then-48, of Laguna Niguel, California. Chiusano is now deceased, and charges against him have been dismissed. O’Hanlon and Stefanowski previously pleaded guilty before Judge Williams to their roles in fraudulent telemarketing schemes from 2016 to 2023 on May 9, 2025 and April 30, 2025, respectively.

In addition, Alex Klemash, 32, of Williamstown, New Jersey, Michael Lambe, 45, of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, and La’Tresa Jackson, 59, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before Judge Williams on March 8, 9, and 13, 2023, respectively, to related Informations charging them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with the 2016 to 2020 telemarketing scheme.

Accordingly, all living defendants charged for their roles in the telemarketing scheme from 2016 to 2020 have now pleaded guilty. The sentencings for the defendants are currently scheduled as follows:

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

The wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charge to which Toner pleaded guilty arise out of his participation in a timeshare fraud scheme operated through businesses WILLIAMS ANDREWS BURNS LLC, RESORT BNB, INC., and WILLIAMS & BURNS, INC. (collectively referred to as “WAB”). As part of his plea agreement, Toner admitted that he was a manager and supervisor at WAB.

From in or about October 2016 through in or about October 2020, Toner and additional co-conspirators (collectively referred to as “Conspirators”), engaged in a scheme to financially enrich themselves by selling fraudulent services to timeshare owners offered through WAB, including offering to rent and/or buy the owners’ timeshares under false and fraudulent pretenses or representations, and offering to recover monies timeshare owners had previously paid in connection with other scams. The Conspirators obtained lists of timeshare owners and their contact information, and cold-called them to pitch their various services in return for upfront fees.

The Conspirators made numerous false and misleading statements to the timeshare owners, including falsely stating that the timeshare owners had “bonus” timeshare weeks which WAB would rent for them in return for an upfront fee, and falsely guaranteeing thousands of dollars in rental income for the timeshare owners. Once the timeshare owners had signed up and paid their fees for the phony rentals services, the Conspirators also generally pitched collections/recovery services, offering to obtain refunds of monies previously paid by the timeshare owners in other fraudulent scams, in return for fees. Again, the Conspirators made numerous false and misleading statements in many instances to both timeshare owners and the banks that issues their credit cards. One of the fraudulent pitches used by the Conspirators was to falsely claim that the timeshare owner had been identified as a victim of timeshare fraud and was entitled to monies that were held by a government entity, often referred to as the attorney general’s office or the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and that WAB would obtain those monies for the timeshare owner in return for the payment of an upfront fee. The Conspirators also offered additional fraudulent services to timeshare owners, including occasionally offering timeshare buyouts/take-overs.

Toner agreed to make restitution for any proven losses to victims of WAB.

Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud is punishable by a maximum of 30 years in prison, including an enhancement of 10 years in prison for committing such fraud via telemarketing that targeted persons over the age of 55 or victimized 10 or more persons over the age of 55. The sentences on each count may run consecutively. Each offense also carries a potential fine of the greater of $250,000,or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, and the defendant may be sentenced to a term of supervised release after any term of imprisonment imposed.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited agents of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs; special agents of the IRS Criminal Investigations, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; and special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge, Cooperative Disability Investigations – Eastern Region, Conor Washington, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elisa T. Wiygul and Diana Vondra Carrig of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.

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Defense Counsel:

Lee Vartan, Esquire and Melissa Wernick, Esquire for William O’Hanlon

Zach Intrater, Esquire for Karen Stefanowski

Megan Davies, Esquire for James Toner

Michael Baldassare, Esquire for La’Tresa Jackson

Perry DeMarco, Sr., Esquire for Alex Klemash

Ira M. Slovin, Esquire for Michael Lambe

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey doctor was charged with distributing opioids without a legitimate medical purpose, soliciting sexual favors from patients in exchange for opioid prescriptions, and defrauding New Jersey Medicaid by billing for visits that never happened, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Ritesh Kalra, 51, of Secaucus, New Jersey, was charged in a 5-count Complaint with 3 counts of distributing opioids outside the usual course of professional practice, not for a legitimate medical purpose, and in exchange for sexual favors, and 2 counts of healthcare fraud. Kalra made his initial appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court and was released on home incarceration and an unsecured $100,000 bond. He also is prohibited from practicing medicine and prescribing medication and will be required to shut down his medical practice while the case is pending.

“Physicians hold a position of profound responsibility—but as alleged, Dr. Kalra used that position to fuel addiction, exploit vulnerable patients for sex, and defraud New Jersey’s public healthcare program.  By allegedly exchanging prescriptions for sexual favors and billing Medicaid for ghost appointments, he not only violated the law but endangered lives. Our Office will continue to pursue those who turn their medical licenses into tools for personal gain and sexual gratification.”

- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

"When we seek medical advice and treatment from doctors, we have to assume they have our best interests in mind. This investigation, conducted by the FBI and our partners, illustrates that Dr. Kalra had little regard for actually taking care of his patients. As alleged, he instead used them for his sexual gratification and, in the process, defrauded the state of New Jersey. A patient's relationship and trust in a physician, while at their most vulnerable, is not something to be exploited for personal gain. We are asking anyone who may be a victim or knows someone who was treated by Dr. Kalra to get in touch with our office at 1-800-CALL-FBI," stated Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.

“In the fight against the opioid crisis, we often witness the painful struggles of those battling addiction. Rather than offering help, Dr. Kalra exploited his victims at their most vulnerable—using opioids as leverage in exchange for sexual favors—further deepening their addiction and worsening the crisis” stated DEA New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz. “The DEA will continue to work with our partners in making sure those who abuse their professional oath are held accountable.”

“Physicians who recklessly and illegitimately distribute controlled substances undermine critical efforts to battle the opioid crisis and betray their professional responsibility to serve the health and well-being of the public. As alleged, Dr. Kalra took advantage of individuals struggling with addiction all for his own personal gratification,” said Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to address such abuse to protect patients, communities, and taxpayers from such dangerous conduct.”

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

Dr. Kalra, an internist in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, allegedly operated a pill mill out of his medical office, where he routinely prescribed high-dose opioids—including oxycodone—and promethazine with codeine to patients without a legitimate medical purpose.  Between January 2019 and February 2025, Kalra issued more than 31,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, including days when he wrote upwards of 50 prescriptions.  Several of Kalra’s former employees reported that female patients complained that Kalra touched them sexually and demanded sexual favors of them, including oral sex, in order to obtain their prescriptions.  One patient described being sexually assaulted by Kalra on multiple occasions, including forced anal sex during clinical appointments. Another patient continued to receive opioid prescriptions from Kalra when the patient was incarcerated at Essex County Correctional Facility and had no contact with Dr. Kalra.

Kalra also allegedly billed for in-person visits and counseling sessions that never occurred.  As part of the health care fraud scheme, Kalra’s electronic medical records allegedly contained false progress notes listing fabricated dates of service, and included examination notes that were generally identical from visit to visit and did not record vital signs.

Each count of distributing controlled substances carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.  Each count of health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest.

Individuals who believe they may be victims of Dr. Kalra or have information about this case may contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or by email at NK-Victim-Assistance@fbi.gov.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited the following law enforcement organizations with the investigation leading to yesterday’s charges: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly; the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Justice; and the Fair Lawn Police Department.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine M. Romano and Jessica R. Ecker and of the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Enforcement Unit in Newark.

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

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Defense counsel:  Michael Baldassare, Esq. 

NEWARK, N.J. – A Florida man today admitted his role in a health care fraud and kickback scheme that caused more than $4.8 million in losses to Medicare, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Charles P. Kasbee, Jr., 48, of Palm Beach Shores, Florida, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark to an Information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.

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

From February 2019 to September 2019, Kasbee and his co-conspirators participated in a scheme to submit claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary cancer genetic screening (CGX) tests that were procured through a web of bribes and kickbacks.  Kasbee utilized the services of marketing call centers, which employed deceptive telemarketing techniques to obtain Medicare beneficiaries’ personal and medical information.  Then, Kasbee and others arranged for CGX testing kits to be sent to the identified beneficiaries.  Once the CGX test kits were completed by the beneficiaries, the kits were shipped to a testing laboratory, which submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicare.  Kasbee received kickback payments exceeding $1,200 for each CGX test resulting in Medicare reimbursement.

To conceal the scheme, Kasbee entered into contracts with his co-conspirators that falsely labeled kickback and bribe payments as “expenses.”  Then, Kasbee and his co-conspirators created false invoices that disguised the true reasons for the kickback and bribe payments.  Instead, Kasbee received payments based solely on the number of CGX tests that Medicare reimbursed, in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.    

As a result of the health care fraud and kickback scheme, Kasbee and his co-conspirators caused a loss to Medicare of more than $4.8 million.

Conspiracy to commit health care fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Silvestro; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri with the investigation leading to the charge.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett J. Schuman of the Health Care Fraud and Opioid Enforcement Unit.

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Defense counsel:  Joshua S. Lowther, Esq., Atlanta, GA

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man pled guilty on July 15, 2025, to multiple firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Kaiyir Green, 22, of Newark, New Jersey, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to a four-count indictment charging him with two counts of possession of a firearm and/or ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.

According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in Court:

On March 1, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle and observed Green attempting to enter the stolen vehicle.  When law enforcement approached, Green fled and led law enforcement on an extended foot chase.  Law enforcement eventually apprehended Green and they recovered from him a privately manufactured firearm (commonly referred to as a “ghost gun”) loaded with five rounds of ammunition.  After Green was arrested, he made several phone calls from a recorded line at the detention center in which he directed others to go to his home and remove “everything” including a “black bag.”  Law enforcement later observed an individual remove a black bag from Green’s home.  A search of that bag revealed a firearm that had been modified with a switch rendering the firearm fully automatic. The fully automatic firearm was also loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition in a large capacity magazine. Law enforcement also recovered a 50-round capacity drum magazine.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited law enforcement members with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr.; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan, and Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Chief Giacomo Sacca, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The charges of being a felon in possession of firearms and/or ammunition each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of an unregistered firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Green’s sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2025.

The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel for Green: Claressa Lowe, Esq.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County tax preparer admitted to preparing false tax returns for his clients and causing more than $16,000,000 in tax losses, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

Michael Sigall, 55, of West Berlin, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to two counts of aiding or assisting the preparation of false tax returns.

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

From 2018 through 2024, Sigall operated an income tax return preparation business.  During this period, he prepared and filed income tax returns for hundreds of clients that contained materially false statements relating to tax credits for residential energy improvements.  As a result of these false and fictitious credits, Sigall’s clients received inflated refunds to which they would not have been entitled if Sigall had prepared accurate tax returns.  The false tax returns prepared by Sigall caused a tax loss of more than $16,000,000.

Each count of aiding or assisting the preparation of false tax returns is punishable by a maximum of 3 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross loss or gain from the offense, whichever is greatest.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

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

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Defense counsel:

Rocco C. Cipparone, Jr., Haddon Heights, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A California man has been indicted for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars from a victim company based in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Joseph Rodriguez, 70, of Irvine, California, is charged by indictment with three counts of wire fraud.  Rodriguez was arrested yesterday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Early in Santa Ana, California federal court.

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

In January 2015, Rodriguez, through his company Old American Incorporated, entered into a factoring agreement with a New Jersey company (identified in the indictment as “Victim-1”) to obtain loans secured or collateralized by accounts receivable.  Under the factoring agreement, in which a business sells its outstanding invoices to a third party for immediate cash, Old American retained control over customer relationships and debt collection and was required to pay back Victim-1 directly within 90 days.

From February 2023 through July 2023, Rodriguez submitted to Victim-1 fraudulent invoices for future accounts receivable that Rodriguez represented were owed to Old American.  In fact, the customers listed in the invoices Rodriguez provided to Victim-1 did not owe any money to Old American for any outstanding invoices, and there were no accounts payable to turn over.  Based on the fraudulent invoices, Victim-1 made millions of dollars of advance payments to Rodriguez, which he did not return.

Each of the wire fraud charges carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Farhana C. Melo and Benjamin D. Bleiberg of the 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.

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NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man admitted his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid by submitting falsified prescriptions, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

Thomas Conzo, 49, of Staten Island, New York, pleaded guilty today, before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of health care fraud.

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

Defendant Thomas Conzo owned and operated Elite Pharmacy, a specialty pharmacy located in Linden, New Jersey. From August 2022 through March 2023, Conzo submitted hundreds of thousands of dollars of fraudulent claims for prescriptions to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, on behalf of Elite Pharmacy.  Conzo used the credentials of pharmacists who did not work at Elite Pharmacy or otherwise review, sign, or authorize those prescriptions.

The charge of health care fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Brandley of the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Enforcement Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel:  Maria Noto, Esq. 

NEWARK, NJ. – A New Jersey man was arraigned on wire fraud and money laundering charges for a scheme to defraud elderly and other victims by misappropriating funds that the victims were told would be invested on their behalf or otherwise used for their benefit, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Antonio Petrosino, a/k/a Anthony Petrosino, 60, of Union City, New Jersey, was arraigned on July 9, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler.  Petrosino was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 18, 2025, with five counts of wire fraud (Counts One through Five) and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity (Count Six).  Petrosino was previously charged by complaint in January 2025 with one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

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

From in or around January 2016 through in or around November 2024, Petrosino fraudulently induced the victims to transfer investment funds, mortgage payments, and other money to Petrosino.  As part of the scheme to defraud, Petrosino held himself out to be a financial services professional to his victims and falsely led them to believe that he would invest the victims’ money in brokerage accounts and other investment products or otherwise use it for their benefit.  To perpetuate his fraud, Petrosino provided one elderly victim with falsified investment statements that purported to show that she had hundreds of thousands of dollars deposited in various investment accounts in her name.  Petrosino also made various statements to victims assuring them that their money had been invested or used as promised.

In reality, Petrosino failed to invest the victims’ funds or otherwise use victim monies for the victims’ benefit as promised.  Instead, Petrosino misappropriated the money to pay for his personal expenses, including gambling, credit card payments, and rent on his luxury apartment unit.  When confronted by victims about the status of the money they sent to Petrosino, Petrosino provided the victims and their family members false reassurances about the status of the victims’ funds to cover up his fraud.  In total, Petrosino stole more than approximately $1 million from the victims. 

The wire fraud charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  The money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  All counts carry a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross amount of gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; special agents of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Tucker; and the Wyckoff Police Department, under the direction of Chief David V. Murphy, with the investigation leading to Petrosino’s indictment. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kozar 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.

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Defense Counsel: Michael Thomas, Esq.

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a New Jersey real estate investor and influencer with committing a multi-million-dollar Ponzi-like investment fraud scheme, conspiring to launder drug proceeds, laundering money represented to be drug proceeds as part of a sting operation, and bribing a New Jersey politician, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

Cesar Humberto Pina, a/k/a “Flipping NJ,” 47, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, was charged by criminal indictment with two counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, two counts of money laundering, and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Pina’s initial appearance and arraignment on the indictment have not yet been scheduled.

“Cesar Pina is alleged to have misappropriated millions of dollars of peoples’ hard-earned money, laundered money for narcotics traffickers, and bribed a politician in furtherance of real estate projects. This multi-year torrent of criminal activity hurt investors around the United States, facilitated the scourge of narcotics trafficking, and undermined confidence in our public officials. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to root out these types of illicit activities that threaten our communities.”

- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“Today’s indictment against Cesar Pina is due to the diligent work of the DEA and our law enforcement partners, when targeting those individuals who place greed and profit over the welfare of others,” stated DEA New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz. “Rather than utilize his social media presence for the betterment of society, Mr. Humberto Pina chose to use it to expand his criminal activities. His actions, along with his willingness to launder money from drugs proceeds, is no different than those individuals flooding our streets with illicit and diverted narcotics, exasperating an already addictive and deadly opioid crisis. The DEA will continue to hold these people accountable.”

“Leveraging his social media prominence, it is alleged Cesar Pina provided services for narcotics traffickers, bribed a government official, and defrauded unsuspecting investors out of millions of dollars, all for personal gain,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office. “Today’s indictment is a reminder of IRS-CI’s commit to work alongside with our law enforcement partners to ensure bad actors are held accountable.”

“Under the guise of being an entrepreneur with his clients’ best interests at heart, Cesar Pina allegedly defrauded dozens of investors of millions of dollars. His alleged actions didn't stop at fraud but involved bribery, money laundering, and conspiring to launder illicit funds from the sale of drugs. The FBI and its partners will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice,” Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy stated.

“Investment fraud is simply a crime of greed,” stated Inspector in Charge Christopher Nielsen, of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Newark Field Office of the Philadelphia Division. “In this case, Cesar Pina allegedly solicited dozens of individuals to provide him with millions of dollars to purchase and invest in residential properties. However, instead of sharing the profits, he defrauded his investors in a Ponzi scheme. Postal Inspectors will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat financial fraud and protect the American people.”

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

Pina partnered with a celebrity disc jockey and radio personality to conduct real estate seminars around the country. Through these seminars, self-promotional efforts, and other marketing strategies, Pina developed a significant social media following. Starting in at least 2017, Pina began accepting investments from individual investors for the alleged purchase, remodel, and sale of specific real estate properties in New Jersey and other states. To induce investors, Pina often promised 30% or higher returns on investments within 4 to 5 months. But instead of using investors’ funds as promised, Pina commingled and misappropriated investors’ money, including by using new investor funds to pay off prior investors in a Ponzi-like scheme and spending investor funds on unauthorized business and personal expenditures. Thus far, the investigation has revealed that Pina defrauded dozens of investors of millions of dollars.

Pina also conspired to launder illicit funds, including from the sale of controlled substances, for various individuals he knew were engaged in criminal activities. Pina further laundered money that an individual acting at the direction of law enforcement represented was drug proceeds as part of a sting operation.

In addition, Pina bribed a local official of Paterson, New Jersey in connection with real estate-related projects in Paterson. For example, Pina provided cash and other bribes to the official in exchange for official action, assistance, and influence in connection with Pina’s “Old School 5” development project, which had pending applications before the Paterson Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The charges of wire fraud each carry a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense or of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest.

The charges of money laundering conspiracy and money laundering each carry a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.

The charge of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense or of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; and special agents and task force officers of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Franklin Lakes Police Department for its assistance in the investigation.

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

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Silane and Aaron Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit; Edeli Rivera and Matthew Specht of the Special Prosecutions Division; and Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery 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.

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Defense counsel: Gerald Krovatin, Esq., Newark, NJ 

NEWARK, N.J. – A citizen of the Dominican Republic was extradited to the United States this week on charges relating to his participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Ezequiel Brito, a/k/a “Jose Luis Portorreal Cruz,” 40, is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. He made his initial appearance on July 2, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was detained.

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

On or about June 17, 2021, Brito conspired to distribute, and possessed with intent to distribute, heroin and more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Brito was first arrested and charged by complaint on June 17, 2021, and was released on a $100,000 unsecured appearance bond. In or around September 2022, Brito absconded from pre-trial supervision and fled to the Dominican Republic.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, a mandatory term of 10 years’ imprisonment, and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz, with the investigation that led to the charges.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic to secure the arrest and extradition of Brito.

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about OCDETFs, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

This investigation is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Lyons of the OCDETF/Narcotics 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. 

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Defense counsel:

Michael Thomas, Esq., Newark, New Jersey 

NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man has been charged for engaging in a scheme to defraud multiple lenders by using the personally identifiable information of a Hudson County man to submit fraudulent loan applications to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars of loans, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Humza Khan, 28, of New York, New York, is charged by complaint with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Khan appeared on July 2, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

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

Around December 2020, Khan submitted loan applications to secure a $150,000 accounts receivable finance loan on behalf of a Florida-based specialty pharmacy in which Khan had a financial interest. Khan used the personal information of an elderly individual who lived in Hudson County, New Jersey—including their name and social security number—in the loan application without permission, in order to conceal that Khan was receiving the loan proceeds.  Based on those fraudulent misrepresentations, the victim lenders provided Khan with approximately $150,000. 

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The aggravated identity theft count carries an additional consecutive mandatory minimum term of two years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Brandley of the Health Care Fraud and Opioids Enforcement Unit in Newark.

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

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Defense counsel:  Zach Intrater, Esq. and Daniela Manzi, Esq.

NEWARK, N.J. – Five more members of the Marion Gardens street gang were sentenced by the Honorable Michael E. Farbiarz for their roles in the racketeering enterprise, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

On July 2, 2025, Roger Pickett, a/k/a “Zy G,” 24, was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy and three counts of murder in aid of racketeering, each stemming from a separate gang-related murder.  He was also sentenced to an additional consecutive sentence of 50 years’ imprisonment, consisting of 20 years’ imprisonment for Hobbs Act robbery, and three ten-year terms of imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Also on July 2, 2025, Javon Williams, a/k/a “J45,” 28, was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy and Keith Anderson, a/k/a “Beef3,” 23, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy.

On July 1, 2025, Quaseame Wilson, a/k/a “Qua Gz,” 28, was sentenced to 195 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, and aiding and abetting the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.  On June 26, 2025, Anthony Rogers, a/k/a “MG,” 25, was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy.

Earlier in June, three other members of the Marion Gardens street gang were sentenced for their roles in the racketeering conspiracy.  On June 17, 2025, Myron Williams, a/k/a “Money,” a/k/a “Tunchi,” 31, of Newark was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering, plus 240 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and 120 months’ imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, with all sentences to run consecutively.  Also on June 17, 2025, Jawaad Davis, 23, of Jersey City, was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment for his role in the Marion Gardens street gang, which included orchestrating a robbery that resulted in murder.  Additionally, on June 5, 2025, Khalil Kelley, a/k/a “Billski,” 26, of Jersey City, was sentenced, to life imprisonment, plus a consecutive ten-year term of imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy, for his role in the Marion Gardens street gang and a gang-related murder.

Three other individuals who previously pled guilty before trial are pending sentencing.  Each defendant will be sentenced before Judge Farbiarz in Newark as follows:

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

Myron Williams, Khalil Kelley, Roger Pickett, Jawaad Davis, Anthony Rogers, Quaseame Wilson, Andre Alomar, Keith Anderson, Javon Williams, and Naim Richardson are all members and associates of the neighborhood street gang associated with the Marion Gardens Housing Complex. Since 2013, they and their fellow gang members have committed numerous acts of violence, including three separate murders, on March 29, 2021, Nov. 20, 2021, and Nov. 1, 2022.

On March 29, 2021, Kelley and other gang members lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the victim’s fellow gang member. When the victim opened the door to his residence, Kelley and another gang member brandished firearms, and the victim was shot multiple times in the chest, killing him. Pickett and Myron Williams then picked up Kelley and other gang members after they abandoned the murder vehicle in Newark.

On Nov. 20, 2021, Myron Williams, Pickett, and Richardson lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the second victim’s fellow gang member. Williams and another gang member shot the victim when he opened the door to his residence.

On Nov. 1, 2022, Davis facilitated the murder of the third victim by coordinating a narcotics transaction with the victim and the victim’s associate. When the victim and his associate arrived at the Marion Gardens Housing Complex to complete the narcotics transaction, they were robbed of their narcotics supply. During the robbery, Pickett and Wilson held the victim and his associate at gunpoint. After a struggle ensued, Pickett shot and killed the victim while his associate fled. Pickett then fled the Marion Gardens Housing Complex with Wilson.

For months, investigators observed and documented hundreds of narcotics transactions in and around the Marion Gardens Housing Complex.  The investigation likewise revealed that Herbert Thomas was a primary supplier of narcotics to the Marion Gardens street gang.

When each defendant was arrested on March 17, 2023, law enforcement seized contraband at several different locations, including heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, narcotics packaging materials, ammunition, bulletproof vests, and a loaded handgun.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited investigators of the Gang Intelligence Unit and the Homicide Unit of the Major Case Division of Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., and investigators of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to the convictions. She also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, and the U.S. Marshals, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos, for their assistance.

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

The government is represented by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Maloy and Javon Henry, of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.

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Defense counsel:

Roger Pickett – Brandon Minde, Esq.
Keith Anderson – Eric Jaso, Esq. and Francesca Simone, Esq.

Javon Williams – Joseph Rubino, Esq.

NEWARK, N.J. – An indictment was issued for Bergen County woman for destruction of records after destroying a cell phone as federal law enforcement officers attempted to execute a warrant to seize and search that phone, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Jennifer Iturralde Pina, 43, of Franklin Lakes was charged by indictment with one count of destruction of records in a federal investigation. Iturralde had previously been charged by complaint and had made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court on November 12, 2024.

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

Iturralde’s husband, Cesar Humberto Pina, a/k/a “Flipping NJ” (“Pina”), had been charged in October 2023 with wire fraud in connection with an alleged real estate investment fraud scheme. Iturralde was aware of that investigation and knew that it was ongoing. In late February 2024, Iturralde asked a friend to confront a witness to ask that witness to stop cooperating with federal investigators. Days later, Iturralde attempted to give her cell phone to that same friend for safekeeping, but that friend was unable to take the cell phone from her. Then, on March 5, 2024, as federal investigators knocked on Iturralde’s door with a warrant to seize and search her cell phone, Iturralde destroyed and hid the cell phone.

The charge of destruction of records carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or 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 victims of the offense, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen; and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn Silane and Aaron Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark and Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit.

Charges against Pina remain pending. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment against Iturralde and the complaint against Pina are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: Brian Neary, Esq., Hackensack, NJ

NEWARK, N.J. – Twenty-four people have been charged for their respective roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine in the Bradley Court Housing Complex in Newark, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Today’s charges and arrests are the result of a 14-month investigation led by the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Newark Police Department.

Shamon Freshley, a/k/a “Hitta,” 26, Orlando Pizarro, a/k/a “Lando,” 26, Zakir Jefferson, a/k/a “Gu,” a/k/a “Tank,” 26, Quayyon Johnson, a/k/a “Weeze,” 22, Melvin Faines, a/k/a “Spaz,” 34, Afrika Islam, a/k/a “Sexx,” 29, Shaheem Webb, a/k/a “YC,” 23, Eustace Weeks, a/k/a “Juxx,” 26, Ali Baker, a/k/a “Surf,” 34, Jose Ward, a/k/a “Hec,” 22, Brandon Sneed, a/k/a “Pops,” 31, Eric Banks, a/k/a “Lil Maneskii,” 19, Tauheed Carney, a/k/a “Bmunn,” 21, Tykee Stokes, a/k/a “Big,” 32, Shafeek Barker, a/k/a “Sha,” 28, Ibn Perry, a/k/a “Loop,” 38, Alvin Jones, a/k/a “Lucky,” 41, Kirk Mansook, a/k/a “Crow,” 39, Tyjanique Green, a/k/a “Ski,” 24, Jubar Hughes, a/k/a “Dudu,” 27, Daisean Williams, a/k/a “Khaos,” 22, Jason Wardlaw, a/k/a “Jayr,” 30, and Rana James a/k/a “Pooh,” 28, all of Essex County, New Jersey, were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.

Sebastian Pierrecent, a/k/a “Sosa,” 21, Quayyan Johnson, and Tauheed Carney are also each charged with possession of a machinegun. In addition, Pierrecent is charged with possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.

The defendants arrested today are scheduled to make initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court this afternoon. Four defendants were already in custody on state charges, one defendant was already in federal custody, and 5 defendants remain at large. 

“For far too long, the Bloods have overtaken the Bradley Court Housing Complex — turning its courtyards and residential buildings into a hub for pumping deadly fentanyl into the city of Newark, while endangering the lives of the citizens who call this community home. This poison has ripped families apart and stolen countless lives.  That stops today.  These arrests affirm my office’s commitment to taking guns and drugs off the streets, and serves as a clear warning to anyone who considers engaging in violent activity. The defendants in this case, as in all criminal cases, are presumed innocent unless, and until proven guilty.  However, everyone should understand that if you spread this poison or engage in this violent activity, we will use every resource necessary to find you, dismantle your operation, and prosecute you. ”

- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

The defendants are members or associates of Sex, Money, Murder (“SMM”), a Blood-affiliated criminal street gang that controls the drug trade in and around the Bradley Court Housing Complex (“Bradley Court”), among other areas.  The subset of Sex, Money, Murder that operates in and around Bradley Court—which is located in the area of North Munn Avenue and Tremont Avenue in Newark—is also known as Munn Block, M-Blok, and Tombstone Gang (the “Enterprise”). Munn Block is closely aligned with another Blood-affiliated gang known as Voorhees, which operates in the area of Voorhees Street in Newark.  Members and associates of this alliance refer to the alliance as “MunnHees.”

Members and associates of the Enterprise are known to use social media on a variety of platforms and mobile applications, including Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp to conduct the business of the Enterprise, communicate with one another, promote the Enterprise through sharing photographs and videos, and further the Enterprise’s goals. Specifically, the Enterprise uses the release and promotion of drill rap songs and music videos on social media to intimidate rival gang members, witnesses, and other members of the community, and to promote the Enterprise.

For over a year, law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance of the area, conducted numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, seized narcotics through enforcement action, and analyzed telephone records, all of which demonstrated extensive interactions between and among the charged defendants.

Pierrecent, Johnson, and Carney, are also charged with possession of a machine gun that was used in the June 17, 2025 shooting in rival gang territory near Mapes Avenue in Newark.

The defendants charged in the drug conspiracy face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.  Pierrecent, Johnson, and Carney each face up to 10 years in prison for possession of the machinegun. Pierrecent faces up to 15 years in prison for possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of HSI New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; HSI Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy and police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, under the direction of Acting Port Director Leon Hayward, Port of New York/Newark; members of the United Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey Juan Mattos; special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; detectives of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II; police officers and detectives of the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi; detectives of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone; and detectives of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, for their assistance with the investigation.

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

This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Goldberg and Javon Henry of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

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

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Defense Counsel:

Zakir Jefferson: John McMahon, Esq.

Melvin Faines: Stephen Natoli, Esq.

Ali Baker: Michael Gilberti, Esq.

Jose Ward: Eric Jaso, Esq.

Brandon Sneed: Brandon Minde, Esq.

Tykee Stokes: Shawn Barnes, Esq.

Shafeek Barker: Charles McKenna, Esq.

Ibn Perry: Scott Krasny, Esq.

Tyjanique Green: Bruce Levy, Esq.

Daisean Williams: Raquel Rivera, Esq.

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Sicklerville, New Jersey, man was sentenced yesterday to 40 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the IRS by working with others to conceal cash wages paid to employees, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Chung “Alex” Lam, 46, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to defraud the United States.  Judge Kiel imposed the sentence in Camden federal court.

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

In 2018, Lam pleaded guilty in federal court to failing to pay over to the IRS payroll taxes.  He received an 18-month prison sentence, which he served during parts of 2019 and 2020.  Prior to serving that sentence and upon his release from custody, Lam conspired with the owners of various temporary staffing companies to defraud the IRS.  The temporary staffing companies provided temporary workers to businesses. As part of their agreements with their customer businesses, the temporary staffing companies were responsible for collecting and paying over to the IRS the payroll taxes due and owing on the wages paid to the temporary workers.

Lam received checks that were payments to the staffing companies for labor provided by their employees.  Between the first quarter of 2018 and the second quarter of 2023, Lam used a commercial check casher to negotiate more than $4,000,000 of such checks.  Lam kept a portion of the cash for personal use and caused the rest of the cash to be provided to co-conspirators to pay the temporary workers in cash.  As a result, payroll taxes were not collected or paid to the IRS.  Lam also filed false individual income tax returns that omitted the income he earned from his role in the conspiracy.  Lam admitted that the conspiracy caused a tax loss of approximately $628,351.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kiel sentenced Lam to 3 years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

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

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Defense counsel: John B. Brennan, Esq.of Marlton, NJ 

TRENTON, N.J. – The co-owner and the administrator of a Union City, New Jersey pharmacy were sentenced for their respective roles in conspiracies to defraud pharmacy benefit managers (“PBMs”) and health care benefit providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, out of more than $65 million and to pay kickbacks and bribes to health care professionals and their staffs in exchange for referrals of prescriptions, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. Husband and wife Samuel “Sam” Khaimov, 52, and Yana Shtindler, 48, both of Glen Head, New York, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp after previously pleading guilty.

Khaimov, the co-owner of the pharmacy, was sentenced to a total of 87 months in prison – 60 months for conspiring to commit health care fraud and 27 months for conspiring to violate the federal anti-kickback statute, with the sentences to run consecutively. Khaimov was also sentenced to separate three-year terms of supervised release to run concurrently.

Shtindler, the administrator of the pharmacy, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for conspiring to commit health care fraud, followed by three years of supervised release. Khaimov and Shtindler’s co-defendants, Ruben Sevumyants of Marlboro, New Jersey, and Alex Fleyshmakher of Morganville, New Jersey, have already pled guilty to counts in the Superseding Indictment and are pending sentencing.

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

The Prime Aid Pharmacies – now closed – operated as “specialty pharmacies” out of locations in Union City, New Jersey and the Bronx, New York. As specialty pharmacies, they processed expensive medications used to treat various conditions, including Hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Khaimov was a co-owner of Prime Aid Union City and the lead pharmacist of Prime Aid Bronx. Shtindler was Prime Aid Union City’s Administrator. Sevumyants was Prime Aid Union City’s operations manager. Alex Fleyshmakher worked at Prime Aid Union City and was an on-paper owner of Prime Aid Bronx. His father, Igor Fleyshmakher, a co-owner of Prime Aid Union City, pled guilty to separate federal charges.

Initially, the Prime Aid Pharmacies obtained retail network agreements with several PBMs, which allowed them to receive reimbursement payments for prescription medications, including specialty medications. PBMs acted as intermediaries on behalf of Medicare, Medicaid, and other health benefit providers, so when one of the Prime Aid Pharmacies received a prescription, the pharmacy would typically submit a claim for reimbursement to the PBM that represented the beneficiary’s drug plan.

Starting in 2009, in order to obtain a higher volume of prescriptions, Khaimov, Sevumyants, Alex Fleyshmakher, and other Prime Aid employees paid bribes to doctors and doctors’ employees to induce the doctors and their staffs to steer prescriptions to the Prime Aid Pharmacies. The bribes included payments by cash, check, and wire transfers, as well as expensive meals and other things of value. Another method of bribery involved paying an employee to work inside a doctor’s office.

Prime Aid Union City – at the direction of Sevumyants, Shtindler, and Khaimov – also engaged in the pervasive and fraudulent practice of billing health benefit providers and PBMs for medications that were never provided to patients. While Prime Aid generally provided medications for initial prescriptions it received, it systematically billed for refills for those same medications without ever dispensing them to patients. Indeed, according to the Superseding Indictment, from 2013 through 2017, Prime Aid Union City received at least $65,000,000 in reimbursement payments from Medicare, Medicaid, and private health benefit providers for medications that Prime Aid Union City not only failed to give patients, but that Prime Aid Union City also never even ordered or had in stock at the pharmacy.

Over time, PBMs conducted routine audits of Prime Aid Union City and discovered its practice of billing but not dispensing medications. In response to these audits, Shtindler instructed Prime Aid employees to falsify records submitted to the PMBs. In addition, Sevumyants, with Shtindler’s knowledge and approval, forged shipping records of a private commercial shipping company to make it appear as if medications were shipped to the patients when, in fact, they were not.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; special agents of the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz; the N.J. Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, Medicaid Fraud Unit, under the direction of Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Tracy M. Thompson, and the N.J. Office of the State Comptroller, under the direction of Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty pleas.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron L. Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark and Martha K. Nye of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton.

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Khaimov’s defense counsel: Jenny Kramer, Esq., New York, NY

Shtindler’s defense counsel: Lawrence Lustberg, Esq., Newark, NJ

NEWARK, N.J. – Five New Jersey men, including associates of a New Jersey gang associated with the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal street gang were charged by a superseding indictment with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

The Indictment charges Carl Napier, a/k/a “Smash” (“Napier”), Hamir Wright, a/k/a “Lil Smash” (“Wright”), Alexis Tejada (“Tejada”), Jihad Bibbs, Sr. (“Bibbs”), and Jamie Archer-Monroe, a/k/a “Raziq” (“Archer-Monroe”), all of Somerset County and Middlesex County, New Jersey,  with a racketeering conspiracy that included multiple murders, fraud schemes, and narcotics distribution.  Napier and Bibbs are in federal custody on previously filed related federal charges.  Tejada and Archer-Monroe were arrested and appeared in federal court in Newark before the Hon. Stacy Adams, U.SM.J. for initial appearances. Wright is in state custody on previously filed unrelated charges and will appear in federal court at a later date.

The charges are the result of a long-running investigation, coordinated between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Brunswick Police Department, and the Franklin Township Police Department.

“There will be zero tolerance for violent crime and gang activity in the state of New Jersey. My office will continue to use all resources to find and prosecute those who instill fear in our citizens and undermine the safety of our communities. These criminals do not run our streets — the law does, and my office will enforce it without hesitation.” 

- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“The apprehension of these individuals is a momentous step towards making New Jersey safer, one day at a time. By freeing these communities from those who allegedly distribute drugs, firearms, and use violence as a means of coercion, the FBI continues its mission to combat violent crime,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.

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

Napier and Wright, each were allegedly associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods, who operated under the umbrella of the neighborhood street gangs known as “Parkside” in Somerset and “The Ville” in New Brunswick. Some of the charged defendants are alleged to have also engaged in numerous violent acts on behalf of and for the benefit of the gang, including assaults, shootings, and murders, some of which targeted rival gang members.  For example, on or about March 12, 2024, Napier and Wright, while with other gang members in New Brunswick, got into a confrontation regarding narcotics distribution with purported rival gang members and shot at them, killing Victim 1 and resulting in injury to Victim 2.

In addition to this violent act, the defendants, are alleged to have routinely distributed narcotics and trafficked firearms in and around the gang’s territory in both New Brunswick and Somerset.

This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Stefanie Roddy, investigators of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, investigators of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John McDonald, the New Brunswick Police Department, under the direction of Chief Vincent Sabo and the Franklin Township Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Quovella Mayweather, for the investigation leading to the charges. U.S. Attorney Habba and SAC Roddy would also like to thank the Central New Jersey Safe Streets Task Force, Woodbridge Police Department, Raritan Township Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall Randolph, Deputy Chief of the District of New Jersey’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Nadel of the Office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel:

Carl Napier- Steve Altman

Jihad Bibb, Sr.- Michael Policastro

Alexis Tejada- Joseph R. Rubino

Jamie Archer-Monroe- Stephen Dratch

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a Somerset County man with drug offenses including distribution of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in the death of a victim, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Thomas Kane Miller, 40, of Somerset, New Jersey was charged by criminal indictment with one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and a fentanyl precursor (4-ANPP), one count of distribution of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in the death of a victim, and two counts of distribution of fentanyl and heroin.  Miller’s initial appearance and arraignment are scheduled for June 30, 2025, before Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court.

“The fentanyl epidemic has devastated communities across the country.  Too many lives have been lost, too many families have been broken. This poison has no place on our streets.  This office is unwavering in its pursuit of justice, and will relentlessly hold accountable anyone who traffics fentanyl or other deadly drugs in New Jersey — ensuring they face the full weight of the law for the destruction they cause.  The District of New Jersey continues to emphasize opioid enforcement, including with its Fentanyl Precursor Interception Strike Force that seeks to stem the tide of chemical precursors and adulterants used to manufacture fentanyl, and bring to justice individuals who sell this poison on our streets.”

- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“Today’s indictment against Thomas Miller reflects the determination the DEA and our law enforcement partners have in targeting those individuals who continue to poison our communities with fentanyl,” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “Mr. Miller’s victim was more than just another statistic; it’s a life cut short by greed. The DEA is committed to holding these individuals accountable, especially when their actions result in the tragic loss of life.”

“This tragic loss of life is a stark reminder fentanyl-related deaths continue to plague our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations New York acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “The lethal dangers posed by the illegal narcotics that traffickers are introducing to our communities cannot be overstated. This is why HSI New York, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in our commitment to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations that prioritize profit over American lives.”

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

In October 2022, Miller distributed a mixture of fentanyl and heroin to an individual who died as a result of using the substance. Law enforcement located the deceased victim at a residence in Plainfield, New Jersey. Inside the residence were two wax folds containing fentanyl and heroin bearing a unique stamp which law enforcement linked to Miller.  Shortly before the victim’s death, the victim and Miller were communicating about arranging to meet.

Approximately 10 days before the victim’s death, Miller was found in possession of multiple wax folds bearing the same unique stamp and containing fentanyl, heroin, and a fentanyl precursor. Miller also distributed fentanyl and heroin on two other occasions in December 2022 and January 2023, in Middlesex and Somerset Counties.

The count of drug distribution resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.  The counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, and distribution of fentanyl and heroin, each carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the New York DEA Strike Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino, III, special agents of HSI New York, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso, members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John P. McDonald, and members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, with the investigation, leading to the charges.

This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The arrest was the result of an investigation by the New York Strike Force, a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud and Opioid Enforcement 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.

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Defense counsel: Timothy Donahue, Esq., Michael Alexander Thomas, Esq.

NEWARK - Today, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced criminal charges and civil settlements against 15 defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and private health insurers. The charges and settlements filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges and settlements filed in the District of New Jersey involve physicians and pharmacies submitting reimbursements for drugs, devices, and tests that patients didn’t need, pharmacies seeking reimbursement for drugs they never sold, and healthcare providers who received kickbacks to drive phony prescriptions.

“My Office, in lockstep with the Department’s nationwide Health Care Fraud Takedown, is cracking down on corrupt physicians, pharmacies, and healthcare providers who exploit Medicare and Medicaid with shameless kickback schemes, unnecessary prescriptions, and phony reimbursements for unneeded drugs, medical devices, and genetic tests – or drugs never even delivered. These predatory schemes prioritize profits over patients, and the District of New Jersey is fiercely committed to rooting out this fraud and ensuring those responsible face justice.”

- U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Habba are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represents an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit patients and taxpayers. 

The following individuals were charged and entered settlements in the District of New Jersey:

• Alan Vaughan, 56, of the United Kingdom, was charged with conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute in connection with a scheme to generate referrals for durable medical equipment and cancer genetic tests. As alleged in the indictment, Vaughan paid kickbacks to several marketers in exchange for personal health and insurance information about Medicare beneficiaries, transmitted that information to telemedicine companies, and then received kickbacks from genetic testing laboratories and durable medical equipment supply companies for each item of durable medical equipment and/or each cancer genetic test for which Medicare provided reimbursement. As further alleged, to conceal the scheme, Vaughan and his co-conspirators received millions of dollars in kickbacks through a shell company in New Zealand. As a result of the alleged scheme, Vaughan and his co-conspirators caused a loss to Medicare of more than $80 million. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett J. Schuman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Taejin Kim, 43, of River Vale, New Jersey, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims to Amtrak’s health care plan for services that were never provided and were medically unnecessary. As alleged in the information, Kim, a licensed physical therapist, participated in a conspiracy to use Amtrak employees’ insurance information to submit false and fraudulent claims for services that were medically unnecessary and never provided to the Amtrak employees. Amtrak paid approximately $2,253,453 on these claims. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica R. Ecker and Katie M. Romano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Nestor E. Jaime, 36, of Pine Brook, New Jersey, was charged by indictment with health care fraud in connection with a scheme to submit fraudulent prescription drug claims to Medicare. As alleged in the indictment, Jaime, a pharmacy owner, engaged in a scheme to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for a high-reimbursement medication that the pharmacy never dispensed and for which the pharmacy never received any prescriptions from the purported beneficiaries’ health care providers for the medication. Medicare paid Jaime’s pharmacy $2,505,754 for these false and fraudulent claims. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Ecker of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (“NBIMC”), located in Newark, New Jersey, has agreed to pay the United States $250,000 to resolve allegations that from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, doctors working in NBIMC’s Heart Transplant Program failed to adequately disclose to patients and their family members material medical information about patients’ conditions. The United States contends that this conduct resulted in NBIMC performing medically unnecessary treatment on these patients. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Toll of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Excel Pharmacy Inc., located in Jersey City, New Jersey, agreed to pay the United States and the State of New Jersey $3,000,000 to resolve allegations that from January 2, 2015, through January 25, 2022, it caused the submission of claims for reimbursement to the Medicare Part D Program and the New Jersey Medicaid Program for drugs that were never dispensed to beneficiaries. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kruti Dharia and Robert Toll of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• QuickRx LLC, an entity affiliated with Community Pharmacy, located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, agreed to pay the United States and the State of New Jersey $962,821 to resolve allegations that from January 7, 2015, through January 24, 2022, it caused the submission of claims for reimbursement to the Medicare Part D Program and the New Jersey Medicaid Program for drugs that were never dispensed to beneficiaries. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kruti Dharia and Robert Toll of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Raghu Ram Inc. d/b/a Camden Discount Pharmacy, located in Camden, New Jersey, agreed to pay the United States and the State of New Jersey $310,000 to resolve allegations that from January 2, 2015, through January 24, 2022, it caused the submission of claims for reimbursement to the Medicare Part D Program and the New Jersey Medicaid Program for drugs that were never dispensed to beneficiaries. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kruti Dharia and Robert Toll of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Rachit Drug Inc., located in Newark, New Jersey, has agreed to pay the United States and the State of New Jersey $225,000 to resolve allegations that, from January 2, 2015, through January 25, 2022, it caused the submission of claims for reimbursement to the Medicare Part D Program and the New Jersey Medicaid Program for drugs that were never dispensed to beneficiaries. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kruti Dharia and Robert Toll of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
• Premier Dental Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Sonrava Health, Element Dental Partners Holdco, LLC, Element Dental Partners, LLC, Mid-Atlantic Dental Services Holdings LLC, and The Jersey Dental Group have agreed to pay the United States and the State of New Jersey $540,000 to resolve allegations that from January 1, 2021 through July 31, 2023, it submitted or caused the submission of claims for reimbursement to the Medicare Part D Program and the New Jersey Medicaid Program (“NJ FamilyCare”) for: (a) services that were performed by providers who were not credentialed with NJ FamilyCare or the applicable managed care organization, but billed for by using the National Provider Identifiers of dentists who did not perform the services but had the necessary credentials; or (b) services that were performed and billed by uncredentialed providers at the time the service was rendered. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Toll of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

“The scale of today’s Takedown is unprecedented, and so is the harm we’re confronting. Individuals who attempt to steal from the federal health care system and put vulnerable patients at risk will be held accountable,” said HHS-OIG Acting Inspector General Juliet T. Hodgkins. “Our agents at HHS-OIG work relentlessly to detect, investigate, and dismantle these fraud schemes. We are proud to stand with our law enforcement partners in protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding patient care.”

“Today’s announcement provides insight into the complex and costly nature of the health care fraud threat. More importantly, this coordinated effort highlights the professionalism of the FBI and our partners to find, expose and hold accountable those practitioners, business owners and facilitators who took advantage of our system for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.

“Today’s actions represent the sheer dedication, professionalism, and commitment of our agents, joint partners, and U.S. Attorneys in holding accountable those who put greed ahead of patient care and basic ethics,” said Mike Waters, Special Agent In Charge of Amtrak’s Northeast Region. “We hope these actions serve as a deterrent for health care providers and others who choose to engage in such schemes, and we ask anyone who suspects or observes such fraud to report it to our fraud, waste, and abuse hotline.”

The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle, District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle, District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are prosecuting the cases in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.

The District of New Jersey, in particular, worked with the Department’s Criminal and Civil Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); FBI; and Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General.

A complaint, information, or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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TRENTON, N.J. – Abhinaba Barthakur, a dual citizen of the United States and India, was charged in a six-count Indictment today for making violent threats to a United States District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey, two New Jersey Superior Court Judges, an elected official, and a Somerset County resident, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Barthakur, 58, formerly of Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, is charged in the Indictment with five counts of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce and one count of retaliating against a federal judge by threat.

“Let today’s Indictment serve as both a warning and a wake-up call. My office will act quickly and decisively against anyone who threatens a public official,” said U.S. Attorney Habba. “The conduct alleged in the Indictment is as heinous as it is troubling: threats to a federal judge, two state superior court judges, an elected official, and a private New Jersey resident. The conduct is not just reckless — it is a direct attack on our justice system. Targeting those who uphold the rule of law is an attack on every community they serve. This egregious behavior is unacceptable. And, as the charges make clear, no matter where you are, we will find you and hold you responsible.”

According to the allegations in the indictment:

In December 2018, Barthakur left the United States, and he has not returned.

On or about July 14, 2020, Barthakur called the office of a government official in the executive branch of the State of New Jersey (“Elected Official 1”), whose office was in Somerville, New Jersey.  Barthakur left a voicemail message threatening to assault Elected Official 1, including removing Elected Official 1’s fingers.

On or about September 13, 2020 and September 22, 2020, Barthakur called the chambers of a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Civil Division (“Judge 1”).  Barthakur left voicemail messages threatening to assault Judge 1, including removing Judge 1’s fingers.  During the September 13, 2020 call to Judge 1, Barthakur also threated to injure a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Family Division (“Judge 2”), specifically threatening to injure Judge 2’s fingers.

On or about October 16, 2023, Barthakur called a resident of Somerset County (“Victim 1”).  Barthakur left voicemail messages threatening to assault and murder Victim 1, including using a .22 caliber handgun to injure and kill Victim 1.

On November 26, 2024, Barthakur called the chambers of a United States District Court Judge, in the District of New Jersey (“Judge 3”), and threatened to assault and murder Judge 3, including using a .22 caliber handgun to injure and kill Judge 3.  Barthakur threatened to assault and murder Judge 3 with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with Judge 3 while he or she was engaged in the performance of his or her official duties, and to retaliate against Judge 3 on account of the performance of his or her official duties.

Each charge of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  The charge of retaliating against a federal judge by threat carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of ten years. The charges each carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge­­­­ Stefanie Roddy; deputy marshals of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos, Jr.; special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; detectives and Assistant Prosecutors of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John McDonald; members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mike McMahon; and members of the Branchburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Buck, with the investigation that lead to the charges

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

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

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NEWARK, N.J. – A former Florida-based employee of TD Bank, N.A. pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for fraudulently opening more than 100 bank accounts, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Jhonnatan Steven Rodriguez, a/k/a “Jorge,” 32, of Naples, Florida, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to a two-count Information charging him with one count of receipt of bribes by a bank employee and one count of making false bank entries. Rodriguez’s sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2025.

According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in Court:

In late 2022, Rodriguez began opening bank accounts for unknown individuals in exchange for bribes of approximately $200 to $250 per account. During the scheme, Rodriguez accepted bribes in exchange for fraudulently opening approximately 140 bank accounts, some of which were used for fraud. In carrying out this bribery scheme, Rodriguez would often forge the purported customers’ signatures on account opening documents. To protect his identity, Rodriguez used the alias “Jorge” on a text messaging app to communicate with the individuals seeking bank accounts.

The charge of receipt of bribes by a bank employee carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of the greater of up to $1 million or three times the value of the thing given, offered, promised, solicited, demanded, accepted, or agreed to be accepted. The charge of making false bank entries carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents and task force officers of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Caribbean Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Miranda; and special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the Morristown Police Department for its assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark and Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney of the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.

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Defense counsel: Murdoch Walker, Esq. and Serguel Akiti, Esq.

TRENTON, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, woman admitted that she fraudulently obtained Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”), Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Damaris Valerio, a/k/a Damaris Tineo Abreu, 42, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch to an information charging her with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

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

From April 2020 through December 2021, Valerio fraudulently obtained $194,212 in COVID-19 emergency relief funds, which included loans and cash advances meant for distressed small businesses under the EIDL program and PPP, and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits meant for unemployed workers, by submitting false and fraudulent applications inflating her business’s revenues, payroll expenses, and number of employees. After receiving the fraudulent funds, she diverted proceeds from the relief programs for her personal gain.

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greater. The money laundering charge count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain to the defendant or loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark; Special Agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, and special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General’s Boston-New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, with the investigation leading to this guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin D. Bleiberg and Fatime Meka Cano of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

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

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Defense Counsel: John Russo, Esq, of New York.

NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County resident was charged for his role in a bank fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Isiah J. Jordan, 27, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of bank fraud. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre and was released on $100,000 bond.     

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

Jordan was part of a multi-person scheme to steal checks from the mail and deposit those checks into bank accounts controlled by his co-conspirators. For example, in June 2023, Company-1 mailed out a business check for over $50,000. That check was stolen and altered by Jordan and his co-conspirators such that the payee information on the original check was changed so that the check could be deposited into an account controlled by the conspirators. Then in July 2023, after the stolen check cleared, Jordan and his co-conspirators withdrew the money from the account and split the proceeds.   

Jordan and his coconspirators then continued to actively recruit other members to participate in and join the conspiracy. Specifically, they recruited individuals who had long-standing bank accounts to continue the scheme of depositing stolen checks and withdrawing the funds before the bank or the victims whose checks were stolen were aware of the illegal activity. 

The bank fraud conspiracy and the bank fraud charges both carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.      

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, with the investigation. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey S. Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division and Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

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

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Defense counsel: John Yauch, New Jersey    

NEWARK, N.J. – Two Pennsylvania companies and one South Carolina company entered into a settlement agreement with the United States resolving allegations that the companies violated the False Claims Act by taking a total of five Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to which the companies were not entitled, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Congress created the PPP in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the PPP, eligible businesses could receive forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Regulations provide various eligibility requirements for the PPP, including limitations on the number of employees and revenue size limits. In their loan applications, borrowers were required to certify that they were eligible for the PPP and that the information they provided was accurate.

According to the contentions of the United States in the settlement agreement:

Rema Tip Top of America, Inc. (“Rema”) is a holding company incorporated in Delaware with number of direct and indirect subsidiaries, including a wholly owned subsidiary based in New Jersey that specializes in automotive and industrial products (Rema Tip Top/North America “RNA”). From April 1, 2020 to October 31, 2021, C&J Welding & Construction (“C&J Welding”), a maintenance and construction company based in Pennsylvania, and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Rema, applied for one PPP loan and received $341,848.78 in loan forgiveness and interest. The United States paid an associated lender processing fee of $11,652.00. Industrial Services Group, Inc. (“ISG”) d/b/a/ Universal Blastco, an industrial corrosion control company based in South Carolina, and an indirect subsidiary of Rema, applied for two PPP loans and received $4,824,288.99 in loan forgiveness and interest. The United States paid associated lender processing fees of $87,828.50. NexGen Industrial Services, Inc. (“NexGen”), an oil, gas, mining, and pipeline construction services company based in Pennsylvania, and an indirect subsidiary of Rema, applied for two PPP loans and received $3,688,618.89 in loan forgiveness and interest. The United States paid associated lender processing fees of $109,529.40.

C&J Welding, ISG, and NexGen were ineligible to receive these PPP loans and loan forgiveness and knowingly failed to fully disclose their affiliates, including Rema, on their PPP loan applications. C&J Welding, ISG, and NexGen falsely certified eligibility for the PPP loans and loan forgiveness they received. Because of their affiliation with each other and with other entities, C&J Welding, ISG, and NexGen exceeded the employee or revenue-based eligibility limits for PPP loans and loan forgiveness and were therefore too large to qualify for the payouts they received.

In accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement, C&J Welding, ISG, and NexGen paid a total of $13 million plus interest. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. In this matter, the relator is receiving $2.34 million as the share.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited the SBA’s Office of General Counsel for their assistance in this matter.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan J. Pappy of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark, with assistance from Christopher J. McClintock of the SBA.

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

The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Scissors LLC v. Rema Tip Top of America, Inc., et al, Civil Action No. 23-20790.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

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Counsel for C&J Welding, ISG, and NexGen: Eric W. Sitarchuk, Steven Strauss, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Counsel for Scissors LLC: Eric Jaso, Spiro Harrison & Nelson 

NEWARK, N.J. – Six people have been charged for conspiring to transport stolen property derived from burglarized consignment shops across multiple states, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Marco Honesty, 28, Richard Francis, 35, Dominique Hayes, 29, Deandre Dudley, 32, Ilon Coles-Melson, 21, and Marcus Gallmon, 21, residents of Washington, D.C. and Maryland, are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to sell and receive stolen property that had crossed state lines.

Honesty appeared on June 13, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was detained. Hayes appeared on May 22, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and was detained. Coles-Melson appeared on April 11, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark federal court and was detained. Gallmon appeared on February 26, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court and was later released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. Dudley appeared on February 20, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. Francis appeared on February 5, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

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

The defendants are part of a commercial burglary ring that committed at least 18 burglaries in multiple states between March and November of 2024, including in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. On several dates, the defendants broke into the consignment shops in the middle of the night using sledgehammers and other objects, stole dozens of designer handbags and other items from each shop, and transported the stolen goods across state lines.

The charge of conspiracy to sell or receive stolen property carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of up to a $250,000 fine, or twice the amount of money involved in the offense, whichever is greater. 

U.S. Attorney Habba credited officers of Homeland Security Investigations under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked the New Jersey State Police, Delaware State Police, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Philadelphia Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Cape May Police Department, Cherry Hill Police Department, Colts Neck Police Department, Englewood Police Department, Guilderland Police Department, Haddonfield Police Department, Livingston Police Department, Manalapan Police Department, Margate Police Department, Millburn Police Department, Montclair Police Department, North Castle Police Department, Roxbury Police Department, Saratoga Springs Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Tenafly Police Department, Warren Police Department, and Watchung Police Department for their assistance.        

Anyone who believes they may be a victim, or has information about the theft group or burglaries, is asked to call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE, or call a local field office.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Lyons of the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

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

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Defense counsel:

Marco Honesty: Adrien Moncur, Esq., Paramus, New Jersey

Richard Francis: Timothy Donahue, Esq., Newark, New Jersey

Dominique Hayes: Bruce S. Rosen, Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey

Deandre Dudley: Charles McKenna, Esq., Morristown, New Jersey

Ilon Coles-Melson: Paul Condon, Esq., Jersey City, New Jersey

Marcus Gallmon: Charles Alvarez, Esq., Bloomfield, New Jersey

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Gloucester County man was found guilty by a jury on June 11, 2025, for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Ian Dudley, 39, of Williamstown, New Jersey, was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, contrary to 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a) and (b)(1)(C), in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; and with six counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and/or fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(1)(C); before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn in Camden federal court.  Sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2025.

According to the evidence presented at trial:

From June 2023 through October 2023, Dudley conspired with Joseph Watson and others to distribute crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl in Camden County and Gloucester County.  During the course of the conspiracy, Dudley sold approximately 17.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and approximately one ounce of fentanyl to an undercover federal agent.

The counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and two of the counts of distribution of methamphetamine carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.  Four of the counts for distribution of methamphetamine and/or fentanyl carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of L.C. Cheeks, Jr., with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph McFarlane and Josephine Park in Camden.

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NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey, man pled guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Justin Pope, 38, of Clifton, New Jersey, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.

According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in Court:

On July 12, 2023, law enforcement officers responded to a report of shots fired in a public parking lot in Clifton, New Jersey. A review of the surveillance footage from the area showed Pope and a female individual engaged in an altercation while inside of a vehicle. As the female individual exited the vehicle, Pope pointed a handgun and fired multiple shots at the victim at close range.  Law enforcement subsequently recovered ammunition from the scene.

The following day, on July 13, 2023, law enforcement reviewed a video on a social media account depicting Pope firing a gun in the air in which he stated, “Can’t find me . . . Police. Y’all never gonna find me.”  Law enforcement also recovered ammunition from the scene.

Pope was arrested a few hours later after he attempted to board a bus in New York City and brandished a firearm to bus employees. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered a firearm from Pope, which was later identified as a privately made 9mm firearm with a large capacity magazine attached, which was loaded with one round of 9mm ammunition.

Pope had previously been convicted of aggravated assault in New Jersey in connection with the shooting of a child.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; officers of the Clifton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas Rinaldi; officers of the Paterson Police Department, under Officer in Charge Patrick Murray; officers of the Passaic County Sheriff's Department under Sheriff Thomas Adamo; officers of the Passaic Police Department, under Chief Luis Guzman; and officers of New York City Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Edward Caban, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Pope’s sentencing is scheduled for October 21, 2025.

The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel for Pope: Georgina Pallitto, Esq.

Camden, N.J. – A Mexican national was sentenced to 110 months in prison for trafficking cocaine and illegally reentering the United States after previously sustaining an aggravated felony conviction, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Anastacio Santiago Chaparro, also known as Arnoldo Urquidez, 41, of Mexico, had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel in Camden federal court to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal reentry by a convicted felon.

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

On November 6, 2023, Santiago Chaparro was caught by law enforcement transporting a backpack that contained over 10 kilograms of cocaine. Santiago Chaparro admitted that the cocaine was intended for distribution. Additionally, Santiago Chaparro had been deported from the United States to Mexico three times and previously sustained a conviction for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, an aggravated felony.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kiel sentenced Santiago Chaparro to three years of supervised release and ordered Santiago Chaparro to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding his deportation proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel, and from the Drug Enforcement Administration New York, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Y. Zuckier of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering and Recovery Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Victor A. Afanador

NEWARK, N.J. – Today, Myron Williams, a/k/a “Money,” a/k/a “Tunchi,” 31, of Newark was sentenced before the Honorable Michael E. Farbiarz to life imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy, life imprisonment for murder in aid of racketeering, 240 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and 120 months’ imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, with all sentences to run consecutively.

Williams’s co-defendant Khalil Kelley, a/k/a “Billski,” 26, of Jersey City, was previously sentenced on June 5, 2025, to life imprisonment, plus a consecutive ten-year term of imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy, for his role in the Marion Gardens street gang and a gang-related murder.

Also today, Jawaad Davis, 23, of Jersey City, was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment for his role in the Marion Gardens street gang, which included orchestrating a robbery that resulted in murder.

Eight other individuals are pending sentencing.  Roger Pickett, a/k/a “Zy G,” 24, of Jersey City was convicted at trial along with Williams and Kelley.  The remaining defendants—Herbert Thomas, 49, of Jersey City; Andre Alomar, a/k/a “Dre8,” 24, of Newark; Naim Richardson, a/k/a “Ninicks,” 32, of Jersey City; Anthony Rogers, a/k/a “MG,” 25, of Jersey City; Quaseame Wilson, a/k/a “Qua Gz,” 28, of Jersey City; Javon Williams, a/k/a “J45,” 28, of Jersey City; and Keith Anderson, a/k/a “Beef3,” 23, of Jersey City—all pled guilty before trial.  Each defendant will be sentenced before Judge Farbiarz in Newark as follows:

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

Myron Williams, Khalil Kelley, Roger Pickett, Jawaad Davis, Anthony Rogers, Quaseame Wilson, Andre Alomar, Keith Anderson, Javon Williams, and Naim Richardson are all members and associates of the neighborhood street gang associated with the Marion Gardens Housing Complex. Since 2013, they and their fellow gang members have committed numerous acts of violence, including three separate murders, on March 29, 2021, Nov. 20, 2021, and Nov. 1, 2022.

On March 29, 2021, Kelley and other gang members lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the victim’s fellow gang member. When the victim opened the door to his residence, Kelley and another gang member brandished firearms, and the victim was shot multiple times in the chest, killing him. Pickett and Myron Williams then picked up Kelley and other gang members after they abandoned the murder vehicle in Newark.

On Nov. 20, 2021, Myron Williams, Pickett, and Richardson lured a rival gang member outside by sending him Instagram messages pretending to be the second victim’s fellow gang member. Williams and another gang member shot the victim when he opened the door to his residence.

On Nov. 1, 2022, Davis facilitated the murder of the third victim by coordinating a narcotics transaction with the victim and the victim’s associate. When the victim and his associate arrived at the Marion Gardens Housing Complex to complete the narcotics transaction, they were robbed of their narcotics supply. During the robbery, Pickett and Wilson held the victim and his associate at gunpoint. After a struggle ensued, Pickett shot and killed the victim while his associate fled. Pickett then fled the Marion Gardens Housing Complex with Wilson.

For months, investigators observed and documented hundreds of narcotics transactions in and around the Marion Gardens Housing Complex.  The investigation likewise revealed that Herbert Thomas was a primary supplier of narcotics to the Marion Gardens street gang.

When each defendant was arrested on March 17, 2023, law enforcement seized contraband at several different locations, including heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, narcotics packaging materials, ammunition, bulletproof vests, and a loaded handgun.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited investigators of the Gang Intelligence Unit and the Homicide Unit of the Major Case Division of Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Esther Suarez, and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., and investigators of the Jersey City Police Department, under the direction of Director James Shea, with the investigation leading to the convictions. She also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, and the U.S. Marshals, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos, for their assistance.

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

The government is represented by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Maloy and Javon Henry, of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.

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Defense counsel:

Myron Williams – William Strazza, Esq.
Jawaad Davis – Jason Orlando, Esq. and Tyler Newman, Esq.

Khalil Kelley – Kevin Buchan, Esq. and James Seplowitz, Esq.

NEWARK, N.J. – Four individuals being detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility were each charged by separate complaint for escaping from ICE custody, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Franklin Norberto Bautista Reyes, 20, of Honduras, Joan Sebastian Castaneda Lozada, 18, of Colombia, Andres Felipe Pineda Mogollon, 25, of Colombia, and Joel Enrrique Sandoval-Lopez, 22, of Honduras, were charged by four separate complaints with escape from the custody of an institution or officer.

According to documents filed in this case, each defendant was detained at Delaney Hall, a privately owned detention center in Newark, New Jersey, pending immigration removal proceedings.  On or about June 12, 2025, the defendants fled the facility by breaking through an aluminum second-story wall, dropping mattresses through the opening in the wall to provide a landing place on which to jump, and utilizing bed sheets to cover barbed wire in order to climb over the fence.

Castaneda Lozada, Sandoval-Lopez, and Bautista Reyes have been apprehended.  Castaneda Lozada and Sandoval-Lopez appeared in Court yesterday, and Bautista Reyes appeared in Court today, all before the Honorable Cathy L. Waldor, United States Magistrate Judge.  Pineda Mogollon remains at large.

Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; officers of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the direction of Acting Director Todd M. Lyons; and officers of Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Hardin of the Public Protection Task Force in Newark.

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

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Defense counsel: Linda Foster, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender for Castaneda Lozada; 

Patrick Joyce, Esq. for Sandoval-Lopez; 

Stacy Biancamano, Esq. for Bautista Reyes

NEWARK, N.J. – Pantaleo “Leo” Pellegrini, the former Hoboken Director of Health and Human Services and Director of the Department of Environmental Services, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for embezzling money from the City of Hoboken and filing a false tax return, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced

Pellegrini previously pleaded guilty to embezzlement and filing a false tax return before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark federal court.

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

While working for the City of Hoboken, Pellegrini embezzled money from the City of Hoboken by diverting approximately $223,500 in payments intended for the City of Hoboken to bank accounts he controlled. Pellegrini also embezzled money from the City of Hoboken by submitting approximately $234,432.60 in his personal expenses, which the City of Hoboken unknowingly paid. Additionally, Pellegrini did not report the embezzled money on his personal tax returns, and thereby made and subscribed a false personal tax return and avoided approximately $119,972.60 in taxes due.

Pellegrini’s oversight responsibilities related to certain public recreational facilities, including soccer fields that could be reserved by both Hoboken and non-Hoboken residents for a fee paid to the City of Hoboken.  Through this arrangement, the City of Hoboken Department of Parks, Recreation & Public Works sponsored a non-profit recreation soccer league open to Hoboken youth (the “Youth Soccer League”), which was funded by the City of Hoboken and participant fees.  Also during the charged time period, an adult soccer league open to Hoboken and non-Hoboken residents (the “Adult Soccer League”) was in operation, which was funded from participant fees.

Pellegrini developed a scheme to divert the Adult Soccer League’s participant fee payments intended for the City of Hoboken to a business account on which he was a signatory which was registered to a soccer-related entity linked to him.

During the relevant time period, Pellegrini was also the Owner and President of a private travel soccer club.  Pellegrini also submitted or caused the submission to the City of Hoboken invoices associated with his private soccer club, which Pellegrini falsely or fraudulently represented to the City of Hoboken as invoices eligible for reimbursement by the City of Hoboken.  As a result, the City of Hoboken—at Pellegrini’s direction—unknowingly paid tens of thousands of dollars to the Pellegrini’s private soccer club vendors for its expenses, and also unknowingly paid tens of thousands of dollars directly to Pellegrini through his private soccer club.

Pellegrini used the embezzled funds on personal expenses including meals, entertainment, and gambling, allowing him to live far beyond his means.  Moreover, Pellegrini intentionally did not disclose and report the income from the above-described embezzlement scheme, thereby causing his tax returns to understate a substantial amount of the income he received.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Farbiarz ordered restitution of $439,972.60 to the City of Hoboken, restitution of $119,464 to the Internal Revenue Service, and forfeiture of $439,972.60.  Judge Farbiarz also ordered a term of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. McCarren and Matthew Specht of the Special Prosecutions Division.

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Defense Counsel:

John D. Lynch, Esq., Union City, NJ 

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County, New Jersey, man admitted to conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Rasheed Amin, 46, of Voorhees, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and one count of a felon in possession of a firearm.

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

On multiple occasions in 2024, Amin flew from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to cities in the western United States to obtain cocaine for further distribution.  Amin then mailed parcels containing the cocaine to his Voorhees residence and other addresses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.  On October 29, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Amin’s Voorhees residence and recovered several kilograms of cocaine, as well as a loaded firearm.  Amin—a previously-convicted felon—admitted to possessing the cocaine and the firearm recovered from his residence.

The cocaine conspiracy count carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.  The illegal possession of a firearm count carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited inspectors and task force officers of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher Nielsen, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.  She also credited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gabriel Rodriguez, and the Cherry Hill Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Ostermueller, for their assistance.

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

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Defense counsel: Ikram Ally, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey man admitted to fraudulently obtaining approximately $617,991 in federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”) and Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced. 

Malak Faltawws, aka “Mark Andrews,” 47, of Rutherford, New Jersey, plead guilty on June 10, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court to two-counts of an Indictment charging wire fraud and money laundering. 

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

From March 2020 through November 2021, Faltawws fraudulently obtained approximately $617,991 of COVID-19 emergency relief funds, which included loans and cash advances meant for distressed small businesses under the EIDL and PPP programs, by submitting false and fraudulent applications, inflating his businesses’ revenue, payroll expenses, and number of employees. After receiving the fraudulent funds, he diverted the proceeds for his personal gain.

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and the money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Each charge also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain to the defendant or gross loss to the victim, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for October 22, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan and investigators of the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission under the direction of Chief Administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd with the investigation.

The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of the five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud. The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aja Espinosa of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark. 

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

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Defense counsel: Areeb Salim, Esq. and Shaiba Rather, Esq.