District of Nevada

LAS VEGAS – A Pahrump, Nye County, resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge James C. Mahan to 108 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for distributing and receiving more than 250,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as infants on an online peer-to-peer file sharing network.

David Michael Burak (41) pleaded guilty on February 24, 2023, to distribution or receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents, investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force were investigating the sharing of child sexual abuse material on a peer-to-peer file sharing network. During the investigation, it was observed that a device was distributing files depicting child sexual abuse material. On July 19, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant on Burak’s residence. Part of the residence was used for a daycare business catering to pre-school age children. Investigators seized multiple digital devices that were later found to contain more than 250,000 files of child sexual abuse material. Forensics also showed that Burak used these devices to receive and make available for download files of child sexual abuse material on the internet.

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

The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. United States Attorney Supriya Prasad 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 Department of Justice. 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 at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

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LAS VEGAS – A federal jury today convicted a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officer of robbing three casinos and stealing approximately $164,000 in total.

Caleb Mitchell Rogers (33) was found guilty of three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over the trial. A sentencing date has been scheduled for October 12, 2023.

According to court documents and evidence presented during the four-day trial, Rogers stole approximately $73,810 from a casino in the western part of Las Vegas on November 12, 2021. A few months later, on January 6, 2022, he robbed a casino in North Las Vegas of approximately $11,500. In both robberies, he walked directly to the casino’s cashier cage and demanded money from the cashiers.

The third robbery occurred on February 27, 2022, in which Rogers ran toward two casino employees in the sportsbook area and yelled: “Get away from the money. I’ve got a gun. I will shoot you!” Rogers climbed over the counter and shoved one of the employees to the floor, before grabbing approximately $78,898 and placing it into a bag. Rogers fled when the employees triggered an alarm. As Rogers ran toward the parking garage, a casino security officer tackled him. Rogers drew a .357 caliber revolver and, with his finger on the trigger, threatened: “I’m going to shoot you!” Security officers were able to disarm Rogers and restrain him until LVMPD officers arrived. The officers arrested Rogers and seized his firearm. Checking the revolver’s serial number, officers learned that it belonged to the LVMPD.

The statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison for each count of interference with commerce by robbery, and life imprisonment for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

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

This case was investigated by the FBI and the LVMPD. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Cowhig and David Kiebler are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – Two Las Vegas residents made their initial appearance in federal court yesterday for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy from about January 3, 2021 to at least June 2, 2022 to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in Las Vegas and across state lines. As part of the conspiracy, Daniel Saldana, 36, and Mario Estrada, 21, are believed to have used a juvenile to distribute narcotics while Saldana was incarcerated on other charges.  

Saldana, also known as “Chapo,” and Estrada have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. Estrada has also been charged with two additional counts of distribution of a controlled substance. Saldana and Estrada were arraigned on July 6, 2023, and July 7, 2023, respectively. United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe scheduled a jury trial before United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva on September 11, 2023.

If convicted, Saldana and Estrada each face a statutory maximum penalty of a lifetime period of incarceration, and a mandatory minimum of ten years. 

The Department of Justice is committed to the prosecution of drug trafficking organizations that exploit juveniles to further the trafficking of narcotics. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug with potent central nervous system stimulant properties. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant under the Controlled Substances Act, which means that it has a high potential for abuse. For more information about Methamphetamine, read the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Fact Sheet at: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Methamphetamine-2020_0.pdf.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson 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 Las Vegas District Office, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Dakota Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office 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 who was serving his prison sentence for a prior conviction for possession of child pornography was sentenced today by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to 140 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for possession of child sexual abuse material.

Ronald William Dougherty (52) pleaded guilty on March 30, 2023, to one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Dougherty must register as a sex offender after completion of his prison term.

According to court documents, on January 7, 2015, Dougherty was convicted of possession of child pornography, and he was permitted to complete his sentence at the Las Vegas Community Corrections Center. Staff at the residential re-entry center located an iPhone belonging to Dougherty. A forensic search of the iPhone found 179 images and 35 videos of child sexual abuse material, including depictions of children as young as toddlers. Dougherty also admitted to distributing child sexual abuse material using his personal email address.

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 Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

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

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

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RENO, Nev. — A jury convicted a Northern Nevada man yesterday for murdering a pregnant indigenous woman on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation in December 2020.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Michael Burciaga (36) stabbed his pregnant girlfriend, a registered member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, multiple times, causing her death and the death of their unborn child. Shortly after midnight on December 15, 2020, Pyramid Lake Police Department officers responded to an emergency call from the victim’s 15-year old daughter at the victim’s home located on the Pyramid Lake reservation in Nixon, located in Washoe County.

Burciaga was convicted of Murder in the First Degree within Indian Country, a violation of the Protection of Unborn Children Act, and Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender Within Indian Country. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Miranda M. Du on September 25, 2023, and he faces a statutory minimum sentence of life imprisonment. The sentencing will be determined by the Court based on the advisory 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 FBI and Pyramid Lake Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Penelope Brady, Megan Rachow, and Richard Casper are prosecuting the case.

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LAS VEGAS – A federal Grand Jury returned a 15-count indictment charging five Las Vegas residents in connection to a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Darrell Glen Harris (41); Lamar Deshawn Rosser, also known as Lamar Deshawn Sparks (43); Paulina Hernandez (32); and Alexandra Trineysha Henriques (27) made their initial court appearance on June 21, 2023, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts. Joey Lamar McRoyal (43) was apprehended in Los Angeles, California, and is awaiting an initial appearance in Las Vegas. A jury trial has been scheduled for August 21, 2023, before United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, from about August 2022 to about June 20, 2023, Harris, McRoyal, Rosser, Hernandez, and Henriques conspired together to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl — both drugs are Schedule II controlled substances.

During the course of the conspiracy, Harris supplied McRoyal and Rosser with methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and other controlled substances for distribution in Las Vegas. This investigation resulted in seizures of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, xylazine (also known as tranq), other controlled substances, and firearms in the District of Nevada. Law enforcement also learned that Harris supplied individuals with narcotics in other states, resulting in the seizure of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Pensacola, Florida.

Each defendant is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine and Fentanyl), and other charges.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is life imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, a fine, and a special assessment.

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

The DEA Las Vegas District Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Brister is prosecuting the case.

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

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

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LAS VEGAS – The fourth defendant in a gas pump skimming scheme was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 81 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to defraud victims of more than an estimated $5 million in Nevada and Southern California.

Adrian Leyva Tamayo, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to one count of conspiracy, one count of use of unauthorized access device, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, from at least April 2017 and continuing through August 2020, Leyva Tamayo, together with co-conspirators Danyer Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez, Juan Sosa Tamayo, and Francisco Rodriguez Gonzalez, conspired to use credit and debit card account numbers stolen from victims by means of skimmers attached to gas pumps in Las Vegas and various locations in California. As part of the conspiracy, Leyva Tamayo and his co-conspirators drove to gas station and broke into gas station pumps and installed skimmers on card payment terminals to steal credit and debit card account information from unsuspecting customers. They subsequently recoded the stolen account information and other personal data onto counterfeit cards. Then, the defendants used the counterfeit cards to fraudulently obtain goods and to make ATM cash withdrawals. Leyva Tamayo and his co-conspirators stole at least 8,229 credit and debit card numbers through the use of their skimmers, and caused a total estimated loss amount of $5,032,616.

Juan Sosa Tamayo was previously sentenced to 56 months in prison; Danyer Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez was previously sentenced to 61 months in prison; and Francisco Rodriguez Gonzalez was previously sentenced to 70 months in prison.

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

The United States Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Schmale and Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case.

If you are a victim of identity theft, you may make a report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling 1-877-438-4338 or online at www.identitytheft.gov. For identity theft prevention tips and free resources visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.   

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RENO, Nev. – A Reno resident was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 10 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for receiving more than 3,000 sexually explicit images and videos of children. Judge Hicks ordered $108,000 in total restitution: $68,000 in restitution to the 10 known victims, $5,000 in restitution under the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act of 2015, and $35,000 in restitution under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

Ryan Thomas Eley (26) pleaded guilty in March of 2023 to one count of receipt of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, Eley will be required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwarded at least 12 CyberTips to law enforcement. Law enforcement determined the IP address was being used by Eley. On August 4, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Eley’s residence and seized USB flash drives, an external hard drive, and a cell phone belonging to him. Forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed that some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent children — including children under 12 years old — engaged in sexually explicit conduct and intercourse with adults. In total, over 2,700 images and over 400 videos of child sexual abuse material were recovered from electronic devices seized from Eley.

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, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Sparks Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair prosecuted the case.

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

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas tax preparer was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II to three years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for fraudulently preparing and filing over $1.2 million false income tax returns.

Maria Magdalena Mendoza (52) pleaded guilty in February 2023, to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false income tax returns.

According to court documents, beginning around 2013, Mendoza ran her own tax preparation business under the names “Taxes & More” and “Taxs y Mas.” She used false or inflated deductions and credits on tax returns filed on behalf of her clients. Additionally, she used her clients’ personal identifying information to falsely obtain a larger refund on her own tax returns. In total, Mendoza prepared more than 700 tax returns that claimed more than $3 million in refunds from the IRS. She caused more than $1.2 million in tax loss. Furthermore, Mendoza inflated her clients’ refund requests without their knowledge and stole the excess amount of those refunds. Through this scheme, Mendoza diverted over $500,000 of her clients’ tax refund payments into her own accounts from 2013 to 2017. In March of 2023, while on pretrial release, Mendoza was arrested while in possession of a stolen passport, drivers licenses, and credit cards in the name of other individuals, along with forged copies of checks.

“The defendant prepared hundreds of false income tax returns and brazenly defrauded the IRS of more than $1.2 million,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Tax preparers who use false deductions to inflate tax refunds and defraud their clients will be investigated. We will hold unscrupulous tax return preparers accountable.”

“Ms. Mendoza not only cheated the IRS but she victimized her clients in a pattern that extends years before indictment, all the way up to the eve of sentencing,” said Albert Childress, Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation. “Through this scheme, she diverted over $500,000 of her clients’ tax refund payments to herself. The defendant further harmed her clients by causing them to be audited by the IRS. Return preparers who seek to profit through false tax return schemes will be caught and held accountable.”

“Taxpayers expect that tax preparers will prepare their tax returns in accordance with the law.  It is unacceptable for tax preparers to break this confidence by submitting fraudulent returns in their clients’ names,” stated Inspector General J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). “TIGTA is committed to bringing to justice any tax preparers who betray their clients’ trust for their personal gain.”

The IRS CI and TIGTA investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Schmale prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II to 10 years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for possession of images depicting child sexual abuse material.

Russell Hamblin (63) pleaded guilty in November 2022, to one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, on January 14, 2008, Hamblin was convicted of receipt of child pornography in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas. As a result of his conviction, he was sentenced to prison and a lifetime term of supervised release. On April 12, 2022, during a home visit, U.S. Probation Officers observed printed papers on the floor depicting nude or partially dressed young females. They seized multiple flash drives and cell phones belonging to Hamblin. He admitted that he possessed between 10 and 150 items of child pornography on the seized devices.

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 investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad 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 Department of Justice. 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.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 56 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a large gas pump skimming fraud scheme in Nevada and Southern California.

Juan Luis Sosa Tamayo previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of use of unauthorized access device, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, from at least June 2018 and continuing through June 2020, Sosa Tamayo, together with co-conspirators Danyer Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez, Adrian Leyva Tamayo, and Francisco Rodriguez Gonzalez, installed skimming devices on gas pump terminals in and around Las Vegas and Reno, Nev., and Bakersfield and Fresno, Calif., to steal credit and debit card information from unsuspecting customers. They subsequently recoded the stolen account information and other personal data onto counterfeit cards. Then, the defendants used the counterfeit cards to fraudulently obtain goods and to make ATM cash withdrawals. Sosa Tamayo and his co-conspirators captured at least 8,229 stolen credit and debit card numbers through the use of their skimmers, and caused a total estimated loss amount of $5,032,616.

Adrian Leyva Tamayo awaits sentencing on June 22, 2023; Francisco Rodriguez Gonzalez was previously sentenced to 70 months in prison and Danyer Manuel Alarcon Rodriguez was previously sentenced to 61 months in prison for their role in the conspiracy.

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

The United States Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Schmale prosecuted the case.

If you are a victim of identity theft, you may make a report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling 1-877-438-4338 or online at www.identitytheft.gov. For identity theft prevention tips and free resources visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 6 ½ years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for selling machine gun conversion devices and thousands of pills laced with fentanyl.

According to court documents, on or about December 16, 2021, Anthony Rivas (23) sold four machine gun conversion devices. On that same day, he sold about 100 pills containing fentanyl. In January and February of 2022, Rivas sold a multi-caliber rifle modified with a machine gun conversion device, and 3,000 pills containing fentanyl.

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

Rivas pleaded guilty in February 2023 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance-fentanyl and illegal possession of a machine gun.

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

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

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

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

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LAS VEGAS – In recognition of National Police Week, United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 14, 2023, through Saturday, May 20, 2023.

“We join communities and our law enforcement partners across the nation to honor and remember the federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers who were killed or injured in the line of duty,” said United States Attorney Frierson. “Every day, courageous law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. We honor their courage, valor, service, and sacrifice.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week is a collaborative effort of many organizations dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement community. This year, memorial events ran May 9 - 20.

According to statistics reported by the FBI through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 118 law enforcement officers were killed in line of duty in 2022. Of these, 60 officers died as a result of felonious acts, and 58 officers died in accidents. LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website.

The names of 556 fallen officers were added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. The names were read on Saturday, May 13, 2023, during the 35th Annual Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C. There are currently 23,785 names engraved on the Memorial.

For more information about National Police Week, please visit https://nleomf.org/policeweek.

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LAS VEGAS – A North Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty yesterday to carrying out a scheme to submit more than $1.1 million dollars in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of himself and others.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning no later than on or about March 14, 2021, and continuing until at least on or about October 9, 2021, Jaquari Davonte Woodward (24) devised and participated in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration and a California lending institution (a non-bank lender). On March 17, 2021, he submitted a loan application as the purported sole proprietor of a music business. He inflated the amount of money his purported music business made and submitted an IRS tax form containing false information. Thereafter, Woodward mass-marketed his scheme on social media by posting the amount of money he received, and offering to help others apply, requesting in exchange $10,000 from any approved loan applications. As part of the scheme, Woodward submitted at least 56 fraudulent applications for PPP loans on behalf of himself and others.

As a result of the Woodward’s fraudulent PPP loan applications, approximately $1,166,582 in fraudulent loan proceeds were deposited into bank accounts controlled by him and other individuals for whom he submitted fraudulent applications. He received about $41,166 in fraudulent PPP loans, as well as a significant share of the over $1 million in fraudulent loans he applied for and obtained on behalf of others, totaling at least $100,000.

Woodward pleaded guilty to wire fraud before United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro. Sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2023. Woodward faces the maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison, a term of supervised release, a fine, and restitution.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General’s (SBA OIG) Western Region, and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The SBA OIG and FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Schmale 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, 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 www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of fraud related to 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 – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada today issued the following statement from United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson:

“On this day one year ago, I had the honor of taking an oath to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

“Over the past 12 months, the dedicated, talented Assistant United States Attorneys and professional staff have worked diligently with our law enforcement partners to support and advance the Justice Department’s mission of upholding the rule of law, keeping our communities safe, and protecting civil rights.

“I have traveled throughout the Silver State to meet with and talk to law enforcement, community groups, victim service providers, and Tribal Governments to strengthen our partnerships.

“As we move forward in 2023, the District of Nevada is building on these partnerships and following our strategic plan to prevent and reduce violent and gun crimes; combat human trafficking and child sex trafficking; fight the opioid and fentanyl crisis; protect Nevada’s environmental resources; seek justice for victims; defend the United States in civil matters; and keep our neighborhoods safe for all to live and work. Additionally, the District of Nevada continues to provide trainings to law enforcement and engage in community outreach opportunities at schools, community centers, and events.

“Last but certainly not least, I want to extend my gratitude to each Assistant United States Attorney and professional staff in our Las Vegas and Reno offices; to all levels of state, local, federal, and Tribal law enforcement; to Tribal Governments; and to the various community and victim advocate groups for working in the joint pursuit of Justice for all. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together for Nevada.”

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RENO, Nev. – A former U.S. Department of the Army employee made his initial appearance in court Monday for allegedly stealing over $800,000.00 in government property.

Tamilo Pale Fe’a, also known as “T,” 60, of Sparks, Nevada, is charged with theft of government property and access device fraud. United States Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin scheduled a jury trial to begin June 6, 2023, before United States District Judge Anne Traum.

According to allegations made in the indictment, from a time unknown but no earlier than November 1, 2021, and continuing through approximately December 31, 2021, Fe’a stole military heavy equipment, including vehicles, semi-trailers, generator trailers, flatbed trailers, refrigerator trailers, armored office trailers, tractors, and box vans from the Hawthorne Army Weapons Depot in Hawthorne, Nevada. The total value of the stolen property was over $800,000.00. From September 2020 to August 2021, Fe’a made about 69 transactions with a fuel fleet credit card for his personal benefit at various gas stations in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

If convicted, Fe’a faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for theft of government property and a maximum of 15 years in prison for access device fraud. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

The U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division; and General Services Administration—Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair is prosecuting the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 16 years in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for receipt and possession of more than 118,000 images of child sexual abuse material.

After a bench trial in November 2022, Barry Ray Knight (75) was found guilty of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on April 8, 2021, investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force executed a search warrant at Knight’s residence. During the search, investigators seized multiple electronic devices owned by Knight. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that Knight possessed 115,299 images and 3,135 videos depicting children who were as young as toddlers. He used the BitTorrent network to receive files online.

In 2003, Knight was convicted of possession of child pornography in the Eastern District of Missouri.

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

The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Supriya Prasad and Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to traffick methamphetamine and firearms — including a shotgun and machine guns.

According to court documents, between July 20, 2022 and September 13, 2022, Charles Sanders, also known as “Cheeze,” 37, conspired with others to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Over the course of the conspiracy, he sold at least 500 grams, but less than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Additionally, during this same time period, Sanders sold 25 firearms, including a shotgun and three machine guns.

Sanders pleaded guilty on May 4, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of trafficking firearms. United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon scheduled sentencing for August 16, 2023.

Sanders faces the statutory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; and a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for trafficking firearms. He also faces a term of supervised release, a fine, and a special assessment.

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

The ATF, HSI, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced to 13 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Gregorio Godinez, 40, pleaded guilty in May 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over the sentencing hearing on May 3, 2023.

According to court documents and admissions made in court by Godinez, on multiple occasions in 2019, he conspired to sell methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. On July 2, 2019, he possessed and attempted to sell 880 grams of methamphetamine. During that drug sale, Godinez possessed a 9mm pistol. In total, Godinez sold 1,935 grams of methamphetamine.

Co-defendant Jonathan Garcia pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 40 months in prison; and co-defendant Elio Ramirez-Guerro pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 80 months in prison.

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

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5, 2023 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. Responding to the unacceptable levels of violence that have led to the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is a priority of the Department of Justice every day.

The department’s work to respond to the MMIP crisis is a whole-of-department effort that takes many forms.  One year ago today, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco joined Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to launch the Not Invisible Act Commission, a joint Commission established by the Not Invisible Act with an essential mission — to reduce violence against American Indians and Alaska Natives.  In February, they welcomed the first in-person plenary meeting of the Not Invisible Act Commission.  Since then, the department’s representatives on the commission—who are department leaders and subject matter experts—have participated in the Commission’s field hearings, which will continue through the summer.  Later this year, the Commission will deliver recommendations for addressing the MMIP crisis to the Attorney General and the Secretary.  In addition to supporting the Not Invisible Act Commission, the department remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis.

“The Justice Department is marshalling the full strength of its resources to confront the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has devastated the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.  “Addressing this crisis requires a whole-of-government approach, and we are grateful for the partnership of Tribal and other law enforcement agencies across the nation that are working alongside the Justice Department to help reduce crime and support victims in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”

“Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day calls on our nation to pause and honor the loved ones who have gone missing or who have been the victims of violent crime,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco.  “Acknowledging the many American Indian and Alaska Native people who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the pain of a missing loved one or of violent crime serves as an important reminder of the urgency and importance of the department’s work to respond to the crisis of missing or murdered indigenous persons.  The Justice Department—including our dedicated agents, analysts, and prosecutors—remains steadfast in our pledge to work as partners with Tribal governments in preventing and responding to the violence that has disproportionately harmed Tribal communities.”   

“The Justice Department is committed to using every resource at its disposal to combat the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Crisis,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. “In addition to our core law-enforcement work, we are providing grant funding and guidance to help Tribes develop response plans for missing-persons cases, partner effectively with local law enforcement, and provide resources for victims of crime.”

“Today, and every day, we remain fully committed to addressing the missing or murdered indigenous persons crisis, to improving public safety, to bringing justice for victims, and to strengthening our partnerships with Tribal communities,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We are working in coordination with state, local, federal, and Tribal law enforcement to combine resources to support and protect women and children from violence and exploitation. Within the past 12 months, I joined other federal law enforcement representatives and traveled to Tribal communities in northern Nevada to meet with leadership on issues of public safety, and to improve communication and coordination. As a member of the Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), which is the oldest subcommittee of the AGAC and vital to the Justice Department’s mission in Indian Country, we advise the Attorney General on policy, management, and operational issues affecting U.S. Attorneys’ offices with Indian country responsibilities.”

Department Prioritization of MMIP Cases

In July 2022, Deputy Attorney General Monaco issued a memorandum reiterating that it is a priority of the Department of Justice to address the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by American Indians and Alaska Natives, and relatedly, the high rates of indigenous persons reported missing.  The memorandum directed each United States Attorney with Indian country jurisdiction — along with their law enforcement partners at DOJ — to update and develop new plans for addressing public safety in Indian country. 

Publication of Updated Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance

In October 2022, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued revised Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance.  The revised guidelines, which was updated for the first time in a decade, address when and how department employees work with victims and witnesses of crime to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are protected during criminal justice proceedings. For the first time the guidelines include cultural and linguistic considerations for victims from American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

National Native American Outreach Services Liaison

Last year, the department announced the creation of a new National Native American Outreach Services Liaison.  Since that announcement, the Liaison has begun to help amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families across the department as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. In the coming months, the Liaison will meet with survivors and family members of MMIP to learn more about the current challenges in MMIP cases and to make recommendations about the department’s continued response.

Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and Respond to the MMIP Crisis

In July 2022, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior submitted a report pursuant to Sections 2 and 4(a) of Executive Order 14053, which called for “coordinated and comprehensive Federal law enforcement strategy to prevent and respond to violence against Native Americans, including to address missing or murdered indigenous people where the federal government has jurisdiction.”  The report was published late last year and is available on the department website here.

Guide for Tribal Community Response Plans for Missing Persons Cases

In December 2022, the department published a Guide to Developing a Tribal Community Response Plan for Missing Persons Cases. This Guide is a resource for Tribes interested in developing a plan to respond to missing person cases that is tailored to the specific needs, resources, and culture of Tribal communities.

Launch of the COPS Office Tribal MOU/MOA Resource Library

On Monday of this week, the department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) published its Tribal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)/Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Sample Resource Library.  This library provides users with the resources to research and successfully draft agreements that will help agencies develop and solidify partnerships to address missing or murdered Indigenous persons cases.

Expanded Scope of the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Grant Program

The department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) expanded the scope of allowable activities under its Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside (TVSSA) grant program to permit Tribal communities to pay for costs related to generating awareness of individual missing persons cases involving American Indians and Alaska Native persons, supporting private search efforts for missing American Indians and Alaska Native persons in certain circumstances, and supporting efforts to coordinate the Tribal, state, and federal response to MMIP cases.

Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women

In September 2022, the department’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) held the 17th Annual OVW Government-to Government Tribal Consultation on Violence Against Women in Anchorage, Alaska.  OVW is responsible for conducting annual government-to-government consultations with the leaders of all Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments on behalf of the Attorney General.  The 2022 Tribal consultation report is available here.

National Institute of Justice Study of MMIP Cases in New Mexico

Last year, the department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded a study that will provide vital information regarding the prevalence and context of cases of MMIP in New Mexico and, importantly, will inform long-term data collection, analysis, and reporting strategies on MMIP cases. These improvements will support data-driven decision-making regarding MMIP in New Mexico moving forward.

Additional Department of Justice Resources

For additional information about the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis, please visit the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons section of the Tribal Safety and Justice website.

Click here for more information about reporting or identifying missing persons. 

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for claiming $989,031 in fraudulent income tax refunds from the IRS for himself and shell companies for tax years 2007 through 2011.

In December 2022, a federal jury convicted Anthony Uvari of four counts of making and subscribing false tax returns. United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over the four-day trial.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between December 2008 and May 2013, Uvari filed tax returns that falsely claimed businesses — including numerous gaming companies and a bank — had paid him or his companies gambling winnings or other income, but withheld more than $900,000 of income tax on his behalf and paid it to the IRS. As a result, he requested from the IRS over $900,000 in fraudulent income tax refunds. The IRS paid out more than $300,000 in fraudulently requested refunds before detecting Uvari’s scheme and denying the remaining refund requests. After one such refund request was denied, Uvari provided the IRS with new false documents — including a fake log supposedly documenting his gambling — in a further effort to deceive the IRS into providing the fraudulently requested tax refund.

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

This case was investigated by IRS-CI. Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Schmale and Jessica Oliva prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada today issued the following statement from United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson:

“During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we remain committed to protecting young people who are abused or exploited. Through our Project Safe Childhood initiative we work with our law enforcement partners to investigate crimes against children, provide services to victims, and bring perpetrators to justice. Together, we can help children thrive and support families before they reach a crisis.

“For information on how to recognize and report child abuse or neglect, as well as on how to support families and safe communities, visit www.childwelfare.gov/preventionmonth.”

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LAS VEGAS – A federal jury convicted three Nevada men yesterday for perpetrating a prize-notification scheme that stole more than $6 million from victims. The notices led victims to believe that they could claim a large cash prize if they paid a fee of $20 to $30. This was false; victims who paid the fees did not receive anything of value. Many of the schemes’ victims were retirees or other older adults.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mario Castro, 55, and Miguel Castro, 58, of Las Vegas, and Jose Luis Mendez, 49, of Henderson, Nevada, produced the fraudulent prize notices at their business in Las Vegas. The three defendants also were partners in companies that sent the fraudulent prize notices. The defendants used money from victims to print and mail prize notices and also received a share of the profits.

“This verdict demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to pursuing and holding accountable those who participate in scams that defraud consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to protecting consumers from deceptive mass-mailing schemes.”

“The defendants mailed fraudulent prize notices to prey upon and trick victims, many of them elderly, out of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “This guilty verdict should be a warning to individuals who commit fraudulent acts. We are committed to working together with the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to identify and hold fraudsters accountable. We will continue to protect older Americans and prosecute individuals who seek to carry out fraudulent schemes targeting seniors.”

“Vulnerable and older Americans have been victimized for far too long by individuals who hide in the shadows to commit their crimes,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “This verdict unmasks these criminals and holds them to account for their conduct. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud to have contributed to this result and will be relentless in protecting American consumers from fraud through the U.S. Mail.”

The defendants operated the scheme from 2010 to February 2018, when postal inspectors executed multiple search warrants and the Department of Justice obtained a court order shutting down the fraudulent mail operation. Mario Castro, Miguel Castro, and Jose Luis Mendez worked at the printing and mailing businesses that sent the fraudulent mail and shared the profits from the fraudulent prize notices. The defendants and their co-conspirators ignored multiple cease and desist orders from the U.S. Postal Service that prohibited their companies from sending fraudulent mail.

The defendants responded by changing the names of their companies and using straw owners to hide their continuing fraud.

Mario Castro was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and seven counts of mail fraud. He was found not guilty of five counts of mail fraud.

Miguel Castro was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and five counts of mail fraud. He was found not guilty of seven counts of mail fraud.

Jose Luis Mendez was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and eleven counts of mail fraud. He was found not guilty of one count of mail fraud.

A fourth defendant, Salvador Castro, was acquitted by the jury on all charges.

The convicted defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 23 and face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Four other people previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with this prize notice scheme: Patti Kern, 65, of Henderson, Nevada; Andrea Burrow, 43, of Las Vegas; Edgar Del Rio, 45, of Las Vegas; and Sean O’Connor, 54, of Las Vegas.

The USPIS investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Timothy Finley and Daniel Zytnick of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mina Chang for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

The Department urges individuals to be on the lookout for lottery, prize notification, and sweepstakes scams. If you receive a phone call, letter, or email promising a large prize in exchange for a fee, do not respond. Fraudsters often will use official-sounding names or the names of real lotteries or sweepstakes, or pretend to be a government agent purportedly helping to secure a prize.

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 U.S. Department of Justice 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. The Federal Trade Commission also provides a hotline at 877-FTC-HELP_and a website at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov_to receive consumer complaints.

More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. The Department of Justice provides information about a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which are available at https://www.ovc.gov.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man charged in a conspiracy to sell firearms and machine guns without a Federal Firearms License, and a conspiracy to sell Fentanyl and Xanax was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 70 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.

Nicolas Santos (22) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to one count of conspiracy to deal in firearms without a license, one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of illegal possession of a machine gun.

According to court documents, on September 1, 2021, Santos conspired with co-defendants Wilfred Santos and Martin Magallon to sell firearms and machine guns without a Federal Firearms License. He sold multiple firearms including semi-automatic firearms and shotguns; AR-style personally made firearms; a stolen rifle and shotgun; and Glock switches. Additionally, on four different dates between July and August of 2021, Santos conspired to sell Fentanyl and Alprazolam (Xanax). In June 2021, he possessed a Glock switch used to modify a semi-automatic firearm to fire as a machine gun. While detained in the Henderson Detention Center, Santos attempted to obstruct the investigation when he told his girlfriend to delete evidence related to the federal charges in this case.

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

This case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Allison Reese is prosecuting the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – This year, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is observed from April 23 to 29, 2023.

According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2021, there were more than 4.6 million violent victimizations and 11.7 million property crimes, the latest year for which such information is available.

“Every April, we join our neighbors, law enforcement partners, and victim service providers in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to pay tribute to victims of crime and to the dedicated professionals who advocate on their behalf,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “This week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reaffirms its unwavering commitment to seeking justice for all victims; and we thank the countless advocates throughout Nevada and the nation for ensuring victims are informed, have a voice, and receive the services and support needed to heal.”

The federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by raising awareness of victims' rights and honoring crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s theme is “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.” Partner organizations are committed to engaging with victims of crime; learning from their lived experiences; amplifying their voices; and fostering an environment where they are heard, believed, and supported.

For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: https://ovc.ojp.gov/ncvrw2023/overview.

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RENO, Nev. – A Reno man was sentenced yesterday by United States District Chief Judge Miranda M. Du to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distributing a large amount of methamphetamine.

James Raymond Ellis, 53, also known as “Jimbo,” pleaded guilty in December 2022 to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and June 2021, Ellis sold over 4 pounds of methamphetamine and 5 firearms, including an AR-15, to confidential informants. On August 20, 2021, law enforcement seized approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine from Ellis’ residence. The Northern Nevada Safe Streets Task Force arrested him that day in Reno. When Ellis was taken into custody, he had a 9mm pistol in his vehicle. Ellis has a prior felony conviction in Nevada for possession of a chemical with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, and he is prohibited by law from possessing firearms.

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 Northern Nevada Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of members from the FBI, Reno Police Department, Nevada State Police, Nevada Gaming Control Board, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and the Nevada Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andolyn Johnson prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 135 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing a spree of bank robberies on the same day.

Jasmine Bernard Austion (35) pleaded guilty in January 2023 to three counts of bank robbery.

According to court documents, on October 26, 2021, Austion entered a bank in North Las Vegas and passed a note to the teller. The note read “$20,000 all money robbery got gun now.” Bank employees told Austion they were calling 911 and he fled the bank. He then ran across the street and entered a second bank. He pushed an elderly customer away from a teller window and demanded money from the teller. The teller refused and Austion fled from the bank. A short time later, Austion entered a third bank and passed a note to a teller. The note read “I will harm people all money all drawers.” After the teller refused to give Austion money, he banged a fire extinguisher against the barrier in an attempt to break into the teller area. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department SWAT responded and arrested Austion.

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, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Las Vegas Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bianca Pucci prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS - A Nevada man pleaded guilty today to using fraudulent checks to steal money from victims’ bank accounts.

According to court documents, Michael Zeto, 77, of Las Vegas, partnered with foreign telemarketers, who provided Zeto with the names, bank account numbers, and other personal information for American consumers. Many of these consumers had purchased no products or services from the telemarketers and had not authorized anyone to debit their bank accounts. Zeto used the information provided by his telemarketing partners to create fraudulent checks payable to companies he controlled and debited consumers’ bank accounts. Many of Zeto’s victims were retirees and other older adults.

“The defendant was a vital link in a scheme with foreign telemarketing partners to steal money from American victims’ bank accounts,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting older Americans from fraud and to prosecuting people who knowingly help fraudsters.”

“With our increasing use and dependency on technology, fraudsters have found new ways to scam unsuspecting Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Americans, and Nevadans in particular, can be assured that our office is committed to investigating and prosecuting elder financial fraud scams.”

“Today's guilty plea holds the defendant accountable for his role in a multimillion dollar fraudulent check scheme that targeted the bank accounts of American consumers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Justin Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General Chicago Division. “The FDIC-OIG remains dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who seek to defraud elderly and vulnerable Americans, and threaten the integrity of the banking system.”

“This conviction is the direct result of a diligent investigation by hardworking Postal Inspectors and our partners at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General,” said Inspector in Charge Ruth Mendonça of the FDIC-OIG Chicago Division. “Working together, their perseverance unraveled the defendant’s complex scheme to defraud some of our nation’s most vulnerable victims and delivered the justice that each victim deserved. We are proud of the investigative team’s efforts to uphold the mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to protect postal customers and consumers from fraudsters.”

Zeto pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He 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.

The USPIS and FDIC-OIG are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Daniel Zytnick and Timothy Finley of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

The department urges individuals to be on the lookout for unauthorized debits to their accounts. Check your bank, credit card, and other financial statements and contact your financial institution if you see a charge you do not recognize. Report any fraudulent debit you identify to law enforcement. Reports may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP.

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 U.S. Department of Justice 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.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

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LAS VEGAS – A Henderson resident was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2021, during which he shot a security guard.

Michael Joseph Kasper (34) pleaded guilty in October 2022 to felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva on April 10, 2023.

According to court documents, on December 16, 2021, casino security guards believed Kasper had attempted to cash a fraudulent check at the casino cage. Security attempted to detain Kasper, but he resisted and immediately began fighting the security guards. During the scuffle, Kasper possessed a 9mm semi-automatic firearm and shot twice at and injured a security guard. Kasper has prior felony convictions in Clark County, and he is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

Kasper was charged in Clark County for the shooting of the security guard, and Kasper pleaded guilty to one count of battery with use of deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm.

The 46-month sentence in this case was ordered to run consecutive to Kasper’s unrelated prior criminal conduct arising out of Lincoln County, Nevada, for three counts of battery by prisoner upon a first responder, in which was he was sentenced to 108 to 432 months in prison.

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

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bianca Pucci prosecuted the case.

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

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

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LAS VEGAS – A California resident pleaded guilty today to using multiple California Employment Development Department (EDD) unemployment insurance benefits debit cards in other peoples’ names without their authorization.

Breon Dante Mims (32), of Stockton, Calif., pleaded guilty to illegal transaction with access devices. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 25, 2023, before United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro. Mims faces a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

According to court documents and admissions made in court by Mims, on September 20, 2020, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped Mims walking along Las Vegas Boulevard after he was observed smoking a marijuana blunt in public. During the stop, officers obtained Mims’ consent to search his backpack, and they found $10,080 in cash and 10 EDD debit cards none of which were in Mims’ name. He admitted that he possessed and used these EDD debit cards without authorization; and that he submitted the unemployment claims associated with the EDD debit cards without authorization. At least $261,600 in benefits were approved for the unemployment claims associated with the cards, and Mims withdrew at least $77,000 from various ATMs in Nevada and California using these fraudulently obtained EDD debit cards.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Quentin Heiden of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), Western Region made the announcement.

The DOL-OIG investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jim Fang 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 resident was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to three years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for participating in a scheme that victimized nearly 400 people by redirecting their mail, stealing the victims’ identities, and using bank accounts in the victims’ names without their consent.

In March 2022, after a two-day trial, Nosa Frank Obayando (31) was found guilty of mail theft, using an unauthorized access device, and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) was alerted to a fraudulent mail forwarding scheme. An investigation found that between February 2017 and February 2018, Obayando and a co-defendant worked together to steal mail through a fraudulent forwarding scheme where hundreds of victims from around the country had their mail forwarded without their knowledge or consent to addresses under Obayando and the co-defendant’s control. As part of the scheme, Obayando and the co-defendant checked the mailboxes for fraudulently-forwarded mail, then used the identities in that mail to steal funds from bank accounts.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Assistant United States Attorney Tony Lopez prosecuted the case.

If you suspect potential mail fraud or mail theft, you may contact the USPIS by calling 877-876-2455 or by making a report online at https://www.uspis.gov/report.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident with prior felony convictions was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 78 months in prison for unlawful possession of multiple firearms and ammunition.

Lorenzo Lindsey (28) pleaded guilty in September 2020 to felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and admissions made by Lindsey, on November 16, 2018, he possessed three 9mm firearms and 100 rounds of ammunition while he was in a gun store. From June 2018 to January 2019, he possessed a 9mm firearm and ammunition at his residence. He had previously fired the 9mm at an indoor shooting range. Lindsey has at least three felony convictions, and he is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

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

This case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Veronda prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carjacking two people at gunpoint.

Steve Francis Pitchford Jr., 39, pleaded guilty on March 24, 2022, to use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to court documents, on June 17, 2019, Pitchford approached two people sitting in a car in the parking lot of a Las Vegas dentist’s office and pointed a firearm at them. Pitchford told them to get out of the car, then drove off in the car. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Pitchford on June 28, 2019.

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

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Former Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Portz and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – Two convicted felons and Las Vegas residents were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey for unlawful possession of firearms and for their roles in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Nicholas Eddards was sentenced to 96 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Justin Chester was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Justin Chester (42) and Nicholas Eddards (36) each pleaded guilty in January 2023 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on January 3, 2019, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped a car carrying Eddards and Chester. During a search of the car, the officers discovered a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and methamphetamine.

Eddards has prior felony convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, ex-felon not to possess a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm in the District of Nevada. Chester has prior felony convictions for attempted battery with a deadly weapon and domestic battery.

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

The ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Veronda prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.

If you have information pertaining to illegal firearms activity such as a straw purchase, please contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Anonymous tips may also be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt mobile app.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas attorney made his initial appearance on March 31, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah for allegedly orchestrating a Ponzi scheme causing more than 1,000 victim-investors to part with more than $460 million.

A federal grand jury returned the indictment on March 29, 2023, charging Matthew Wade Beasley (50) with five counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering. A detention hearing was scheduled for April 7, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach. A jury trial was scheduled for June 6, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, from about 2017 to March 2022, Beasley falsely represented to another person that he could find plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits who wanted to borrow money against their pending settlements and would pay high interest rates to do so. He created fake contracts to lend money to purported personal injury plaintiffs. Beasley caused others to find investors to invest in these fake contracts.

The indictment further alleges that, Beasley caused victim investors to wire transfer their investments to Beasley’s IOLTA account, which is a bank account set up by an attorney to hold client monies. He used the money from the scheme to buy luxury homes, cars, and recreational vehicles.

“This indictment alleges the defendant devised and orchestrated a large-scale, multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme with thousands of victims across the country,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “While the allegations are intolerable regardless of the defendant’s position, they are even more egregious when considering defendant’s position of trust as an attorney. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to pursue, investigate, and prosecute individuals who lure victims with a false promise and take advantage for their personal benefit.”

“Investment fraud can be crippling for its victims, with life savings obliterated in a flash,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “The defendant used fraudulent means to mislead multiple victims into believing they were investing in legitimate legal contracts. The FBI is committed to identifying and working with anyone impacted by this brazen scheme. This indictment is only one piece of an ongoing investigation. We will continue to follow the facts and pursue anyone who seeks to defraud others through deceptive and illegal practices.”

If convicted, Beasley faces up to 160 years in prison and fines up to $2,750,000 or twice the value of property involved in the scheme, whichever is greater. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel R. Schiess and Eric Schmale are prosecuting the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva to 65 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine.

Adeline Coronel (31) pleaded guilty in December 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance – methamphetamine.

According to court documents, in September and October 2021, Coronel conspired with co-defendant Melinda Rodriguez and others to sell and possess with the intent to sell 2.1 kilograms of methamphetamine. Coronel arranged and negotiated the sale of drugs, and on one occasion she drove from California to Las Vegas to sell about three pounds of methamphetamine. Additionally, she admitted to working with individuals in Mexico to smuggle the drugs into the United States.

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

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance - methamphetamine and she was sentenced to 96 months in prison.

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Allison Reese prosecuted the case.

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

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LAS VEGAS – A prior convicted felon and Las Vegas resident was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a short-barrel AR-15 pattern rifle with an obliterated serial number.

Martel Deavon Nelson, 38, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, on July 5, 2020, Nelson left his car running at the curb in the valet parking area outside a Las Vegas casino’s entrance. He entered the casino and walked bare-footed to the bar and said to the cashier “Give me my money.” He refused to leave the casino and he became belligerent, lunging at one of the security officers. While Nelson scuffled with security personnel inside the casino, a security officer outside the casino looked into Nelson’s car and observed an AR-15 pattern firearm between the driver seat and center console. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded and during the execution of a search warrant of Nelson’s vehicle recovered the short-barreled rifle with an obliterated serial number, a vertical fore-grip, and a large-capacity magazine inserted.

Nelson has a prior felony conviction in San Bernardino County, Calif., for attempted murder, and by law he is prohibited to possess a firearm.

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

The ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.

If you have information pertaining to illegal firearms activity such as a straw purchase, please contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Anonymous tips may also be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt mobile app.

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RENO – A Reno woman who made false statements when she purchased multiple firearms that were bought for her son, a convicted felon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

In December 2022, a jury found Gail Manney (48) guilty of illegal acquisition of firearms.

According to court documents, on April 21, 2021, Manney illegally purchased seven firearms from a Federal Firearms Licensee for her son — who is a convicted felon and is prohibited by law from buying and possessing firearms. At the time of purchase, Manney completed a federal firearms transaction form representing that she was the actual buyer of the firearms.

“Buying a firearm for someone who is a prohibited person — be it a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger — is a serious offense and a violation of federal law,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Our office and ATF combine resources to ensure firearms do not end up in the hands of prohibited persons.”

“Straw purchasing is not a victimless crime,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The act of willfully providing a prohibited person with a firearm by purchasing the firearm on their behalf puts firearms in the hands of criminal organizations and violent criminals which presents a grave threat to the safety of our communities. It is a federal crime to conduct the act of straw purchasing and ATF will continue to work with our prosecutorial partners to ensure that straw purchasers are held accountable.”

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

The ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Rachow and Andrew Keenan prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program by the Department of Justice that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, the Department announced the reinvigoration of PSN. For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.

If you have information pertaining to illegal firearms activity such as a straw purchase, please contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Anonymous tips may also be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt mobile app.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas tax return preparer was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 15 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for preparing false tax returns for clients and causing the returns to be filed with the IRS.

Brenda Eleana Reyna (38) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return and one count of making and subscribing a false tax return.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, Reyna — the operator of USA Tu Casa Tax Services, a tax return preparation business in Las Vegas — fraudulently claimed deductions and misrepresented to her clients the contents of their returns that she would file on their behalf. For tax years 2015 through 2019, Reyna caused at least $2,750,000 in tax loss to the IRS. In addition, when preparing her own tax returns, Reyna fraudulently filed returns that did not accurately report her income. For tax years 2015 through 2020, Reyna failed to report approximately $606,663 in net income, causing at least $169,866 in tax loss to the IRS.

“During the ongoing tax season, tax return preparers are entrusted by their clients to accurately prepare and file tax information,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Together with IRS Criminal Investigation, we are committed to investigating and charging those who act improperly and attempt to defraud the IRS.”

“Ms. Reyna not only cheated the IRS, but she victimized her clients as well,” said Albert Childress, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “She claimed larger refunds on her client’s behalf so that she could steal some of the refund for herself. Tax preparers should take note that if they attempt to defraud the IRS and their clients, they will be caught and held accountable.”

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tony Lopez prosecuted the case.

If you suspect tax fraud, you can report a tax return preparer for misconduct to the IRS at www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/make-a-complaint-about-a-tax-return-preparer.

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A federal grand jury in Las Vegas returned an indictment yesterday charging a health care staffing executive with conspiring to fix the wages of Las Vegas nurses, in violation of the Sherman Act.

According to the one-count felony indictment, Eduardo Lopez, of Las Vegas, held executive positions at three different home health agencies. For each company, Lopez oversaw recruitment, hiring, retention and assignments of nurses and other health care staff. Lopez and other unnamed co-conspirators are charged with agreeing to suppress and eliminate competition for the services of nurses between March 2016 and May 2019. Specifically, Lopez and his co-conspirators are charged with participating in a series of meetings and communications to fix wages of nurses.

“Wage fixing is a crime that deprives workers of hard-earned wages,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division will be vigilant in protecting workers.”

“We will continue to partner with the Antitrust Division and the FBI to protect the marketplace and the rights of workers to earn fair wages,” said U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “We will investigate and prosecute those who engage in anticompetitive activities.”

“The wage fixing alleged in this case harmed hardworking Americans and cheated them of fair opportunity and compensation,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI is committed to rooting out anti-competitive activity and corruption.”

A violation of the Sherman Act carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals and a maximum penalty of a $100 million fine for corporations. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by victims if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum.

Today’s announcement is the result of a federal investigation being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office and the International Corruption Unit of the FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

The charges in this case were brought in connection with the Antitrust Division’s ongoing commitment to prosecute anticompetitive conduct affecting American labor markets. Anyone with information on market allocation or price fixing by employers should contact the Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center at 1-888-647-3258 or visit www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 33 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for committing multiple child sexual exploitation crimes.

Stephen Thomas Parshall, aka “Kiwi,” (38) pleaded guilty in October 2022, to two counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of coercion and enticement, and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Parshall is required to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, law enforcement learned of Parshall’s alleged participation in a conspiracy to cause destruction during protests on May 30, 2020, and of Parshall’s alleged membership in the “Boogaloo” movement. Parshall was arrested and search warrants were executed on Parshall’s electronic devices. Law enforcement officers located 10 images of child sexual abuse material, and numerous images of child erotica, on Parshall’s cellular phone. Investigators identified Victim 1, a child under the age of 18 years old, in two of the child sexual abuse images located on Parshall’s phone. Parshall forced Victim 1 to perform sex acts upon him while he photographed it.

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

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

“As part of our Project Safe Childhood initiative, together with law enforcement partners, we will use all available resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute predators who exploit children,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Thanks to the hard work by the prosecution team and law enforcement, the defendant is no longer a threat to children and the community.”

“The FBI is committed to stopping and holding accountable anyone who engages in the sexual exploitation of children,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “Every time child pornography is viewed on the internet it re-victimizes a child. Together with our partners, we are dedicated to investigating and bringing federal charges against those who commit these heinous crimes.”

The FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bianca Pucci and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Portz prosecuted the case.

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

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

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RENO – A Winnemucca Indian Colony tribe member was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for shooting at a law enforcement officer and pointing his firearm at a second officer.

Martin Williams (39) pleaded guilty in November 2022 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon within Indian Country.

According to court documents and admissions made in court by Williams, on April 2, 2020, he fired a shot at a law enforcement officer while on the Winnemucca Indian Colony reservation and pointed his firearm at a second officer.

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, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Winnemucca Police Department, and the Elko Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Penelope Brady and Andrew Keenan prosecuted the case.

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RENO – An enrolled member of the Ely Shoshone Tribe was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, the maximum sentence, for voluntary manslaughter of a three-year-old girl.

Colon Jackson (31) pleaded guilty in December 2022 to one count of voluntary manslaughter within Indian Country.

According to court documents and facts presented in court, on January 9, 2019, on the Ely Shoshone Indian Reservation, the victim’s mother picked her up from day care and took her home so Jackson could care for her while her mother was at work. While the three-year-old girl was in Jackson’s care, he shook and threw the victim’s body. Jackson called the victim’s mother to tell her that the girl was unconscious. The mother came home from work and took the child to the emergency room in Ely. The girl was then flown from Ely to Salt Lake City. She died from the injuries caused by Jackson.

“The defendant’s senseless act resulted in the death of a child,” said United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are working steadfast to seek justice for victims. In collaboration with state, local, Tribal, and federal law enforcement partners, we are committed to investigating reports of missing and murdered Indigenous people, also prioritizing the disproportionately high rates of violence against women and girls.”

“I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort put forth to hold the defendant accountable for his actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “The FBI stands strongly with tribal and law enforcement partners in our joint commitment to bring justice for victims. Violent crimes, such as this horrendous act, will never go unchallenged.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, BIA, the White Pine County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ely Shoshone Tribal Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Penelope Brady, Megan Rachow, and Richard Casper prosecuted the case.

If you have information concerning a missing or murdered person in Indian Country, please contact your local FBI office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov (tips can remain anonymous).

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to 57 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy to ship cocaine and money proceeds via the U.S. Postal Service from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio.

According to court documents, between November 18, 2020 and January 28, 2021, Luis Enrique Ortiz-Ibarra (30) and co-conspirators Marcell Arturo Perez-Aranda (25) and Juan Carlos Montalvo-Navarrete (28) shipped cocaine and money through the U.S. Postal Service. As part of the conspiracy, Ortiz-Ibarra and Montalvo-Navarrete shipped parcels containing cocaine from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio. Over the course of the conspiracy, Ortiz-Ibarra and Montalvo-Navarrete shipped 17.9 kilograms of cocaine from Nevada to Ohio. During the same period, Perez-Aranda shipped parcels containing tens of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds from Columbus back to Las Vegas.

Ortiz-Ibarra pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Montalvo-Navarrete was sentenced to 60 months in prison; and Perez-Aranda was sentenced to 57 months in prison.

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

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

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LAS VEGAS – The last two of seven defendants charged in a drug trafficking conspiracy have been sentenced for their roles in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine from California and Mexico to Nevada.

Ivan Salazar, a four-time convicted felon, aka “Evil,” (40) and Domingo Montes, a three-time convicted felon, aka “JR,” (36) were sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 140 months and 100 months in prison, respectively.

According to court documents, in 2019, law enforcement began investigating co-conspirator Luis Arellano and other members of the Pomona Sur Lokotes (PSL) drug trafficking organization. In 2020, Salazar and Montes conspired with others to distribute 946 grams and 204 grams of methamphetamine, respectively, in Las Vegas. Salazar and Montes obtained the methamphetamine from Arellano, the leader of the drug trafficking organization.

Salazar and Montes each pleaded guilty in November 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

The other members of the drug trafficking conspiracy were sentenced earlier. Luis Arellano, aka “Lewis Arellano” and “Laughter,” (31) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 168 months in prison; Jacqueline Martinez (31) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 78 months in prison; Amelio Che Medina (45) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 97 months in prison; Anna Barrios (34) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 months in prison; and Victor Manuel Rodriguez, aka “Smokey” (39) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 months in prison.

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

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

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

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 30 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Relief Loan (EIDL) loan applications seeking more than $1 million under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

According to court documents, from May 2020 to June 2020, Jeremy Lee Attebery (42) submitted two false PPP loan applications and one false EIDL application. Attebery provided false information on his loan applications, such as number of employees, amount of monthly payroll, and gross revenues. In total, he applied for approximately $1,043,000 in fraudulent loans. Furthermore, he falsely stated on each application that he had not been convicted of a felony within the past five years.

Attebery pleaded guilty in August 2022 to three counts of wire fraud.

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 investigated the case; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva prosecuted 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 augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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

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LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada issued the following statement from United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson in recognition of Black History Month:

“As our celebration of Black History Month comes to a close this year, I would like to acknowledge the generations that have come before us as well as those who continue their work advancing justice and equality in our country. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has joined communities throughout Nevada to celebrate African American history and culture, and have paid tribute to individuals whose achievements impacted our community and society as a whole. We acknowledge individuals at all levels who work today to advance the Department of Justice’s mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights.

I am humbled to serve as the first African American to hold the position of United States Attorney in the District of Nevada. As we strive to reflect the community that we serve, I am also proud that we have more African American Assistant United States Attorneys in the District of Nevada than ever before. It is an honor to work alongside dedicated Assistant United States Attorneys, professional staff, law enforcement partners, and community organizations to make Nevada a safer place to live and work.”

 

 

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva to filing fraudulent applications seeking thousands of dollars in loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

According to court documents, Mikaela Marie Cuevas (24) — while on probation for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer — submitted at least two fraudulent loan applications and received thousands of dollars of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding she was not eligible to receive. As part of the scheme, Cuevas submitted PPP loan applications in the name of a fake management consulting business, falsely claiming gross annual revenues of $106,000 from the non-existent business. Shortly after receiving the PPP funds, she filed fraudulent loan forgiveness applications, seeking to have her responsibility to re-pay the stolen loans absolved. In total, Cuevas caused a loss of about $47,000.

Cuevas pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25, 2023, and faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison. In addition to time in prison, Cuevas faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI; Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General’s (SBA OIG) Western Region Office; Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress for the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI); Acting Special Agent in Charge Cory Nootnagel for the Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (FRB-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI, SBA OIG, IRS CI, FRB-OIG, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted 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 (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 78 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for defrauding hundreds of small business owners – many of them elderly – of about $12 million.

Michael Jones (43) pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and 10 counts of wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, Jones was ordered to pay restitution in the total amount of $11,509,087.67 to the victims, and a forfeiture money judgment in the total amount of $7,934,095.32.

According to court documents, from October 2009 to February 2014, Jones and his co-defendants convinced more than 2,100 small business owners to pay nearly $12 million for what Jones and his co-defendants described as advance fees to fund expenses to apply for supposed government, private and charitable grants for the victims’ businesses. Following a script, Jones and others would falsely tell the victims that government, private and charitable organizations would provide grants to them regardless of the type of business they operated, but the victim first needed to pay thousands of dollars in fees to access those grants. Jones and his co-defendants induced the small business owners to give them money in exchange for services that were never provided. The scheme functioned solely to enrich Jones and his co-defendants.

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 investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

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LAS VEGAS – Two men pleaded guilty yesterday for their involvement in a conspiracy to apply for and use Nevada and California unemployment insurance benefits debit cards that were issued in other peoples’ names.

Luigi J. Montes (42), of Sugar Land, Texas, and Peter Alexander Stincer (34), of Sylmar, California, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2023.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, from at least March 2020 to January 2021, Montes, Stincer, and co-defendant Alexander Hoyos Rivera, of Marion, Ohio, conspired to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) and the California Employment Development Department (EDD). As part of the scheme, they used stolen personal identifying information – such as victim names, dates of birth, and social security numbers – to defraud DETR and EDD. Once the claims were approved, unemployment insurance debit cards were sent to mailing addresses to which the defendants had access. After receiving the debit cards, they withdrew the funds at various ATMs located in several states, including Nevada, California, and Texas. In total, DETR, EDD, and other state agencies approved at least $934,129 in benefits for these fraudulent claims. During the conspiracy, the defendants fraudulently obtained at least $698,655 in benefits for their personal use.

At sentencing, Montes and Stincer each face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

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

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang 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, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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

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