District of Nevada

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced to 121 months in prison for selling methamphetamine, cocaine, and multiple firearms – including three machineguns.

Francis Araujo (33) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and illegal possession of machineguns. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro sentenced Araujo on Tuesday to five years of supervised release.

According to court documents, between August 1, 2021 and February 24, 2022, Araujo conspired with others to distribute cocaine and at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. On December 9, 2021, Araujo sold three privately made AR-15 style firearms.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Miller for HSI Las Vegas; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

HSI, ATF, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

If you have information about potential criminal activity, call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or submit a tip online at: https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.

If you have information about illegal firearms activity, submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas tax preparer pleaded guilty today to filing false tax returns.

Maria Magdalena Mendoza (51) pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false income tax returns. U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware scheduled sentencing for May 18, 2023.

According to court documents, from at least 2007 to 2017, Mendoza worked as a tax preparer and owned tax preparation businesses “Taxes & More” and “Taxs y Mas.” She used false or inflated deductions and credits on tax returns filed on behalf of her clients. Additionally, she used her clients’ personal identifying information to falsely obtain a larger refund on her own tax returns. Mendoza prepared more than 700 tax returns that claimed more than $3 million in refunds from the IRS. She caused more than $1.2 million in tax loss.

The maximum statutory penalty is three years in prison per count, a term of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress for the IRS Criminal Investigation made the announcement.

The IRS CI and the Treasury Inspector General’s Office for Tax Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale is prosecuting the case.

If you have information about an individual or a business you suspect of tax fraud, you can submit a report to the IRS at: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-you-report-suspected-tax-fraud-activity.

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RENO, Nev. – A Sparks resident was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du to five years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl pills out of his barbershop.

Jaime Collazo Munoz, aka “Chivo,” (36) was convicted by a jury in September 2022 of two counts of distribution of a controlled substance - fentanyl.

According to evidence presented at the five-day trial and court documents, from July to November 2020, Munoz distributed at least 80 grams of fentanyl in exchange for over $10,000. Munoz distributed the M30 fentanyl pills out of his barbershop “Stay Faded,” located in Sparks, Nevada. During the execution of a search warrant at Munoz’s residence, law enforcement located an electronic scale, cocaine and MDMA, an AR-15 rifle, and loaded firearms.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the DEA, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, and Regional Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andolyn Johnson and Andrew Keenan prosecuted the case.

Fentanyl – a Schedule II controlled substance – is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, or the amount that could fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially lethal dose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, a record number of Americans – 107,622 – died from a drug poisoning or overdose. Sixty-six percent of those deaths can be attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

If you have information of a potential violation of controlled substances laws and regulations, including the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances, please contact the DEA at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAS VEGAS - A federal grand jury in Las Vegas returned an indictment today charging a Nevada woman with assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns.

According to the indictment, from 2015 through 2020, Jessica Avras, of Las Vegas, owned and operated a tax preparation business. Avras allegedly prepared and filed materially false federal income tax returns for clients that fraudulently reduced their federal income tax liability and/or inflated their tax refunds. The indictment charges that Avras routinely reported fictitious businesses on her clients’ returns and claimed that those businesses had generated significant losses. She also allegedly fabricated deductions on her clients’ tax returns, including noncash charitable contributions, sales taxes and unreimbursed employee expenses.

Avras is charged with 31 counts of assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2), and scheduled for her initial court appearance on Feb. 22, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Thomas Flynn and Samuel Robins of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to four years and nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carrying out a series of commercial robberies while on supervised release.

Alfonzo Dale Lobas (34) pleaded guilty in November 2022 to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery.

According to court documents, on November 19, 2021, Lobas began a term of supervised release after an earlier conviction for a series of robberies. He admitted that, between January 16 and 28, 2022, he brandished an air pistol to intimidate cashiers at three gas station and convenience stores. During a robbery on January 20, 2022, Lobas told the cashier to “empty the register and hurry up,” and on January 24, when asked by a witness why he was robbing the store, he replied “because it’s fun.” At each of the robberies, he approached the cashier and demanded money while holding what the cashier believed to be a handgun.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Henderson resident was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 65 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Brian Scarborough (47) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance – methamphetamine. Scarborough was the ninth defendant to plead guilty for his role in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Las Vegas.

According to court documents, from a date unknown to April 17, 2019, Scarborough conspired with others – including Miriam Elizabeth Suarez-Contreras, aka “Ella” and “Liz,” who was an organizer of the criminal conspiracy – to distribute methamphetamine in the Las Vegas area. As part of the conspiracy, Suarez-Contreras, a Mexican national, received methamphetamine orders via telephone while she was living in California, and dispatched different drug couriers to deliver the methamphetamine in Las Vegas. On April 3, 2019, the FBI executed a search warrant of Scarborough’s hotel room after he had ordered methamphetamine from Suarez-Contreras via telephone and discovered about 130 grams of methamphetamine and a 9mm handgun.

Co-defendants Suarez-Contreras was sentenced to 135 months in prison; Roberto Blancas-Mata, aka “Carlos Delgado,” of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison; Rahdsma Henderson, aka “Weezy,” of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 41 months in prison; Stephen Lloyd, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to time served; Doug Stumpf, of Henderson, was sentenced to 46 months in prison; Renea Barnes, aka “Renea Valdez,” of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 48 months in prison; Quentin Armstrong, of Sandy Valley, Nevada, was sentenced to 90 months in prison; and Jose Guillermo Tello-Albarran, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to time served. Charles Parr, aka “Charles Magnuson,” of Salt Lake City, Utah, awaits sentencing.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Melanee Smith is prosecuting this case.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAS VEGAS – A member of the Pomona Sur Lokotes (PSL) drug trafficking organization was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his leadership role in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from California and Mexico to Nevada.

Luis Arellano, aka “Lewis Arellano” and “Laughter,” (31) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

According to court documents, in December 2019, law enforcement began investigating Arellano and other members of PSL. The evidence showed that Arellano was responsible for distributing over 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in Las Vegas. He also directed other members to import methamphetamine from California and Mexico to Las Vegas.

Co-defendants Jacqueline Martinez (31) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 78 months in prison; Amelio Che Medina (45) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 97 months in prison; Anna Barrios (34) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 months in prison; and Victor Manuel Rodriguez, aka “Smokey” (39) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 months in prison. Co-defendants Ivan Salazar, aka “Evil,” (40) and Domingo Montes, aka “JR,” (36) pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to 24 years and four months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release. In June 2022, a jury convicted Barry Allen Gabelman (52) of coercion and enticement. Under the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act, Gabelman is required to register as a sex offender after completion of his prison term.

According to court documents, from October 31 to December 6, 2019, Gabelman exchanged sexually explicit messages and photos via social media and a messaging account with individuals whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl and her stepfather. During their communications, Gabelman discussed having sex with the girl, requested nude images of the girl, and sent the girl photos of his genitals. On December 6, 2019, he traveled to a pre-arranged location in Las Vegas intending to have sex with the girl, but instead he was arrested by law enforcement.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bianca Pucci and Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

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

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II to 10 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for distributing counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, that resulted in the death of another person.

Gabriel Ulloa (30) pleaded guilty in May 2022 to distribution of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, in June 2020, Ulloa sold three counterfeit M-30 oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl. Ulloa’s phone records indicated that he was aware he was selling counterfeit pills. A 27-year-old man – who believed he was buying oxycodone pills from Ulloa – died as result of ingesting the fentanyl-laced pills.

Fentanyl – a Schedule II controlled substance – is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, or the amount that could fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially lethal dose. In 2021, a record number of Americans – 107,622 – died from a drug poisoning or overdose. Sixty-six percent of those deaths can be attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Las Vegas District Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Miller for HSI Las Vegas made the announcement.

The DEA, HSI, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Major Violators Narcotics Crimes Bureau, Overdose Response Team, and the Henderson Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

This case was part of the Southern Nevada’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program that enhances and coordinates drug control efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The program provides agencies with coordination, equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of the United States.

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LAS VEGAS – A Nevada-licensed dentist pleaded guilty yesterday to willfully failing to pay over employment taxes withheld from employees of his Las Vegas practice.

According to court documents, Timothy Wilson, of Phoenix, Arizona, was a Nevada-licensed dentist who owned and operated Starsmiles Children’s Dentistry, LLC, a pediatric dental practice with offices located in North Las Vegas and Las Vegas. As the sole owner of Starsmiles, Wilson was responsible for collecting and paying over to the IRS the income, Medicare, and Social Security taxes withheld from the wages paid to Starsmiles’ employees. From 2011 through 2014, Wilson withheld these taxes from his employees’ wages but did not pay the withholdings to the IRS. In total, Wilson caused a tax loss of $289,654.63.

Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 24, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Patrick Burns and Regina Jeon of the Justice Department’s Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A jury convicted a former U.S. Postal Service clerk on Wednesday for stealing a customer’s mail and cashing the postal money orders worth over $2,300 that were inside.

Following a three-day trial, James Earl Magee, 32, of Las Vegas, was found guilty of theft of government money and mail theft by a postal employee. U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro presided over the trial. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 25, 2023.

According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, between June 28, 2016 and July 6, 2016, Magee stole an envelope containing three money orders worth about $2,340.27 and cashed the money orders for his personal use.

The maximum statutory penalty for Theft of Government Money is 10 years’ imprisonment, a three-year period of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The maximum statutory penalty for Mail Theft by a Postal Employee is five years’ imprisonment, a three-year period of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge London Mulcahy for the U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General, Western-Pacific Area Field Office made the announcement.

The U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

Complaints regarding fraud, waste, and misconduct within the U.S. Postal Service involving employees and/or contractors, please file an online complaint form with the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General Hotline at: https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.

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LAS VEGAS - U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson announced today that the District of Nevada collected more than $3.9 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Of this amount, $3,355,703.29 was collected in criminal actions and $593,501.29 was collected in civil actions.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $3,906.46 in criminal actions pursued jointly by these offices.

“This total amount demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the successful collection of funds in civil matters and criminal cases,” said U.S. Attorney Frierson. “The dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support personnel in our Financial Litigation Program and Asset Forfeiture Unit worked tirelessly with partners in Fiscal Year 2022 to enforce and recover debts owed to the United States and crime victims.”

Highlights of the District of Nevada’s Fiscal Year 2022 collection efforts include:

• Following a guilty plea to one count of making and subscribing a false tax return, Graciela Alvarez agreed to pre-pay her restitution in advance of sentencing. Alvarez paid $458,728.52 towards the satisfaction of her restitution obligation to the IRS.

• In 2002, Ronda Hubbard pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a counterfeited security. In addition to five years’ probation, Hubbard was ordered to pay restitution to Bank of America in the amount of $208,752.74. In February 2022, Financial Litigation staff was advised that Hubbard was selling her home. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was able to secure the funds from the sale of the property. In March 2022, the remainder of Hubbard’s restitution obligation was paid in full.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Nevada, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $1,878,306 in asset forfeiture actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

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LAS VEGAS – A five-time convicted felon was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 10 years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy with his brother to sell large amounts of fentanyl.

According to court documents, Robert Dillon (46) agreed with his brother Melvin Dillon and others to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. In May 2019, Dillon possessed a .380 caliber pistol during a drug sale.

Robert Dillon pleaded guilty in July 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Melvin Dillon (49), a nine-time convicted felon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and was sentenced to 128 months in prison.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.

The ATF and DEA Las Vegas District Office investigated the case.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, or the amount that could fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially lethal dose. In 2021, a record number of Americans – 107,622 – died from a drug poisoning or overdose. Sixty-six percent of those deaths can be attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

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LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office released the following statement from U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada today to commemorate National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness:

“January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and today is National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness.

“Traffickers exploit and deprive some of our most vulnerable populations of their freedom. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working together with state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement partners to increase our combined prevention efforts and to raise awareness, investigate, vigorously prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking crimes, and support victims and survivors.

“Combating human trafficking takes an all-hands-on-deck approach – It’s a partnership between law enforcement and the community. We can end human trafficking and prevent this crime. Anyone who has information about a potential human trafficking incident is encouraged to report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas business owner and operator who pleaded guilty to wire fraud was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 34 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for fraudulently soliciting more than $5 million in investments for his digital advertisement business.

According to court documents, Robert Cortez Marshall, 43, operated a Ponzi scheme between January 2014 and April 2015 by fraudulently soliciting over $5 million for his business R.B.J. Generational Wealth Management LLC d/b/a Adz on Wheelz from more than 200 unwitting investors. He devised a scheme to defraud victims by falsely claiming that: (1) Adz on Wheelz owned and operated a fleet of luxury vehicles that could be customized for digital advertising; (2) Adz on Wheelz had already received millions of dollars in contracts from advertisers; (3) investors would receive a guaranteed weekly royalty payment; and (4) investors could cancel at any time or receive a refund of their investment.

In reality, Marshall would use money solicited from new investors to make the “royalty payments” owed to prior investors. He also transferred investor funds to other accounts under his control and used investor money for his own personal expenses. Through this scheme, investors lost approximately $3.5 million.

“The defendant wined and dined his investors, and he promised annual returns of more than 200% on investments,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting individuals who take advantage and defraud others for profit.”

“Financial crimes like Ponzi schemes may not be violent, but they certainly are not victimless,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “Under the guise of an established business Mr. Marshall solicited investments from individuals and secured their trust, swindling more than 200 victims out of more than $5 million for his personal benefit. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to investigate financially devastating schemes and seek justice for victims of fraud.”

The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jim Fang and Tony Lopez prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A former airline executive was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to two years in prison after pleading guilty to failing to pay over $2.6 million in employment taxes to the IRS.

William Acor pleaded guilty in March 2022 to willful failure to collect and pay over employment taxes. In addition to the prison term, Acor has also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $1,667,290.46 to the IRS.

According to court documents, Acor had been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vision Airlines Inc., an airline headquartered in North Las Vegas. On behalf of Vision Airlines, Acor was responsible for collecting, accounting for, and paying over to the IRS taxes withheld from employee wages, including federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax. In addition, Vision Airlines was responsible for paying the employer matching share of Social Security taxes. From 2014 to 2016, Acor failed to pay over on behalf of Vision Airlines a total of $2,657,254.75 in combined employee tax withholdings and employer matching share of taxes. The government further alleged that Acor thwarted IRS collection efforts by transferring assets and income to a third party.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress for the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

IRS-CI investigated the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – The Department of Justice has awarded $46,438,846 in grants to various Nevada entities to support victims’ services and public safety efforts, announced United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson.

“These grant awards totaling more than $46 million represent the Justice Department’s commitment to provide the support and resources needed to keep Nevada’s communities safer for all to live and work,” said U.S. Attorney Frierson. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work closely with partners throughout the Battle Born State to build safer communities.”

From August to December, Nevada entities were awarded the following grants from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and its components:

• Office for Victims of Crime:
  • The Division of Child & Family Services was awarded $2,252,000, as part of the OVC FY 2022 Invited to Apply - Administrative Funding Adjustment to Previously Funded FY2019 VOCA Victim; $2,349,000, as part of the OVC FY 2022 VOCA Victim Compensation Formula Grant; and $13,690,070, as part of the OVC FY 2022 VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant.
  • The Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada was awarded $3,766,170, as part of the OVC FY 2022 Invited to Apply Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Grant Program.
  • Washoe County was awarded $100,000, as part of the OVC FY 2023 Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program.
  • The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges was awarded $1,000,000, as part of the OVC FY 2022 Field-Generated Strategies to Address the Criminalization of Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking.

Total: $23,157,240

• Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention:
  • The Division of Child & Family Services was awarded $610,587, as part of the OJJDP FY 2021 Title II Formula Grants Program, and $608,073, as part of the OJJDP FY 2022 Title II Formula Grants Program FY 2022 Title II Grant Solicitation Year 2 of the 3-Year Plan.
  • The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges was awarded $3,556,559, as part of the OJJDP FY 2022 Invited to Apply - Training and Technical Assistance - Child Abuse Training for Judicial and Court.
  • The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes was awarded $998,788, as part of the OJJDP FY 2022 Enhancing School Capacity to Address Youth Violence.
  • Sunrise Health Clinics LLC was awarded $750,000, as part of the OJJDP FY 2022 Family-Based Alternative Sentencing Program.
  • The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was awarded $433,341, as part of the OJJDP FY 2022 Invited to Apply – Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces.

Total: $6,957,348

• Bureau of Justice Assistance:
  • The City of Las Vegas was awarded $790,681, as part of the BJA FY 22 Swift, Certain, and Fair (SCF) Supervision Program: Applying the Principles Behind Project HOPE.
  • The Walker River Paiute Tribe was awarded $897,205, as part of the U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation Fiscal year 2022 Competitive Grant.
  • The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was awarded $771,669, as part of the FY 22 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program (Formula).
  • The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office was awarded $400,000, as part of the FY 22 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program (Formula).
  • The Nevada Department of Public Safety was awarded $21,681, as part of the BJA FY 22 Invited to Apply — Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Reallocation Funds Program; $235,000, as part of the BJA FY 22 Invited to Apply – Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program; $2,176,692, as part of the BJA FY 22 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program - State Solicitation; $443,630, as part of the BJA FY 22 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program Formula Grant Solicitation; and $196,253, as part of BJA FY 22 Project Safe Neighborhoods.
  • The City of Henderson was awarded $1,314,350, as part of the BJA FY 22 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program.
  • The City of North Las Vegas was awarded $1,300,000, as part of the BJA FY 22 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program, and $699,468, as part of the BJA FY 22 Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program.
  • Clark County was awarded $749,924, as part of the BJA FY 22 Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program.
  • The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribes of the Fallon Reservation & Colony was awarded $549,211, as part of the BJA FY 22 Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program.
  • The Nevada Department of Education was awarded $1,985,347, as part of the BJA FY 22 Preventing School Violence: BJA’s STOP School Violence Program.

Total: $12,531,111

• National Institute of Justice:
  • The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges was awarded $2,400,000, as part of the NIJ FY22 National Juvenile Justice Data Analysis Program.

Total: $2,400,000

• Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking:
  • The Nevada Department of Public Safety was awarded $200,000, as part of the SMART FY 2022 Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program.

Total: $200,000

Further, Nevada entities have been awarded the following grants from the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW):

• Washoe Legal Services Inc. was awarded $600,000, as part of Fiscal year 2022 Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program Awards.
• The Nevada Office of Attorney General was awarded $593,147, as part of the 2022 OVW Sexual Assault Services Formula Program Grant Awards.

Total: $1,193,147

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OJP provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at: www.ojp.gov.

The Office on Violence Against Women provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. More information about OVW can be found at: www.justice.gov/ovw.

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RENO – A Sparks resident was sentenced on Monday by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du to 77 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of three firearms after prior felony convictions.

According to court documents, David Lee Wiley Jr., 41, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to felon in possession of firearms. He admitted that on February 4, 2022, he possessed three firearms, which included a rifle, a stolen Glock 30S .45 caliber pistol, and a 9mm IWI UZI pistol with a loaded, high-capacity magazine. Wiley is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions in Washoe County, including convictions for Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sale.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Sparks Police Department and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Keenan prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 18 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for committing six armed robberies of gas station convenience stores.

Jonathan Nagel (25) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to six counts of interference of commerce by robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of failure to appear.

According to court documents, from January 21, 2021 to August 18, 2021, Nagel committed six armed robberies of businesses located in North Las Vegas and Las Vegas. At each robbery, Nagel pretended to make a purchase at the checkout counter. He then pointed a 9mm handgun at the store clerk and demanded money from the cash register. Nagel was arrested in August of 2021 and admitted he was planning to rob a seventh store that night. After Nagel was arrested for the armed robberies, he was initially released on pretrial supervision and ordered to self-surrender on March 7, 2022. However, on March 4, 2022, he cut off his GPS monitor, and absconded from pretrial supervision. Nagel was arrested in Arizona later that month.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI, North Las Vegas Police Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A U.S. citizen who previously resided in Ukraine was sentenced to 42 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to court documents, Harold Sobel, 69, was a member of an international criminal enterprise that unlawfully debited money from the bank accounts of unknowing U.S. victims. Members of the criminal enterprise created shell companies for the purpose of receiving victim funds and created fake websites for the shell companies that claimed to offer products or services, such as cloud storage. Members then executed unauthorized debits against victims’ bank accounts, while falsely representing to banks that the debits were authorized by the victims.

“The department will vigorously pursue and prosecute individuals who steal from American consumers’ bank accounts and deceive U.S. banks to conceal and continue their schemes,” said Principal Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s sentence demonstrates our commitment to bringing fraudsters to justice, even when they commit their crimes from foreign countries.”

“The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners will investigate and prosecute offenders who defraud Americans and U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Our office will diligently work with the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and law enforcement to use every tool at our disposal to hold fraudsters accountable regardless of where they reside and to bring justice for victims.”

“Global criminal enterprises that span multi-continent distances and operate from beyond our borders might feel they are safe from the reach of U.S. Postal Inspectors. But they are wrong,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of Criminal Investigations. “Scammers who defraud American citizens and banks are in our sights. Working with our partners in the Department of Justice, we will track them down and bring them to justice.”

Unauthorized debits against victim accounts, caused by the conspirators, resulted in returned transactions and high return rates that often generated scrutiny from the banks. To both conceal and continue making these unauthorized debits, members of the criminal enterprise made misrepresentations to the financial institutions about the transactions, claiming that they were authorized. In some cases, members of the criminal enterprise caused the accounts used by the criminal enterprise to also make “micro debits” against other bank accounts controlled and funded by or for the criminal enterprise. The “micro debits” were used to artificially lower the return rates to levels that conspirators believed would reduce bank scrutiny and thereby lessen the likelihood of closure of the accounts used by the criminal enterprise. The criminal enterprise also operated a call center that fielded complaints from victims of the unauthorized debits. The call center sought to dissuade victims from making reports to the victims’ banks and to government agencies.

As part of the enterprise, Sobel opened bank accounts in the United States at the direction of a co-conspirator who organized and conducted the affairs of the enterprise from outside the United States. For example, on or about Oct. 16, 2019, Sobel opened four business deposit accounts at a bank branch in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sobel opened the accounts for a shell company called “Silver Safe Box” and listed himself as the sole member and authorized signer in the account opening documentation. The criminal enterprise then funded “micro debits,” designed to lower return rates through the Silver Safe Box accounts. Between approximately December 2019 and January 2021, the Silver Safe Box accounts funded over 800,000 “micro debits” in amounts ranging from $0.99 to $1.85. Sobel also recruited at least two associates in the United States to help the foreign co-conspirator, among other things, open additional bank accounts and register shell companies.

Sobel’s participation also involved providing support for the activities of the criminal enterprise’s call center in Ukraine. Sobel devised a script to be used in response to complaints from victims by the call center’s personnel to retain as much of the criminal enterprise’s proceeds as possible and – only on those occasions where those efforts failed – to then issue full refunds, in order to dissuade victims from making reports to the victims’ banks and government agencies. Sobel also devised a metric by which he and the foreign co-conspirator could evaluate the effectiveness of the call center’s personnel. As part of his guilty plea, Sobel admitted that more than $1.5 million in victim debits were reasonably foreseeable to him.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Meredith Healy and Wei Xiang of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mina Chang of the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas provided substantial assistance.

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RENO – A Reno man was returned to the United States from Mexico where he was arrested on a federal warrant for drug trafficking violations. On December 13, 2022, the defendant made his initial appearance in the Southern District of California and was ordered detained.

In June 2022, a federal grand jury in Reno charged Nassrollah Behmard, also known as “Benny” and “Michael Holt,” 64, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, six counts of distribution of a methamphetamine, and conspiracy to money launder. Behmard’s next court date is December 27, 2022.

In 2014, Behmard fled to Mexico to avoid being arrested for his involvement in Washoe County drug trafficking case. In March 2022, the FBI learned that Behmard, who was still in Mexico, was conspiring with co-conspirators located in Reno and Los Angeles to distribute of multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine in the Reno. From March 2022 to June 2022, Behmard was responsible for distributing over 140 pounds of methamphetamine.

On June 6, 2022, Behmard arranged with co-conspirator Ramon Guadalupe Sanchez Maldonado to deliver 100 pounds of methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Reno. Law enforcement successfully intercepted the methamphetamine and traced it back to a clandestine lab located in the Los Angeles area. Law enforcement dismantled the lab and seized approximately 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine.

In June 2022, Behmard and co-conspirators Owen Eugene Dick, 58, Melissa Ann Longo, 46, Ramon Guadalupe Sanchez Maldonado, 51, and Jesus Sanchez Vargas, 22, were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and related offenses including money laundering. All except for Behmard, who was still in Mexico at the time, were arrested in July 2022.

If convicted, Behmard faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. There is a 10-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI Northern Nevada Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of FBI, Reno Police Department, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Gaming and Control Board, Nevada Department of Corrections, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case with assistance by the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, the San Bernardino Police Department, DEA, and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn Johnson is prosecuting the case.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 84 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempted receipt and possession of hundreds of child sexual abuse material.

Jonathan Robert Risse-Santos (30) pleaded guilty in February 2022 to attempted receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, Risse-Santos will be required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, on March 1, 2021, Risse-Santos contacted who he believed to be a 14-year-old child through Kik Messenger. He repeatedly asked the child to send nude images of herself. The next day, Risse-Santos exchanged messages via TextNow, another messaging application, and discussed engaging in sexual activity with the child. He agreed to meet the child at her home where law enforcement arrested him. During the search of Risse-Santos’ cell phone, 259 images and six videos of child sexual abuse material were discovered.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the North Las Vegas Police Department, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – Yesterday, a federal jury convicted a Las Vegas man for executing a fraudulent tax withholding scheme in an attempt to obtain nearly $1 million in tax refunds through the filing of fraudulent tax returns for himself and his companies.

Following a four-day trial, Anthony Uvari (57) was found guilty of four counts of making and subscribing false tax returns. U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon presided over the trial and scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 8, 2023. For each count of making and subscribing a false tax return, Uvari faces a statutory maximum penalty of three years in prison, a term of supervised release, and a fine.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between February 2012 and May 2013, Uvari filed (or caused to be filed) four tax returns that falsely claimed six different businesses had paid him or his companies income, but withheld more than $900,000 of income tax on his behalf and paid it to the IRS. The government also presented evidence at trial that the defendant had filed individual income tax returns for 2007-2010 with the same pattern of using false tax withholdings to claim fraudulent tax refunds. As a result, he requested from the IRS over $900,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds. The IRS paid out more than $300,000 in fraudulently obtained refunds before detecting Uvari’s scheme and denying the remaining refund requests.

On his 2011 individual income tax return, Uvari claimed nearly $600,000 in tax withholdings from purported winnings on horse racing wagers from off-track betting organizations, but according to evidence presented at trial, the IRS had no record of these winnings or withholdings. Furthermore, according to testimony of four witnesses at trial, two of the off-track betting organizations were not even in business at the time of the claimed wagers and withholdings, and two others had no records of the bets claimed by the defendant during the relevant time period. Uvari also filed three corporate tax returns on behalf of two shell companies he controlled, claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax withholdings from a Canadian bank. However, a representative of the Canadian bank testified at trial that the bank had not conducted these financial transactions with Uvari or his companies, had not made these payments to Uvari or his companies, and had not withheld this income tax on behalf of Uvari or his companies.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by IRS-CI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Schmale and Jessica Oliva are prosecuting the case.

 

 

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 92 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.

Kiefe Martel Boyce (43), also known as “69,” pleaded guilty in January 2022 to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on January 25, 2021, a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer stopped Boyce who was driving a car with stolen license plates. As officers searched Boyce’s car, they found 2.6 grams of heroin, 105.3 grams of methamphetamine, and a .38 caliber revolver. Boyce is prohibited by law from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions, including possession of a stolen vehicle; possession of controlled substance; attempt pandering; attempt possessing, receiving or withholding stolen goods; attempt burglary; and unlawful possession of a controlled substance not for purpose of sale (Marijuana), all in Clark County, Nev.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Miller of HSI Las Vegas made the announcement.

HSI Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS — A Las Vegas man was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 10 years in prison for distributing counterfeit pills that contained fentanyl – a powerful synthetic opioid – that resulted in the overdose death of another person.

Daniel Anguiano (43) pleaded guilty in June 2021, to distribution of a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.

According to court documents, Anguiano distributed counterfeit oxycodone pills — containing fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl — to an individual who died after consuming the counterfeit pills.

Fentanyl is classified as Schedule II controlled substances, and acetyl fentanyl is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug that is approximately 80-100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. A few milligrams of fentanyl, which is equivalent to a few grains of table salt, may be deadly. Acetyl fentanyl is an analog of fentanyl that is 10-15 times more potent than morphine.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA made the announcement.

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

According to the CDC, 107,622 Americans died of drug poisoning in 2021, with 66 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. 

In November, DEA issued a Public Safety Alert of a sharp nationwide increase in the lethality of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills. The DEA Laboratory has found that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, six out of ten now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. Through its One Pill Can Kill campaign, the DEA is working to alert the American public of the dangers of fake prescription pills. The only safe medications are ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Any pills that do not meet this standard are unsafe and potentially deadly.

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RENO – A jury convicted a Reno woman on Thursday for making false statements in order to buy firearms for her son who is a convicted felon. As a matter of law, convicted felons are prohibited from buying and possessing firearms. The evidence at trial showed that the woman bought seven firearms for her son.

Gail Manney (48) was found guilty of illegal acquisition of firearms. U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben scheduled sentencing for March 1, 2023. The maximum statutory penalty for the illegal acquisition of a firearm is ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on April 21, 2021, Manney illegally purchased seven firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee in Reno for her son. At the time of purchase, Manney completed a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form representing that she was the actual buyer of the firearms when in fact she was buying the firearms for her son who is a convicted felon,

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the ATF made the announcement.

The ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Rachow and Andrew Keenan are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who has prior felony convictions was sentenced on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Ann R. Traum to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of six firearms. The firearms included a machine gun, a short-barreled rifle, and unserialized privately made firearms (PMF), sometimes referred to as “ghost guns.”

In August 2022, Alfonzo Lee Womack (30) pleaded guilty to felon in possession of firearms and illegal possession of a machine gun. According to court documents, on October 5, 2020, near Sloan, Nev., Womack possessed six firearms. One of those firearms was a Glock 22 modified to fire as a machine gun, with an attached 31-round capacity magazine. Womack committed the acts in this case just four months after his most recent felony conviction and while on probation. He is prohibited by law from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions which included two separate convictions for trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine, corporal injury on spouse or inhabitant, and evading a police officer.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

The ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

If you have information about illegal firearms activity, you are urged to submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.

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LAS VEGAS — A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 45 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain money from accounts held by members of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church and the Lutheran Church Extension Fund.

Oluremi Akinleye (42) pleaded guilty in June 2022 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, from November 2017 to July 2018, Akinleye and his co-conspirators conspired to fraudulently obtain money from pension accounts held by members of the Pension Fund of the Christian Church and the Lutheran Church Extension Fund by impersonating those members. The funds provide pension and retirement systems for members of the religious community, including ministers. As part of the scheme, Akinleye and his co-conspirators obtained the names and personal identifying information of account holders, and then used that information to make withdrawals and transfers from the victim accounts to accounts the conspirators controlled. As a result of the scheme, Akinleye and his co-conspirators attempted to fraudulently obtain over $400,000 from the two funds.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession with the intent to distribute heroin and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on January 22, 2021, Brent Matthew Wilson (35) possessed with the intent to distribute over two ounces of heroin — a Schedule I controlled substance.  The heroin was packaged in small balloons which is consistent with distribution. Wilson also possessed a scale and a Glock 17 handgun. Wilson has a prior felony conviction in Clark County, and he is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

Wilson pleaded guilty in August 2022 to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – Two Elko residents were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan for conspiring to paint graffiti at the sacred White River Narrows site in Lincoln County, Nevada. White River Narrows is known for its prehistoric petroglyphs dating over one hundred years old, and is a sacred site for the Paiute and Shoshone tribes.  

According to court documents, from September 14, 2019, to October 8, 2019, Jonathan Pavon, a/k/a/ “Cluer,” 28, conspired with Daniel Plata, a/k/a “Velor,” 28, to spray paint “Cluer” and “Velor” in multiple locations at White River Narrows, including an approximately 20-foot-long graffiti image on a rock face containing petroglyphs.

Defendant standing in front of "Cluer" and "Velor" graffiti on rock face at White River Narrows site in Lincoln County, Nevada.

Pavon pleaded guilty in June 2022 to misdemeanor conspiracy and a felony violation of the Archeological Resources Protection Act. He was sentenced today to six months for the misdemeanor conviction, and a year and a day of imprisonment for the felony conviction. The sentences will be served concurrently. Plata pleaded guilty in July 2022 to a misdemeanor damage of archeological resources. He was sentenced today to four months of imprisonment followed by eight months of home confinement.

“No restitution or repair can undo the damage done by those who would vandalize such a sacred and historical site as White River Narrows, but this ruling demonstrates that such crimes will not be met with a slap on the wrist,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Our Office will continue to work to ensure that anyone who desecrates sacred tribal lands and artifacts are held accountable.”

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. 

To report natural resources crimes on BLM-managed public lands, please call the BLM tip line at (833) 660-5771 or email TRFOtipline@blm.gov.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty to multiple child sexual exploitation crimes one day before the start of his federal jury trial.

Stephen Thomas Parshall, aka “Kiwi,” (38) pleaded guilty on October 31, 2022, to two counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of coercion and enticement, and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey scheduled sentencing for February 6, 2023.

According to court documents, during protests on May 30, 2020, law enforcement learned of Parshall’s membership in the “Boogaloo” movement and his involvement in a conspiracy to cause destruction of government property in Las Vegas. The “Boogaloo” movement is a decentralized ideological network that believes in a coming second U.S. civil war and espouses anti-government and anti-law enforcement rhetoric. Law enforcement officers located 10 images of child sexual abuse material, and numerous images of child erotica, on Parshall’s cellular phone after he was arrested. Investigators identified Victim 1, a child under the age of 18 years old, in two of the child sexual abuse images located on Parshall’s phone. Parshall forced Victim 1 to perform sex acts upon him while he photographed it.

Investigators also located social media conversations on a second cell phone owned by Parshall, under account names “cptkiwi1”, “nopictoobad”, and “pervysage”. In some of those social media conversations, Parshall messaged with Victim 2, another child under 18 years old, and convinced Victim 2 to take sexually explicit pictures. Victim 2 sent the requested child sexual abuse material to Parshall.

Additionally, in separate social media conversations, Parshall traded child pornography material with other users.

At sentencing, Parshall faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison for each count of sexual exploitation, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to a maximum of life in prison for coercion and enticement, a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to a maximum of 20 years in prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography, a $250,000 fine for each count, and a $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act for each count. Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Parshall will also be required to register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Portz are prosecuting the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daniel Schiess will lead the efforts for the District of Nevada in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA Schiess has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Nevada, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Frierson. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Schiess will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (702) 388-6336,” said U.S. Attorney Frierson.

In addition, the FBI will have agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office can be reached by the public at: (702) 385-1281 or at tips.fbi.gov.

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

“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Frierson. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Mexican citizen—who entered the U.S. illegally—made his initial appearance yesterday for fraudulently soliciting thousands of dollars from victims in exchange for filing false tax returns. The defendant falsely claimed that he was an IRS officer who could obtain large amounts of money from the IRS, if the victims paid him to apply to a fictitious IRS program.

Francisco Ivan Velazquez (52) is charged by superseding indictment with three counts of wire fraud, two counts of impersonation of officer or employee of the United States, and five counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. The superseding indictment was filed on August 30, 2022 and unsealed when the defendant made his initial appearance.

According to allegations contained in the superseding indictment, from March 2016 through March 2018, Velazquez told the victims that he was an IRS employee and was able to secure large monetary refunds for them from the IRS. He falsely claimed that such funds were available from a purported IRS program which allowed people who had previously lost a home to foreclosure to recoup money by applying to the IRS and filing certain documents. Velazquez advised victims that in exchange for a fee he would submit an application for them to recover the funds. Velazquez would then prepare and file false tax returns and other documents with the IRS claiming that the victim had federal tax withholdings in excess of $100,000, and fraudulently claiming that the victim qualified for an income tax refund in excess of $100,000.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud, and three years for each count of filing a false tax return and for each count of impersonating an officer or employee of the United States.

Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigations; and J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration made the announcement.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Tax Division Trial Attorney Thomas W. Flynn and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric C. Schmale are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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LAS VEGAS – A former Special Agent assigned to the U.S. National Park Service, Lake Mead Resident Office in Boulder City, Nev., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey for submitting false information about his work experience and education on his job application for a federal law enforcement officer position.

Daniel Joshua Carnow (46) pleaded guilty in June 2022 to false official writing. He was sentenced to one year probation, a $500 fine, and a restriction barring him from future employment as a federal law enforcement officer.

According to court documents, in April 2019, Carnow was a federal law enforcement officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Customs Enforcement. He applied for a Special Agent position with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service. As part of his application, he misrepresented on his resume that he had served as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State (DOS), Foreign Service Diplomatic Security Services (DSS), and that he had earned a Master of Forensic Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

“Public service is a public trust and deceitfulness committed by law enforcement officers’ is especially egregious,” said Jamie DePaepe, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI OIG). “Acts such as the conduct in this case also undermine the nation’s trust of law enforcement. By his actions that led to today’s sentencing, the defendant violated and undermined that trust. The OIG will remain steadfast in our efforts to investigate individuals who prove themselves unworthy of public service.”

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jamie DePaepe for the DOI OIG made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DOI OIG and the National Park Service – Office of Professional Responsibility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre prosecuted the case.

Anyone with knowledge of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, or mismanagement involving the DOI should file a complaint with the OIG at: www.doioig.gov/hotline.

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LAS VEGAS – A Henderson, Nev., resident pleaded guilty today to fraudulently obtaining over $500,000 in loans under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and then laundering the funds through family and friends to buy a house.

Brandon Casutt (51) pleaded guilty to wire fraud and concealment money laundering. U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon scheduled sentencing for January 17, 2023. Casutt faces a total maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, Casutt submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications to federally insured banks and EIDL applications to the SBA. The SBA guarantees the loans for COVID-19 relief through the PPP under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act also authorizes the SBA to provide an EIDL of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From April 2020 through July 2020, Casutt submitted at least 11 fraudulent PPP and EIDL loan applications, intending to obtain more than $5.7 million, on behalf of two entities he controlled.  Two of these fraudulent applications actually received funding: (1) a PPP loan for approximately $350,000 in the name of a business called Sky DeSign; and (2) an EIDL for approximately $150,000 in the name of a charity called Skyler’s C.F. Foundation. The loan applications indicated that each entity had numerous employees, significant payroll expenses, and substantial revenue; however, the entities had few if any employees, paid little or no wages, and had little if any revenues.

After receiving the PPP funds, Casutt then laundered the proceeds by writing a series of fictitious payroll checks. From approximately May 18, 2020, to June 18, 2020, the Casutt wrote dozens of checks, each in the amount of $8,330, from the bank account holding the PPP loan to himself, family members, and friends. On many of the checks, he falsely wrote “pandemic pay” or “back pay” in the check memo. These fictitious paychecks were cashed or deposited, and then, within days, Casutt had the funds diverted to a bank account in the name of Skyler’s C.F. Foundation.  Casutt then used the PPP funds, along with the EIDL funds, to purchase a $400,000 house in Henderson, into which he and his family moved in June 2020.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson of the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the IRS-CI and FBI. Trial Attorney Sara Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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 (NCDF) hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced on September 30, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 87 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for attempting to solicit sex from a minor in exchange for money.

Mario Demarlo Alston (57) pleaded guilty in June 2022 to coercion and enticement. In addition to imprisonment, Alston will be required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, on May 3, 2020, Alston communicated online with someone he believed to be 15 years old. During the message exchange, he attempted to coerce and entice an individual to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity for money. Law enforcement arrested Alston at the meeting place.

In 2017, Alston was investigated for soliciting a 13-year-old child for sex and then sexually assaulting that child. He pleaded guilty to Nevada state charges, but, after he failed to appear for his sentencing, a bench warrant was issued. The bench warrant was active when he was arrested in this case. He was sentenced in his state case.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Mohave Valley, Ariz., resident was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to five years and 10 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for orchestrating a fraudulent adult adoption business scheme which promised U.S. citizenship in exchange for money. In addition to imprisonment, Thayer was ordered to pay $852,355 in restitution to his victims.

“This prison sentence should serve as a warning that taking advantage of vulnerable victims, regardless of citizenship status, will be investigated and prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “There is no price tag for U.S. citizenship. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI are committed to exposing criminal schemes and holding fraudsters seeking to capitalize on others accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“This individual shamefully took advantage of trusting victims, who believed in the promise of U.S. citizenship, for his own financial gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “This case should serve as a warning to others that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will remain steadfast in our efforts to dismantle criminal enterprises that strive to bypass our laws by deceptive and fraudulent means.”

After a seven-day trial in April 2022, Douglas Lee Thayer (70) was found guilty of two counts of mail fraud.

According to court documents and evidence at trial, in 2015 and 2016, Thayer operated U.S. Adult Adoption Services Inc. (USAAS), a business that promised its clients — who consisted mostly of Asian immigrants — U.S. citizenship in exchange for money. Thayer fraudulently represented to his clients that they would be adopted by U.S. citizens. This would supposedly allow the clients to obtain new birth certificates and, subsequently, obtain U.S. citizenship for themselves. USAAS collected at least $7,000 per client from at least 160 victims — many of whom borrowed money to pay Thayer. In total, Thayer received at least $852,355 in payments.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, on May 14, 2018, Elias Terrazas-Esquer (27) and a co-conspirator sold one pound of methamphetamine for $2,650. Terrazas-Esquer and the co-conspirator then agreed to sell an additional 20 pounds of methamphetamine the next day. On May 15, law enforcement arrested Terrazas-Esquer and the co-conspirator who were waiting in a parked car with 20 pounds of methamphetamine. Both were armed with guns. 

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 51 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for trying to burn down the Foley Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in 2020.

In June 2022, Marty Clark (32) pleaded guilty to depredation against property of the United States.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, on November 7, 2020, Clark intended to set fire to the Foley Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, located in downtown Las Vegas. At approximately 3:20 a.m., Clark poured gasoline on wood framing at the building’s front entrance and set fire to the framing. A security officer stationed inside the building attempted to stop Clark. Clark pushed the officer to escape and then fled the scene. Clark caused approximately $5,000 in damages to the building.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (San Francisco Field Division), and U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield made the announcement.

The case was investigated by ATF, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, Federal Protective Service, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department All-Hazard Regional Multi-Agency Response Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach for two carjackings involving separate victims. The defendant shot at both the victim and police during the second incident.

Justin Venegas (40) is charged by indictment with two counts of carjacking, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm. A jury trial has been scheduled for November 14, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro.

According to allegations made in the indictment, on August 11, 2022, Venegas carjacked an individual who was in a Chevrolet Avalanche. Later, he attempted to carjack a second victim who was in a Toyota Highlander. He shot at and struck the second carjacking victim using a handgun with an obliterated serial number. Venegas is a convicted felon, and he is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for each count of carjacking is 15 years in prison; the statutory maximum penalty for brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is life in prison; and the statutory maximum penalty for felon in possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Reese is prosecuting the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – An undocumented individual residing in Las Vegas was sentenced on Friday, September 16, by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to three years and five months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally returning to the United States after deportation.

According to court documents, Salamon Ruiz-Lopez (48) had previously been deported five times between 2010 – 2011. In June 2017, Ruiz-Lopez was convicted of Attempted Murder in Clark County District Court, and he was sentenced to 48 – 120 months of custody. Following the completion of his state sentence, Ruiz-Lopez came into ICE custody and was indicted by a federal grand jury.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Grimmer prosecuted the case. 

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to three years and five months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection to the illegal possession of unemployment benefit debit cards issued by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) and Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES).

Vincent Okoye (40) pleaded guilty in June 2022 to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, Okoye conspired with others, including co-defendant Jasmine-Royshell Kanisha Black, to obtain DETR and DES debit cards by submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims using other peoples’ personal identifying information, such as their names, dates of birth, and social security numbers, without their knowledge or consent. The agencies administer Nevada’s and Arizona’s unemployment insurance program. In total, DETR and DES approved more than $550,000 in benefits for the fraudulent claims.

On July 15, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Okoye’s residence and found:

• Over $100,000 in U.S. Currency and U.S. Money Orders;
• A forged Canadian passport;
• A postal mailbox master key;
• Over 100 pieces of mail, bearing names and addresses not belonging to Okoye;
• At least 24 pieces of mail from DETR, bearing various names and addresses; and
• At least 100 credit and debit cards not issued in Okoye’s name, including at least 11 debit cards issued by DETR and at least 12 debit cards issued by DES.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Karon Ransom for the U.S. Secret Service made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang prosecuted the case.

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RENO, Nev. – A Sparks resident was convicted by a jury on Friday, September 16, for distribution of fentanyl — a deadly synthetic opioid.

After a five-day trial, Jaime Collazo Munoz, aka “Chivo,” (36) was found guilty of two counts of distribution of a fentanyl. Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du presided over the jury trial and scheduled sentencing for December 16, 2022. Munoz faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison. Each count of conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

According to evidence presented at trial and court documents, from July to November 2020, Munoz distributed at least 80 grams of fentanyl in exchange for over $10,000. Munoz distributed the fentanyl pills out of Stay Faded Barbershop in Sparks, Nevada.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the DEA, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Marshals Service (USMS), Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, and Regional Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andolyn Johnson and Andrew Keenan are prosecuting the case.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine: only a few milligrams of this chemical compound, equivalent to a few grains of table salt, are enough to cause a fatal overdose.

If you have information of a potential violation of controlled substances laws and regulations, including the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances, please contact the DEA at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman made her initial court appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler for allegedly trafficking in more than 3,000 counterfeit designer handbags, clothes, and other merchandise which she offered for sale at her beauty supply store.

Amie Kamara (31) is charged with two counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods. A jury trial has been scheduled for November 14, 2022 before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva.

According to allegations made in the indictment, Kamara owned and operated Aminic Beauty Supply in Las Vegas. At the store, she possessed and intended to sell items bearing counterfeit marks that were identical to the genuine trademarks from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and other designer brands.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release, and a monetary fine.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Chris Watkins for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Las Vegas made the announcement.

The case was investigated by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang is prosecuting the case.

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

To report possible violations of intellectual property rights, including counterfeiting, IP Theft and piracy, contact the National IPR Coordination Center, at www.iprcenter.gov/referral/report-ip-theft-form.

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RENO – A Reno man was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du to 71 months in prison — with five months to run concurrent to his current state time and the remainder to run consecutive to his state time — followed by three years of supervised release for conducting a million-dollar retail theft operation by buying stolen items from drug abusers and reselling the items online.

Gennaro Canta (44) pleaded guilty in June 2022 to conspiracy, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and money laundering.

According to court documents, from October 2014 to August 2016, Canta paid drug abusers to steal merchandise from large retail stores in Nevada and California. Canta also hired people to help him to sell the stolen merchandise on eBay and Amazon. In the two-year span, Canta sold about 11,205 items on eBay for a total of $756,081.95, and nearly 2,500 items on Amazon for an approximate total of $327,500.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress for the IRS-Criminal Investigation made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the IRS-CI and Reno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel R. Schiess and Richard Casper prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – Clarence Meekins (36) made his initial appearance today for allegedly possessing a machine gun and selling Privately Made Firearms (PMFs) — including machine gun conversion devices known as “Glock Switches” — without a Federal Firearms License. Meekins was previously convicted of two felonies in New York State.

Meekins is charged by indictment with one count of engaging in the business of dealing or manufacturing firearms without a license, two counts of illegal possession of a machine gun, and four counts of felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe scheduled a jury trial for October 17, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon.

The indictment alleges that, from March 22 to April 28, 2022, Meekins manufactured, possessed, and sold 3-D printed unserialized PMFs and Glock Switches, which are designed to convert semi-automatic pistols to fire as a fully automatic weapon. Meekins manufactured and sold the weapons without the required Federal Firearms License. Meekins was convicted for Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in Nassau County, New York. These prior felony convictions prohibit Meekins from possessing any firearm.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalties are five years in prison for engaging in the business of dealing or manufacturing firearms without a license; 10 years in prison for illegal possession of a machine gun; 10 years for felon in possession of a firearm; not more than three years of supervised release, and a fine.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Reese is prosecuting the case.

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

If you have information about illegal firearms activity, you are urged to submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.

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LAS VEGAS – Alfonzo Lee Womack (29) pleaded guilty yesterday to felon in possession of a firearm and illegal possession of a machine gun. U.S. District Judge Ann R. Traum scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2022.

According to court documents, on October 5, 2020, in a desert area near Sloan, Nev., Womack possessed and fired four firearms, including: (a) a .40 caliber pistol, modified with a Glock Auto Switch, turning it into a machine gun; (b) a 9mm semi-automatic pistol; (c) a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a mounted laser and light; and (d) a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle. Additionally, Womack admitted that he possessed and fired two unserialized Privately Made Firearms, including a 5.56mm pistol and 5.56mm short-barreled rifle. While shooting the firearms, Womack used high-capacity magazines. Womack has prior felony convictions in Clark County, Nev. and Sacramento County, Calif. He is prohibited by law from possessing any firearm.

Womack faces a total statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a period of supervised release, and a fine.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.

If you have information about illegal firearms activity, you are urged to submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.

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RENO, Nev. – A Reno resident was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du to five years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for unlawful receipt of over 14,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

“The defendant’s criminal conduct against our most vulnerable members of society was despicable,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue its joint efforts to investigate and prosecute those who sexually exploit children and bring predators to justice.”

“I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort put forth to ensure this defendant was brought to justice and will no longer be able to perpetuate the abuse of children,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “His sentence should serve as a strong reminder that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to identifying and holding accountable those who victimize innocent children.”

Brandon Eric Navarrete (29) pleaded guilty in May 2022 to receipt of child pornography. Navarrete is required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act after completion of his prison term.

According to court documents, Navarrete admitted that he downloaded CSAM images and videos to his thumb drive, cell phone, and laptop computer. A forensic examination of those devices revealed about 13,836 images and 284 videos. Some of the images and videos depicted infants and children under 12 years old while others portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.

This case was a joint investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI's Northern Nevada Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the Sparks Police Department, the Reno Police Department, and the Nevada Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph St. Clair prosecuted the case.

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

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

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LAS VEGAS – Jonathan Millard Robinson (44) pleaded guilty yesterday to unlawful possession of ammunition and fraudulently submitting a loan application to a lender under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II scheduled a sentencing for November 17, 2022.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, Robinson — who was already on supervised release — admitted that he was previously convicted in North Carolina of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and distributing cocaine. Both convictions are felonies which prohibit him by law from possessing ammunition.

Robinson also fraudulently submitted a Paycheck Protection Program loan application to a lender to obtain approximately $20,833. In the application, Robinson falsely stated that he was the proprietor of a company, which did not in fact exist, reported a false revenue derived from the fake company, and falsely denied that he was serving parole or probation for a prior felony conviction.

At sentencing, Robinson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for illegally possessing ammunition, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the COVID relief scheme.

Robinson is also charged in another case because he committed new crimes in Nevada while on supervised release for felony drug convictions in North Carolina. The maximum penalty is two years in prison. U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon is presiding over the case.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI, and Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the ATF, the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General; IRS-Criminal Investigation; Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Veronda and Kimberly Frayn are prosecuting the case.

If you have information about illegal firearms activity, you are urged to submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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 (NCDF) 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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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday for allegedly submitting a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application seeking more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Ribal Hajj-Hussein (28) is charged with one count of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler scheduled a jury trial for October 17, 2022 before U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, on April 14, 2020, Hajj-Hussein submitted a falsified EIDL loan application to the SBA on behalf of his company RHH Travel Consulting LLC — which was a non-operational business — in order to obtain COVID-19 relief funds that he was not entitled to receive. In his application, Hajj-Hussein falsely represented the number of employees and gross revenue. As part of the alleged scheme, Hajj-Hussein directed the SBA to deposit more than $150,000 in EIDL funds into a bank account. Later, Hajj-Hussein transferred those funds to other bank accounts and used them for personal expenses.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 40 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Karon Ransom for the U.S. Secret Service made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mina Chang is prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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 (NCDF) 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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