District of Nevada

LAS VEGAS – A career offender residing in Las Vegas was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 10 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for selling large amounts of methamphetamine from his residence and possessing several firearms.

According to court documents, between November 2021 and October 5, 2022, Eric Langpop conspired to sell methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, from his home. As part of the investigation, the DEA recovered over a pound of methamphetamine from the defendant. During the execution of a search warrant at Langpop’s residence, law enforcement found methamphetamine and several firearms, including pistols, shotguns, a rifle, an assault rifle, and two silencers.

Photographs of two firearms and a silencer recovered from defendant’s home

Photograph of methamphetamine near a hand and scissors for scale

Langpop has prior felony convictions for trafficking in controlled substances, including a felony sale of a controlled substance conviction in 2009; separate sale and transport of a controlled substance convictions in 2013; and a transport of a controlled substance conviction in 2016, all in Clark County, Nevada. He also has four separate domestic violence battery convictions. He is prohibited by law from possessing firearms due to his felony and domestic violence convictions.

Langpop pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Brister prosecuted the case.

This case 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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RENO – A father and son residing in the Reno area were charged and made their initial court appearances Tuesday before United States Magistrate Judge Carla L. Baldwin for their alleged roles in a human smuggling conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens in the Reno area.

“The criminal complaint alleges the father and son conspired to exploit vulnerable individuals for profit,” said Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada. “Human smuggling operations threaten our national security. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to continually working with HSI and our local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who smuggle illegal aliens into the United States.”

"A collaborative operation of this scale demonstrates the importance of intelligence-driven investigations, followed by coordinated law enforcement action," said Homeland Security Investigations Las Vegas acting Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes Jr. "We will continue to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that engage in the exploitation and trafficking of humans while combatting other criminal activities that impact the communities of Northern Nevada."

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made in court, beginning in July 2021, and continuing to March 11, 2025, Carlos Recinos-Valdez (43) and his son Kevin Recinos-Ruano (20) conspired with each other to harbor illegal aliens for personal financial gain. Law enforcement executed a criminal search warrant at Recinos-Valdez’s residence, leading to the recovery of firearms, fraudulent documents, and other evidence.

It is alleged that Recinos-Valdez orchestrated the illegal smuggling of aliens through a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) with a network of human smugglers and traffickers located throughout Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. He has locations in apartment complexes where he houses the illegal aliens in the Reno area. Recinos-Valdez and the TCO he works for charge thousands of dollars for each person smuggled into the United States. Once in Reno, Recinos-Valdez demands money from the victims to pay off their debt to the TCO. He would meet the victims at their residence or place of employment to collect regular payments for smuggling fees; and victims have been threatened with physical violence if payments were not received. Recinos-Ruano assisted in collecting payments and acted as an enforcer.

Recinos-Valdez is charged with one count of conspiracy to harbor aliens; three counts of harboring illegal aliens; and two counts of aiding and abetting attempted interference with commerce by extortion. Recinos-Ruano is charged with one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens.

If convicted, Recinos-Valdez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison; and Recinos-Ruano faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The charges are the result of an HSI-led criminal investigation with assistance from the Reno Police Department, the Sparks Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Keenan is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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LAS VEGAS – Two Mexican nationals residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances Monday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Jose Miguel Gutierrez-Chavarria, 40, and Luis Abel Soto-Rodriguez, 33, are both charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for March 31, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Gutierrez-Chavarria and Soto-Rodriguez are both citizens and nationals of Mexico. They were previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

On February 20, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Gutierrez-Chavarria in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gutierrez-Chavarria had previously been deported on or about April 5, 2022, and again on September 6, 2022. Gutierrez-Chavarria has prior felony convictions from 2007 for two counts of Trafficking a Controlled Substance. He was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in the custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections. On December 13, 2024, Gutierrez-Chavarria was arrested by officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for three counts Sell/Transport Controlled Substance and Trafficking Controlled Substance. If convicted, Gutierrez-Chavarria faces the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

On March 5, 2025, ICE arrested Soto-Rodriguez who had previously been deported on four occasions between May 9, 2017, and June 1, 2022. The United States District Court, District of Arizona, convicted Soto-Rodriguez of reentry of removed alien on May 1, 2020, and again on February 24, 2022. Soto-Rodriguez faces the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident made his initial court appearance on Thursday before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler for allegedly forcing three victims from Cuba into domestic servitude, confiscating their passports and other identifications, and providing false statements on immigration documents.

According to allegations contained in court documents and statements made in court, beginning on or about September 20, 2023, to about July 31, 2024, Rafael Juan Mitjans (50) took the passports, immigration documents, and other government identification documents belonging to three victims with the intent to restrict the victim’s ability to move and travel in order to maintain the labor and services of the victims.

Further, as alleged, between June 18, 2023, and September 17, 2023, Mitjans provided false statements to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services that he would provide the victims with basic living needs, including money each month, a room with a bed, television, desk, and laptop, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and three meals per day. He knew the statements on the immigration forms were false.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on March 12, 2025, charging Mitjans with three counts of forced labor, three counts of unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of trafficking and forced labor, and three counts of false statements on immigration documents. A jury trial has been scheduled before United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II on May 19, 2025.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and HSI Las Vegas acting Special Agent in Charge Lester R. Hayes, Jr. made the announcement.

HSI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Clark County School District Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Diplomatic Security Service. Assistant United States Attorney Steven Rose is prosecuting the case.

To report criminal violations of forced labor, contact the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 1-866-347-2423 or submit an HSI tip form online.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who has prior felony convictions was sentenced today to five years in prison for distributing approximately 1,000 pills containing fentanyl and unlawfully possessing ammunition.

Edward Rodriguez, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl and one count of felon in possession of ammunition. In addition to imprisonment, United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II sentenced Rodriguez to four years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on October 6, 2022, Rodriguez sold approximately 1,000 pills containing fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, in exchange for money. Later, on October 18, 2022, when an officer with the Mesquite Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Rodriguez began to drive faster through the school zone and neighborhood causing children to have to jump out of the way of his car. He was later stopped inside a store carrying a backpack containing fentanyl pills, heroin, car keys, a magazine loaded with .40 caliber ammunition, and a hypodermic needle with methamphetamine. Furthermore, Rodriguez admitted that inside his car was a shotgun and a 40mm semi-automatic handgun with no serial number which was modified with a machine gun conversion device.

Rodriguez has prior felony convictions for forgery, attempted burglary, and ex-felon in possession of a firearm, all in Clark County, Nevada, and distribution of a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm in the District of Nevada. He is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to the prior felony convictions.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DEA and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Melanee Smith prosecuted the case.

If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community — which may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances — please report your anonymous tip through the DEA Tip Line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

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LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national residing in Las Vegas made his initial court appearance today for allegedly robbing four taco vendors while brandishing an unserialized privately made firearm.

“The defendant is accused of committing a spree of violent armed robberies over a one-week period,” said Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada. “Violent crime has no place in our community. We are grateful for our federal and local law enforcement partners and their commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safer.”

“Today’s indictment should send a clear message that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate this type of violent activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “The suspect, who was in the country illegally, committed brazen acts and instilled fear in our community and put our citizens at risk. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to keep firearms out of the hands of those prohibited from being able to possess them.”

According to allegations contained in the indictment and statements made during court proceedings, Jose Manuel Arce-Martinez, 38, is a national of Mexico unlawfully residing in the United States.

As alleged, from January 21, 2025 to January 26, 2025, Arce-Martinez committed four armed robberies of restaurants and food trucks in Las Vegas. In each robbery, he brandished a privately made subcompact .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, made in part with a Polymer80 PF940SC grip, and threatened employees. Arce-Martinez stole money from the businesses and items belonging to the employees including two cell phones, a gold necklace, a jacket, and a wallet containing debit cards, a driver’s license, and a social security card. 

Arce-Martinez is charged with four counts of interference with commerce by robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler scheduled a jury trial before Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to begin on May 19, 2025.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.

Submit a tip about a federal crime or report a threat to the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.

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

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LAS VEGAS – The operator of a Las Vegas tax return preparation business pleaded guilty today to preparing false income tax returns on behalf of her clients causing at least $550,000 in tax loss.

According to court documents and statements made in court, since at least 2007, Keisy Altagracia Sosa has operated National Tax Service, a tax return preparation business in Las Vegas, Nevada. From 2016 to 2021, Sosa prepared and filed with the IRS false tax returns on behalf of clients. These tax returns included falsely claiming dependents; claiming fictitious Schedule A expenses, such as sales taxes paid and unreimbursed employee expenses; and claiming fictitious Schedule C expenses purportedly associated with a business operated by the taxpayer. Sosa continued to prepare false returns even after the IRS sent multiple letters notifying her that returns she filed appeared inaccurate, informing her that she may not be meeting her due diligence requirements, reminding her of those obligations, and directing her to resources with more information about those obligations. Sosa caused at least $550,000 in tax loss to the IRS.

Sosa pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return. Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon scheduled sentencing for June 11, 2025. The maximum statutory penalty is three years in prison as well as a period of supervised release and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick for the IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Tony Lopez and Benjamin Shiver are prosecuting the case.

Taxpayers should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. Tax preparers that promise larger refunds than their competition may place taxpayers at risk of being part of a criminal scheme. The IRS urges all taxpayers to verify the information on their tax return is correct before filing.

For more tips on how to safeguard yourself against unscrupulous tax preparers, and for information on how to find a preparer, visit the IRS website. The IRS also offers tips on choosing a tax professional as a small business taxpayer. Additionally, the IRS has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers to help taxpayers find professional, credentialed prepares recognized by the agency or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.

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LAS VEGAS – A former captain with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty today for violating the civil rights of the former CEO of Valley Electric Association (VEA), a Pahrump-based utility cooperative, and for committing wire fraud.

“It is the duty of all law enforcement to protect and serve the community,” said Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada. “Instead, the defendant violated his oath and abused his power. We will continue to work with the FBI to protect the constitutional rights of all individuals and ensure that those who violate positions of public trust are held accountable for their actions.”

“Law enforcement officers are granted specific powers by the government to protect the rights of the public and prevent misconduct,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “When individuals in official roles betray the trust of their communities by misusing that power, they compromise the diligent efforts of all law enforcement personnel. No individual is above the law, and the FBI remains committed to investigating abuses of power under color of law as one of our paramount responsibilities.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about February 26, 2019, David E. Boruchowitz, 44, was a Deputy Sheriff with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office in Nye County, Nevada. Boruchowitz admitted that while acting under color of law in that position, he arrested Angela Evans without probable cause on charges of embezzlement under Nevada law. In making the arrest, he willfully deprived Evans of her right under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States to free of unreasonable seizure without probable cause.

Further, Boruchowitz admitted that, on or about February 26, 2019, he devised a scheme to defraud the VEA Board of Directors of a seat on the Board of Directors. As a part of the scheme, he arrested Evans without probable cause. He knew the fraud scheme would influence a member of the VEA Board of Directors to part with his or her position. As a part of the scheme, he posted a press release announcing the arrest of Evans to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page.

Boruchowitz pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2025. The total maximum statutory penalty for all offenses is 21 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Myhre and Justin Washburne are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Waterville, Ohio, resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 15 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for the sexual exploitation of children that he met on social media messaging applications and then coerced them to make and send him child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, on September 25, 2023, Todd Maxson, 56, began a conversation with a 14-year-old girl in Nevada via Telegram, an internet-based social media application that allows users to privately message each other. Almost daily between September 25, 2023, and October 19, 2023, Maxson ordered, received, and paid for sexually explicit images and videos of the victim via Cash App. Additionally, Maxson sought out females expressing suicidal or depressive tendencies and encouraged the behavior by requesting sexual content depicting self-harm, cutting, and bleeding. He would send knives to the children to help them make the videos.

In October 2024, Maxson pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual exploitation of children, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Maxson must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.

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

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LAS VEGAS – Mexican and El Salvadorian nationals residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Edwin Geovany Salazar-Giron, 40, and Javier Anaya-Acosta, 43, are both charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for March 20, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Salazar-Giron, a citizen and national of El Salvador, and Anaya-Acosta, a citizen and national of Mexico, were both previously deported and removed from the United States and re-entered the United States illegally.

On February 25, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Salazar-Giron at the Henderson Police Department in Henderson, Nevada. Salazar-Giron had previously been deported on or about July 17, 2015. Salazar-Giron has prior felony convictions for Trafficking Cocaine and Possession of Firearm or Knife During Commission of or Attempt to Commit Certain Crimes. Both convictions were prior to his removal in 2015.

On February 27, 2025, ICE arrested Anaya-Acosta who had previously been deported on both March 5, 2010, and again on May 18, 2015. Prior to his first removal from the United States, Anaya-Acosta was convicted of Illegal Alien in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, a felony violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A).

If convicted, Salazar-Giron and Anaya-Acosta both face the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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RENO – A Reno resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 10 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon during the execution of his arrest warrant.

According to evidence presented at trial, on February 16, 2022, Matthew John Nason, 39, fired a handgun in the direction of a Deputy United States Marshal while the Deputy was attempting to serve a valid arrest warrant for Nason and his girlfriend at Nason’s residence. Nason had an outstanding arrest warrant for drug and firearms violations out of the District of North Dakota. The 10-year sentence is to run consecutive to the sentence Nason received in the District of North Dakota.

In November 2024, following the three-day trial, a jury convicted Nason of assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division, and Marshal Gary Schofield for the United States Marshals Service made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI, United States Marshals Service, and the Reno Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Rachow and Randy St. Clair prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey for being found in the United States after previously being removed from the country.

According to court documents, Rodrigo Valdovinos-Hernandez, also known as “Rodrigo Tejada-Valdovinos” and “Rodrigo Valdovinos,” 38, is a citizen of Mexico. He was found by officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25, 2023, after he was arrested by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department on state charges. ICE had previously removed him from the country twice – in September 2009 and again in November 2012.

After spending about 18 months in federal custody, Valdovinos-Hernandez was sentenced to time served. This is his third felony conviction while unlawfully present in the United States, as he was previously convicted in Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County, Nevada for Attempt Burglary and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.

Valdovinos-Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of deported alien found in the United States.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 18 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release for his role in a drug trafficking organization to sell fentanyl pills from Mexico in Las Vegas.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, Jorge Olivarria-Gomez (22) came to the United States illegally to work on behalf of a drug trafficking organization to sell fentanyl in the United States. He admitted that on or about April 26, 2023, a co-defendant directed him to deliver 500 fentanyl pills. When he arrived at the parking lot, he sold the pills for $750.

In 2023, the DEA Clark County Gang Task Force began investigating co-defendant Esteban Quezada, also known as “Pelon,” who was running a drug trafficking organization from Mexico. Quezada coordinated the delivery of drugs from Mexico to associates in the United States, including in Las Vegas, Nevada. Quezada would send couriers from Nayrit, Mexico to the United States to distribute the narcotics to customers. Initially, Olivarria-Gomez was working as a courier in Las Vegas and then eventually moved to Colorado where he continued to distribute narcotics.

In December 2024, Olivarria-Gomez pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DEA. Assistant United States Attorney Melanee Smith prosecuted the case.

If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community — which may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances — please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA Tip Line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

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LAS VEGAS – A Honduran National residing in Las Vegas made his initial court appearance Friday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Joel Pacheco-Hernandez, 46, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier, III.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Pacheco-Hernandez is a citizen and national of Honduras who was previously deported and removed from the United States on September 11, 2015, and re-entered the United States illegally on or before May 5, 2022. 

In May 2022, the North Las Vegas, Nevada, Municipal Court convicted Pacheco-Hernandez of battery. In November 2022, the Clark County District Attorney filed a Criminal Complaint with the Justice Court, Las Vegas, Nevada, for the charges of Insurance Fraud and Forgery. On January 22, 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was arrested for Use/Possess Person ID of Another to Avoid/Delay Prosecution, and on an active bench warrant. On February 13, 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was convicted in Clark County of conspiracy to commit a crime, and he was sentenced to imprisonment. Pacheco-Hernandez has prior convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, and an Aggravated Felony Robbery, prior to his first removal in 2015.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned of Pacheco-Hernandez’s presence in the United States on January 23, 2025, after he was arrested by state law enforcement, in Clark County, Nevada. On February 21, 2025, ICE arrested Pacheco-Hernandez at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center.

If convicted, Pacheco-Hernandez faces the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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LAS VEGAS – A Lancaster, California, man was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for depositing over $1.2 million in forged money orders into bank accounts then withdrawing cash from the accounts.

According to court documents, from July 31, 2013 to February 13, 2019, Sterlyn Lee Smith Jr., 49, and dozens of others executed a scheme to deposit altered money orders into bank accounts in other people’s names and then withdrawing the funds before the banks discovered the money orders were forged. As part of the scheme, Smith and others purchased money orders at United States Post Offices in California and Nevada. Then, they fraudulently altered the money orders to high dollar amount money orders. Smith and others then deposited the fraudulent money orders into bank accounts at two banks in Nevada and California and made cash withdrawals from the accounts.

Over the course of this six-year bank fraud scheme, Smith and others deposited and attempted to deposit more than 1,200 forged money orders totaling more than $1.2 million dollars.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud, one count for each of the banks Smith victimized. In addition to imprisonment, Smith was ordered to pay $432,482.63 in restitution.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson of the United States Postal Inspections Service (USPIS), Phoenix Division made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the USPIS. Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly Frayn and Justin Washburne prosecuted the case.

To report a fraud complaint, call the U.S. Postal Service Fraud Complaint Hotline at 1-800-372-8347 or visit the USPIS website at www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who has prior felony convictions was sentenced today in two separate cases to a total of 26 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He admitted to committing armed robberies of two jewelry stores and assaulting a detention officer while in custody.

According to court documents, on December 12, 2016, Wyatt Scott Peterson (42) entered EZ Pawn in Las Vegas and demanded the keys to the jewelry case. During the course of the robbery, he brandished a 9mm semi-automatic handgun to intimidate employees into not resisting and complying with his demands. The firearm was discharged into a display case during the robbery. Peterson stole at least $40,000 and left the store. Then, on December 21, 2016, Peterson entered Super Pawn in Las Vegas and demanded the keys to the jewelry case. He stole 29 rings, three pairs of earrings, and five bracelets combined worth more than $20,000 before he left the store.

Peterson has prior felony convictions including identity theft in Colville, Washington; Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in Spoke, Washington; and Attempt carrying concealed firearm or other deadly weapon in Clark County, Nevada. He is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

In December 2016, Peterson was charged and detained pending trial for the armed robbery case. He was housed at Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, Nevada. While in custody, he confronted a detention officer at the stairwell and began punching the detention officer.

Peterson pleaded guilty to one count each of commerce by robbery, possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, felon in possession of a firearm, and assault on a federal officer.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jim Fang prosecuted the cases.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty on Feb. 21. to extortion, money laundering, stalking, and sending threatening text messages to injure and kill two people and their families in California.

Idriss Qibaa, 28, was charged by a superseding criminal information. He pleaded guilty to one count of extortion, two counts of money laundering, one count of stalking, and two counts of interstate communications containing a threat to injure. United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II scheduled sentencing for May 22, 2025.

According to court documents and admissions Qibaa made in court, On April 29, 2024, he threatened force and extorted $200,000 from a victim. In part of the extortion, on March 7 and 8, 2024, Qibaa obtained $63,500 worth of cryptocurrency. In June and July 2024, Qibaa engaged in online direct messages, texts, and postings, to cause substantial emotion distress to his victims. On July 19, 2024, Qibaa sent text messages containing threats to injure and kill a victim and members of the victim’s family. Later, on July 24, Qibaa sent text messages containing threats to injure and kill another victim.

At sentencing, Qibaa faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for the extortion charge; 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the money laundering charges; five years’ imprisonment for the stalking charge; and five years’ imprisonment for each of the interstate communications containing a threat to injure charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

The FBI and the Beverly Hills Police Department investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

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RENO – Three individuals were sentenced Tuesday for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in Reno. They all participated in multiple drug buys involving pounds of methamphetamine for thousands of dollars, totaling over 33 kilograms of methamphetamine distributed into Reno. 

Saul Nolasco (25), of Lodi, California, and Maria Valenzuela (64) and Xochitl Sanchez-Pacheco (38), both of Sinaloa, Mexico, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. United States District Judge Miranda M. Du sentenced Nolasco to 41 months in prison, Valenzuela to 33 months in prison, and Sanchez-Pacheco to 30 months in prison. 

According to court documents and admissions made in court, from January 20, 2023 to October 8, 2023, Nolasco, Valenzuela, and Sanchez-Pacheco conspired together to distribute 33 kilograms of methamphetamine into the Reno community. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance. 

Nolasco worked with his brother who was located in Mexico. Nolasco acted as the drug trafficking organization’s boots on the ground in Nevada and California. He collected and handled cash payments; obtained and stored large quantities of methamphetamine at his house; and distributed large quantities of methamphetamine to various buyers in Reno and elsewhere. 

Valenzuela conducted multiple drug transactions involving pounds of methamphetamine, where she was responsible for the delivery of methamphetamine as well as the collection of cash payments of thousands of dollars behalf of the drug trafficking organization. In November 2023, Valenzuela was caught at the border with her daughter moving 97 pounds of methamphetamine across the U.S.-Mexico border. The van was outfitted with trap compartments used to conceal the drugs.

Sanchez-Pacheco delivered large quantities of methamphetamine in both Reno and Modesto, California. She collected the money associated with those deliveries, one of which involved $5,500.

The fourth co-defendant, Bobby Jo Kissel (54), pleaded guilty in October 2024 and is awaiting sentencing.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.

The DEA investigated the case, along with the Regional Narcotics Unit, Washoe County Sherriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Modesto Police Department, HSI, USMS, Nevada Department of Investigation and Nevada Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Andolyn Johnson prosecuted the case.

This case 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas, Nevada, woman has been charged in a 21-count superseding indictment for allegedly luring older men she met through online dating services and stealing their monies for her personal benefit.

Aurora Phelps, 43, with residences in Las Vegas and Guadalajara, Mexico, is charged with seven counts of wire fraud; three counts of mail fraud; six counts of bank fraud; three counts of identity theft; one count of kidnapping; and one count of kidnapping resulting in death. Phelps is currently in custody in Mexico.

According to allegations contained in the superseding indictment, from July 1, 2021, to December 9, 2022, Phelps would meet older men on dating websites or services, then meet them in-person. It was part of her scheme to drug the older men to gain unauthorized access to and steal money from their financial accounts to personally benefit herself and her family members.

The superseding indictment stems from a two-year investigation by the FBI Las Vegas Division. The superseding indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in September 2023.

Photo of defendant Aurora Phelps, from court document in United States of America v. Aurora Phelps, number 2:23-cr-0167-CDS-DJA, in U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

In romance scams, the scammer gains an unsuspecting individual’s affection and trust, then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. These schemes not only cause significant financial losses, but also deeply impact the lives of victims.

If convicted on all counts, Phelps faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison.

The charges were announced by Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division.

The investigation is a result of the close cooperation between the United States and Mexican authorities. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing significant assistance in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel R. Schiess and Steven J. Rose are prosecuting the case.

An FBI website has been established seeking to identify potential victims. Any individuals who believe they or someone they know may have been victimized by Phelps or otherwise have information related to the case are encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or complete a survey via this website https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-aurora-phelps-investigation.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

More information about the department’s efforts to help older Americans is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage, which can be found at elderjustice.gov. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.gov.

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

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Las Vegas – Se le han imputado 21 cargos a una mujer de Las Vegas, Nevada, en una acusación formal modificada por presuntamente seducir a hombres mayores que conoció a través de servicios de citas en línea y robarles su dinero para beneficio personal.

Aurora Phelps, de 43 años de edad y con residencias en Las Vegas, Nevada y Guadalajara, México, está acusada de siete cargos de fraude electrónico; tres cargos de fraude postal; seis cargos de fraude bancario; tres cargos de robo de identidad; y dos cargos de secuestro. Phelps se encuentra actualmente detenida en México.

Según las acusaciones contenidas en la acusación formal modificada, desde el 1 de julio de 2021 hasta el 9 de diciembre de 2022, Phelps conocía a hombres mayores por medio de sitios web o servicios de citas, y luego los conocía en persona. Parte de su plan era drogar a los hombres para obtener acceso no autorizado y robar dinero de sus cuentas financieras para beneficiarse personalmente a si misma y a los miembros de su familia.

La acusación formal modificada se deriva de una investigación de dos años realizada por la División del FBI de Las Vegas. La acusación formal modificada fue presentada por el gran jurado federal en septiembre de 2023.

Foto de la acusada Aurora Phelps, tomada del documento judicial en Estados Unidos de América vs. Aurora Phelps, número 2:23-cr-0167-CDS-DJA, en el Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Nevada.

En las estafas de romance, el estafador gana el afecto y la confianza de un individuo desprevenido, luego utiliza la ilusión de una relación romántica o cercana para manipular y/o robar a la víctima. Estos esquemas no solo causan pérdidas financieras, sino que también tienen un profundo impacto en la vida de las víctimas.

Si es declarada culpable de todos los cargos, Phelps se enfrenta a una pena máxima de cadena perpetua.

Los cargos fueron anunciados por la fiscal interina de los Estados Unidos Sue Fahami para el Distrito de Nevada y el agente especial a cargo Spencer L. Evans para la División del FBI de Las Vegas.

La investigación es el resultado de la estrecha cooperación entre las autoridades estadounidenses y mexicanas. La Oficina de Asuntos Internacionales del Departamento de Justicia está proporcionando asistencia significativa en este caso. Los fiscales federales adjuntos Daniel R. Scheiss y Steven J. Rose están procesando el caso.

Se ha creado un sitio web del FBI que busca identificar posibles víctimas. Se recomienda a cualquier persona que crea que él o alguien que conoce puede haber sido víctima de Phelps o que tenga información relacionada con el caso, se comunique con el FBI al 1-800-CALL-FBI o complete una encuesta a través del sitio web https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-aurora-phelps-investigation.

Si usted o alguien que conoce tiene 60 años o más y ha experimentado fraude financiero, los profesionales con experiencia están a la orden por la Línea Informativa Nacional de Fraude a Personas Mayores, 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Esta línea directa del Departamento de Justicia, administrada por la Oficina de Victimas de Delitos, puede brindar apoyo personalizado a quienes llamen evaluando las necesidades de la victima e identificando los próximos pasos pertinentes. Los administradores de casos identificarán a los organismos de informes apropiados, proveerán información a las personas que llamen para ayudarles a denunciar, conectar directamente con los organismos apropiados y facilitarán recursos y recomendaciones, basado  en los particulares de cada caso. Denunciar es el primer paso y puede ayudar a las autoridades a identificar a quienes cometen fraude. De igual manera, denunciar ciertas pérdidas financieras debido a fraude lo más antes posible, puede aumentar la probabilidad de recuperar las pérdidas. La línea directa esta abierta de lunes a viernes de 10:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m., hora oficial del oriente. El inglés, español y otros idiomas están disponibles.

Más información sobre los esfuerzos del departamento para ayudar a los estadounidenses de edad avanzada está disponible en la página web de la Iniciativa de Justicia para Ancianos, que se puede encontrar en www.elderjustice.gov. Para obtener más información sobre la Subdivisión de Protección al Consumidor y sus medidas de aplicación, visite www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Las denuncias por fraude a personas mayores pueden presentarse ante la Comisión Federal de Comercio en www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ o llamando al 877-FTC-HELP. El Departamento de Justicia proporciona una variedad de recursos relacionados con la victimización por fraude a personas mayores a través de su Oficina para Víctimas de Delitos en www.ovc.gov.

Una acusación formal es simplemente una alegación. Todos los acusados se presumen inocentes hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas business owner made his initial appearance in court yesterday for allegedly misrepresenting that his company was a profitable, up-and-running artificial intelligence company that mined cryptocurrency, verified cryptocurrency transactions, paid fixed rates of return on investments, and provided a 100% money back guarantee. In total, the defendant obtained approximately $24 million from at least 400 investors.

“Mr. Kovar allegedly stole victims’ hard-earned money by making false representations regarding his investment company, including misleading some victims to believe their investments were backed by the FDIC,” said Ryan Korner, Special Agent in Charge with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). “FDIC OIG is committed to identifying, and holding accountable, those who endanger our Nation’s financial system by victimizing others for their personal gain.”

Brent C. Kovar, 58, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and three counts of money laundering. A jury trial has been scheduled to begin on April 8, 2025, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, from late 2017 to July 2021, Kovar owned Profit Connect, a Las Vegas, Nev., based company that purportedly used artificial intelligence software on a supercomputer to mine cryptocurrency and verify cryptocurrency transactions. He falsely represented to investors that Profit Connect paid a fixed rate of return of 15%-30% APR and provided a 100% money-back guarantee. In reality, Kovar used investor money to operate Profit Connect, buy gifts for employees, buy a house for himself, and repay investors as if those repayments came from mining cryptocurrency and verifying cryptocurrency transactions.

As part of the scheme, Kovar created a website, a YouTube video, and a PowerPoint presentation in which he made the misrepresentations to influence customers to buy investments. Furthermore, he leased office space for a sales office and a warehouse for a data center. As alleged, investments were sold through an entity known as Profit Connect Wealth Services. Kovar sent money via wire transfers to investors, he mailed checks through the U.S. Postal Service, and he engaged in monetary transactions greater than $10,000 that were derived from unlawful activity.

If convicted, Kovar faces a total maximum statutory penalty of 330 years in prison and a fine of not more than $4,500,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division, Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner for the FDIC OIG, and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick for the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI, FDIC OIG, and IRS-CI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Schiess is prosecuting the case.

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

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A Nevada woman pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the United States by making claims for refunds of false COVID-19 related employment tax credits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit (ERC) and paid sick and family leave credit. From around June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed approximately 1,227 false tax returns for her businesses and others claiming these refundable credits.

In total, these claims sought refunds of over $98 million, of which the IRS paid approximately $33 million. McCoy personally received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds and was paid about $800,000 from those on whose behalf she filed fraudulent returns. McCoy knew that these returns were fraudulent. Neither she nor the others for whom she filed them were eligible to receive the refundable credits in the amounts claimed. McCoy used the proceeds for her personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury cars, gambling at casinos, vacations and other luxury goods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, Congress authorized the ERC for small businesses to reduce the employment tax owed to the IRS. Congress also authorized the IRS to give a credit against employment taxes to reimburse businesses for the wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. This credit was equal to the wages the business paid the employees during the sick or family leave, subject to a maximum amount.

McCoy is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2026. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as well as 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 Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national residing in Las Vegas made his initial court appearance on Monday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after twice being removed from the country. 

Victor Jesus Apodaca-Gomez, a/k/a Carlos Alberto Cardenas, 31, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 2, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Apodaca-Gomez is a citizen and national of Mexico who was previously deported and removed from the United States on April 9, 2020, and again on May 17, 2022, and re-entered the United States illegally on or before October 24, 2023. 

In October 2023, officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Apodaca-Gomez on drug-related charges. On March 25, 2024, Apodaca-Gomez was convicted in Clark County of mid-level possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act, and he was sentenced to imprisonment.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), learned on October 25, 2023, of Apodaca-Gomez’s presence in the United States. after he was arrested by state law enforcement, in Clark County, NV. On January 30, 2025, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Apodaca-Gomez to ICE custody.

If convicted, Apodaca-Gomez faces the maximum statutory penalty of two years of imprisonment, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment..

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement. 

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las-Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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LAS VEGAS - A Nevada woman pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to defraud the United States by making claims for refunds of false COVID-19 related employment tax credits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit (ERC) and paid sick and family leave credit. From around June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed approximately 1,227 false tax returns for her businesses and others claiming these refundable credits.

In total, these claims sought refunds of over $98 million, of which the IRS paid approximately $33 million. McCoy personally received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds and was paid about $800,000 from those on whose behalf she filed fraudulent returns. McCoy knew that these returns were fraudulent. Neither she nor the others for whom she filed them were eligible to receive the refundable credits in the amounts claimed. McCoy used the proceeds for her personal benefit, including the purchase of luxury cars, gambling at casinos, vacations and other luxury goods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, Congress authorized the ERC for small businesses to reduce the employment tax owed to the IRS. Congress also authorized the IRS to give a credit against employment taxes to reimburse businesses for the wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. This credit was equal to the wages the business paid the employees during the sick or family leave, subject to a maximum amount.

McCoy is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2026. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison as well as 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 Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty yesterday to carrying out a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $137,000 from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL).

Kelly Ann Mogavero, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2025, before United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva.

“Kelly Mogavero, a convicted felon recently released from prison, fraudulently collected unemployment insurance (UI) benefits intended for American workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “Yesterday’s guilty plea highlights our strong collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the UI system and secure justice for the American taxpayer.”

According to court documents and admissions made in court by Mogavero, from June 3, 2020, to June 23, 2001, she devised and carried out a scheme to defraud Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR), the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), and the Small Business Administration (SBA) in an attempt to fraudulently obtain $137,600 in relief benefits from the PUA, PPP, and EIDL programs.

As part of the scheme, while she was under United States Probation’s supervision, Mogavero fraudulently filed for unemployment insurance in both Nevada and Arizona and submitted at least two fraudulent applications for EIDLs and one fraudulent application for a PPP loan. Mogavero submitted materially false and fraudulent information, including that she was the sole proprietor of several companies which did not in fact exist, for which she stated false revenue amounts, and—for one of the EIDL applications—a false number of employees. Mogavero also submitted falsified tax documents in support of each application. As a result of her scheme, Mogavero successfully obtained more than $44,000 in relief benefits to which she was not entitled.

In October 2016, Mogavero was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Nevada and she was sentenced to 46-months in custody followed by five years of supervision.

At sentencing, Mogavero faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence of each defendant after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division, and Special Agent-in-Charge Quentin Heiden, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI, DOL-OIG, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations - COVID Fraud Unit, Office of Inspector General U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Office of Inspector General Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is 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 Justice.gov/Coronavirus and Justice.gov/Coronavirus/CombatingFraud.

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.

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RENO – A former Reno Police Department officer made his initial court appearance today for allegedly depriving two individuals of their civil rights under color of law by violating their right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Tyler Michael Baehr, 30, of Reno, with two counts of depravation of rights under color of law. Baehr appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Craig S. Denney who scheduled a jury trial to begin April 8, 2025, before United States District Judge Miranda M. Du.

According to allegations contained in the indictment and statements made in court, on December 31, 2023, Baehr willfully deprived an individual of the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by taking her cellular phone during a routine traffic stop and unlawfully seizing sexually explicit photos of her from her phone. On August 12, 2024, Baehr willfully deprived another individual of the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by taking her cellular phone during a routine traffic stop and unlawfully searching through her private photos and messages.

If convicted, Baehr faces the maximum statutory penalty of 2 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy N. Schwartz for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Sparks Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Andolyn Johnson is prosecuting the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami announced today that the District of Nevada collected $6,485,417.91 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $3,556,959.50 was collected in criminal actions and $2,928,458.41 was collected in civil actions. 

Additionally, the District of Nevada worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $228,340.11 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $97,396.11 was collected in criminal actions and $130,944.00 was collected in civil actions.         

In June 2024, the District of Nevada recovered $2.1 million as part of the settlement from El Aero Services, LLC concerning the Sheep Creek Fire in 2018. The Sheep Creek Fire ignited on August 18, 2018, after a helicopter crashed in the Sheep Creek Range, north of Battle Mountain, Nevada. Following an extensive investigation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) determined that El Aero Services, LLC was responsible for the fire, which required significant suppression efforts. The settlement covered the fire response, suppression and remediation costs incurred by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s BLM combatting the fire.

“Thanks to the diligent efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and professional staff in the District of Nevada’s Financial Litigation Unit and the Asset Recovery Unit, we have ensured the court-ordered restitutions and fines are fully recovered for victims of crime and taxpayers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Fahami. “Our office does not stop – and will not stop – working with our law enforcement partners to recover civil and criminal debts owed.”

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 District of Nevada working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $5,438,595 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. 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 – Under the Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant United States Attorney Sue Fahami is the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

As the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Nevada, which covers all 17 counties in the Silver State, Ms. Fahami leads a team of over 100 prosecutors and staff professionals with offices located in Las Vegas and Reno.

Prior to joining the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Nevada in 2001, Ms. Fahami served as the elected District Attorney in White Pine County, Nevada.

Ms. Fahami earned her LL.M. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1996, J.D. from Whittier Law School in 1995, and B.A. from the University of Southern California in 1991.

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all of the litigation involving the United States in Nevada.

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RENO – A Sacramento, Calif., resident was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for committing two armed robberies of financial institutions.

Devon Jones, 32, pleaded guilty to one-count each of interference with commerce by robbery, bank robbery, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to court documents and admissions made by Jones, on January 24, 2022, he robbed a money lending business in Reno. During the robbery, he pointed a semi-automatic 9mm pistol at an employee and demanded money. Jones then fired a round and fled the scene with cash. Later, on January 27, 2022, Jones robbed a bank in Carson City. After he entered the bank, he started yelling and fired a shot. Then, he approached a teller and demanded money. Jones fired another shot after noticing alarm lights flashing. He ordered all the employees to the ground and fired another shot before leaving the bank with the stolen cash.

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 FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Rachow prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has entered into an agreement with the Clark County Election Department to resolve a compliance review that identified numerous physical barriers at polling sites. The agreement resolves the United States’ investigation into Clark County’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by a state or local government in any of its programs or services. The agreement will be in place through the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.

“Voting is a fundamental right and the ADA guarantees that every person with a disability has an equal opportunity to exercise that right and cast their ballot in person and independently,” said Sue Fahami, First Assistant United States Attorney, District of Nevada. “We commend Clark County for its willingness to work collaboratively with the United States Attorney’s Office to achieve this goal.”

On June 11, 2024, during Nevada’s primary election, the United States made a compliance review of eight Clark County polling sites by conducting physical surveys. During the surveys, the United States found numerous physical barriers including missing van accessible parking and signage, steep ramps, abrupt level changes at walkways and entrance doors. In advance of the 2024 General Election, Clark County reviewed and made temporary adjustments to remedy the identified concerns.

Under the agreement, Clark County will engage the technical assistance of an accessibility expert and use an evaluation form for each current and prospective polling place based on ADA architectural standards. The Clark County Election Department will also survey polling locations for accessibility throughout the term of the agreement. Additionally, when selecting future polling sites, Clark County will ensure that new locations are ADA accessible. The United States Attorney’s Office will monitor the agreement and provide technical assistance. Clark County will train poll workers on the County’s obligations under the ADA.

The Clark County investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities across the country. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at polling places.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ednin D. Martinez.

For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against based on disability, please submit a report www.civilrights.justice.gov.

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LAS VEGAS – United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson is resigning on January 17, 2025. He has served in the position since May 2022.

Mr. Frierson was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden on November 15, 2021, and confirmed by the United States Senate on April 27, 2022. He is the first African American to hold the position in the District of Nevada. Mr. Frierson leads a team of over 100 prosecutors and staff professionals with offices located in Las Vegas and Reno.

In addition to his duties as United States Attorney, he served on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee’s Subcommittees on Voting Rights and Native American Issues.

Statement from United States Attorney Frierson:

“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as United States Attorney for the District of Nevada. I thank President Biden for nominating me and am grateful to Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto and Senator Jacky Rosen for their support and confidence in me to lead our team of dedicated public servants to carry out the Justice Department’s mission. Every day, I held each team member to the highest standards to gain the trust of the public we serve, and of our partners in law enforcement. As a team, we have valued integrity, respect and compassion, and excellence in all that we do to make Nevada a safer place. I am also grateful to have been able to work alongside local, state, tribal, and federal partners to build effective relationships that advance the cause of doing the right thing. Together, we prioritized taking guns off the streets, fighting drug trafficking, and reducing violent crime. I have been especially fortunate to be the face of the Office in the community we serve, increasing our presence in the District and fostering strong relationships with local organizations and law enforcement leadership. I look forward to seeing the continued success and courageous work ahead for the Office.” 

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RENO – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has entered into an agreement with the Washoe County Board of Commissioners to resolve a compliance review that identified numerous physical barriers at polling sites. The agreement resolves the United States’ investigation into Washoe County’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by a state or local government in any of its programs or services. The agreement will be in place through the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.

“We must continue to protect the rights of all Nevadans to participate in one of the most fundamental rights we possess, voting rights,” said Sue Fahami, First Assistant United States Attorney, District of Nevada. “That is why we are proud to protect the rights of voters with disabilities to cast their ballot in person, privately, independently and without barriers. We are grateful for Washoe County’s commitment to helping accomplish this mutual goal.”

On June 11, 2024, during Nevada’s primary election, the United States surveyed 10 polling locations in Washoe County. The surveys found a multitude of architectural and equipment barriers both in the exterior of polling sites and inside voting areas rendering the facilities inaccessible. These physical barriers included obstructions at accessible voting stations, unreachable voting machine controls, missing accessibility signage at parking spaces, surface openings from the public sidewalk to the accessible entrance, gaps and level changes.

As part of the agreement, Washoe County will train poll workers on the County’s obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to employ temporary measures if necessary. It will also use the technical assistance of an accessibility expert and an evaluation form for each current and prospective polling place based on ADA architectural standards. Washoe County will also survey polling locations for accessibility throughout the term of the agreement. Importantly, when selecting future polling sites, Washoe County will ensure that new locations are ADA accessible. The United States Attorney’s Office will monitor the agreement and provide technical assistance.

The Washoe County investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities across the country. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at polling places.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ednin D. Martinez.

If you believe you have been discriminated against based on disability, please submit a report www.civilrights.justice.gov. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov.

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LAS VEGAS – A Nevada man was sentenced today for illegally discharging waste, collected by a business he managed, into a local wastewater treatment system, in violation of the Clean Water Act.

Matthew Thurman, general manager of Environmental Resources Inc., doing business as Easy Rooter Plumbing (ERP), was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay a $680,000 fine and serve one year of supervised release for knowingly violating pretreatment standards under the Clean Water Act. ERP was separately sentenced to three years of probation and a $680,000 fine.

For years, ERP and Thurman orchestrated illegal discharges of grease waste and wastewater collected from food-service businesses into the wastewater treatment system of the cities of Reno and Sparks, Nevada. Local regulators warned ERP and Thurman regarding the illegal discharges, but when the scheme continued, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened an investigation. During the investigation, Thurman lied to federal agents and falsely blamed competitors for the illegal discharges. The actions by Thurman and ERP jeopardized the integrity of the wastewater treatment system, creating significant environmental risks and increased maintenance costs which were passed on to consumers.

“This case underscores the importance of holding individuals and corporations accountable when they knowingly harm our environment and attempt to obstruct justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Violations of the Clean Water Act are serious crimes, and today’s sentencing sends a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated.”

“The defendant defrauded clients, exposed Nevada communities to contaminated sewage, and engaged in conduct that required taxpayer dollars to be spent on costly repairs," said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today's significant sentencing demonstrates that EPA will continue to bring to justice environmental criminals."

“Nevadans depend on our clean water system for everyday life. By knowingly illegally dumping waste into the treatment system, the defendants jeopardized the quality of life of our citizens in violation of the Clean Water Act,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We will continue to prosecute these crimes and hold the violators responsible.”

This case represents a collaborative effort among local, state and federal agencies to protect America’s water systems.

EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division led the investigation with assistance from the City of Reno’s Utility Services Department-Environmental Control and the City of Sparks’ Environmental Control Section.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Evans for the District of Minnesota, formerly of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Keenan for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

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A Nevada man was sentenced yesterday to 51 months in prison and ordered to pay $6.1 million in restitution stemming from his role in a years-long fraud scheme.

According to court documents, Mykalai Kontilai, formerly Michael Contile, 55, of Las Vegas, facilitated an investment fraud scheme involving his company, Collector’s Coffee Inc., doing business as Collector’s Café (Collector’s Coffee), a company incorporated in California and headquartered in Las Vegas. From 2012 to 2018, Kontilai made or caused to be made numerous materially false and misleading representations to induce victims to invest in Collector’s Coffee — a company he claimed was on the verge of launching an online auction house for third-party owned collectibles, such as Hollywood and sport memorabilia. As a result of Kontilai’s numerous false and misleading statements, including that investor funds would be used for legitimate business purposes, that Kontilai had personally invested millions of his own money in the company, and that he did not take a salary, Kontilai successfully raised approximately $23 million from Collector’s Coffee investors. However, rather than using the proceeds as represented, Kontilai stole approximately $6.1 million for his own personal use, including for the purchase of luxury goods, apartments, and vehicles.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began investigating Kontilai for misappropriating investor funds in or around 2017. Kontilai obstructed the investigation by forging documents that he caused to be transmitted to the SEC and lied under oath to the SEC. Kontilai was charged in connection with this conduct both in the present case on June 3, 2020, and in a separate case in the District of Colorado on March 10, 2020. While under investigation but prior to charging, Kontilai fled to Russia and was ultimately arrested on an Interpol Red Notice in Germany in 2023. He was extradited back to the United States to face the pending charges in May.

On Nov. 21, Kontilai pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. As part of the plea agreement in this case, the government has moved to dismiss the Colorado case.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)’s Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from Germany of Kontilai.

Trial Attorneys Brandon Burkart and Sara Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva for the District of Nevada prosecuted this case. Former Fraud Section Trial Attorney Emily Scruggs provided valuable assistance. 

LAS VEGAS — A Nevada man was sentenced yesterday to 51 months in prison and was ordered to pay $6.1 million in restitution stemming from his role in a years-long fraud scheme.

According to court documents, Mykalai Kontilai, formerly Michael Contile, 55, of Las Vegas, facilitated an investment fraud scheme involving his company, Collector’s Coffee Inc., doing business as Collector’s Café (Collector’s Coffee), a company incorporated in California and headquartered in Las Vegas. From 2012 to 2018, Kontilai made or caused to be made numerous materially false and misleading representations to induce victims to invest in Collector’s Coffee — a company he claimed was on the verge of launching an online auction house for third-party owned collectibles, such as Hollywood and sport memorabilia. As a result of Kontilai’s numerous false and misleading statements, including that investor funds would be used for legitimate business purposes, that Kontilai had personally invested millions of his own money in the company, and that he did not take a salary, Kontilai successfully raised approximately $23 million from Collector’s Coffee investors. However, rather than using the proceeds as represented, Kontilai stole approximately $6.1 million for his own personal use, including for the purchase of luxury goods, apartments, and vehicles.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began investigating Kontilai for misappropriating investor funds in or around 2017. Kontilai obstructed the investigation by forging documents that he caused to be transmitted to the SEC and lied under oath to the SEC. Kontilai was charged in connection with this conduct both in the present case on June 3, 2020, and in a separate case in the District of Colorado on March 10, 2020. While under investigation but prior to charging, Kontilai fled to Russia and was ultimately arrested on an Interpol Red Notice in Germany in 2023. He was extradited back to the United States to face the pending charges in May.

On Nov. 21, Kontilai pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. As part of the plea agreement in this case, the government has moved to dismiss the Colorado case.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)’s Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from Germany of Kontilai.

Trial Attorneys Brandon Burkart and Sara Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva for the District of Nevada prosecuted this case. Former Fraud Section Trial Attorney Emily Scruggs provided valuable assistance.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 51 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for orchestrating a scheme to defraud loan lenders and cause more than $7 million in losses.

According to court documents, from February 1, 2017 to October 1, 2018, Brandon David Sattler, 47, devised a scheme to defraud and obtain loans from three individual lenders. As part of the scheme, Sattler made false representations that his company needed loans to fulfill renovation contracts that he had with one hotel and casino and claimed to hold with other hotels and casinos. Sattler altered information from his bank to show his bank account held more than it actually did in order to influence the three individual lenders to loan money to his company. After obtaining the loans, Sattler made misrepresentations in order to extend the maturity date of the loans and delay the deadline for repayment. In total, Sattler caused a loss of more than $7 million.

Sattler pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He has two prior convictions for fraud in California and Texas.

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 Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Schiess prosecuted the case.

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A Nevada man pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of wire fraud stemming from his role in a years-long fraud scheme, during which he stole more than $6.1 million in victim investor funds.

According to court documents, Mykalai Kontilai, formerly Michael Contile, 55, of Las Vegas, facilitated an investment fraud scheme involving his company, Collector’s Coffee Inc., doing business as Collector’s Café (Collector’s Coffee), a company incorporated in California and headquartered in Las Vegas. From 2012 to 2018, Kontilai made or caused to be made numerous materially false and misleading representations to induce victims to invest in Collector’s Coffee — a company he claimed was on the verge of launching an online auction house for third-party owned collectibles, such as Hollywood and sport memorabilia. As a result of Kontilai’s numerous false and misleading statements, including that investor funds would be used for legitimate business purposes, that Kontilai had personally invested millions of his own money in the company, and that he did not take a salary, Kontilai successfully raised approximately $23 million from Collector’s Coffee investors. However, rather than using the proceeds as represented, Kontilai stole approximately $6.1 million for his own personal use, including for the purchase of luxury goods, apartments, and vehicles.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began investigating Kontilai for misappropriating investor funds in or around 2017. Kontilai obstructed the investigation by forging documents that he caused to be transmitted to the SEC and lied under oath to the SEC. Kontilai was charged in connection with this conduct both in the present case on June 3, 2020, and in a separate case in the District of Colorado on March 10, 2020. While under investigation but prior to charging, Kontilai fled to Russia and was ultimately arrested on an Interpol Red Notice in Germany in 2023. He was extradited back to the United States to face the pending charges in May. As part of the plea agreement in this case, the government will move to dismiss the Colorado case at sentencing.

Kontilai pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 4 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)'s Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI and IRS-CI are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from Germany of Kontilai.

Trial Attorneys Brandon Burkart and Sara Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (FRD) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva for the District of Nevada prosecuted this case. Former FRD Trial Attorney Emily Scruggs provided valuable assistance. 

LAS VEGAS - A Nevada man pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of wire fraud stemming from his role in a years-long fraud scheme, during which he stole more than $6.1 million in victim investor funds.

According to court documents, Mykalai Kontilai, formerly Michael Contile, 55, of Las Vegas, facilitated an investment fraud scheme involving his company, Collector’s Coffee Inc., doing business as Collector’s Café (Collector’s Coffee), a company incorporated in California and headquartered in Las Vegas. From 2012 to 2018, Kontilai made or caused to be made numerous materially false and misleading representations to induce victims to invest in Collector’s Coffee — a company he claimed was on the verge of launching an online auction house for third-party owned collectibles, such as Hollywood and sport memorabilia. As a result of Kontilai’s numerous false and misleading statements, including that investor funds would be used for legitimate business purposes, that Kontilai had personally invested millions of his own money in the company, and that he did not take a salary, Kontilai successfully raised approximately $23 million from Collector’s Coffee investors. However, rather than using the proceeds as represented, Kontilai stole approximately $6.1 million for his own personal use, including for the purchase of luxury goods, apartments, and vehicles.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began investigating Kontilai for misappropriating investor funds in or around 2017. Kontilai obstructed the investigation by forging documents that he caused to be transmitted to the SEC and lied under oath to the SEC. Kontilai was charged in connection with this conduct both in the present case on June 3, 2020, and in a separate case in the District of Colorado on March 10, 2020. While under investigation but prior to charging, Kontilai fled to Russia and was ultimately arrested on an Interpol Red Notice in Germany in 2023. He was extradited back to the United States to face the pending charges in May. As part of the plea agreement in this case, the government will move to dismiss the Colorado case at sentencing.

Kontilai pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 4 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

The FBI and IRS-CI are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from Germany of Kontilai.

Trial Attorneys Brandon Burkart and Sara Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (FRD) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva for the District of Nevada prosecuted this case. Former FRD Trial Attorney Emily Scruggs provided valuable assistance. 

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RENO – A Reno resident was sentenced by United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 10 years in prison to be followed by 20 years of supervised release for coercion and enticement of a teenage boy.

According to court documents, in March 2023, Gregory Weeks (37) engaged in sexually explicit conversations with and sent nude videos of himself masturbating to a 15-year-old boy. The conversations included making plans to have sex in a hotel in Reno. Weeks drove from Utah to Reno and picked the victim up outside the gate leading to the victim’s home. Weeks then drove the victim to a hotel where Weeks made reservations and engaged in sexual activities with the victim.

In July 2024, Weeks pleaded guilty to one-count of coercion and enticement. In addition to imprisonment, Weeks was also ordered to pay $6,150 in restitution to the victim. Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), after his release from prison, Weeks will be required to register as a sex offender.

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-led Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which is comprised of detectives and investigators from the Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Rachow prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.

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

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After a two-week trial, a federal jury in Las Vegas yesterday convicted a Cuban citizen and U.S. permanent resident for helping operate an illegal streaming service with one of the largest quantities of infringing works. The defendant, who was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, is the eighth and final defendant to be convicted in the case.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Yoany Vaillant, 43, worked as a computer programmer for Jetflicks, an online, subscription-based service headquartered in Las Vegas that permitted users to stream and, at times, download copyrighted television episodes without the permission of relevant copyright owners. At one point, Jetflicks claimed to have 183,285 different television episodes, far more than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or any other licensed streaming service. At Jetflicks, Vaillant worked directly with Kristopher Dallmann and Jared Jaurequi, who were convicted of criminal copyright offenses by a different jury earlier this year.

According to his resume, Vaillant had 15 years of computer programming experience when he started at Jetflicks and knew 27 computer languages. During the four-and-a-half months that Vaillant worked at Jetflicks he made significant contributions to the operation of the service, including fixing issues affecting the automated downloading, processing, syncing, uploading, and streaming of Jetflicks’ inventory of infringing television episodes.

Evidence at trial showed that Vaillant and his co-conspirators scoured the internet to find infringing television programs from pirate sites around the world — including some of the biggest sites specializing in infringing content such as The Pirate Bay, RARBG, altHUB, and Nzbplanet — using automated software and computer scripts that ran nonstop. Vaillant and his co-conspirators reproduced hundreds of thousands of copyrighted television episodes without authorization and streamed the infringing programs to tens of thousands of paid subscribers located throughout the United States, often providing episodes to subscribers the day after the shows originally aired on television. The vast scale of Jetflicks’ piracy affected every significant copyright owner of a television program in the United States and resulted in millions of dollars of losses to the U.S. television show and streaming industries.

Vaillant was one of eight defendants indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2019 for running Jetflicks. In that case, Vaillant’s co-defendant Darryl Polo, a computer programmer, pleaded guilty to four criminal copyright counts and one money laundering count, which related to Jetflicks as well as another illegal streaming site he operated. Co-defendant Luis Villarino, also a computer programmer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement at Jetflicks. The court sentenced Polo to four years and nine months in prison and Villarino to one year and one day in prison.

In February 2022, the court transferred the case to the District of Nevada for trial. The court in the District of Nevada subsequently severed Vaillant’s case from the other remaining five defendants — Dallmann, Jaurequi, Douglas Courson, Felipe Garcia, and Peter Huber — and those defendants were tried in Las Vegas last June. Dallmann ran the Jetflicks operation with assistance from Jaurequi and Courson; Garcia was in charge of customer support and helped obtain television show content; and Huber provided computer programming services. A jury found all five defendants guilty of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, and Dallmann was also found guilty of three additional counts of criminal copyright infringement and two counts of money laundering by concealment. This was the largest internet piracy case by volume of infringed works — and first illegal streaming case — ever to go to trial.

The court will sentence Dallmann, Courson, Garcia, Jaurequi, Huber, and Vaillant on Feb. 3 and 4, 2025. The court will determine any sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI Las Vegas Field Office.

Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti, Trial Attorney Michael Christin, and Acting Deputy Chief Christopher S. Merriam of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

LAS VEGAS — After a two-week trial, a federal jury in Las Vegas yesterday convicted a Cuban citizen and U.S. permanent resident for helping operate an illegal streaming service with one of the largest quantities of infringing works. The defendant, who was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, is the eighth and final defendant to be convicted in the case.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Yoany Vaillant, 43, worked as a computer programmer for Jetflicks, an online, subscription-based service headquartered in Las Vegas that permitted users to stream and, at times, download copyrighted television episodes without the permission of relevant copyright owners. At one point, Jetflicks claimed to have 183,285 different television episodes, far more than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or any other licensed streaming service. At Jetflicks, Vaillant worked directly with Kristopher Dallmann and Jared Jaurequi, who were convicted of criminal copyright offenses by a different jury earlier this year.

According to his resume, Vaillant had 15 years of computer programming experience when he started at Jetflicks and knew 27 computer languages. During the four-and-a-half months that Vaillant worked at Jetflicks he made significant contributions to the operation of the service, including fixing issues affecting the automated downloading, processing, syncing, uploading, and streaming of Jetflicks’ inventory of infringing television episodes.

Evidence at trial showed that Vaillant and his co-conspirators scoured the internet to find infringing television programs from pirate sites around the world — including some of the biggest sites specializing in infringing content such as The Pirate Bay, RARBG, altHUB, and Nzbplanet — using automated software and computer scripts that ran nonstop. Vaillant and his co-conspirators reproduced hundreds of thousands of copyrighted television episodes without authorization and streamed the infringing programs to tens of thousands of paid subscribers located throughout the United States, often providing episodes to subscribers the day after the shows originally aired on television. The vast scale of Jetflicks’ piracy affected every significant copyright owner of a television program in the United States and resulted in millions of dollars of losses to the U.S. television show and streaming industries.

Vaillant was one of eight defendants indicted in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2019 for running Jetflicks. In that case, Vaillant’s co-defendant Darryl Polo, a computer programmer, pleaded guilty to four criminal copyright counts and one money laundering count, which related to Jetflicks as well as another illegal streaming site he operated. Co-defendant Luis Villarino, also a computer programmer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement at Jetflicks. The court sentenced Polo to four years and nine months in prison and Villarino to one year and one day in prison.

In February 2022, the court transferred the case to the District of Nevada for trial. The court in the District of Nevada subsequently severed Vaillant’s case from the other remaining five defendants — Dallmann, Jaurequi, Douglas Courson, Felipe Garcia, and Peter Huber — and those defendants were tried in Las Vegas last June. Dallmann ran the Jetflicks operation with assistance from Jaurequi and Courson; Garcia was in charge of customer support and helped obtain television show content; and Huber provided computer programming services. A jury found all five defendants guilty of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, and Dallmann was also found guilty of three additional counts of criminal copyright infringement and two counts of money laundering by concealment. This was the largest internet piracy case by volume of infringed works — and first illegal streaming case — ever to go to trial.

The court will sentence Dallmann, Courson, Garcia, Jaurequi, Huber, and Vaillant on Feb. 3 and 4, 2025. The court will determine any sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI Las Vegas Field Office.

Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti, Trial Attorney Michael Christin, and Acting Deputy Chief Christopher S. Merriam of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty today to using a California Employment Development Department (EDD) unemployment insurance benefits debit card in another person’s name without the person’s authorization.

Deandra Michelle Smith (39) pleaded guilty to illegal transaction with access devices issued to another person. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 19, 2025, before United States District Judge Jennifer Dorsey. Smith faces a statutory maximum penalty of 35 years in prison.

According to court documents and admissions made in court by Smith, around March or April 2020, she helped a friend file for unemployment insurance with the California EDD, and the friend began receiving benefits and used the benefits through an EDD debit card. In December 2020, the friend was able to resume employment and told Smith to stop the unemployment claim. However, Smith did not notify the California EDD and unemployment insurance benefits continued to be deposited into the debit card account. Between January 22, 2021 and August 17, 2021, Smith used the debit card to receive more than $16,100 in benefits that she used for her own personal expenses.

At the time of the crimes, Smith was on pretrial release after pleading guilty to unemployment insurance fraud using the personal identifying information of a family member.

“Deandra Smith engaged in a scheme to defraud DOL’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program by using a friend’s personally identifiable information to obtain UI benefits without the friend’s permission or consent. Despite being previously prosecuted and convicted for similar conduct, Smith exploited the UI program. This case highlights our strong collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office and our mutual commitment to secure justice for the American workforce,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG).

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada Special Agent in Charge Quentin Heiden of the DOL-OIG, Western Region made the announcement.

The DOL-OIG investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is prosecuting the case.

In May 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 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 was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 16 years and eight months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for coercion and enticement, child sexual exploitation, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, Kenton Hardy King (29) met a 15-year-old child through Omegle, an online chat platform. In June 2020, he coerced and enticed the victim to engage in sexual activity with him and to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing sexually explicit material. King possessed CSAM on two of his cell phones. He threatened to send images and video of the victim to the victim’s family, friends, and schoolmates.

In June 2024, following a five-day trial, a jury found King guilty of one count each of coercion and enticement; sexual exploitation of children; and possession of child pornography.

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 Henderson Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Steven Rose and Jean Ripley prosecuted the case.

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

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 https://report.cybertip.org.

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RENO – A federal jury convicted a Reno man on Wednesday for assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon during the execution of an arrest warrant.

According to evidence presented at trial, on February 16, 2022, Matthew John Nason, 38, fired a handgun in the direction of a Deputy United States Marshal while the Deputy was attempting to serve a valid arrest warrant for Nason and his girlfriend at Nason’s residence.

Following a three-day trial, the jury found Nason guilty of one-count of assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

United States District Judge Miranda M. Du presided over the jury trial. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2025. Nason faces the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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 FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Rachow and Randy St. Clair are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada announced today that the Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Clark County for the Nov. 5 general election.

The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include Justice Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day.

The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.

On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the department’s website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at 702-388-6336.

Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the department’s toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.

Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.

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

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RENO – A Reno man was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting three teenagers, leaving one seriously injured, on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony reservation.

According to court documents, on September 2, 2023, Roy Ramirez, 25, pistol-whipped a teenager in the face, pistol-whipped a second teenager in the head, and pointed the firearm at a third teenager. The second teenager was a 13-year-old child who suffered multiple life-threatening injuries. Ramirez was on state parole at the time of the assault.

Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Within Indian Country and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Within Indian Country.

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, Nevada Parole and Probation, and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Penelope Brady prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daniel R. 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 5, 2024, 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.

United States Attorney Frierson said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. 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).

United States Attorney Frierson stated that: “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 numbers: 702-388-6336.”

In addition, the FBI will have special 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 local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 702-385-1281.

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

United States Attorney Frierson said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. 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 Las Vegas resident made his initial appearance Tuesday for allegedly sending thousands of messages, including threatening messages, via Instagram to two employees of the University of Texas at Austin.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, beginning on or about June 6, 2024 to September 16, 2024, Brian Patrick Solomon, 38, sent direct messages threatening to injure two high level employees of the school. In May and June of 2024, Solomon requested a total of $450 via CashApp from a victim. A records check of Solomon revealed that on July 26, 2023, he was arrested in Austin for burglary of vehicle and criminal mischief; and on February 27, 2024,

Solomon was arrested in Nevada for stalking. As a result, a protection order was entered against Solomon. In July 2024, one victim attended the ESPYs and was scheduled for a speaking engagement. Solomon communicated to the victim that he had purchased a ticket for the event. While the event revoked his ticket due to safety concerns, the victim paid out of pocket to hire security.

On September 16, 2024, the FBI arrested Solomon. After he was advised of his Miranda rights, Solomon admitted that he used multiple Instagram accounts to send a few thousand direct messages to the victim and that he had become angry with her. Additionally, Solomon admitted he had requested money from the victim to travel to the victim, and he had previously traveled via airplane to Austin.

A jury trial has been scheduled for December 17, 2024, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. Solomon is charged with one count of interstate communications with threat to injure and one count of cyberstalking. If convicted, he faces the maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison.

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

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the University of Texas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Strange is prosecuting the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man with an extensive criminal history was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 84 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of two firearms after he exchanged gunfire on Fremont Street.

According to court documents, on September 1, 2022, DaJuan Lamar Gamble, also known as “Popeye,” 41, fired at least three shots from a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm semi-automatic pistol from a walkway of a motel on East Fremont Street at an SUV that had stopped in the street in front of the motel. An occupant in the SUV fired at least two .40 caliber rounds at Gamble. Security camera recordings at the motel captured the gunfire. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recovered the 9mm pistol and a Norinco MAK-90 7.62 x 39mm semi-automatic rifle in a black bag hidden in the boiler room of the motel. A records check showed that the 9mm semi-automatic pistol previously had been stolen in Dallas, Texas.

In October 2023, Gamble pleaded guilty to felon in possession of firearms. He has prior felony convictions in Clark County including attempt discharge firearm at or into occupied structure, vehicle, aircraft or watercraft; accessory to murder; possession of stolen property; and possession of controlled substance with intent to sell. Gamble is prohibited by law to possess a firearm as a result of those prior felony convictions.

“Ensuring the safety of the public is at the forefront of ATF’s mission,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). “We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to ensure that this type of violent conduct is not tolerated within the Las Vegas community and that the prosecution of those prohibited from having a firearm remains a priority.”

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Cicolani for ATF made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Cowhig and David Kiebler prosecuted the case.

Anyone with information about the unlawful purchase of firearms can call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously at www.reportit.com/.

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A federal jury in the District of Nevada convicted a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and gubernatorial candidate yesterday on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud for executing a scheme to defraud charitable donors by falsely claiming she was raising money to memorialize police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Michele Fiore, 54, of Pahrump, Nevada, while serving as a Las Vegas city councilwoman, solicited donors for money to build statues honoring two Las Vegas police officers who had been killed in the line of duty. The evidence at trial demonstrated that Fiore promised donors that “100% of the contributions” would be used towards the construction of memorials for the fallen officers. However, Fiore did not use any of the more than $70,000 in charitable donations she raised for the memorials. Instead, Fiore spent the money donated by the victims on a variety of personal and political expenses, including political fundraising bills, personal rent payments, and payments to family members.

Fiore is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 6, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Las Vegas Field Office investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Dahoud Askar and Alexander Gottfried and paralegal specialist Heather DePremio of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada provided substantial assistance.