Western District of New York

CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Kenneth Ritchie, 31, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that on June 16, 2021, Ritchie engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor victim and used a cellular telephone to produce visual depictions of the conduct. The visual depictions were located in image files saved on Ritchie’s cell phone. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia. 

Sentencing is scheduled for August 24, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra. 

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CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Marquis Workman a/k/a Smurf, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. the charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that on June 2, 2021, investigators obtained a federal search warrant for a parcel addressed to the residence of Workman and his girlfriend Cameile Garrett on Beverly Road in Buffalo. Inside the parcel were two separate sealed bags of pills containing Methyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(piperidin-2-yl) acetate, a controlled substance analogue. During the execution of a search warrant of the Beverly Road residence on June 4, 2021, investigators recovered quantities of cocaine, adinazolam, carisoprodol, clonazepam, $5,753 in cash, a scale consistent with the weighing and measuring narcotics, a loaded handgun, a loaded revolver handgun, and two long guns. 

Cameile Garrett was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division. 

Sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2022, before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Melvin Leon Lee a/k/a Mohammad Caliph Lei, 70, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a false statement in application and use of passport. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in April 2021, Melvin Leon Lee applied for a United States Passport. When Lee was asked if he had ever used any other names, he left that box on the application blank. The application was denied. Subsequent investigation determined that Lee falsely claimed that two prior passports, issued in July 1976 and March 1980, were lost. The investigation also uncovered Lee’s use of a second identity, “Mohammad Caliph Lei.” The defendant’s “Lei” identity was prevented from receiving a passport because of $12,450 in unpaid child support debt. As a result of that debt, Lei has been certified for passport denial since November 2001.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Keith J. Byrne, New York Field Office and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Sharon B. MacDermott, New York Field Division.  

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Marco Sweat, 41, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, was sentenced to serve 21 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who handled the case, stated that on June 9, 2019, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Buffalo Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, executed a search warrant at Sweat’s residence on Langfield Drive in Buffalo. During the search, investigators seized three firearms and 125 rounds of ammunition. Sweat, having previously been convicted in Erie County Court of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

The sentencing is result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven Gasiorek, 36, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Williams M. Skretny to receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between March 2014, and April 16, 2019, Gasiorek worked as a substitute teacher and athletic coach at John F. Kennedy Middle and High Schools in Cheektowaga, NY. During that time, Gasiorek pretended to be a teenage girl living in California and used a fictitious Instagram account in the name of LEXIGURL1015 to communicate with numerous minor males and receive child pornography from them. Gasiorek knew the victims he was communicating with were minors, and he served as a teacher or coach to some of the victims he received child pornography from.

On April 16, 2019, during the execution of a search warrant at Gasiorek’s residence, a laptop computer and external hard drive were seized. A forensic examination recovered images and videos of child pornography depicting many minor males, of which 29 have been positively identified. The victims lived in Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Virginia, Texas, and Florida. In total, Gasiorek possessed over 600 images and videos of child pornography.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould, the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Edward Baker, and the Fauquier County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Jeremy Falls.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 27, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Victor Quinones, 25, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of distribution of heroin, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that on July 16, 2019, Quinones sold heroin to an individual working with the FBI. A few days later, on July 18, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Quinones’ residence on Leroy Avenue where he was apprehended. Investigators recovered drug packaging and a quantity of butyryl fentanyl. Quinones admitted to distributing heroin in the Buffalo area for approximately one year, including the sale of heroin to an individual who overdosed and died.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Frankie Cook, 28, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin and 40 grams of fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years and a $5,000,000 fine. In addition, Shawntee Ellison, 28, also of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Watkins, who is handling the case, stated that on February 11, 2020, in Erie County Court, Cook was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. On February 26, 2020, Erie County Probation officers went to Cook’s residence on Dartmouth Avenue in Buffalo, for an initial information visit. During the visit, officers discovered what appeared to be a drug preparation station with gloves, masks, and plastic bags in the basement. Officers then searched the basement and found a hidden safe with approximately 240 grams of fentanyl, 156 grams of heroin, drug paraphernalia, a .45 caliber magazine, .45 caliber ammunition, 9mm ammunition, and a stolen loaded 9mm handgun inside.

Shawntee Ellison knew that Cook possessed the heroin and fentanyl, and the firearm, but failed to notify the proper federal law enforcement authorities. She also took steps to conceal Cook’s actions, including falsely telling law enforcement authorities that she did not know about the heroin, fentanyl, and firearm in the safe at her residence or that Cook was involved in distributing controlled substances.

The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Erie County Probation Department, under the direction of Commissioner Michelle Olszowy; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Frankie Cook is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. and Shawntee Ellison is scheduled to be sentenced on September 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., both before Judge Vilardo.              

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Timothy Granison, 43, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine before U.S. District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that Granison was a member of a drug trafficking organization led by Jason Siplin that distributed large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine out of a Glenwood Avenue drug house. Over the course of the conspiracy, Granison regularly obtained bulk quantities of cocaine from Jason Siplin, which he then sold to his own customers. On May 19, 2021, investigators intercepted telephone calls between Granison and co-conspirator Dkeidron Dublin, during which the two discussed Granison resupplying Dublin with cocaine sometime that afternoon. At approximately 3:23 p.m., surveillance officers observed Granison pull up to Dublin’s Birch Crescent residence in Rochester. Dublin came out of the residence and got into Granison’s vehicle. Investigators then surrounded the vehicle and took Granison and Dublin into custody. During the execution of search warrants on the vehicle and Dublin’s residence, 31 grams of cocaine and $1,241.00 in cash was recovered.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief David Smith, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.     
 
Sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Lance Parker, 44, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2018, Parker conspired with co-defendants Edgar Pavia, Adrian Goudelock, Eric Young, and others, to sell cocaine. Pavia brokered bulk quantity cocaine from the Southwest border to multiple areas in the country including Buffalo, NY, Kentucky, and Georgia. On July 25, 2018, Parker met Eric Young in a parking lot in West Seneca and was observed by investigators removing a bag from his pick-up truck and putting it in the driver’s side of the tractor-trailer that Young was operating. Parker was further observed removing a different bag from the tractor-trailer. Investigators subsequently seized both bags, one contained 17 kilograms of cocaine, and the other contained 52 shrink-wrapped and taped bundles of currency, totaling $519,580. Law enforcement officers also found three plastic wrapped packages of bulk U.S. currency totaling $145,380 secreted in the tractor-trailer. A phone seized from Parker revealed text messages from co-defendant Goudelock with instructions where to go to find the tractor-trailer.

Defendants Pavia, Goudelock, and Young were previously convicted.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Buffalo, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia; and Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Unit, under the direction of Brian Manaher, Director, Marine Operations. Additional assistance was provided by the New York National Guard; HSI-Louisville; the Kentucky State Police; the Louisville Metro Police; and the Greater Hardin County Drug Task Force.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Tomas Rosario, 74, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempted receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and attempted tampering with a witness. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 11, 2022, the Rochester Police Department received a report of a sexual assault of a 13-year-old female (Minor Victim). Subsequent investigation determined that the Minor Victim was allegedly touched inappropriately by her school bus driver, later identified as Rosario. A review of surveillance video captured on cameras installed on the school van shows Rosario having inappropriate sexual discussions with the Minor Victim on the way to and from school. The Minor Victim and Rosario are the only occupants in the van. Rosario also the drove the Minor Victim past his residence and told her that if there comes a day when she does not want to go to school, he could provide her with his phone number so that Minor Victim could call him. Rosario then gave the Minor Victim a piece of paper with his phone number written on it. Rosario also told the Minor Victim not to tell anyone about their conversation. During the ride home from school, Rosario directed the Minor Victim to do something sexually inappropriate. The Minor Victim reminds Rosario about the camera inside the vehicle. Rosario then inappropriately touches the Minor Victim multiple times. Rosario tells the Minor Victim again not to tell anyone because he could have a big problem. A few days after this sexual assault occurred, Rosario encountered the Minor Victim in a convenience store and again warned her not to tell anyone. This encounter was captured by the store’s security cameras.

On April 13, 2022, the Rochester Police Department obtained a warrant to search Rosario’s cell phone, during which investigators recovered images of child pornography.

Members of the public who have information regarding this case are asked to call the FBI at 1-585-546-2220.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Interim Police Chief David Smith, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joseph Perez, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in December 2020, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a cybertip from Twitter, Inc. that an individual, later identified as Perez, uploaded four images of suspected child pornography to Twitter. Subsequently, in March 2021, NCMEC received a cybertip from Instagram indicating that Perez uploaded one file of suspected child pornography. On November 5, 2021, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at Perez’s Avenue D residence and recovered several electronic devices were seized. A forensic analysis found approximately 125 videos of child pornography on a cellular telephone. At the time of his arrest, investigators discovered that there is an active warrant for Perez’s arrest out of Potter County, Texas, where he was charged with Indecency with a Child/Sexual Contact.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Matthew Bald, 40, of Lockport, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor by a person having a prior conviction for sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, or abusive sexual contact involving a minor or ward. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that in November 2011, Bald was convicted in Niagara County Court of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to serve six months in prison and 10 years’ probation. On December 15, 2020, while still on probation, Bald possessed more than 600 images of child pornography on a laptop computer. Some of the images of child pornography depicted prepubescent minors.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski, the Niagara County Probation Department, under the direction of Director John Cicchetti, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Luke Marshall Wenke, 29, of Olean, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to cyberstalking. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and David J. Rudroff, who are handling the case, stated that between January 23 and January 24, 2022, Wenke threatened to injure an individual identified as R.G. in Minnesota. R.G. is a criminal defense attorney who represents an acquaintance of Wenke’s in a criminal matter in the District of Minnesota. Beginning in September 2020, Wenke grew dissatisfied with the representation that R.G. provided to the acquaintance, and began to harass and threaten R.G. Between September 22, 2020, and January 24, 2022, Wenke sent R.G. more than 76 emails, a voicemail, made two phone calls to R.G.’s law firm, and attempted to visit R.G.’s law firm in-person on one occasion, in addition to numerous fake internet reviews of R.G.’s law firm. Several of the communications referenced Wenke’s possession of firearms, and/or his familiarity with explosives.

On January 23, 2022, Wenke sent R.G. an email in which he stated, among other things, “They say men respect each other after a fight. I will gladly take a steel chair to your face until I get what I want here. You don’t respect me. . . but you will.” On January 24, 2022, Wenke sent another email to R.G. in which he stated, among other things, “This fight will happen, do not fear and do not worry. Do not cross certain lines. Oh boy do I have work to do tomorrow.” That same day, Wenke sent another email and attached a photo depicting an aerial view of R.G.’s residence.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia and the Olean Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ron Richardson.                      

Sentencing is scheduled for August 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Frank Vacanti, 41, of Grand Island, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to maintaining a drug involved premises. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between 2016 and June 29, 2020, Vacanti worked with others, including co-defendant Robert Fiels, to sell marijuana. On June 29, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Vacanti’s East River Road residence seizing marijuana; THC and cannabis oil; THC edibles, gummies and cartridges; packaging material; ketamine; vape cartridges; approximately $2,000.00 in cash; five shotguns; and hundreds of shotgun shells.

Robert Fiels was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

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

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2022, before Judge Vilardo. 

CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John Cecchini, 28, of Albion, NY, pleaded guilty to bank robbery and four counts of Hobbs Act robbery before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who is handling the case, stated that between April 2 and April 5, 2021, Cecchini committed robberies at five locations across Clarkson, Lyndonville, Albion, and Medina:

o On April 2, 2021, Cecchini robbed the Five Star Bank branch at 2 West Avenue, Clarkson, NY. He handed a bank employee a note which read, “Please do not make me hurt you. I need all of your money in your drawer and hurry up. You delay, I’ll start shooting.”  Before the teller could read the note, Cecchini said, “give me all of the money in the drawer before I start shooting.” The teller complied and gave him cash, and Cecchini fled the area. 

o On April 3, 2021, Cecchini robbed the Discount Groceries and More at 11 South Main Street, Lyndonville, NY. He entered the store and handed a store employee a note that read “I don’t want anyone to get hurt” and verbally demanded all of the money in the cash drawer.  The employee complied with Cecchini’s demands and handed him cash, and Cecchini left the store and fled the area.

o On April 4, 2021, Cecchini robbed the Alexander’s Mobil Gas Station at 4118 Lake Road, Clarkson, NY. He told an employee that he had a taser and said “This is a stick up.  Keep your hands on the counter, act normal.”  The employee handed Cecchini cash from the cash register while Cecchini placed his hand in his sweatshirt pocket as if he had a gun.  Cecchini took the cash, exited the store, and fled the area.

o On April 5, 2021, Cecchini robbed the Crosby’s Gas Station at 202 North Main Street, Albion, NY. He showed an employee a taser gun and demanded money, saying that the taser had probes in it and he wasn’t afraid to use it if the employee didn’t hurry up. The employee handed Cecchini cash, and Cecchini fled the area.

o Later in the day on April 5, 2021, Cecchini robbed the Family Dollar at 11322 Maple Ridge Road, Medina, NY. Cecchini asked a store employee “have you ever been robbed before?” while holding an object in his hand as if it were a weapon. The employee handed Cecchini cash, and he fled the area in a car. After a brief chase, Cecchini was apprehended.

The plea is the result of/culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Major Crimes Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the Medina Police Department, under the direction of Chief Chad Kenward, the Albion Police Department, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski, the Orleans County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourque, and the Orleans County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of District Attorney Joseph Cardone.  

Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Hector Savage, 37, of Greece, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior conviction, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison and 15 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that on July 31, 2003, Savage was convicted in Monroe County Court of Sexual Abuse 1st: Sexual Contact with Individual Less than 11 Years Old. On May 25, 2019, Savage possessed approximately 20 images of child pornography on an Apple iPhone. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors or minors under 12 years old.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal jury convicted Ernest Green, a/k/a Fire, 37, of Buffalo, NY, of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on July 26, 2020, Green was seen on video running in an easterly direction away from the Towne Gardens Housing Complex. This was shortly after a shooting incident occurred in the Housing Complex during which a vehicle crashed into a tree in the middle of the courtyard. The firearm Green possessed was found five blocks east of where the shooting occurred. In November 2004, Green was convicted of a felony in Erie County Court. In October 2010, Green was convicted of a felony in New York State Court. As a result of those convictions, he is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The verdict is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. who presided over the trial.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John Fadden, 48, of Savona, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession and distribution of child pornography by an individual who has a prior conviction involving the sexual abuse of a child. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in March 2021, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received two cybertip reports from Yahoo! Inc. that in February and March, 2021, user john_fadden@yahoo.com uploaded approximately 185 image files of suspected child pornography. In October 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at Fadden’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices and storage media. A forensic analysis recovered more than 100 files of child pornography on a Sandisk thumb drive.

Fadden is a Level 3 registered sex offender. He was convicted in 1991, 1992, and 2001 of Sexual Abuse 1st: Sexual Contact with Individual Less Than 11 Years Old. In 2013, Fadden was convicted of Sex Offender Fail to Report Change of Address/Status In 10 Days.

The indictment is a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Israel Rivera-Reyes, 48, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in March 1995, Rivera was convicted of Murder 2nd Degree: With Intent and sentenced to serve five years to life in prison. Rivera was released in August 2006 on New York State Parole. Rivera’s parole was subsequently revoked in 2012, 2013, and 2014. He was most recently re-paroled on March 14, 2019.

On April 7, 2022, the Irondequoit Police Department received a referral from Child Protective Services (CPS), which stated that Rivera had sexual intercourse with Minor Victim 1 on multiple occasions. At the time, Rivera was approximately 47 years old and Minor Victim 1 was 16 years old. The complaint states that Rivera also sent nude pictures and videos to Minor Victim 1’s phone. A search of Minor Victim 1’s recovered multiple sexually explicit videos. On April 13, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Rivera’s Norcrest Drive residence in Rochester, during which investigators seized Rivera’s cell phone. Rivera was taken into custody at that time.

The complaint is a result of an investigation by the Irondequoit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Alan Laird, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Sandra Doorley.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging James Fox, 38, of Cheektowaga, NY, with two counts of sex trafficking by coercion, distribution of heroin causing serious bodily injury, distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas T. Cooper and Aaron J. Mango, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, between 2019, and May 2020, Fox is accused of coercing Victim 1, using force and threats, to engage in a commercial sex act. Between 2018, and 2021, Fox is accused of coercing Victim 2, also using force or threats of force, to engage in a commercial sex act. In addition, on March 3, 2020, Fox is accused of selling heroin to another individual, which resulted in serious bodily injury. 

On February 3, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Fox’s residence on Beach Road in Cheektowaga, NY, during which they seized, among other items, a loaded shotgun; additional rounds of ammunition; Narcan; two electrical tasers; and a stun gun. The Government alleges that Fox frequently used his residence to distribute illegal narcotics and solicit prostitutes who were addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, and that Fox provided the prostitutes with illegal narcotics in exchange for sex acts.

The indictment is a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Karn. Jr. and Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Pawel Aleksander Grodkowski, 53, of Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, at 8:50 a.m., on April 14, 2022, Grodkowski was observed on a security video monitor kneeling down on the pedestrian walkway on the U.S. side of Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Two Customs and Border Protection officers approached Grodkowski and noticed a pair of wire cutters protruding from a bag he was carrying. Grodkowski was escorted to secondary for further inspection and subsequently arrested. Security video showed Grodkowski climbing a security fence and cutting three separate stands of barbed wire. A search of Grodkowski’s bag recovered a pair of wire cutters.

The complaint further states that Grodkowski also entered the U.S. in a similar fashion in August and September of 2021. Wire cutters were also discovered on the Peace Bridge pedestrian walkway by CBP officers during those months.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Steven Gonzalez a/k/a Steven Hernandez, a/k/a Steve, a/k/a Stevie, a/k/a Unc, 43, of Buffalo, NY, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking by coercion, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Misha A. Coulson, and Joseph M. Tripi, who are handling the case stated that according to the indictment, between 2012, and March 2015, Gonzalez conspired with others to coerce, with use of force or threats of force, two minors identified as A.N. and B.E., to engage in sex trafficking. In addition, between 2006 and November 2018, Hernandez is accused of conspiring with others to sell controlled substances, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine.

Gonzalez was previously indicted in May 2020, on charges of distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl causing death; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl; possessing with intent to distribute heroin; and using and maintaining a drug involved premises. Those charges remain pending.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley, New York Field Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Swazine Swindle, 43, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who is handling the case, stated that on September 22, 2021, the Buffalo Police Department Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant on a vehicle in the vicinity of 320 Kenmore Avenue in Buffalo. During the search, Swindle was in the driver's seat of the vehicle. Investigators seized approximately four plastic bags, which contained a total of 10 grams of crack cocaine, and $3,349 in cash. Prior to executing the search warrant, investigators observed Swindle enter and exit 319 Kenmore Avenue. After securing the vehicle, a search warrant was executed at the residence and approximately 1.79 grams of cocaine was seized as well as two digital scales.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia; and the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 31, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Robert Morgan pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Glaberson and Paul Parisi, who are handling the case, stated that Morgan was the manager of Morgan Ellison Heights LLC, which was the majority owner of Ellison Heights Apartments LLC. In September 2016, Morgan, along with one or more co-conspirators, caused ESL Federal Credit Union to issue a construction loan based on inaccurate information regarding the construction contract price. Morgan saw and was aware of documents reflecting inaccurate information and agreed, along with one or more co-conspirators, for that information to be submitted to ESL to obtain a larger amount of the construction loan than what would have otherwise been supported by the actual figures.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Manchak, Northeast Region.  

Sentencing is scheduled for July 22, 2022, before Judge Wolford.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Octavio Cruz, 39, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, butyryl fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who handled the case, stated that on December 27, 2018, Cruz sold a quantity of butyryl fentanyl to an individual identified as C.H. At approximately 9:17 p.m. that night, the West Seneca Police Department responded to a call for an unresponsive person. Officers discovered C.H. unresponsive and later confirmed C.H. was deceased. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death to be acute intoxication from butyryl fentanyl. Officers recovered C.H.’s cell phone, which contained text messages between C.H. and Cruz. In addition, officers recovered a small plastic bag that contained suspected heroin. Testing determined the substance to be butyryl fentanyl. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Edward Baker, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Antasia Babcock, 28, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl; 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; 400 grams or more of fentanyl; and 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Misha Coulson, who are handling the case, stated that Babcock conspired with others, including co-defendant Jun Martinez, to sell cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin in the Jamestown area. Martinez arranged to receive the narcotics via mail from a source out of state. In mid-September 2020, Martinez traveled out of state to acquire more narcotics in-person and was pulled over by an Illinois State Police Trooper. During a search of his vehicle, law enforcement officers recovered approximately 6,359 grams of methamphetamine, 3,157 grams of fentanyl, 2,241 grams of cocaine, and marijuana products. While Martinez was detained on Illinois state charges, Babcock continued the narcotics distribution in Jamestown. On October 16, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant the Wescott Street residence that Babcock shared with Martinez and recovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a plastic packaging sealer machine, a drug ledger, and approximately $62,255 in U.S. currency. 

Jun Martinez was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

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

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 21, 2022, before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christopher D. Robbins, 61, of Williamsville, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2020, Robbins was identified as a member of a group on Kik used to exchange images and videos of child pornography. Subsequently, on July 2, 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant at Robbins’ residence in Williamsville, seizing several electronic items that contained child pornography.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Milwaukee Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in Charge Robert E. Hughes; the Buffalo Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belongia; and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Strassburg.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 8, 2022, before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Rudolph Brumfield a/k/a Rudy, 36, of Geneva, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon before Senior U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that Brumfield was the leader of a cocaine trafficking organization operating in Geneva and other areas of Ontario County. During the conspiracy, Brumfield obtained quantities of cocaine and marijuana from suppliers in California and elsewhere. In January 2020, investigators and officers from the Geneva Police Department and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at the Toledo Street residence of Brumfield’s girlfriend, which was used to store, manufacture, and sell the cocaine and marijuana, and at Brumfield’s North Genesee Street residence. During the searches, they recovered:

• 2.7 kilograms of cocaine and 69.7 grams of crack cocaine; • 18 one-pound packages of marijuana; • $161,581 in cash; • two firearms, one which was reported stolen in 2013, and a box of ammunition; • and materials commonly used to package drugs for street-level distribution.

Brumfield was previously convicted in 2006 and 2012 of felony charges in Ontario County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Philip Povero, the Geneva Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mike Passalacqua; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent In Charge John B. DeVito.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Daniel Rammacher, 63, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possessing child pornography following a conviction for the New York State crime of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Rammacher was also ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution to victims.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who handled the case, stated that in 2014, Rammacher was arrested by the New York State Police in Warren County, NY, after it was discovered that he sexually abused a four-year-old child in his care. Rammacher was sentenced to serve a 10-year term of sex offender probation, which was transferred to the Monroe County Probation Department in 2015, after Rammacher moved to Rochester. During a routine visit in 2019, probation officers discovered that Rammacher possessed a laptop computer, which contained sexually explicit material, in violation of probation conditions. Officers confiscated the computer and, after a preview did not reveal the presence of any additional contraband, submitted the computer to the Regional Forensic Computer Laboratory in Rochester for a full forensic review. While the computer was being forensically examined, Rammacher confessed to probation officers that he had used the computer to access and view child pornography. The forensic analysis ultimately confirmed the presence of images of child pornography on the computer.  

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Probation Department, under the director of Chief Probation Officer Jennifer Ball, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christopher Kendrick, 27, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that in October 2011, Kendrick was convicted in Monroe County Court of 3rd Degree Robbery and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. On May 11, 2021, while traveling in Buffalo, Kendrick made a turn onto the Peace Bridge and entered the Customs and Border Patrol passenger processing area. At that time, U.S. Border Patrol Agents observed Kendrick in his vehicle and questioned him. Kendrick, who presented a New York State identification but had no other identification, was removed from his vehicle, and escorted to the Peace Bridge Administration Building. During a secondary screening of Kendrick’s vehicle, a .25 caliber semiautomatic pistol and ammunition were located in the glove compartment.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Eric Kelechi Nwachukwu, 32, of Baltimore, MD, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to fraud in connection with a means of identification. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that on June 20, 2020, Nwachukwu, and two passengers, were referred for secondary inspection by Customs and Border Protection at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. During the secondary inspection, CBP Officers found multiple fraudulent driver’s licenses in the names of other individuals known to the government, as well as two cellular telephones. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents subsequently executed search warrants on the phones and recovered identification consisting of names and dates of birth, among other information, belonging to approximately 30 other individuals known to the government. Nwachukwu possessed the identifications without authorization and with the intent to commit bank fraud. The investigation determined that between April 26 and September 25, 2019, Nwachukwu used the identifications of four these individuals to conduct approximately 11 unauthorized withdrawals totaling $52,800 at financial institutions in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.  

Sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Shola Yusuf Adediji a/k/a Michael Kopeck, 38, of Los Angeles, CA, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that between May and August 2019, Adediji conspired with others to defraud two electronics businesses, one in Amherst, NY, and one in Fort Myers, Florida, to obtain high-end electronic merchandise. Adediji and others posed as customers and completed fraudulent purchase orders. Throughout the scheme, both businesses shipped merchandise to Adediji and others throughout the United States. Adediji used the fictitious name “Michael Kopeck” to rent a storage unit where the fraudulently obtained merchandise was stored.
 
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jason Yelder, 39, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison and eight years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that in 2017, Yelder was convicted of methamphetamine trafficking and sentenced to serve 20 months in prison and five years post-release supervision, which began on May 25, 2018. In February 2019, Yelder broke off all contact with probation personnel. In July 2019, the U.S. Marshal’s Service located Yelder at a hotel on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, he had rented and was using distribute methamphetamine. On July 15, 2019, Yelder was arrested and found to be in possession of 21 baggies containing a total of approximately 30 grams of between 98% and 99% pure methamphetamine. 

Subsequent investigation determined that on May 28, 2019, an individual identified as K.L. was found dead by the train tracks near 355 Lakefront Boulevard in Buffalo. Previously, K.L. had been at another hotel room rented by Yelder on Pearl Street. While at the hotel, the defendant gave K.L. a vial of liquid methamphetamine. The toxicology report for K.L. revealed methamphetamine in K.L.’s system, and the medical examiner concluded that, but for the methamphetamine in K.L.’s system, K.L. would not have died. The defendant admitted his role in the overdose death of K.L.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley, New York Field Division, and the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

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CONTACT:  Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, NY – An Oklahoma woman pleaded guilty today in the Western District of New York for a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of over $43.8 million in COVID-19 relief loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

According to court documents, Amanda J. Gloria, 45, of Altus, admitted that she conspired to submit at least 153 fraudulent PPP applications seeking a total of approximately $43.8 million on behalf of at least 111 entities between approximately May 2020 and June 2021. Gloria admitted that she falsified or aided and assisted with falsifying various information on these loan applications, including the number of employees, payroll expenses and documentation, and federal tax filings. Gloria then submitted or aided and assisted with the submission of the fraudulent PPP applications to financial institutions. In total, the recipient entities unlawfully obtained approximately $32.5 million in PPP funds. From those fraudulently obtained funds, Gloria personally received at least approximately $1.7 million.

Gloria also admitted that she conspired with Adam D. Arena to submit a fraudulent PPP loan application seeking approximately $954,000 for ADA Auto Group LLC, a previously inactive Florida-based business owned and controlled by Arena. After fraudulently obtaining the PPP loan, Gloria directed Arena to launder the proceeds, including by transferring nearly $25,000 to a bank account held in the name of WildWest Trucking LLC, an Oklahoma-based business owned and controlled by Gloria. Gloria also admitted that she submitted and fraudulently obtained a separate PPP loan for WildWest Trucking LLC for approximately $421,000. Arena pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction with criminally derived proceeds in a related case.

Gloria is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20 and faces up to 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and up to 10 years in prison for money laundering. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross for the Western District of New York; Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belongia of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) made the announcement.

The FBI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.

Assistant Chief Cory E. Jacobs and Trial Attorney Jennifer Bilinkas of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins for the Western District of New York are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the PPP. Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/ppp-fraud.

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

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

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Todd Morgan, Frank Giacobbe, and Michael Tremiti pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to bank larceny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Glaberson and Paul Parisi, who are handling the case, stated that defendants Tremiti and Morgan worked for Morgan Management, LLC., a real estate management company that managed over 100 multi-family properties. Tremiti was the Vice President of Finance and Morgan was a Project Manager. Tremiti and Morgan admitted submitting false documents to the ESL Federal Credit Union to obtain a construction loan. The loan was used to construct Ellison Heights Apartments, a multi-family residential complex in Penfield, NY.

Defendant Giacobbe owned and operated Aurora Capital Advisors, LLC, which brokered loans for borrowers seeking financing for multi-family properties such as apartment complexes. Through Aurora, Giacobbe worked as a mortgage broker on behalf of Morgan Management. Morgan Ellicott Apartments, LLC, was a limited liability company created to purchase a multi-family residential apartment complex located at 221 and 291 William Street in Buffalo, NY, known as Morgan Ellicott Apartments. Morgan Ellicott sought to obtain a loan from Evans Bank. Giacobbe, working with others, submitted documents and information to Evans Bank that overstated the contract purchase price of Morgan Ellicott, falsely represented the obligations associated with Morgan Ellicott, and misrepresented the actual purchase price of the property. Giacobbe also made misrepresentations designed to conceal from Evans Bank that he and others were not using the loan proceeds to purchase or maintain the property as required by the loan agreement.

The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Manchak, Northeast Region.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, NY – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the appointment of 12 U.S. Attorneys to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC). Created in 1973, the AGAC advises the Attorney General on matters of policy, procedure, and management impacting the Offices of the U.S. Attorneys and elevates the voices of U.S. Attorneys in Department policies. The first meeting of the AGAC will take place later this spring.

The appointees include U.S. Attorney Trini Ross for the Western District of New York; U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York; U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee for the District of Maine; U.S. Attorney Sandra Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina; U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana; U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris for the Central District of Illinois; U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota; U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona; U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan for the District of Colorado; and U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. An appointee from a district within the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals will be announced at a later date, once the Senate has confirmed nominees.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams will serve as the Chair of the AGAC, and U.S. Attorney Cindy Chung will serve as the Vice Chair.

“These United States Attorneys will represent the views of dedicated federal prosecutors across the country and provide advice and insight into essential matters facing the Department,” said Attorney General Garland. “I look forward to working alongside them in carrying out the Department’s core priorities of upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights.”

“I am honored to be chosen as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee,” stated U.S. Attorney Ross. “As a member of this important committee, I look forward to sharing issues, which impact the Western District of New York and the entire Department, with Attorney General Garland and my colleagues. I know that by working collaboratively we will create solutions resulting in safer communities, here in the Western New York and throughout the country.”

A brief bio on each appointee is below:

Trini Ross
The Senate confirmed Trini Ross’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York in September 2021. Ross began her career as an appellate attorney for the New York Supreme Court. She was an associate at Hiscock & Barclay LLC before joining the Office of Professional Responsibility as assistant counsel. From 1995 to 2018, Ross served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. She has also been an adjunct professor of law at Buffalo Law School. She has also served as director of the investigations for the National Science Foundation Office of Inspector General since 2018. Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1988, a Master of Arts from Rutgers University in 1990, and a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo Law School in 1992.

Damian Williams (Chair)
The Senate confirmed Damian Williams’ appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York in October 2021. Williams began his legal career as a law clerk to then-Judge Merrick Garland when he served in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2007 to 2008. Williams then served as a law clerk for Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court from 2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2012, he was a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. From 2012 to 2021, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In the role, he served as a chief of the securities and commodities fraud task force from 2018 to 2021. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard University in 2002, a Master of Philosophy in international relations from Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge in 2003, and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2007, where he was also an editor of the Yale Law Journal.

Cindy K. Chung (Vice Chair)
The Senate confirmed Cindy K. Chung’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania in November 2021. In 2002 and 2003, Chung served as a law clerk for Judge Myron H. Thompson in the Middle District of Alabama. She then joined the New York County District Attorney’s Office in 2003, serving as an assistant district attorney until 2007 and as investigation counsel in the Official Corruption Unit from 2007 to 2009. From 2009 to 2014, Chung served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. She later joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, serving as deputy chief of the major crimes division. From 2014 to 2021, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Chung earned a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1997 and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 2002.

Darcie McElwee
The Senate confirmed Darcie McElwee’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine in October 2021. McElwee began her legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Penobscot and Piscataquis counties in Maine from 1998 to 2002. Between 2005 and 2008, McElwee was an adjunct professor of advanced trial advocacy at the University of Maine School of Law. From 2002 to 2021, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine. Since 2005, she has been the coordinator of Project Safe Neighborhoods. McElwee received her Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in 1995 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law in 1998.

Sandra Hairston
The Senate confirmed Sandra Hairston as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina in November 2021. Hairston previously served as an assistant district attorney in Columbus County, North Carolina, from 1987 to 1989 and as a special assistant district attorney in Guilford County, North Carolina from 1989 to 1990. From 1994 to 1996, she served as Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina before returning to the Middle District of North Carolina in 1996. She joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina in 1990 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Hairston previously held the position of First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina from 2014 to 2021. From March 1, 2021, until her Senate confirmation, she served as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. Hairston received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1981 and her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 1987.

Brandon Brown
The Senate confirmed Brandon Brown as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana in December 2021. From 2007 to 2012, Brown served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office. He was also an associate at Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice LLP in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since 2012, he has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana. Brown earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2002 and a Master of Business Administration in 2004 from Louisiana Tech University, followed by a Juris Doctor in 2007 from the Southern University Law Center.

Dawn Ison
The Senate confirmed Dawn Ison as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan in December 2021. In 1989 and 1990, Ison was a prehearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals. In 2002, Ison began serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. She also served as chief of the Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit. Ison earned a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State University Law School.

Gregory Harris
The Senate confirmed Gregory Harris as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois in December 2021. Harris began his career as a lawyer for the Office of the State Appellate Defender in 1976 where he represented indigent criminal defendants on appeal. From 1979 to 1980, he served as legal counsel for the Illinois Governor’s Office of Manpower and Human Development and later as a staff attorney for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Development. From 1980 to 1988, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. From 1988 to 2001, he was a lawyer for Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes in Springfield, Illinois. He later rejoined the Central District of Illinois in 2001, where he served as chief of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney. Harris was born in Washington, D.C. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law in 1976.

Andrew Luger
The Senate confirmed Andrew Luger as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota in March 2022. He previously served in that role during the Obama administration and briefly during the Trump administration from 2014 to 2017. Prior to his appointment, Luger was a partner in the Minneapolis office of Jones Day from 2017 – 2022. Luger has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, from 1989 to 1992, and for the District of Minnesota from 1992 to 1995, where he prosecuted a wide variety of narcotics and violent crimes, as well as complex white collar frauds. In 1995, Luger joined the law firm of Greene Espel in Minneapolis, where he was a partner until 2014. Luger earned a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.

Gary Restaino
The Senate confirmed Gary Restaino as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in November 2021. From 1991 to 1993, Restaino served in Paraguay with the Peace Corps. From 1996 to 1999, he provided legal services to seasonal farm workers as a lawyer with Community Legal Services. From 1999 to 2003, he served as a civil rights lawyer in the Arizona Attorney General's Office. He then served as a trial attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Restaino joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona in 2003. He was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney in October 2021. Restaino earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College in 1990 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1996.

Cole Finegan
The Senate confirmed Cole Finegan as U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado in November 2021. From 1991 to 1993, Finegan served both as Chief Legal Counsel and Director of Policy and Initiatives for Colorado Governor Roy Romer. From 1993 to 2003, Finegan was a partner for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Denver office. Finegan joined Hogan Lovells (then Hogan & Hartson) in 2007 as a partner. Finegan acted as an adviser to Governor Hickenlooper and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Finegan attended the University of Notre Dame from 1974 to 1978, earning a degree in English. Finegan earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986.

Matthew Graves
The Senate confirmed Matthew Graves as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia in October 2021. After graduating law school, Graves began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Richard W. Roberts of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. From 2002 to 2007, he was an associate at WilmerHale. From 2007 to 2016, Graves worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia, where he served in the office’s fraud and public corruption section, ultimately serving as the acting chief of the section. Since 2016, he has been a partner at DLA Piper. Graves earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University in 1998 and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2001.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Nijesh Gurung, 20, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of manufacturing and dealing in firearms without a license, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who handled the case, stated that between July 27 and September 28, 2020, Gurung sold five Personal Made Firearms, aka “ghost guns,” to an undercover officer. Gurung sold the firearms, which had no known firearm manufacturer, model, or serial number, for as little as $1,100 and as much as $1,600 each. On October 1, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Gurung’s Tacoma Street residence and recovered an unknown caliber semiautomatic pistol, with no serial number, 29 rounds of ammunition, and other parts and accessories and tools used in the production of ghost guns.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division, and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Interim Sheriff Philip Povero.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal jury has convicted James Oliver Young, 52, of Rochester, NY, on multiple charges including enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, conspiracy to produce child pornography, and production and receipt of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa M. Marangola and Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that the New York State Police received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an “Ollie Young” was communicating with a Minor Victim (MV1), in Rochester through private messages on Facebook. It appeared that “Ollie Young” was attempting to entice MV1 to produce and send apparent child exploitation images as well as engage in sexual activity. “Ollie Young” was later identified as defendant Young. Subsequent investigation determined that Young and co-defendant and Rebecca Wilson had sexual relations with MV1 on multiple occasions.

On April 18, 2020, New York State Police executed a search warrant and seized multiple devices, including two cell phones belonging to Wilson. Investigators located multiple videos depicting child pornography involving Minor Victim 2 (MV2).

Rebecca Wilson previously pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and is awaiting sentencing.

The verdict is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. who presided over the trial of the case. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging John L. Hutchins, 68, of Lewiston, NY, and Roberto Soliman, 39, of Niagara Falls, NY, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. In addition, defendant Hutchins is charged with making a false statement and defendant Soliman is charged with money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that the indictment charges Hutchins and Soliman with filing fraudulent loan applications under both the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The loans available for these programs were designed to provide emergency financial assistance pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act). The defendants applied for loans under the following companies owned by defendant Hutchins:

• Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, USA, Inc.
• 1711 Main, LLC
• Bear Creek Entertainment, LLC
• Hutch Enterprises, LLC
• The Hutchins Agency, LLC
• CWE Entertainment, Corp. (owned by defendant Soliman)

Between March and August 2020, Hutchins and Soliman received four Economic Injury Disaster Loans totaling $749,500.00. In support of each of the loans, Hutchins and Soliman submitted false revenue and expense figures for the businesses on the loan applications. Hutchins and Soliman used the loan funding for their own personal expenses, such as payments for residential properties in North Tonawanda, NY, and Lewiston, NY, a 2020 BMW, a 2020 Cadillac, homeowner association fees on a Florida condominium, and payments to relatives.

In addition, Hutchins and Soliman applied for and received a Paycheck Protection Program loan totaling $74,838.

In November 2020, Hutchins is accused of making a false statement to a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to an Investigator of the United States Attorney's Office, falsely denying applying for, or authorizing anyone to apply for, any Economic Injury Disaster Loans or Paycheck Protection Program loans, with the possible exception of one PPP loan for Rapids Theater.

Soliman is also accused of money laundering for using the fraudulent loan proceeds to pay personal expenses.
 
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations, and the New York State Office of Professional Discipline. 

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that following a four-week week trial, a federal jury has convicted Donte Walker, a/k/a Slim, 30, of Buffalo, NY, of multiple charges including murder while engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise and narcotics conspiracy, tampering with a witness, discharge of firearms causing death in furtherance of crimes of violence and drug trafficking crimes, conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death, and several narcotics offenses. The charges carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison and a fine up to a $20,000,000. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan E. Leydecker, Nicholas T. Cooper, and Seth T. Molisani, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that between 2012 and November 2018, Walker was a leader of a heroin and cocaine trafficking organization operating in the Buffalo area. Walker utilized various associates, including drug runners and lower-level drug dealers. At a peak in Walker’s heroin distribution enterprise in 2015 and 2016, he was responsible for the daily distribution of hundreds of grams of heroin, sometimes mixed with butyryl fentanyl or furanyl fentanyl. Over the years, Walker also regularly sold cocaine.

In 2013, as part of the ongoing narcotics conspiracy, Walker was responsible for the distribution of heroin to M.O., which resulted in M.O.’s death. In addition, on October 16, 2018, Walker lured Ryan Thurnherr to an area near the East Ferry Liquor Store in Buffalo under the auspices of engaging in a drug transaction. Shortly after shots were fired, and Thurnherr was found murdered in a vacant lot near the intersection of Winslow Avenue and Brooklyn Street. Walker believed Thurnherr was a witness or a threat to become a witness in the ongoing DEA investigation into the defendant’s drug-trafficking organization.

The verdict is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley, New York Field Division; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia; the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James P. Stauffiger; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould; and the Orchard Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick M. Fitzgerald. 

Sentencing is scheduled for August 5, 2022, before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. who presided over the trial of the case.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jorge Alvarez, 28, of Los Angeles, CA, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango, Douglas A. C. Penrose, and Caitlin M. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that between June 18 and July 23, 2018, Alvarez engaged in sexually explicit conversations via Instagram and text message with a 14-year-old female (Minor Victim) who told Alvarez that she was 14 years-old. During those conversations, Alvarez sent the Minor Victim naked pictures of himself and discussed having sexual contact with the Minor Victim. The Minor Victim sent Alvarez photographs of herself at his request.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Depew Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jerome Miller; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Fratini, 36, of Dunkirk, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to produce child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on February 14, 2022, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office contacted the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force and stated that Fratini used his cellular telephone to solicit nude photos and videos of the pre-pubescent daughters of a female acquaintance (Witness 1), whom he met in October 2021 through a dating application. After meeting in person, Witness 1 did not hear from Fratini again until recently when they spoke over the telephone and Fratini told Witness 1 that he had a mother/daughter fantasy. He then sent a follow-up text message asking for videos and/or pictures of Witness 1’s daughters to fulfill his fantasies. After receiving the text message, Witness 1 filed a report with the Sheriff’s Office. At the direction of the Sheriff’s Office, Witness 1 continued text message conversations with Fratini. On March 18, 2022, investigators surveilled Fratini leaving his workplace, the U.S. Postal Service on Grant Street in Buffalo, and travel to an Amherst hotel where he was expecting to meet Witness 1. After arriving at the hotel, Fratini was taken into custody.

Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-856-7800.

Fratini appeared at a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was ordered detained.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

# # # #

CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, NY--U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jeffrey Richards, 32, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute acetyl fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a stolen firearm. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and fine of up to $10,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that on December 14, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Richards’ residence on Packard Court in Niagara Falls. During the search, investigators recovered, among other items, amounts of acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, alprazolam, approximately 10 firearms, various rounds of ammunition, drug trafficking paraphernalia, an improvised destructive device, and various items used in the manufacturing of destructive devices.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent John Faso, and the Niagara County Sheriff's Department, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joseph Weathers, III, 29, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that in February 2013 and June 2014, Weathers was convicted in Monroe County Court of weapons and robbery charges and as a result is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition. In the early morning hours of July 17, 2021, while responding to a call of shots fired in the area of 9 Lime Street, Rochester Police Officers observed drugs and drug paraphernalia and encountered Weathers at the top of the stairs of the residence. After securing the location, officers executed a search warrant and recovered a 9mm pistol, a loaded magazine, and loose ammunition. The firearm was reported stolen in September 2020 from Gates, NY. In addition, officers also recovered approximately 10.6 grams of fentanyl, 4.2 grams of cocaine, 55.6 grams of crack cocaine, and approximately $537 in United States currency. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief David Smith and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

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

Sentencing is scheduled for July 15, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns   
PHONE:       (716) 843-5817 
FAX #:          (716) 551-3051  

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Luke Marshall Wenke, 29, of Olean, NY, with cyberstalking and making interstate threats. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and David J. Rudroff, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on September 3, 2020, an acquaintance of Wenke’s in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was arrested and charged federally with conspiracy to provide material support and resources to Hamas. On September 22, 2020, Wenke began sending a series of threatening communications via email, text message, letters, and telephone to Victim 1, an attorney representing the individual arrested, based on Wenke’s belief that Victim 1 was not adequately representing the individual. In an email, on January 23, 2022, Wenke stated in part: “I will gladly take a steel chair to your face until I get what I want here. You don't respect me...but you will.” Wenke sent another email on January 24, 2022, which contained a photograph of Victim 1’s residence.

Wenke is scheduled to be arraigned on March 17, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia and the Olean Police Department, under the direction of Chief Ron Richardson.                      

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Dennis Daniels, 72, of Romulus, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to mail fraud and willful failure to file an income tax return. The charges carry a maximum of penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that Daniels owned and operated Sea Tech Marine Training, which offered U.S. Coast Guard approved training courses to include operator uninspected passenger vessel (OUPV), one-hundred-ton masters license (Masters), assistance towing endorsement and auxiliary sail endorsement. Daniels also owned and operated Sea Test, a business that offered drug testing programs for United States Coast Guard license holders. Between 2014 and 2017, Daniels received gross income totaling approximately $665,327 but failed to file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service for those years. The tax owed on the unreported income was approximately $115,757.

In addition, in January and February 2019, Daniels taught 24 students the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved OUPV course with a Masters upgrade. The course should have included 80 hours of classroom instruction time, however, Daniels only provided 51 hours of classroom instruction. In addition, Daniels provided the students with the answers to certain examination questions and instructed students to provide false information regarding prior sea service.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, under the direction of Neal Marzloff, Special Agent-in-Charge, Central Region; the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the Boston Division; and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Office.   

Sentencing is scheduled for September 7, 2022, before Judge Sinatra.

# # # #

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Roger Roberts, 50, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to receipt of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that between May 5 and October 19, 2020, Roberts engaged in Snapchat communications with a 13-year-old girl living in England. Roberts persuaded the girl to send sexually explicit photos and videos involving herself and a five-year-old girl.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.

# # # #

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jerry Stearns, 50, of Clifton Springs, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor following a prior conviction. The charge carries carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of 20 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that in February 2005, Stearns was convicted in on a federal charge of possession of child pornography and sentenced to serve 120 months in prison and 10 years supervised release.  On May 13, 2019, while still on supervised release, Stearns possessed images of child pornography, some of which depicted prepubescent minors.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the U.S. Probation Department, under the director of Chief Probation Officer Timothy Englert.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2022, before Judge Wolford. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Walter S. Duprey a/k/a Spoons a/k/a Waldo, 38, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that Duprey was convicted in 2005, 2006, and 2012, of felony charges in Chautauqua County and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. On April 30, 2020, Duprey was a passenger in a car that was stopped by Jamestown Police Officers. After stating that he had a “bud on me,” Duprey was asked to step out of the car. During a search of Duprey, an officer found a shotgun shell in his pocket. While searching the car, officers recovered a loaded shotgun.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.     

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Brandon Kidder, 37, of Alden, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison and 25 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that on May 24, 2019, Kidder possessed images and videos of child pornography, which were stored on his cellular telephone and other electronic storage media. Kidder obtained the images and videos by downloading them from the internet – specifically the dark web. For example, Kidder visited and downloaded images from a dark website featuring “Hurtcore” materials. The term “Hurtcore” means any image or depiction of violent child pornography. On January 28, 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant at Kidder’s residence and seized a number of devices and electronic storage media. A forensic review revealed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography, including images that portrayed prepubescent minors, or minors under the age of 12, as well as depictions of violence.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

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