Northern District of New York

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – David Backus, age 40, of North Syracuse, New York, pled guilty today to six counts of mailing threatening communications. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Backus admitted that between November 2021, and September 2022, he mailed 18 threatening letters to 6 victims using the U.S. Postal Service. In each of those letters, Backus threatened, among other things, “I’m going to kill you dead!!!” Backus admitted that he intended for each of these mailings to be a threat, and he knew that they would be viewed as a threat.

At sentencing, scheduled for June 28, 2023, Backus faces up to 5 years in prison on each count, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated the case, with the assistance of the New York State Police, the Town of Kirkland Police Department, the Town of New Hartford Police Department, the Village of North Syracuse Police Department, and the City of Oswego Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – The Justice Department, together with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, announced today that the United States and New York State have entered into settlement agreements with the landlord and several individuals and entities involved in the operation of Saratoga Center for Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Care (Saratoga Center), a nursing facility in Ballston Spa, New York. Leon Melohn; Alan “Ari” Schwartz; Jeffrey Vegh; Jack Jaffa; 149 Ballston Ave., LLC; Ballston Two, LLC; Saratoga Center for Care, LLC; and Saratoga Care and Rehabilitation Center, LLC (the Settling Parties) collectively agreed to pay $7,168,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false claims to the Medicaid program for worthless services provided to residents. Saratoga Center closed in February 2021, after this investigation was initiated.

“This settlement demonstrates the Department of Justice’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that nursing home residents receive the quality of care to which they are entitled,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When individuals or entities put the welfare of these vulnerable residents in jeopardy, they will be held accountable.” 

Before issuing a license to operate a nursing home, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) thoroughly reviews, among other things, an applicant’s character and competence to ensure that the operator will provide a consistently high level of care to residents. After a months-long vetting process, in 2014, NYSDOH approved Schwartz and Vegh to operate Saratoga Center with Leon Melohn, through entities he managed and controlled, acting as its landlord (Melohn and his entities are hereinafter referred to as the Landlord). This license vested in Schwartz and Vegh the nondelegable duty to oversee the operations of the home. But in or around early 2017, due to a financial dispute, the Landlord required the legally licensed operators to surrender control of Saratoga Center. The Landlord replaced them with Jaffa and a business associate of his, along with various corporate entities, even though none of them had – and they never obtained – the necessary license from the NYSDOH. Jaffa and his associate undertook all the nondelegable duties that remained the responsibility of Schwartz and Vegh. 

These unlicensed individuals operated Saratoga Center from February 2017 until it closed in February 2021. During that period, the United States contends that Saratoga Center delivered worthless services to residents, and its physical conditions deteriorated to such a degree that it violated federal and state regulations. Specifically, the operators failed to adequately staff the home, and residents suffered medication errors, unnecessary falls, and the development of pressure ulcers. Additionally, Saratoga Center did not consistently maintain hot water throughout the facility, have an adequate linen inventory, and dispose of solid waste. In 2019, Saratoga Center was placed on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Special Focus Facility list – a list of the worst-performing nursing homes in the United States. Saratoga Center remained on the list until its closure. 

The United States contends that, between February 2017 and February 2021, the Settling Parties knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false claims for payment to Medicaid for worthless nursing services. This settlement resolves those allegations. 

“Nursing homes should protect the health and well-being of every resident,” said U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman for the Northern District of New York. “That did not happen at Saratoga Center. Instead, a business dispute between the operators and landlord led to dangerous conditions for residents and staff, and caused the submission of false claims to Medicaid for worthless services. This case demonstrates that we will hold responsible people accountable when they pocket federal funds while providing substandard care. Thank you to Attorney General James and her office for collaborating on this case.”

“We trust nursing homes to protect New Yorkers during their most vulnerable days, but the owners, unlicensed operator and landlord of Saratoga Center repeatedly violated the law for their own benefit,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Instead of providing the quality care and compassion that residents deserved, the owners of Saratoga Center deceived regulators and left residents to suffer deplorable conditions and neglect. I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Freedman and team for their partnership in holding Saratoga Center accountable for putting New Yorkers in harm’s way. My office will continue to ensure nursing home residents are protected, and I encourage anyone who has witnessed alarming conditions, resident neglect, or abuse at a nursing home to contact my office.”

In connection with the settlement, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), negotiated voluntary exclusions of the individuals and entities. Schwartz; Saratoga Center for Care, LLC; 149 Ballston Ave, LLC; and Ballston Two, LLC will be excluded from Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs, as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(f), for a period of ten years. Vegh will be excluded for eleven years. Jaffa and Saratoga Care and Rehabilitation Center, LLC, will be excluded for twenty years. 

“Ensuring safety and quality of care for nursing home residents is a top priority,” said Inspector General Christi A. Grimm of the HHS OIG. “When nursing home owners, operators, and landlords are responsible for substandard care in their facilities, HHS OIG will not hesitate to pursue their exclusion and bar them from future participation in federal health care programs.”

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Justice Department’s Civil Division Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Moran and Civil Division Attorneys Carol Wallack and Lyle Gruby handled this matter for the United States. Special Assistant Attorneys General Emily Auletta and Hillary Gray Chapman handled this matter for the Office of the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The exclusions of the individuals and entities were negotiated by Senior Counsel Felicia Heimer for HHS OIG.

The United States’ investigation was part of its Elder Justice Initiative, which supports the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, with the development of training, resources and information. Learn more about the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at http://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

Attachments:

• 149 Ballston Ave Ballston Two Settlement Agreement (2-27-2023).pdf
• Jack Jaffa Settlement Agreement (2-27-2023).pdf
• Jeffrey Vegh Settlement Agreement (2-27-2023).pdf
• Ari Schwartz and Saratoga Center Settlement Agreement (2-27-2023).pdf

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Wesley Guard, age 34, of Queensbury, New York, was convicted Friday, after a four-day jury trial, of receiving, transporting and possessing child pornography using the online social networking application Kik. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office; and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli made the announcement.

The trial evidence established that between September 2020 and April 2021, Guard, a registered sex offender, used the Kik Messenger application to receive child pornography from other Kik users.  Guard then sent that child pornography to another Kik account under his control as a means of collecting the material. The child pornography the defendant received from other Kik users and transported between his various Kik accounts included numerous videos depicting the sexual exploitation of young children. The trial evidence also established that, at the time of his arrest by law enforcement on April 29, 2021, Guard still possessed the child pornography he had received on Kik.

Sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later date, will be held in Albany, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.  Guard faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least 5 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The jury voted to acquit Guard of distributing child pornography to other Kik users.

This case was investigated by HSI, the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the NYSP Troop G Computer Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Kopita, Carling Dunham and Adrian LaRochelle prosecuted this case as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jose Campusano, age 38, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Utica, New York, pled guilty to selling cocaine and illegally reentering the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and Thomas Brophy, Field Office Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), Buffalo Field Office.

As part of his plea, Campusano admitted that, at some point after being deported from the United States in 2009, he returned without permission. While he was living in the Utica area illegally, Campusano sold cocaine to another individual on six separate dates. The charges to which Campusano pled guilty carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) are investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, Syracuse Police Department, and Utica Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Zachary Cota, age 29, of Castleton-on-Hudson, New York, was arrested today for sexually exploiting a child and receiving child pornography.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

A criminal complaint alleges that between May 27, 2022 and June 7, 2022, Cota sexually exploited an 8-year-old child residing outside of New York State and also received child pornography.

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

Cota appeared today in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

Upon conviction, the charges filed against Cota carry a mandatory minimum term of 25 years in prison and a maximum of 90 years in prison, as well as a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Rotterdam, Troy, and Colonie Police Departments and the New York State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Reiner and Rachel L. Williams are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Richard Hileman, age 39, of Marcy, New York, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for mailing a threatening letter. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his previous guilty plea, Hileman admitted that on September 3, 2021 he mailed a letter to a woman who lived in Ballston Spa, New York.  In the letter, Hileman threatened the woman not to end her personal relationship with him.  Hileman wrote, in part, “i have 2 different guns and a vest . . .”  and “i told you before if you left me someone will pay people dont really know me once I set my mind it’s set if you contact anyone it will not be nice [sic].”  Hileman further wrote, in part, “. . . if you contact the jail or police your lovely kids wont have a mother i swear on my dead son they cant keep me forever I’ll get out one day [sic][.]”   

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to follow Hileman’s term of incarceration. 

The FBI and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Office of Special Investigation investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kevin Walker, age 32, of Elmira, New York, pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-New York Division, and Steven A. Nigrelli, Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police made the announcement.

Walker admitted that on February 12, 2022, he drove a rental vehicle from his residence in Elmira to Cortland, New York. He intended to meet another individual in the parking lot of a Cortland business to sell to that individual 447 grams of pure methamphetamine, which Walker had in the trunk of the vehicle. Walker further admitted that he also possessed 137 grams of cocaine in the vehicle.

At sentencing, scheduled for June 21, 2023, Walker faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison, a maximum fine of $10,000,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The New York State Police and DEA investigated the case, with assistance from the Elmira Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Emmanuel Medina, age 35, of Albany, pled guilty today to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf made the announcement.

Medina admitted that on June 27, 2022, Troy Police Officers responded to a disturbance call in Lansingburgh and found him outside of a house, attempting to conceal a loaded handgun inside of a Jeep Wrangler. Medina eventually stepped away from the vehicle and was safely detained. Officers found a loaded Hi-Point Firearms .380 ACP pistol in the part of the Jeep where Medina had just been observed. Medina admitted that he possessed the handgun in order to protect the cash proceeds (totaling about $2,610.22) that he had generated from recent, prior heroin sales, as well as to protect himself when he had sold and possessed that heroin. 

Medina has been in custody since his arrest on June 27, 2022.  He faces at least 5 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 21, 2023 by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.

This case was investigated by the Troy Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Eddie Galicia-Bravo, age 28, of Elmhurst, New York, pled guilty and was sentenced today to time served for unlawfully transporting two aliens.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, made the announcement.

Galicia-Bravo admitted that on September 25, 2022, he drove from New York City to the vicinity of Churubusco, New York, to pick up two Mexican citizens who had recently illegally crossed the international border from Canada into the United States.  Galicia-Bravo also admitted that he planned to drive the two people to New York City. 

The United States Border Patrol investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Luke Kenna a/k/a “Lt.,” age 43, of Johnstown, New York; Michael Brown, Jr. a/k/a “Russ,” a/k/a “Doc Grimson,” age 40, of Exton, Pennsylvania; and Brian Tierney, a/k/a “Wodanaz”, age 29, of North Bellmore, New York, were charged by indictment yesterday with conspiring to commit bank robbery. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that between November 14 and November 27, 2022, Kenna, Brown, and Tierney agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown, New York. Kenna, as part of that conspiracy, conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, with which to commit the robbery. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Kenna, Brown, and Tierney were previously charged by criminal complaints and arrested; all are presently detained.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The FBI Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state, and local investigators, including from the New York State Police, is investigating the case. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Tramond G. Wallace, Jr., age 28, of Syracuse, pled guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-New York Division, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Wallace admitted that at his apartment in the Town of DeWitt, he possessed a parcel containing 1,024 grams of pills containing fentanyl, which had been mailed through the U.S. Postal Service. Wallace admitted that he intended to distribute these pills, and other quantities of fentanyl that he possessed in his apartment, to others. Wallace further admitted that in the same apartment, he possessed two (2) Glock .40 caliber pistols, which he possessed in furtherance of his drug-trafficking.

At sentencing, Wallace faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison, a maximum fine of $5,000,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

DEA and USPIS investigated the case, with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Alexander Guillen-Tamayo, age 32, of Lanham, Maryland, was sentenced yesterday to 12 months and one day in prison after previously pleading guilty to unlawfully transporting illegal immigrants.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, made the announcement.

In pleading guilty, Guillen-Tamayo admitted that, on a date prior to October 8, 2022, he was contacted by an individual who asked him to drive to Champlain, New York to pick up illegal immigrants and drive them to Maryland.  On October 8, 2022, he drove to Champlain, New York from his home in Maryland, and picked up a group of illegal immigrants.  The defendant’s vehicle was subsequently stopped near Plattsburgh, New York.  The defendant admitted that he planned to drive the illegal immigrants to Maryland, and that he expected to be paid approximately $3,000.

The United States Border Patrol and the Clinton County (New York) Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael E. Robbins, II, age 27, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Robbins admitted that between February and March 2021, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with an undercover officer posing as a 12-year-old girl, in an attempt to entice the presumed child into engaging in sexual acts with him.  Robbins admitted that he initiated the conversations with the presumed minor after locating her in an online chat group for teens in the (518) area code.  Robbins further admitted that he arranged to meet the minor on March 18, 2021 at a location in Latham, New York, and he traveled from Rensselaer to Latham on that date with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the presumed 12-year-old child.  Robbins was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location.

Robbins pled guilty on the day his trial was supposed to begin.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby will sentence Robbins on July 13, 2023. Robbins faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department and the New York State Police.  Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tyrone Parker, age 41, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville, made the announcement.

In pleading guilty, Parker admitted that he was involved in a fraud scheme known as “Felony Lane Gang” between 2019 and 2020.  Parker and his co-conspirators traveled across the country breaking into cars, often targeting those parked by women at locations such as health and fitness centers, daycares, and parks. Parker and other members of the conspiracy stole debit cards, credit cards, checkbooks, and photo identifications in these “smash-and-grab” vehicle thefts, and they used these stolen items to commit bank fraud by recruiting women to impersonate the smash-and-grab victims and cash checks in drive-through bank lanes. The recruited check cashers were almost always suffering from an addiction to controlled substances and were provided payment at least partially in narcotics.

Parker was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $132,990, and to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $7,202.  Parker will serve a 3-year term of supervised release after completing his term of imprisonment.

Parker was one of nine men charged in a 13-count indictment for their roles in the scheme. Keyshawn Arnold, age 25, of Schenectady, New York; Gary Grier, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Joshua Mallory, age 37, of Fort Lauderdale; and Terrell McDonald, age 32, of Troy, New York, previously pled guilty for their roles in the indictment. The remaining co-defendants are:

• TYRONE PARKER, JR. a/k/a “Ty,” a/k/a “Cheese,” a/k/a “Little Thigh,” age 22, of Fort Lauderdale;
• CEDRIC LYNCH, a/k/a “City,” a/k/a “C,” age 37, of Orlando, Florida;
• ROBERT NATSON, a/k/a “Big Rob,” age 36, of Fort Lauderdale; and
• RANDALL TAYLOR , a/k/a “Gucci,” a/k/a “Guwop,” age 37, of Fort Lauderdale.

Each of the remaining defendants is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and/or aggravated identity theft, and they are scheduled for trial in federal court in Albany on July 10, 2023.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants whose cases remain pending are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Westchester Resident Agency of the New York Field Office and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in Albany, Miami, and Salt Lake City, and Resident Agencies in Savannah, Georgia, and Portland, Maine, and from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.  Additional assistance was provided by numerous law enforcement agencies, including, within New York, the New York State Police; Columbia County Sheriff's Office; Genesee County Sheriff’s Office; Monroe County Sheriff’s Office; Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office; Warren County Sheriff’s Office; and the police departments of the Town of Bethlehem; Glens Falls; Gloversville; Greenburgh; Greece; and Watervliet; and elsewhere, Connecticut State Police; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Georgia State Patrol; Illinois State Police; Massachusetts State Police; Broward County, FL Sheriff’s Office; Northern York County, PA Regional Police; Southern Chester County, PA Regional Police; Utah County, UT Sheriff's Office; and the police departments of Auburn, MA; Bath, ME; Biddeford, ME; Bozeman, MT; Brunswick, ME; Caernarvon Township, PA; Chester Township, PA; Cinnaminson, NJ; Darien, CT; East Norriton Township, PA; Easthampton, MA; Greenwich, CT; Lower Moreland Township, PA; Manheim Township, PA; Portland, ME; Portsmouth, NH; Saco, ME; Salisbury, MA; Sanford, ME; Scarborough, ME; Somersworth, NH; South Portland, ME; St. George, UT; Syracuse, UT; Tinicum, PA; Towamencin, PA; Tewksbury, MA; Wakefield, MA; Yarmouth, ME; and York, ME. 

Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie, Michael F. Perry, and Paul Tuck are prosecuting the case.

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Thomas Caves, age 28, of Plattsburgh, New York, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

In previously pleading guilty, Caves admitted that he coordinated with a straw purchaser in Vermont to acquire a firearm, knowing that he could not legally possess a firearm.  At the time the defendant possessed the firearm, he was on parole supervision for a burglary conviction from the State of Connecticut.

United States District Judge David N. Hurd also ordered that Caves serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Stitt.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Carlos Hernandez, age 53, of Albany, pled guilty today to two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.

Hernandez admitted that between April and May 2021, he sold a total of 68 grams of fentanyl and 71 grams of heroin in Albany.

Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 21, 2023 before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn.  He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release between 3 years and life. 

The DEA investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Charles E. Williams, age 34, of Albany, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with possessing a firearm while a prohibited person. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.

The indictment alleges Williams possessed a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver in Albany County on November 18, 2021.  Federal law prohibits Williams from possessing the firearm as a result of a prior felony conviction. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-release supervision of up to 3 years.  A judge imposes a defendant’s sentence based on the particular statute a defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart arraigned Williams arraigned today in Albany, and ordered Williams detained pending trial.

The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case, with assistance from the North Greenbush Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thomas O’Bryan, age 41, of Kingston, New York, pled guilty yesterday to distribution and possession of child pornography.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

O’Bryan admitted that between March 19 and September 22, 2020, he traded child pornography on a social media application using the screenname “irishbstrdinc.”  The defendant also admitted that on September 22, 2020, he possessed child pornography.  The child pornography images and videos distributed and possessed by the defendant portrayed sadistic and masochistic conduct, and the sexual abuse and exploitation of toddlers. 

The distribution of child pornography charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 5 years and a maximum term of 20 years in prison. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum term of 20 years. O’Bryan also faces a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, forfeiture to the United States of property used to commit his offenses, restitution to identified victims, and he will have register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2023, in Albany, before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police, and the Colonie and Rotterdam Police Departments.  Assistant United States Attorney Rachel L. Williams is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

UTICA, NEW YORK – Charles Wager, age 55, of Castleton-on-Hudson, New York, was convicted yesterday of attempting to entice a minor into engaging in unlawful sexual activities, following a 4-day trial.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

The trial evidence established that in January and February 2021, Wager exchanged thousands of sexually explicit text messages with people he believed to be a 10-year-old girl and her mother. In these text messages, Wager, among other things, discussed performing different sexual acts with the 10-year-old and sent nude pictures of himself.  Wager arranged to meet with the presumed mother and 10-year-old in person.  On February 5, 2021, he travelled from Castleton-on-Hudson to Binghamton, New York, for the purpose of having sex with the presumed 10-year-old.  The defendant was arrested shortly after his arrival.

In 2002, Wager pled guilty in Rensselaer County Court to rape in the third degree, after admitting to having sex with a then-15-year-old girl.   He has been required to register as a sex offender ever since.  Following his arrest in February 2021, Wager also admitted to sexually molesting two other minor victims several decades ago.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2023, before United States District Judge David N. Hurd in Utica, at which time the defendant faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum term of life, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. The defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force investigated this case. This task force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the Colonie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys  Benjamin S. Clark and Thomas R. Sutcliffe prosecuted this case.

This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s offices, 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 identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Shaun Morant, age 27, of Schenectady, New York, was indicted Tuesday for producing and receiving child pornography.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that in January 2022, Morant produced and received child pornography involving a 10-year old girl, and that between January 2020 and April 2022, Morant received child pornography involving a ten-year old boy.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

On the producing child pornography count, Morant faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, if convicted.  On the receipt counts, Morant faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Briana Garland, age 30, of Uniondale, New York, was sentenced today to 2 years of probation for conspiring with a New York State prisoner to obtain unemployment insurance benefits by fraud.  Garland is the fourth and final defendant to be sentenced in related cases stemming from pandemic-related schemes involving prisoners at the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone, New York.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Anthony J. Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS); and Roberta Reardon, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).

Garland previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.  She admitted to submitting a false unemployment insurance claim to NYSDOL in the name of Bare Hill inmate Reginald Thornton.  Prisoners were not eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered her to pay $19,580 in restitution to the State of New York.

Thornton previously pled guilty to participating in two prison-based unemployment insurance fraud conspiracies and was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison, to be served after his state prison term ends.  Thornton’s co-defendants in a related case, Lord Paulin and Rhasha Wright, were previously sentenced to 19 months and 24 months and one day in federal prison, respectively.  

USDOL-OIG, HSI, USPIS, and the Offices of Special Investigations of NYSDOCCS and NYSDOL investigated the cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal prosecuted the cases.

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.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brian Botsford, age 26, of Troy, New York, was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for attempting to coerce and entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual acts with him.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Botsford admitted that between July and August 2020, he sent graphic, sexually explicit text messages to an undercover investigator who was posing as the 13-year-old child.  In those messages, Botsford repeatedly asked the child for naked photos and sent photos of an erect penis to the presumed child.  Botsford further stated that he wanted the child to run away and live with him in an abandoned building and get the child pregnant.  On August 10, 2020, Botsford attempted to meet the child in person at a location in Troy in order to engage in sexual acts with the child.  Botsford was encountered by law enforcement upon his arrival and arrested.

Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also imposed a 25-year term of supervised release to begin after Botsford is released from prison.  Botsford will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police, and the Colonie and Rotterdam Police Departments.  Assistant United States Attorney Rachel L. Williams is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher L. Vandermark, age 57, formerly of Gansevoort, New York, now a resident of Endicott, New York, was sentenced today to 5 years of probation following his guilty plea to a money laundering conspiracy designed to conceal proceeds from a multi-state unemployment insurance fraud scheme.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John Pias, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG), made the announcement.

At the time of his guilty plea, Vandermark admitted to corresponding via online messages for over a year with a co-conspirator who represented herself to be a woman living in North Carolina.  The co-conspirator directed Vandermark to open accounts at multiple financial institutions, as well as provide her with routing details for his existing accounts. From June 2020 through early April 2021, Vandermark’s accounts received transfers of more than $88,000 in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits from six states. Vandermark purchased hundreds of gift cards from local retailers using the benefits, photographed the identifying numbers on the cards, and sent the photographs to the co-conspirator. After Vandermark provided the identifying numbers, the co-conspirator could sell the gift cards online as part of an effort to conceal the original source of the funds.

Vandermark admitted that he received and ignored multiple warnings from multiple financial institutions that his actions furthered an unemployment insurance fraud scheme. Additionally, when law enforcement agents interviewed Vandermark regarding approximately $37,000 in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits transferred to his account at a local bank, Vandermark falsely denied holding the account and receiving the funds. Following the law enforcement interview, Vandermark opened yet another financial account and received an additional $13,734 in benefits from three states, which he used to purchase more gift cards that he photographed and sent to his co-conspirator. 

Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe also ordered Vandermark to pay restitution in the amount of $13,734, and to forfeit the same amount of money as proceeds of his crime.

DHS-OIG investigated the case, with assistance from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the Office of the New York State Comptroller. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted 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.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Joseph F. Morelli, 51, of Endicott, New York pled guilty today to making threatening phone calls from his home in Endicott, New York to the voicemail in the office of a member of Congress in Washington, D.C.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Morelli admitted to that on March 3, 2022, he placed a telephone call to the Washington, D.C. office of a member of the U.S. House Representatives that said in part, ““I'm gonna have to take your life into my own hands… I'm gonna hurt you. Physically, I’m gonna harm you.”

A second voicemail message on March 3, 2022, said in part, “I'm gonna have to show you, to your face, right up front, what violence truly is, and I don't think you're gonna like it.… I can pay someone 500 bucks to take a baseball bat and crack your skull. …You are going to get f**king physically hurt.”

A third voicemail message on March 3, 2022, included, “you're gonna cause people to get hurt, so I'm gonna have to hurt you physically. … I'm gonna make sure that, even if they lock me up, someone's gonna get you ‘cause I'll pay them to.”

At sentencing on June 1, 2023, Morelli faces up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Capitol Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Twenty-four defendants have been charged with marijuana distribution, money laundering, firearms, and related offenses in an indictment returned last month.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; Chief Daniel DeWolf of the Troy Police Department; and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As alleged in the 99-count indictment, between at least 2016 and June 2022, Dwight A. Singletary II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie,” and others shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana from a small shipping store called Fast Pack & Ship in Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region of New York.  The marijuana was shipped in packages delivered by UPS and FedEx, and to enable the recipients to receive the packages, Singletary, Coles, and others text messaged receipts with package tracking information to the recipients.  Singletary and Coles are from New York but moved to Fresno and, as alleged, principally operated their marijuana distribution scheme from California. 

Recipients of the packages of marijuana in the Capital Region included, among many others, David Singletary; Lawrence Mumphrey; Deandre Caldwell, aka “Dilli,” “Dillinger,” and “Dre”; Rosemary Coles; Niara Banks, aka “Nie”; Jazell Shuler; Toqwanda Ketchmore, aka “Quannie”; Victor Turner; JuneAllyson Osman, aka “Juney”; Consanga Harris, aka “Sondy”; and LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala.”

In addition to marijuana, Singletary, Coles, and others also shipped “edibles” containing tetrahydrocannabinols, or THC, from Fast Pack & Ship.  Rosemary Coles, David Singletary, Lawrence Mumphrey, and Deandre Caldwell, among others, allegedly sold the edibles in the Capital Region.  In the Capital Region, the marijuana and edibles would often be taken to so-called “knock spots,” including on 5th Avenue in Troy, where the marijuana products were sold through a slot in the door.  Search warrants executed throughout the investigation repeatedly resulted in the seizure of firearms and ammunition at “knock spots” and at residences belonging to those who ran the knock spots, including David Singletary, aka “DB,” and Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L,” both of whom are alleged to have been prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as previously convicted felons.  

The proceeds from the sale of marijuana and edibles were allegedly laundered through a variety of means, including money transfers; the transportation and delivery of cash, including $179,710 in cash that was seized from Kristle Walker, aka “Demii” at the Albany International Airport; the purchase of cashier’s checks; real estate transactions; and cash and money order deposits into various bank accounts, including accounts in the names of Dwight Singletary’s companies, DAS Empire, Inc. and Daddy D’s Boutique, and McKenzie Coles’ company, M.M.M.C. Management, Inc.  The real estate transactions included Dwight Singletary’s and Coles’ purchase of two residences in Fresno for $820,000, and the use of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash marijuana proceeds to renovate properties owned by Dwight Singletary and DAS Empire in the Capital Region.  Some of the renovated properties were later sold, including a residence on 5th Avenue in Troy. As alleged in the indictment, Singletary purchased the residence for $9,000 in 2016 and sold it for over $250,000 in 2020. 

The indictment alleges that Lawrence Mumphrey possessed three large-caliber rifles and a handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.  One of the rifles and the handgun did not have serial numbers; Mumphrey also allegedly possessed 79 rounds of ammunition.  Deandre Caldwell also allegedly possessed a handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. 

The indictment contains forfeiture allegations seeking the forfeiture of, among other things, seven properties in Fresno and the Capital Region; over $300,000 in cash and funds seized from bank accounts; several vehicles, including a 2021 Mercedes G63 and a 2021 Mercedes S580; over $500,000 worth of jewelry, including a Patek Philippe watch worth over $114,000; luxury items, including a chinchilla fur vest; and firearms and ammunition.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The indictment is unsealed as to the following 17 defendants, who are charged with the following crimes and face the following minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment on the most serious counts. 

Defendant

Age

Residence

Charges

Min/Max

Dwight A. Singletary II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones”

40

Fresno, California

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Transactions in criminally derived property.

Minimum:10 years Maximum: Life

McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie”

35

Fresno, California

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Transactions in criminally derived property.

Minimum:10 years Maximum: Life

David Singletary, aka “DB”

36

Cohoes, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.

Maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Minimum:10 years Maximum: Life

Isiah Ti-Quan Clements, aka “Zay”

35

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Minimum:10 years Maximum: Life

Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L”

43

Albany, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Minimum:15 years Maximum: Life

Latrice Mumphrey

41

Albany, New York

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Maximum: 20 years

Deandre Caldwell, aka “Dilli,” “Dillinger,” and “Dre”

30

Albany, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Minimum:10 years Maximum: Life

Rosemary Coles

70

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Minimum:10 years Maximum: Life

Kristle Walker, aka “Demii”

30

Albany, New York

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

False statements.

Maximum: 20 years

Niara Banks, aka “Nie”

31

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Maximum: 20 years

Jazell Shuler

34

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Minimum: 5 years

Maximum: 40 years

Toqwanda Ketchmore, aka “Quannie”

28

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

 

Minimum: 5 years

Maximum: 40 years

Victor Turner

58

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

 

Minimum: 5 years

Maximum: 40 years

JuneAllyson Osman, aka “Juney”

57

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Minimum: 5 years

Maximum: 40 years

LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala”

21

Latham, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Maximum: 20 years

Consanga Harris, aka “Sondy”

62

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Minimum: 5 years

Maximum: 40 years

Alyssa June White

29

Troy, New York

Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Money laundering.

Maximum: 20 years

A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. 

The defendants who have appeared in court have been released with conditions pending trial, except for Dwight Singletary, David Singletary, and Lawrence Mumphrey, who were ordered detained following detention hearings earlier this month before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart.

The ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and HSI are investigating the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Marcus Fuller, age 38, of the Town of DeWitt, New York, pleaded guilty yesterday to transmitting an interstate threat to injure another person. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Chase L. Bilodeau, Chief of the Town of DeWitt Police Department, made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Fuller admitted that in April 2022, he sent dozens of communications via Instagram directed to a musical performing artist, using multiple different accounts that he created for that purpose. The communications contained threats to harm the victim, up to and including death. Fuller further admitted that in one of those Instagram communications, he sent the victim a photograph of a firearm and ammunition. Fuller admitted that he possessed an identical firearm (a Ruger, .338 caliber bolt-action rifle) at his residence in DeWitt, along with 4 boxes of ammunition.

At sentencing, Fuller faces up to 5 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Town of DeWitt Police Department, and the New York State Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case.

UTICA, NEW YORK – Eric L. Henderson, age 38, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for failing to update his registration as a sex offender after he fled New York State parole supervision and moved to South Carolina. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.

Henderson must register as a sex offender because he was convicted of rape-third degree in 2020, in Herkimer County, for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.  In pleading guilty, Henderson admitted that following his release from state prison in May 2021, he cut off contact with his state parole officer and fled to Kingstree, South Carolina, without updating his sex offender registration in New York or registering as a sex offender in South Carolina.  Henderson was arrested on October 27, 2021, in South Carolina, by the United States Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.

United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.

The United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mikal Smith, age 29, of Albany, was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins made the announcement.

A jury voted to convict Smith on August 31, 2022, following a three-day trial.  The trial evidence established that on April 7, 2021, Smith possessed with the intent to distribute 83 grams of cocaine base and possessed a large-capacity magazine loaded with 20 rounds of LC 5.56 ammunition.  Smith discarded the drugs and ammunition during a foot pursuit after members of the Albany Police Department’s Community Response Unit attempted to arrest him on a parole warrant. At the time, Smith had felony convictions for Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.  Under federal law, these convictions prevented Smith from lawfully possessing the ammunition.

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a 4-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.

The Albany Police Department and DEA investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen J. Vickey and Katherine Kopita prosecuted this case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Rodney Ogletree, age 38, was sentenced today to serve 78 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.  Ogletree was also sentenced to 24 additional months in prison for violating his conditions of supervised release imposed in a previous federal case.  

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Joseph Cecile, Syracuse Police Department.

As part of his guilty plea, Ogletree admitted that on September 16, 2020, he possessed a loaded Glock model 23, .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine containing sixteen rounds that was recovered during a traffic stop by Syracuse Police of a vehicle Ogletree was driving. Ogletree was prohibited from possessing the firearm due to previous federal felony convictions involving firearms.  Ogletree was on federal supervised release when he committed this offense, for a 2014 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Syracuse Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Marshals Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. 

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ryan Maher, age 36, of Cicero, New York was sentenced today to 294 months in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

In previously pleading guilty, Maher, who has a prior New York State conviction for Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, admitted that he received child pornography in 2019 and 2020 using a peer-to-peer file sharing service on the internet. Maher also admitted that, on November 17, 2020, he possessed approximately 4,000 child pornography files on a thumb drive.

In addition to the 294-month imprisonment term, United States District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a lifetime term of supervised release to begin after Maher serves his term of imprisonment. In addition, Maher was ordered to pay restitution of over $60,000 to the identified victims of his offenses.

The FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Remanu Phillips, age 32, of Ithaca New York, was sentenced today to serve 320 months (26 years and 8 months) in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli, made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Phillips admitted that on two separate days in June of 2019 he produced sexually explicit videos of himself sexually abusing a child.  Phillips further admitted that he later transferred the two videos from his cellular telephone to a desktop computer, where they were later recovered by law enforcement.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a 30-year term of supervised release, which will start after Phillips is released from prison, and ordered Phillips to pay a $200 special assessment.  Phillips will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Phillips’ case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), with assistance from the Tompkins County Sheriff’s office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J.L. Brown as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kirtankumar Dalwadi, age 27, and a citizen of India, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for his role in a law enforcement impersonation scheme.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

In previously pleading guilty, Dalwadi admitted that in June and July 2021, while temporarily residing in Albany, he was contacted by scammers he knew in India, who asked him to pick up quantities of U.S. currency from several locations in the eastern United States, and to transport and deliver the currency to various people in New Jersey.

At the request of Dalwadi’s associates, he picked up $250,000 in Niskayuna, New York, $60,000 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and $30,000 in McKee, West Virginia, and delivered most of this money to people in New Jersey.  The victims in Niskayuna, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were victims of law enforcement impersonation scams, and were falsely led to believe that by making cash payments, they would extricate themselves from legal trouble threatened by the scammers.  In pleading guilty, Dalwadi admitted that he knew the victims were being defrauded. 

Dalwadi was initially arrested by Watervliet Police in July 2021, while attempting to pick up a Fedexed package of money sent by a would-be victim in New Mexico.

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Dalwadi to pay $340,000 in restitution, and to forfeit an additional $12,000.  Dalwadi, as a citizen of India lacking status in the United States, will also be placed into removal (deportation) proceedings.

HSI, along with the Niskayuna and Watervliet Police Departments, investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William Maybank, age 56, of New York City was sentenced today to 39 months in federal prison for robbing a KeyBank location in Utica, New York.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

In previously pleading guilty, Maybank admitted that, in August 2019, he robbed a KeyBank branch in Utica, New York by pointing an apparent revolver at bank employees and a bank customer in two cubicles outside the teller counter. He then jumped the teller counter and ordered a bank employee to remove cash from multiple drawers at two teller locations. He made off with approximately $6,700 in cash.

In addition to the 39-month imprisonment term, United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Maybank serves his term of imprisonment. In addition, the defendant was ordered pay restitution in the amount of money he stole from the bank and was required to pay a money judgment in the same amount.

The FBI, the Utica Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jacques Laventure, age 36, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today to 10 months in jail for obstructing an official proceeding by selling a mansion and estate that the U.S. Attorney’s Office was seeking to forfeit as part of a criminal case against his brother.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Laventure is the brother of Jean Lavanture, of Saugerties, New York.  Jean Lavanture was indicted in October 2020 for fraudulently obtaining nearly $5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) intended to help legitimate businesses during the pandemic. As part of that prosecution, the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought to forfeit a mansion and estate in Byram Township, New Jersey, that Jean Lavanture bought with approximately $850,000 in fraud proceeds.

In previously pleading guilty, Jacques Laventure admitted that between January and March 2021, he schemed to sell the Byram Township property, knowing that the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought to forfeit it.  He also admitted that on March 10, 2021, he completed the sale of the property for $443,920 net of fees, and knew that by selling the property to a third party, he was preventing its forfeiture in the criminal case brought against his brother.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby ordered Laventure to forfeit $443,920 already seized by the Government, and to pay $331,080 in restitution.  Judge Suddaby also imposed a 2-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.

The FBI investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Barnett and Joshua R. Rosenthal prosecuted this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Feeney, age 56, of Bristol, Connecticut, pled guilty today to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Feeney admitted that between March and April 2022, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with undercover officers posing as a father and a 10-year-old child in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him.  Feeney also admitted that on April 24, 2022, he traveled from Connecticut and arrived unannounced at a residence in Albany County, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the presumed 10-year-old child.  Feeney was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location. Feeney was a registered sex offender at the time of the offense, and had a prior felony conviction, in Connecticut, involving sexual assault of a minor. 

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes will sentence Feeney on May 23, 2023. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie Police Department and New York State Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ryan Berte, age 33, of Eaton, New York, pled guilty yesterday to receiving and possessing hundreds of images and videos of child pornography announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, United States Postal Service-Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), Northeast Area Field Office, Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Berte admitted that from at least February 24, 2021, through March 10, 2021, while employed as a mail carrier in Madison County, New York, he downloaded images and videos of child pornography which he also made available to third parties using a peer-to-peer file sharing program installed on his laptop.  Berte also admitted that, on September 22, 2021, during a search of his home, he possessed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on the same laptop.

At sentencing, scheduled for ­­May 22, 2023, Berte faces a maximum potential sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of 5 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Berte will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release from prison.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case was investigated by USPS-OIG, USPIS, and the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Computer Crimes Unit (CCU), Troop D Oneida.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dionel Hall, age 43, of Liverpool, New York, received an 84-month prison sentence as a result of his convictions for possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division, and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli made the announcement.

As part of his previous guilty plea, Hall admitted that on February 7, 2021, he possessed 995.6 grams of eutylone, also known as “molly,” which he intended to distribute to customers in Oneida County and elsewhere. Hall further admitted that on September 9, 2021, he possessed a loaded semiautomatic pistol, approximately 140 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, and $45,094.00 cash drug proceeds. Hall acknowledged that at the time of the offense, he knew that he had been convicted of multiple felony offenses punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and that he was also on parole at the time. Those prior convictions included a first-degree robbery conviction in 2003, for which he received a sentence in Monroe County Court of 18 years’ imprisonment.

U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to follow imprisonment, and the forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. As part of his prior guilty plea, Hall agreed to the administrative forfeiture of the cash drug proceeds.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and New York State Police investigated the case with the assistance of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Utica Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ouida Cordell, age, 47, of Watervliet, New York, pled guilty today to one count of wire fraud for her submission of a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Darren B. Cox, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of the FBI, made the announcement.

As part of her guilty plea, Cordell admitted that on July 13, 2020, she submitted an online application to the SBA for an EIDL on behalf of her company, Bashment Entertainment LLC, that falsely overstated Bashment’s annual revenues.  As a result of the fraud, Cordell and her company Bashment received an EIDL loan in the amount of $149,500 for which she and the company were not entitled.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 28, 2023, before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby.  Cordell faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The FBI, with assistance from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Office of Internal Affairs, and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting this case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Daniel Scotsross, age 30, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to attempted possession with intent to distribute N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogen similar to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and making firearms in violation of the National Firearms Act.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

Scotsross admitted that he accepted a package addressed to him at his Schenectady residence that contained what Scotsross expected to be over 10 kilograms of bark containing DMT. After a search warrant was executed at his residence, Scotsross was found with quantities of liquid DMT. He admitted that he possessed the DMT because intended to distribute it to others.  

Scotsross also admitted to possessing two firearms, specifically, a combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting firearms into machine guns. He also possessed a 3-D printer and instructions for manufacturing firearms using the printer.

Scotsross faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years when he is sentenced before United States District Glenn T. Suddaby on June 8, 2023. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. 

This case was investigated by HSI, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Customs and Border Protection, with the assistance of the Schenectady Police Department, Albany County Sheriff’s Department, and the New York State Police Crime Scene Emergency Response Team, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Diontae Underwood, age 21, of Johnstown, New York, pled guilty today to distributing cocaine base on February 23, 2021 in Schenectady, New York. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarantino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

When Underwood is sentenced on June 8, 2023 by United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby, he faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Heberto Martinez, age 38, a citizen of Guatemala who most recently resided in Lynn, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for distributing fentanyl.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Michael Alfonso, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York; Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, whose office leads the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT); and Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Martinez admitted that he was a member of a Boston-based drug trafficking organization that trafficked 1.1 kilograms of a fentanyl mixture from Lynn to redistributors in northern Ulster County between October 2020 and March 2021.  Martinez was arrested by HSI and URGENT investigators on March 22, 2021, and has remained in custody since that time.

United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby imposed a 2-year term of supervised release to begin after Martinez is released from prison, in the event that Martinez is not removed from the United States.

HSI and URGENT, with assistance provided by the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon prosecuted the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – German Vasquez-Domingo, age 37, of Guatemala, was sentenced yesterday to serve one year and one day imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Thomas P. Brophy, Field Office Director, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) Buffalo, NY, and Sharon B. MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office, made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Vasquez-Domingo admitted that despite being deported back to Guatemala, he illegally reentered the United States again sometime prior to June 2022. Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes imposed the sentence based, in part, on the fact that this offense constituted Vasquez-Domingo’s fourth illegal reentry into the United States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brent Carter, age 73, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pled guilty on Friday, January 13 to conveying a hoax and false information in connection with his sending white powder letters to the New York State Gaming Commission.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Carter admitted that between October 2017 and November 2018, he left numerous voicemails for employees at the New York State Gaming Commission in Schenectady, New York, in which he used threatening language. Carter also admitted that between 2019 and 2021, he mailed four letters containing white powder and other substances to the Commission. He further admitted that he sent the letters and voicemails to the Commission as revenge for suspending his license for horse racing.   

If United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino accepts the parties’ joint sentencing recommendation, Carter will receive time served and face up to 3 years of supervised release, when he is sentenced on May 17, 2023. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  

This case was investigated by the FBI, Schenectady Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Richard Belliss.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Wu Feng Zhang, age 53, a Chinese citizen residing in the Town of Colonie, New York, has been charged by criminal complaint for transporting stolen property across state lines.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

The criminal complaint alleges that between June and December 2022, Zhang stole merchandise from home improvement stores in states including Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and New York, and transported those stolen items to his residence in Colonie.  On January 11, 2023, HSI searched his residence in Colonie and found more than $100,000 in merchandise stolen from home improvement and other stores. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

 

Zhang appeared on January 12, 2023, in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and was ordered detained pending trial.

HSI, with assistance from the Colonie Police Department, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK –John Huckabey, age 40, of Potsdam, New York, was arrested yesterday for distribution of child pornography.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

The criminal complaint alleges that between October 6 and October 31, 2022, Huckabey used a social media application to distribute videos and images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Yesterday, Huckabey made an initial appearance in Plattsburgh federal court, before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro, and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing

Huckabey faces at least 5 years and up 20 years in prison, if convicted.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The FBI is investigating this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

ALBANY, NEW YORK –Brian Tierney, age 29, of Rustburg, Virginia, was arrested today for conspiring to commit bank robbery. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

The criminal complaint alleges that between November 14 and November 26, 2022, Tierney agreed to and planned to commit an armed bank robbery at a bank branch in Johnstown, New York, with two conspirators, Luke Kenna and Michael Brown Jr. a/k/a “Doc Grimson.” Kenna, as part of that conspiracy, conducted surveillance of the bank and purchased items, including weapons, to commit the robbery.

Kenna and Brown have already been charged and arrested. 

Kenna appeared on December 21, 2022, in Albany federal court, and was ordered detained pending trial.

On December 14. 2022, Brown made an initial appearance in Philadelphia, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and was ordered detained and transported to the Northern District of New York.  Brown made his initial appearance today in Albany federal court, before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and was ordered detained pending trial.

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

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The FBI Albany Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which includes FBI Special Agents, and federal, state, and local investigators, including from the New York State Police, is investigating the case. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, the FBI’s Richmond Field Office and the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit also provided assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – John Arthur Nolan, III, age 48, of Norfolk, New York, pled guilty today in federal court in Syracuse to one felony count of failing to update his sex offender registration, United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and David L. McNulty, United States Marshal for the Northern District of New York made the announcement.

Nolan pled guilty to violating the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which requires a convicted sex offender to register, and keep that registration current, wherever he or she resides.  Nolan admitted that he was previously convicted of Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors in Florida, which required him to register as a sex offender for 25 years.  Nolan further admitted that he moved from Pennsylvania to New York in July of 2022 and failed to register as a sex offender in New York from that time until his arrest in October of 2022.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 12, 2023, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.  Nolan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The United States Marshals Service is investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – John Rice, age 57, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, was sentenced yesterday to serve 63 months in federal prison for his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his previous guilty plea, Rice admitted that he supplied over 50 grams of methamphetamine and a handgun to Cortland, New York-based drug dealer Kyle Leeper as part of a methamphetamine conspiracy that included members in Indiana, Cortland, and Los Angeles, California. Kyle Leeper was sentenced in November 2022 to serve 40 years in federal prison for his murder of a California man during a drug deal there in 2019 as part the conspiracy. 

Rice was also ordered to serve a 4-year term of supervised release following the completion of his federal prison sentence. Rice’s federal sentence is consecutive to an Indiana State prison sentence he is serving for unrelated drug charges.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the Montgomery County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Montgomery County (Indiana) District Attorney’s Office, and other Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Clymer, Richard Southwick, and Thomas Sutcliffe prosecuted the case.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Nectar Alfonso-Ramirez, age 28, of Mexico, pled guilty today to unlawfully entering the United States and assaulting and resisting a federal agent, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Alfonso-Ramirez admitted that, on October 4, 2022, he entered the United States on foot from Canada at a location not authorized for the entrance of immigrants. U.S. Border Patrol Agents encountered Alfonso-Ramirez and ordered him to his knees as part of an arrest procedure. Alfonso-Ramirez admitted that he initially knelt, but then fled into the nearby woods, causing a foot pursuit. As a Border Patrol Agent attempted to place him under arrest, Alfonso-Ramirez continued to try to escape, yelling at the agent, thrashing his body, swinging his arms, and kicking his legs.

Alfonso-Ramirez faces up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 1 year  when he is sentenced on May 11, 2023.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.   

This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Leroy Reed, age 54, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced today to serve 15 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.

As part of his guilty plea, Reed, admitted that from February 2020 to March 2021 he used a computer to download child pornography over the internet using peer-to-peer file sharing software. A subsequent search of Reed’s apartment revealed that he was in possession of 55 images and 94 video files depicting child pornography.  Reed is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 2002 of Rape in the First Degree involving a victim who was 15 years old.

United States District Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a 20-year term of supervised release, which will start after Reed is released from prison, and ordered him to pay a $200 special assessment and restitution in the amount of $6,000.00.  Reed will also be required to continue to register as a sex offender.

Reed’s case was investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), with assistance from the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.